UMTS Automatic Test System

U-ATS Conformance System

TMAccelerateAssureAnalyse

Applications:■ Conformance Test■ Certification Test■ Performance Analysis■ UE Benchmarking

Single Turnkey System for RFand RRM Conformance Testingof WCDMA UEs to TS 34.121

The U-ATS Conformance System ishighly automated, rigorously calibratedsystem designed to meet a range of UEconformance test requirements,including those of chipset developers,UE manufacturers and test houses.U-ATS, part of Spirent’s market-leadingfamily of WCDMA test solutions,addresses the following requirements:

■ Certification of UEs using validatedTest Cases according to 3GPP testspecifications

■ Minimising time to market for newproducts

■ Obtaining accurate, repeatable testresults through rigorous systemcalibration

U-ATS provides a comprehensiveselection of independently validatedconformance Test Cases, as requiredby the 3GPP TS 34.121 standard. Theresults of conformance tests carried outon the U-ATS may be used for typeapproval per the R&TTE directive or forcertification per the Global CertificationForum (GCF).

U-ATS ensures highly accurate,repeatable test conditions andmeasurements through the use ofautomated RF signal switching, signalconditioning, and level calibration. To

Major Features:

■ Single turnkey system covers RFparametric and radio resourcemanagement (RRM) conformancetesting of WCDMA UEs

■ Runs independently-validated 3GPPTS 34.121 Section 5-7 conformanceTest Cases with a clear upgrade pathto Section 8 coverage

■ Accurate, repeatable results throughautomated signal switching and

rigorous, frequency-specific calibration

■ Highly automated control softwaremaximises test throughput andsupports custom UE and equipmentcontrol

■ Performance Mode characterises UEperformance beyond minimumconformance testing

increase conformance testingthroughput of WCDMA UEs, U-ATS alsoprovides a high degree of automationthat enables uninterrupted andunattended testing.

However, the ability to passconformance testing does notnecessarily ensure that a UE willperform satisfactorily under adversereal-world conditions. To ensure a UEperforms to expectation, additionaltesting is needed to effectively evaluatethe UE beyond the minimumperformance levels specified in thestandards. To meet this requirement,U-ATS offers a separate PerformanceMode to identify UE performancebreakpoints. In this mode U-ATSincludes unique, Spirent-suppliedperformance Test Cases, as well as theability to customise 3GPP standard testconditions and pass/fail limits to createmore challenging test scenarios.

The U-ATS Conformance Systemis a complete, automated testsolution for RF and RRMconformance testing of UEs ina single system

U-ATS Conformance System 2

U-ATS System Architecture The U-ATS Conformance Systemprovides a complete test bed forconformance testing of WCDMA UEs,with a separate Performance Mode thatallows testing beyond minimumperformance requirements. The systemis equipped with powerful softwareapplications that enable automated,closed-loop UE testing. The TestDriveUMTS test application softwareconfigures the system, executes tests,collects test results and generatescomprehensive reports.

A commercially-available one boxradio test set supplies the callprocessing and measurements requiredto execute a wide range of RF transmitterand receiver parametric tests. TheSpirent AirAccess WCDMA NetworkEmulator complements the one boxradio test set by providing RF testingcapabilities, advanced protocolemulation and multi-cell configurations.An expansion of the system thatincludes an Anite SAT GSM Network

Simulator will add support forGSM/WCDMA Inter-RAT Test Cases.

Receiver performance is preciselycharacterised under impaired downlinkconditions, created by the SR5500Wireless Channel Emulator and co- andadjacent channel interferers. An RFspectrum analyser with wide dynamicrange enables thorough UE transmitterevaluation and automated systemcalibration. Integrated signalgenerators supply the modulatedinterferers and CW tones required forconformance testing.

The Test Configuration Unitinterconnects these instruments andallows the system to be dynamicallyreconfigured under software control formaximum test automation and optimalperformance. Measurement uncertaintyof the system is minimised through theuse of comprehensive, automatedfrequency-specific calibration andsignal path control.

