Mobile networks are in the process of transitioning to Long Term Evolution, a Fourth Generation (4G), all packet network architecture. It will permit vastly higher data rates to mobile smart phones, making voice, video, and data truly integrated for the first time - through a single access technology.
In simple terms, LTE consists of a "Packet Core" and a network of eNodeBs (as shown in the figure). eNodeBs have two interfaces, the X2 interface permits eNodeBs to intercommunicate with each other directly, and the S1 interface permits communication with the "Packet Core".
The X2 is the interconnecting interface between two eNodeBs in LTE network and supports both Control Plane and User Plane. The principle Control Plane protocol is X2-AP (X2 Application Protocol) resides on SCTP (Stream Control Transmission Protocol). LTE X2-AP is responsible for the following functions:
Mobility Management - this enables the serving eNodeB to move the specified UE responsibility to a target eNodeB.
Load Management - procedure to report resource status, overload indications and current traffic loading between the eNodeBs
Reporting of General Error Situations - procedure to report general error situations
Re-setting /Setting the X2 – procedure to setup or reset X2 interface by exchanging the necessary information between the eNodeBs
eNodeB Configuration Update - procedure to update the application level data required for the eNodeBs to interoperate in the network.
GL's Message Automation & Protocol Simulation (MAPS™) is a multi-protocol, multi-technology platform used for the emulation of a variety of communication protocols over IP, TDM, and Wireless networks. MAPS™ can be used to test signaling over legacy networks (such as CAS, SS7, ISDN, PPP and more), IP networks (such as SIP, MGCP, MEGACO, SIGTRAN, Diameter…) and also the Wireless technologies including GSM, UMTS, and LTE networks.
GL's MAPS™ designed for X2 Application Protocol (X2-AP) is used to co-ordinate handovers and perform load management between eNodeB (Evolved Node B) network elements - Source eNodeB and Target eNodeB. The MAPS™ X2-AP test tool is designed with specific test cases, as per LTE 3GPP mobile standards.
MAPS™ LTE X2-AP Interface Emulator supports powerful utilities like Message Editor, Script Editor, and Profile Editor which allow new scenarios to be created or existing scenarios to be modified using messages and parameters. The application can be integrated within GL’s End-to-End Communications Network Lab (EE-CNL) providing reliable solution to vendors and service providers for simulation, monitoring, and troubleshooting the network using ‘MAPS™ 4G Wireless Lab Suite’. Possible applications include:
Simulate up to 500 Smartphones (UEs) powering up and down
Authenticate and confirm security procedures
QoS requests for greater or lesser bandwidth
Temporary addressing management for mobility and security
GL also provides a GUI based LTE Analyzer for on-line capture and decode of the signaling in real-time both during tests and as a stand-alone tracer for live systems.
Main Features
Setup a virtual real-time network simulating 4G-LTE network elements using ‘MAPS™ 4G Wireless Lab Suite’
Simulate two eNodeB elements in LTE X2-AP interface.
Supports LTE Control plane.
Generates hundreds of UE Signaling (Load Testing).
Generates and process X2-AP (valid and invalid) messages.
Supports Mobility Management, Load Management, Reporting of General Error Situations, Re-setting X2, Setting up the X2, and eNodeB Configuration Update procedures.
Insertion of impairments to create invalid messages.
Supports customization of call flow and message templates using Script and Message Editor.
Ready-to-use scripts for quick testing.
Supports scripted call generation and automated call reception.
Script based & protocol independent software architecture.
Provides Call Statistics and Events Status.
Automation, Remote access, and Schedulers to run tests 24/7
Mobile networks are in the process of transitioning to Long Term Evolution, a Fourth Generation (4G), all packet network architecture. It will permit vastly higher data rates to mobile smart phones, making voice, video, and data truly integrated for the first time - through a single access technology.
In simple terms, LTE consists of a "Packet Core" and a network of eNodeBs (as shown in the figure). eNodeBs have two interfaces, the X2 interface permits eNodeBs to intercommunicate with each other directly, and the S1 interface permits communication with the "Packet Core".
The X2 is the interconnecting interface between two eNodeBs in LTE network and supports both Control Plane and User Plane. The principle Control Plane protocol is X2-AP (X2 Application Protocol) resides on SCTP (Stream Control Transmission Protocol).
LTE X2-AP is responsible for the following functions:
- Mobility Management - this enables the serving eNodeB to move the specified UE responsibility to a target eNodeB.
- Load Management - procedure to report resource status, overload indications and current traffic loading between the eNodeBs
- Reporting of General Error Situations - procedure to report general error situations
- Re-setting /Setting the X2 – procedure to setup or reset X2 interface by exchanging the necessary information between the eNodeBs
- eNodeB Configuration Update - procedure to update the application level data required for the eNodeBs to interoperate in the network.
GL's Message Automation & Protocol Simulation (MAPS™) is a multi-protocol, multi-technology platform used for the emulation of a variety of communication protocols over IP, TDM, and Wireless networks. MAPS™ can be used to test signaling over legacy networks (such as CAS, SS7, ISDN, PPP and more), IP networks (such as SIP, MGCP, MEGACO, SIGTRAN, Diameter…) and also the Wireless technologies including GSM, UMTS, and LTE networks.
GL's MAPS™ designed for X2 Application Protocol (X2-AP) is used to co-ordinate handovers and perform load management between eNodeB (Evolved Node B) network elements - Source eNodeB and Target eNodeB. The MAPS™ X2-AP test tool is designed with specific test cases, as per LTE 3GPP mobile standards.
MAPS™ LTE X2-AP Interface Emulator supports powerful utilities like Message Editor, Script Editor, and Profile Editor which allow new scenarios to be created or existing scenarios to be modified using messages and parameters.
The application can be integrated within GL’s End-to-End Communications Network Lab (EE-CNL) providing reliable solution to vendors and service providers for simulation, monitoring, and troubleshooting the network using ‘MAPS™ 4G Wireless Lab Suite’.
Possible applications include:
- Simulate up to 500 Smartphones (UEs) powering up and down
- Authenticate and confirm security procedures
- QoS requests for greater or lesser bandwidth
- Temporary addressing management for mobility and security
GL also provides a GUI based LTE Analyzer for on-line capture and decode of the signaling in real-time both during tests and as a stand-alone tracer for live systems.
Main Features
- Setup a virtual real-time network simulating 4G-LTE network elements using ‘MAPS™ 4G Wireless Lab Suite’
- Simulate two eNodeB elements in LTE X2-AP interface.
- Supports LTE Control plane.
- Generates hundreds of UE Signaling (Load Testing).
- Generates and process X2-AP (valid and invalid) messages.
- Supports Mobility Management, Load Management, Reporting of General Error Situations, Re-setting X2, Setting up the X2, and eNodeB Configuration Update procedures.
- Insertion of impairments to create invalid messages.
- Supports customization of call flow and message templates using Script and Message Editor.
- Ready-to-use scripts for quick testing.
- Supports scripted call generation and automated call reception.
- Script based & protocol independent software architecture.
- Provides Call Statistics and Events Status.
- Automation, Remote access, and Schedulers to run tests 24/7
