- Anritsu Corporation’s 5G-device EPS Fallback tests come with support tools for 5G devices and IP-based application tests
- The software has a built-in state machine GUI that makes it easy to simulate a 5G NR/4G LTE base station
Anritsu Corporation has announced support for 5G-device EPS Fallback tests using the company’s SmartStudio NR MX800070A control software for the 5G test platform MT8000A. Applications include Quality assurance and support tools for 5G devices (thermal evaluation at high-speed throughput, battery consumption tests, IP-based application tests (IMS, SNS tools, etc.))
5G NR Stand Alone (SA) mode has two voice communication methods: Voice over NR (VoNR) by connecting only to an NR cell and VoLTE by using EPS Fallback. At the initial stage of services using the SA mode, most voice communications will be by VoLTE using EPS Fallback due to service area limitations and network-side deployment conditions.
Now, EPS Fallback function can be tested efficiently by using an easy-to-use GUI without requiring scenario development.
As the switch to All IP (Internet Protocol) becomes commonplace with widespread deployment of 4G LTE services, operators are offering various services, including voice communications, using IP Multimedia Subsystems (IMS). Despite the convenience of diversifying services, functions using IMS require many costly tests and the spread of future 5G NR SA-mode services will see a shift from Evolved Packet Core (EPC) technology used by LTE and the 5G NR Non Stand Alone (NSA) mode to the Next Generation Core (NGC) technology, helping strengthen network functions. This core network change requires a new environment, such as an IMS server, to perform evaluations and confirmation of voice connections, such as EPS Fallback and VoNR, requires the provision of an IMS server and a multisystem environment (NR/LTE).
With a built-in IMS server function, users offering new services can test IMS functions using SmartStudio NR without configuring a difficult test environment.
Communication control
The SmartStudio NR MX800070A software controls the Radio Communication Test Station MT8000A platform. The built-in state machine GUI makes it easy to simulate a 5G NR/4G LTE base station and core network by operating the MT8000A as a Call Box. Users can execute GUI-based Throughput tests without creating test scenarios, as well as simulate quasi-normal and fault conditions using IMS, SMS, PWS and Network Triggers, facilitating various evaluations and tests, such as Internet connections.
Target Markets include vendors and OEMs of 5G devices (smartphones/CPEs/automobile dashboards/modules, etc.), network operators.
