Emergency Call Testing via Private Network Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current emergency call and quality management system testing methods are inadequate for ensuring reliable interoperability and compliance, particularly in mixed public and private network environments, as they often rely on laboratory-designed simulators with limited dynamic range and may lead to false routing of test calls, interfering with operational emergency services.
Innovation Solution
A method that utilizes a 4G/5G packet-switched network to differentiate test emergency calls from operational ones by employing a second network code identity and test identification identifiers, ensuring that test calls are routed through a private network, thereby minimizing interference with operational emergency services and allowing for more realistic and flexible testing scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PLMN simulators are deployed for radio testbeds in laboratory environments, then testing can be conducted with controlled conditions, but the dynamic range is limited and the tests do not reflect realistic operational networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a private network as an intermediary testing environment that bridges the gap between laboratory simulators and public operational networks. This private network uses a second PLMN ID distinct from the public network's first PLMN ID, allowing realistic testing while maintaining isolation from production systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network testing environment into distinct private and public network portions using different PLMN IDs. This segmentation allows test calls to be routed through the private network portion while the public network remains operational, enabling independent testing without affecting production services.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated radio network solutions are used for testing, then specific test scenarios can be simulated, but test calls may be falsely routed and interfere with operational emergency services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments call routing decisions based on PLMN ID matching. When a test device uses a second PLMN ID that matches the private network, test calls are routed through the private network portion to designated test recipients, preventing interference with the public network's operational emergency services.
Solution Approach 2:
The private network acts as an intermediary that captures and routes test calls before they can reach the public network's emergency services. This intermediary layer uses matching PLMN IDs to identify and redirect test traffic, eliminating false routing interference.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If laboratory environments are used for testing, then controlled test conditions can be maintained, but the testing lacks realism and state-of-the-art technology representation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic testing in a real operational network environment by allowing test devices to register and operate within the private network portion using a second PLMN ID. This provides both the control of a dedicated test environment and the realism of an actual operational network with current technology.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3+
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for performing a test of an emergency call or quality management system or an emergency call or quality management functionality, wherein the emergency call or quality management system or the emergency call or quality management functionality is used in the presence or at least the vicinity of both a mobile communication network being a public land mobile network and using a first mobile network code identity, and a further mobile communication network being a private or non-public network, especially a campus network, and using a second mobile network code identity, the mobile communication network comprising an access network, a core network, and one or a plurality of base station entities, and the mobile communication network comprising or being associated with or being able to access a plurality of operative public safety answering points or a plurality of operative public safety answering point functionalities, wherein the mobile communication network and the further mobile communication network are packet switched networks and the emergency call or quality management system or the emergency call or quality management functionality is configured to handle IP multimedia subsystem based packet switched emergency calls and/or session initiation protocol based packet switched emergency calls, wherein at least one test mobile communication device is able to establish a radio link with or to register via either one of a base station entity of or associated to the access network, using the first mobile network code identity, and a base station entity or a base station entity part of or related to or assigned to the further mobile communication network, using the second network code identity, wherein in order to perform a test of the emergency call or quality management system or the emergency call or quality management functionality, at least one test identification identifier is predefined for being used to perform the test of the emergency call or quality management system or the emergency call or quality management functionality, and the method comprises the following steps: -- in a first step, the at least one test mobile communication device registers with the further mobile communication network, using the second network code identity, -- in a second step, subsequent to the first step, an emergency call or quality management call is initiated or performed by the at least one test mobile communication device, thereby using the at least one test identification identifier, -- in a third step, subsequent to the second step, the use of the at least one test identification identifier - while initiating or performing the emergency call or quality management call - is detected by the further mobile communication network.