Cross-Layer Wireless Network Load Testing for OTT Apps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies face challenges in analyzing the impact of Over The Top (OTT) applications on network performance and power consumption in mobile devices, particularly due to their signaling and data traffic, which can lead to network disruptions and battery drain, and there is a lack of effective methods to measure the impact of Location Based Services (LBS) applications under realistic conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method using wireless communications network test equipment to simulate a network environment, monitor signaling and application data on a common time reference, and establish cross-layer measurement data to analyze the impact of OTT applications on both network performance and power consumption, including simulating positioning signals to assess LBS applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If test equipment monitors only control plane signaling data, then network signaling load analysis is achieved, but user plane application data impact cannot be analyzed
Solution Approach 1:
The test equipment is enhanced to perform both control plane signaling monitoring and user plane application data monitoring through a unified platform. The system can simultaneously analyze RRC signaling messages and IP application traffic, making the test equipment versatile for multiple analysis purposes without requiring separate dedicated devices
2Reliability
If multiple apps are installed on smartphone to simulate realistic conditions, then OTT application impact analysis is improved, but device complexity and test setup difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring physical smartphones with multiple apps installed, the patent uses a smartphone emulator that replicates the behavior and traffic patterns of app-carrying devices. This emulator can be configured to simulate various application scenarios without the physical complexity of managing multiple real devices, maintaining test reliability while reducing setup difficulty
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive monitoring of both control plane and user plane data is implemented, then complete OTT application impact analysis is achieved, but measurement and analysis difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines control plane signaling data and user plane application data into a unified measurement framework with a common time reference. By merging these previously separate monitoring functions into a single integrated system, the patent enables correlated analysis of both data types without the complexity of managing separate measurement systems, achieving complete OTT application impact analysis
Data Source
AI summary
An approach for the analysis of the impact of over the top (OTT) applications is provided, which operate “over the top” of the network applications, with respect to network performance and power consumption on mobile devices. A wireless network for an application-carrying device separate from wireless communications network test equipment is simulated. A wireless communications interface between the simulated network and the application-carrying device is monitored. The monitoring comprises measuring signaling data on a control plane, and measuring application data on a user plane related to at least one application implemented on the application-carrying device. Cross-layer measurement data is generated based on the measured signaling data and application data. The signaling data and the application data are measured on the basis of a common time reference of the test equipment.