Telefonia

2. Recently Introduced Features in TEMS Investigation

2.1. What’s New in TEMS Investigation 14.1

2.1.1. LTE Cell Frame Timing IEs

Inter-cell synchronization is a central concept in LTE networks. For TD-LTE in particular with its unpaired spectrum, the same frequency being used on both uplink and downlink, accurate synchronization between cells is crucial. Compared to FDD there is also amore complex range of interference issues to handle, including interference between UEs in adjacent cells and between eNodeBs. Still, even for FDD, synchronization is necessary within a site owing to the overlap between its cells; it is also highly beneficial between sites, since this enables the use of techniques such as CoMP (coordinated multipoint), scheduling traffic in an efficient way amongmultiple cells. TEMS Investigation 14.1 presents cell frame timing data in newly constructed information elements for the current LTE serving cell and neighbors. This information can for example be used to:
• Verify and troubleshoot synchronization in the network.
• Compare and evaluate synchronization techniques.
• Optimize heterogeneous cell deployment: for example, adjust timing in a
picocell to a surrounding macro cell, taking into account the propagation
delay from the macro cell eNodeB.
• Identify co-sited cells (having identical or nearly identical timing offsets) in
an unknown network.
• Estimate distance to a site and determine its position by triangulation.

2.1.2. Extended Control Functionality and Logging for Sony Ericsson Xperia arc S
Sony Ericsson Xperia arc S nowsupports audio quality measurement, including PESQ and POLQA. See also section 2.1.3. The following additional control functions have been implemented for the Xperia arc S phone, taking smart measurements with this device several steps further:

• Access class control – modify access class settings • PLMN control – lock on MCC + MNC combination
• BLER target control – modify BLER targetassigned by network
• Speech codec control – redefine set of speech codecs enabled in phone

The data collection and presentation have also been augmented in various respects, notably:

• UARFCN and SC indicated for each SIB
• C/I per TCH computed for GSM circuit-switched services
• SIR target presented

2.1.3. POLQA for CS Voice

The state-of-the-art POLQA algorithm for speech qualityassessment, previously introduced for VoIP, is now available also for circuit-switched voice. POLQA can be computed for both narrowband and super-wideband speech. POLQA is obtained in the ACU (TerraTec) audio quality measurement configuration.

2.1.4. Cell Whitelists
A common constraint in cellular network testing is to restrict tests to a predefined set of cells: for example, to verify a new orreconfigured cell cluster, or to perform some procedure that would disturb regular network operation unless it is limited to cells that have been specially configured for the purpose.
In this version of TEMS Investigation it is possible to enter a list of allowed cells (“whitelist”) and have it converted into a user-defined event. This event can then be used in a script to trigger some actionwhenever the tester is in TEMS Investigation 14.1 User’s Manual 10 an allowed cell. A “periodic” flag has been added as a new property of userdefined events, so that a cell whitelist event can be generated repeatedly and continuously listened for by a script. Making use of these features lets the user conduct rigorously selective network testing in a minimum of time and without any extra effort in thefield.

2.1.5. Scripted Scanning

Scanning tasks can be scripted instead of being run manually from the Navigator pane. Controlling scanning from a script brings the same benefits of convenience and automation as for other testing activities.

2.1.6. Manual Pinpointing Mode in Pinpoint Window

In the Pinpoint Window, routes can now alternatively be traced manually while walking, as opposed...