Date: 18/06/2012

Anritsu’s signaling tester with integrated IMS enables VoLTE and SMS-over-IMS testing

Anritsu Company has announced the availability of integrated IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) functionality for its MD8475A Signaling Tester. The addition of this LTE functionality to the MD8475A's SmartStudio graphical network simulation environment has extended it’s capabilities to include Call Session Control Function (CSCF), Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), and Domain Name System (DNS) servers, using either IPv4, IPv6, or dual-stack addressing. The MD8475A provides device and UE developers with a complete state-based network simulation environment in one instrument, including simulated servers.

The IMS functionality is integrated to the SMS Center (SMSC) to provide SMS delivery via either IMS or SGs within LTE networks. Text, multimedia, and binary files can be sent at various intervals to stress the device using the SMSC and ensures performance and compliance.

Basic IMS functionality for the MD8475A is included in Anritsu's SmartStudio GUI as standard. Extended IMS functionality to simulate aberrant behavior, including CSCF errors and busy UAs, can be added through the CSCF Extended option (MX847570-080). Using the MD8475A, IMS logs can be analyzed using on-board Wireshark IP log analysis. Both a virtual UA and graphical monitoring of the UA-under-test are available in SmartStudio to make testing intuitive. SmartStudio creates a scenario-less test environment that simplifies testing and cuts test times compared to conventional base station simulator approaches with one or more external PCs.

"We are pleased to help accelerate the launch of IMS services on LTE networks," said Wade Hulon, vice president and general manager of Anritsu Company. "We understand our customer’s needs for functional testing of new VoLTE devices, and are proud to offer a single-instrument solution to support easy testing of new IMS features."

Features of the MD8475A signaling tester:
1. Compact, Windows 7-based tester capable of emulating two base stations or an LTE 2x2 MIMO downlink
2. Formats include LTE, W-CDMA/HSPA+, GSM/(E)-GPRS, and CDMA2000
3. Supports VoLTE, circuit-switched voice calls, GSM, W-CDMA, and CDMA2K
4. Circuit-switched fallback (CSFB) from LTE to 2G and 3G is available
5. End-to-end testing is supported with the capability to install user-supplied servers inside the tester or to connect external servers
6. Graphical control is provided by SmartStudio GUI
7. The internal state machine emulates real network operation without the need for scripts.