Dynamic Test Loop for Communication Device Compliance Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for testing compliance with communication standards, particularly for UMTS LTE, lack the ability to control the timing of data transfer and packet filtering, making it difficult to verify correct behavior during scenarios like connection re-establishment and handovers, and do not provide adequate loopback functionality for testing UL TFT handling.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that establish a test loop between a test system and a communication device, allowing for the configuration of bearers and control channels, activating a test loop function to control when data is transferred from downlink to uplink, and verifying transmission, including simulating events like link disconnection and handovers to ensure correct procedures are executed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a test loop is established with basic loopback functionality, then data transfer testing is enabled, but control over timing of data transfer and packet filtering is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The test loop function is made dynamic by allowing the communication device to selectively transfer received data units to uplink transmission based on configurable criteria such as time thresholds, event triggers, or packet filter rules. This dynamic behavior enables controlled timing of data transfer while maintaining test loop functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The test loop function is segmented into separate configurable components: data reception module, transfer control module (with time threshold, event trigger, and packet filter sub-functions), and uplink transmission module. This segmentation allows independent configuration of each function to achieve precise control over data transfer timing and filtering.
2Reliability
If test functions are added to control data transfer timing and packet filtering, then compliance verification capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The test loop function is designed as a multi-functional unit that can perform data reception, timing control via time thresholds, event-triggered transfer, packet filtering according to UL TFT rules, and uplink transmission. This universal test function reduces the need for separate dedicated test functions for each capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Time thresholds and packet filter rules are pre-configured in the communication device before testing begins. This preliminary configuration enables the device to autonomously control data transfer timing and filtering during the test, improving compliance verification capability while keeping the runtime operation simple.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing loopback functions are used, then simple data return is achieved, but control signaling aspects and performance limits under certain conditions cannot be tested
Solution Approach 1:
The test loop function allows dynamic changing of operational parameters including time thresholds for data transfer, event trigger types, and packet filter rules. By modifying these parameters, the same test loop function can verify compliance under various conditions such as different latency requirements, event-driven scenarios, and QoS policies without requiring different test hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for verifying compliance of a communication device with one or more requirement specifications is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a method may be performed at a communication device for verifying compliance of the communication device with a requirement specification. Further, while a test loop is activated in the communication device, the method may include receiving, at a receiver of the communication device and on a downlink of a radio link, downlink data. In response to determining an occurrence of an event specific to verifying the compliance of the communication device with the requirement specification and used to control when the communication device transfers the received downlink data from the receiver to a transmitter of the communication device, the method may include transferring, from the receiver, to the transmitter, the received downlink data. Also, the method may include transmitting, from the transmitter on an uplink of the radio link, the received downlink data. The received downlink data transmitted on the uplink may be used to verify the compliance.