The U-ATS Conformance System is a comprehensive test setup thatprovides complete and automated coverage of TS 34.121 Section5-7 Test Cases

U-ATS Conformance System Configuration

SR5058 TCU

Spectrum Analyzer

SR5500 WirelessChannel Emulator

SR5500 Wireless Channel Emulator

TestDriveUMTS

CW SignalGenerator

Vector SignalGenerator

Network Emulation

AirAccessWCDMA Network

Emulator

WCDMA BaseStation Emulator

SR3410 WCDMA Network Emulator

TAS5048 Test Configuration Unit

TAS5048 Test Configuration Unit

SR5058 TCU

SR5059 RFUSR5059 RF Signal Conditioning Unit

3 5U-ATS Conformance System 3

The U-ATS Conformance System is a complete configuration of Spirent and third-party test instruments and software. Each component adds unique value to thiscomplete UMTS test system. The Spirent system components are:

TestDrive UMTS Application SoftwareA Windows-based software test executive that automates system control andexecutes tests.■ Automates all aspects of test execution, results collection and report generation■ Can be configured to control terminal equipment or external equipment such

as temperature chambers■ Includes Conformance and Performance Modes

TestDrive UMTS TestPacksSuites of Test Cases, as specified in the 3GPP standards, plus additionalperformance Test Cases.■ Predefined Test Cases, independently validated by accredited test houses,

cover TS 34.121 Sections 5-8■ Enable certification of terminal equipment as prescribed by the Global

Certification Forum (GCF)■ Additional Test Cases enable evaluation of UE performance beyond 3GPP

specification requirements

AirAccess WCDMA Network EmulatorA highly configurable, real-time WCDMA network emulator.■ Powerful network emulation using an embedded “active” state machine■ Multi-cell, multi-Node B and multi-RNC emulation with independent RF carrier-

frequencies for realistic soft, softer and hard handover performance testing■ Addresses RF and RRM tests in TS 34.121

SR5500 Wireless Channel EmulatorIndustry standard for accurate and repeatable fading and AWGN emulation.■ Accurately emulates multi-path fading, delay spread, and path loss■ Includes two independent channels for diversity and handover testing■ Sets highly accurate levels of AWGN using built-in baseband signal generator

Test Configuration Unit and RF Signal Conditioning UnitAutomatically manages RF switching and critical signal path filtering.■ Integrates system instruments for calibrated levels at UE antenna■ Dynamically reconfigures system under software control■ Provides filtering of UE transmit signal and interferer signals

The following third-party system components are required to complete the testcoverage (may be Spirent-supplied or end-user supplied):

Agilent 8960 Radio Communications Analyzer

One-box radio test set for RF parametric testing.

Agilent E4445A PSA Series Spectrum Analyzer

High-performance spectrum analysis, with wide dynamic range.

Agilent E8247C PSG Series CW Signal Generator

Supplies CW tones required for conformance testing.

Agilent E4438C ESG Series Vector Signal Generator

Generates the modulated interferers required for conformance testing.

Agilent E4417A EPM Series Power Meter

Symmetricom 8040B 10MHz Rubidium Reference

Spirent System Components

TestDriveTest Packages

AirAccess WCDMA

SR3410 WCDMA Network Emulator

SR5500

SR5500 Wireless Channel Emulator

TCU & RFU

TAS5048 Test Configuration Unit

TestDriveApplication Software

SR5059 RF Signal Conditioning Unit

4U-ATS Conformance System 4

TestDrive UMTS Test ApplicationSoftware

TestDrive UMTS is an advancedapplication-specific test executive thatautomates all aspects of systemcalibration, test execution, datacollection, and results reporting.TestDrive provides a structured meansto automatically execute a series oftests, supplied as Test Packs. TestPacks contain Test Suites, which arecollections of individual Test Cases,each designed to evaluate a particularaspect of UE performance, per the TS34.121 specification.

Any combination of Test Cases andTest Suites can be saved and recalled,allowing test plans to be quickly set upand executed. TestDrive’s device-specific UE configuration files allow theuser to test different UEs against a

common set of Test Cases.Upon test execution, TestDrive

automatically configures all of theinstruments in the system andcoordinates the test execution requiredto evaluate UE conformance. TestDrivecollects and archives all relevant testconditions and results in an industry-standard MS Access database.Integrated report generation makes iteasy to extract and display keyperformance metrics from the archiveddata. In addition, test conditions andresults may be easily transferred fromthe TestDrive database to an in-housedatabase. To maximise time andresource efficiency, the TestDrivearchitecture allows previously-filed testresults to be viewed without affectingconcurrent test execution.

Key Features:■ Intuitive user interface simplifies

control of U-ATS system operationand test execution

■ High degree of automation enablessoftware control of UEs, powersupplies and environmentalconditions

■ Integrated report generationaccelerates the conformance testprocess and provides a commonformat for comparisons

Conformance Mode TestDrive UMTS Conformance Modeexecutes Test Suites of industry-standard RF and Radio ResourceManagement (RRM) Test Cases, asdefined in Sections 5-8 of 3GPP TS34.121. Test Cases have been auditedand validated by an independent testlab to ensure compliance with the

specification. In this mode, all testparameters and pass/fail limits arelocked to the requirements of thespecification and cannot be modifiedby the user.

