Software to Test LTE Smartphones for IMS and ETWS Emergency alert Functions

09 July 2012 - Anritsu has announced the release of two new software options for the popular MD8475A Signaling Tester, adding both IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) and ETWS (Earthquake and Tsunami Warning System) service function tests for LTE smartphones. This is available as an upgrade to the uniquely advanced “SmartStudio” package, and the release of a new Extended CSCF (Call Session Control Function) option.

These upgraded functions are enabling the testing and verification of customer experience for the commercial rollout of LTE smartphones and mobile devices supporting IMS and ETWS services. This new release is part of the overall strategic portfolio of test and monitoring solutions from Anritsu for the development, deployment, and commercial success of LTE networks.

The MD8475A Signaling Tester is a base station simulator incorporating hardware and software supporting a full range of mobile communications technologies, including LTE, W-CDMA, GSM/GPRS etc. The MX847570A SmartStudio software for the MD8475A offers an easy-to-use GUI for setting parameters for each communications test. With this new release, Anritsu has further increased the functionality of the software by adding the CSCF Server function for controlling IMS services such as VoLTE and SMS over IMS, as well as the Public Warning Service Center function for controlling ETWS services.

In addition to the SmartStudio upgrade, installing the newly developed Extended CSCF option enables intentional generation of both abnormal status conditions. Examples such as no network response and server error, as well as quasi-normal status conditions, such as no response from called party and called party busy, represent the essential conditions for the testing of smartphone IMS services. When communications problems occur in field trials on actual LTE networks, the function can help troubleshoot whether the cause is at the network or device side.