Network Emulation Unit for D2D Resource Reservation Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current test systems fail to effectively evaluate the reservation behavior of network devices in device-to-device communication, particularly in limited radio network resources, and lack compatibility testing across various manufacturers in cellular and next-generation networks.

Innovation Solution

A test system and method that emulate a network environment for devices under test to reserve resources, analyzing their reservation behavior through protocol messages and resource management, using a network emulation unit with a resource reservation module and simulation module to simulate different network scenarios and assess compatibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If device-to-device communication is implemented in cellular networks, then direct and fast communication between devices is achieved, but the limited physical radio network resources lead to resource reservation conflicts and compatibility issues between devices from different manufacturers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication speedVSAvoidavailable radio resources
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The test system performs preliminary testing of resource reservation behavior before devices are deployed in the network. The emulation module pre-configures network conditions and the resource reservation module pre-allocates test resources, allowing devices to be evaluated for their reservation behavior in advance, preventing resource conflicts when multiple devices operate simultaneously in the actual network

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The test system acts as an intermediary between devices from different manufacturers and the network operators. By using the network emulation unit and resource reservation module, the system mediates compatibility testing, allowing operators to evaluate how devices from various manufacturers handle resource reservations without actual network deployment, thus preventing future resource conflicts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If resource reservation testing is performed for devices from multiple manufacturers, then compatibility assessment is improved, but the complexity of the test system increases due to the need to emulate various network conditions and device behaviors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility assessment reliabilityVSAvoidtest system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network emulation unit creates simplified copies of actual network environments and device behaviors. Instead of requiring physical test devices from every manufacturer, the system uses emulation to replicate network conditions and device reservation patterns, reducing the complexity of acquiring and managing diverse physical test equipment while maintaining reliable compatibility assessment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The test system is designed with universal functionality to handle devices from multiple manufacturers through a single integrated platform. The network emulation unit can configure various network scenarios, and the resource reservation module can manage different resource allocation patterns, allowing one test system to evaluate all devices uniformly without requiring manufacturer-specific test equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If detailed protocol message analysis is performed to evaluate reservation behavior, then measurement precision is improved, but the time required for testing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereservation behavior measurement precisionVSAvoidtesting time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The protocol testing module extracts and isolates only the relevant protocol messages related to resource reservation from the complete device communication stream. Instead of analyzing all messages, the system specifically captures and evaluates reservation-related signaling, maintaining high measurement precision while reducing the time required by focusing only on critical messages

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3531739B1Testing the resource reservation behavior of at least a first device under test in an emulated device-to-device network environment
Publication Date: 2021.07.14 ROHDE & SCHWARZ GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3531739B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3531739B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3531739B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A test system to test reservation behavior of at least a first device under test (14) has a network emulation unit (18) for emulating a device-to-device network environment with a resource (32). The network emulation unit (18) comprises: a protocol testing module (20) for recording and/or analyzing protocol messages from and/or to the first device under test (14), and a resource reservation module (22) for setting resource reservation parameters of the resource of the network environment. Further, a test setup and a method for testing the reservation behavior of a first device under test are shown.