Test Cases are automaticallyexecuted at the high/medium/lowchannel numbers specified in TS 34.108and at voltages specified in TS 34.121Annex G. The Test Suite files are write-protected. Test Cases are written usingstructured object-oriented methodswith a software partitioning that allowseasy updates.

Advanced calibration and signalconditioning techniques ensure optimalsystem accuracy and repeatability.System measurement uncertaintyvalues meet or exceed the requirementsspecified in TS 34.121 Annexes and areincluded on a Test Case basis with thepass/fail limits in Test Reports.

Conformance Modesimplifies theprocess of assuringcompliance withindustry standards

TestDrive UMTSautomates allaspects of testexecution, datacollection, andresults reporting

5U-ATS Conformance System 5

Maximum Test Automation The U-ATS Conformance Systemmaximises test automation by providingunattended test execution over longtest campaigns using TestDrive UMTStest application software. TestDriveUMTS automates all aspects of pre-testverification and test execution. Thisincludes pre-test automation of systemand instrument diagnostics, systemcalibration, and test verification.Automation of these critical pre-teststeps ensures time is not wastedrunning test sessions with impropersettings or level accuracy.

During test execution, TestDrive

UMTS automates control of all of theinstruments and the UE in the testsetup. The advanced automationfeatures of U-ATS allow thorough UEtesting over a range of electrical,environmental, and RF conditions.TestDrive UMTS makes it easy to loopTest Cases while the channel numberand UE supply voltage areindependently swept across a range ofvalues.

Key Features:

■ Automation of all phases of systemconfiguration, test execution, andresults reporting maximises testefficiency and repeatability

■ Built-in automatic characterisationof UE performance across RF channelnumber and supply voltagebroadens test coverage

■ Software extensions enable custominterface to UE and temperaturechambers to reduce manualintervention

U-ATS automates allaspects of testexecution and resultsreporting

Comprehensive Test Results U-ATS makes it easy to collect andanalyse UE test results andcorresponding over-the-air messagelogs. Detailed test results are displayedin real time during test execution.Results can be quickly sorted by testnumber, test name, channel, voltageand pass/fail status.

In addition all test parameters,calibration data, instrument andsoftware versions, measurementuncertainty and test results are storedin an MS Access database for post-processing. Storing a complete set oftest data ensures the traceability of testresults. This data includes detailedTestDrive UMTS logs results for easy

TestDrive UMTS logs results for easycomparison against past performance

comparison against past performanceinformation, describing the identity andcharacteristics of the UE under test.TestDrive UMTS is equipped with aflexible report generation feature thatuses the data to deliver results in avariety of user-friendly meaningfulformats. Results formats have beenincluded in U-ATS that reflect thoseused by network operators and testlabs to compare UE performance.

Since the data is archived in anindustry standard format, results canbe exported to a host of third partytools or proprietary user databases.For measurements that benefit from agraphical results format, U-ATScaptures, archives, and displaysdetailed graphical measurement tracedata.

Key Features:

■ Quickly identify performance trendsby sorting test results by a widevariety of metrics

■ Industry-standard database formatallows results to be readily mergedwith proprietary user databases

■ Graphical test results clearlyillustrate performance margins

6U-ATS Conformance System 6

Radio Resource Management(RRM) Test Support

Industry standard specifications suchas TS 34.121 require UE performanceto be characterised in a variety ofdemanding RRM scenarios. Thesescenarios include Cell Selection/Re-selection, Soft Handover, and Inter-system handover, executed againstboth normal and adversarial networkand propagation conditions. Unlikecompetitive solutions that require aseparate costly test station to addressthese complex RRM test requirements,a single U-ATS test station can beexpanded to execute both RF and RRMtests, maximising valuable resources.

U-ATS employs the Spirent AirAccessWCDMA Network Emulator to providethe advanced network simulationcapabilities required to execute RRMtest scenarios. Capable of emulatingup to six cells, AirAccess WCDMApossesses a real-time state machinethat re-creates conditions found onactual UMTS networks. When coupledwith an Anite SAT GSM NetworkSimulator, U-ATS can also executeadvanced Inter-RAT Test Cases.

Key Features:

■ Single system expands to cover TS34.121 RF (Section 5–7) and RRM(Section 8) tests eliminating theneed to buy separate systems

■ Spirent AirAccess WCDMA NetworkEmulator provides advanced multi-cell network emulation for complexRRM Test Cases

■ Utilises industry-standard Anite SATGSM Network Simulator for Inter-RATTest Cases

U-ATS utilisesAirAccess WCDMAto recreate realnetwork scenarios,with up to six cells,in a controlled labenvironment

Accurate Repeatable TestConditions

U-ATS combines high-performance testinstruments with advanced calibrationand measurement algorithms to meetthe demanding test system uncertaintyrequirements specified in TS 34.121Annex F. Prior to execution of a testcampaign, TestDrive UMTS automatesthe process of system calibration. Thisprocess includes self-calibration of theindividual instruments and frequency-specific calibration of all potentialsignal paths. TestDrive UMTS analysesthis data and pro-actively diagnoses

potential system issues to eliminatethe possibility of running testcampaigns with improper signalconditions.

