QVoice Symphony

Introduction

QVoice Symphony reflects the diversity of the mobile network market itself and is constructed in a totally modular fashion empowering users with complete freedom to configure their systems how they want - and to alter them with ease when desired.

The system boasts an intuitive user interface and user flexible hardware that can be tailored to satisfy every testing scenario. Up to six networks/channels can be measured simultaneously in one chassis - and additional chassis can be added up to a maximum of 24 phones - all still under the control on one MMI unit. Different air interface technologies can be mixed at will be employing, for example, WCDMA, HSDPA and GSM/EDGE test mobile phones.

Whether an operator is interested in revenue generating speech call quality, or maintaining performance of technically demanding video calls, QVoice Symphony is ready for the task. The system is equally suitable for benchmarking with one to 24 phones or carrying out optimisation that demands the finest engineering detail.

System Components

This unrivalled flexibility is achieved by a unique system component design:

The Measurement Unit Main (MUM) is the chassis which contains slots for six measurement channels, as well as a control unit with its own power supply. A very useful feature is that the measurement data stored in the MUC can be transferred for post-processing data analysis via LAN, PCMCIA, wireless or the MMI when a tablet PC is deployed.

The Measurement Execution Controller (MEC) lets the user decide how best to achieve his measurement priorities. Top performance for instance would be six channels of multi-media testing with one measurement processor selected for each of the six slots (see Fig.3). A 'minimal' system for speech call testing on all six channels, in contrast, would demand that one MEC be installed (see Fig.1).

Measurement Interface Adaptor (MIA) is the measurement device consisting of a test mobile housed in easy to manipulate tray connected. A chassis with six measurement channels will have six MIAs, each containing one measurement device and a dedicated DSP.

In addition to the power of choice and unprecedented flexibility in processing power, configuration, pricing, the scope of test applications address all the current and emerging 3G multimedia services. These range voice call and IP-data (FTP, HTTP, UDP, PING) to video streaming and video telephony. RF-scanning, Email, WAP, SMS, and MMS are also available. See 'QVoice Services Testing' for more details. To insure compatibility and for benchmarking, all QVoice Symphony measurement KPIs are based on internationally recognised standards - for instance, ETSI TS 102 205.

Drive-Test Measurements

QVoice Symphony is a 'workhorse' suitable for an array of measurement applications. Because of Symphony's combination of scalability with configurability, it is often an operators' first choice as Drive test system for critical quality-of-service measurements and competitive benchmarking assessment studies.

Being Unique

There is not other measurement system on the market that can match the unique features of QVoice Symphony:

• Configurable from 1 MEC for 6 channels to 1 MEC per channel
• Expandable to 24 measurement channels controlled by one MMI
• One DSP pr channel which is not possible with PC based measurement systems. This ideal hardware configuration provides accurate measurements of signal times such as echo and processing power for algorithms such as Fast Fourier Transform. The 'number-crunching' is done in the hardware and not in software. If two algorithms are needed per channel (e.g. one for speech quality and one for video quality), then the first algorithm can run on the MEC while the other on the DSP thus giving a clean separation between the two
• MMI device can be connected to QVoice Symphony via a LAN or wireless connection, allowing more freedom to the user during the measurement process
• Several MMIs can be used at the same time. One device could be controlling the measurement process while others in read-only mode can be connected to display real time measurement results allowing several network engineers to examine live results.
• Innovative control and view programming gives uses the ability to replay the measurement data during an actual measurement cycle. Without having to stop the measurement cycle, a user can switch to view a previous test interval.

Features Making Life Nicer

• Changing SIM cards on test mobile phones can be done without opening cover or having to remove battery
• There are no cable connections at the rear of QVoice Symphony for practical and easier mounting within a vehicle or portable system
• For instant and unmistakable identification of which channel is associated with which device an LED display is fixed in each MIA clearing showing the channel number. This channel number is also a quick-to-use flag to select or view the relevant measurement information in the MMI display.

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'Leading in Mobile Network Testing'