At run-time, TestDrive UMTSautomatically uses this calibration datato correct signal levels during testexecution. These procedures providecalibrated signal levels all the way tothe antenna port of the UE under test. Calibration and measurementuncertainty data are archived along withtest results.

Rigorous calibrationprocesses ensuresystem accuracy fortest resultconfidence

7U-ATS Conformance System 7

For users who need to go beyond therequirements of conformance testing,the unique Performance Mode inTestDrive UMTS offers an expanded setof capabilities. This includescustomisation of test conditions andminimum performance criteria byexposing all key test parameters.Additional performance-oriented TestCases supplied by Spirent can also beaccessed and used to isolateperformance breakpoints.

Performance conditions can bereadily accessed and customised usingTestDrive’s powerful user interface.TestDrive uses the same industry-

standard parameter labels specified bythe 3GPP. In addition to allowing TS34.121 conditions to be customised,Performance Mode permits anindividual user to optimise test settingsaccording to a particular set of needs. All test parameter fields have range-checking, assuring that only valid valueswill be used during performanceanalysis.

Built-in tools allow the user toquickly create a sweep of testconditions such as received signal level(Ior) or AWGN conditions (Ioc). GlobalTest Case edits are also possiblethrough the GUI.

Key Features:

■ Performance Mode allowscustomisation of test conditions andpass/fail limits to create user-defined tests

■ Advanced performance analysistools make it easy to sweep testconditions and plot results versuskey parameter variations

■ Test parameters undergo range-checking and validation to ensureproper test execution and minimalrun-time test execution failures

Performance Mode

Performance Mode allows Test Suite parameters to be modified forcustom test development

Advanced Performance AnalysisTools

Industry standard tests defineminimum performance specifications. The Performance Mode in TestDriveUMTS supports users who need to gobeyond the requirements of thespecifications to carry out the mostthorough evaluation of UE performance,including identification of performancebreakpoints. This test methodology isused to determine a UE’s operatingmargin or to perform a competitiveevaluation. It is critical to characterisethe worst-case conditions the UE cantolerate while still meeting a user-defined performance threshold.Spirent U-ATS goes beyond typical

Pass/Fail test methodology byemploying an advanced performanceanalysis toolset that streamlines thetask of collecting comprehensive UEperformance data and presents theresults in a variety of easily-understoodformats.

The TestDrive UMTS performancetoolset enables a user to graphicallychart performance over a sweep of testconditions. TestDrive automaticallycreates Test Cases that sweep testconditions over a user-defined range.After test execution, TestDriveautomatically plots the parametersweep versus the collected results toenable the user to identify performancevariations.

Utilizing an intelligent searchalgorithm, TestDrive UMTS can seek outperformance thresholds. Using thesoftware’s Automatic PerformanceCharacterization (APC) feature, the userspecifies the end points of the rangeto be evaluated and the correspondingminimum performance criteria of thedevice. APC automatically executesonly the tests necessary to reveal themost severe conditions under whichthe performance threshold is satisfied.

In Performance Mode, U-ATS can be configured to automatically seekand identify receiver performance breakpoints

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U-ATS UMTS Automatic Test System

Copyright © 2004 Spirent Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Spirent and the Spirent logo are trademarks of Spirent plc.All other names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners and are hereby acknowledged.Specifications subject to change without notice. 4/04 v.6

Ordering Information

Please refer to the associated Configuration Guide for detailed information about the componentsincluded with each system.

Part Number Description

U-ATS CONFORMANCE SYSTEMS AND SOFTWARE

U-ATS RF Conformance Test System (Turnkey)

U-RF-CNF-TOT-CX RF Conformance System Sections 5-7 (Turnkey)TD-URF-TP5-U01 Upgrade to RF TestPack5 from TestPack4 (Required for RF

Conformance Testing)

U-ATS RF Conformance Test System (Spirent Equipment Only)

U-RF-CNF-SR-CX RF Conformance System Sections 5-7 (Spirent EquipmentOnly)

TD-URF-TP5-U01 Upgrade to RF TestPack5 from TestPack4 (Required for RF Conformance Testing)

U-ATS System Options

SUB-URACK-110V Substitute 110V for 220V Rack in U-RF-CNF System