Inter-Core Audio Test Bridging for Remote Transport Quality Checks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional audio quality testing in telecommunications networks requires physical presence of technicians at the transport segment, which is costly, time-consuming, and often impractical due to travel difficulties and access restrictions, and does not allow for simultaneous testing of multiple segments.
Innovation Solution
A media bridge is created between two calls, one over the transport medium and one to the tester, located in the core network, allowing remote audio testing by establishing a bi-directional audio path between communication endpoints without the need for physical travel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a technician physically travels to the transport segment location to perform audio quality testing, then the test can be conducted at the actual testing site, but travel time and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
A media bridge is introduced as an intermediary component in the core network that connects the tester's appliance to the transport segment under test. This bridge enables remote audio quality testing by relaying test calls between the tester and the transport segment without requiring the tester to physically travel to the segment's location, thus maintaining measurement precision while eliminating travel time
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy of the testing experience by establishing a media bridge that replicates the audio path through the transport segment. The tester's appliance remotely initiates test calls that are bridged through the core network to the transport segment, creating a virtual testing environment that mirrors physical presence without the associated travel requirements
2Measurement precision
If a technician physically travels to the transport segment location, then on-site testing can be performed, but testing costs increase due to travel requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The media bridge acts as an intermediary that enables remote access to the transport segment under test. By routing test calls through this bridge in the core network, the system eliminates the need for technician travel to remote or difficult-to-access locations, thereby reducing testing costs while maintaining the ability to perform accurate audio quality measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical travel with an electronic signaling system. Instead of a technician physically traveling to the transport segment location, the system uses electronic call routing and media bridging to establish test connections remotely, substituting physical movement with digital communication infrastructure
3Measurement precision
If a technician is physically present at the transport segment, then testing can be performed, but access to certain locations may be restricted or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The media bridge serves as an intermediary that provides remote access to transport segments located in restricted or inaccessible areas. By routing test calls through this bridge in the core network, testers can evaluate audio quality of segments in military facilities, sensitive R&D centers, or remote locations without requiring physical access or security clearances
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual testing pathway that copies the audio transmission path through the transport segment under test. This virtual copy allows remote testers to evaluate segments in restricted locations by routing calls through the core network's media bridge, effectively replicating the testing capability without physical presence
4Measurement precision
If traditional on-site testing is used, then one segment can be tested at a time, but productivity decreases due to sequential testing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The media bridge provides a universal testing interface that can simultaneously handle multiple test calls to different transport segments. This multi-functional capability allows a single tester's appliance to remotely test multiple segments in parallel through the core network, dramatically increasing productivity while maintaining accurate audio quality measurements for each segment
Data Source
AI summary
The technology includes a method, computer medium, and system for testing audio quality of a transport segment between two core networks. A first virtual test agent (VTA) selects a Mobility Management Engine (MME) corresponding to an eNodeB served by a first core network for routing a second call, through a Serving Gateway (SGW) assigned by the MME for audio communication with a tester terminus. The second call is made from the first VTA to a second VTA at a second core network over a transport-segment-under-test that connects the first and second core networks, So that a tester can evaluate audio quality over the transport-segment-under-test. The first VTA makes a first call to a tester appliance, makes a second call, over the transport-segment-under-test, to the second VTA implementing audio evaluation, by signaling the MME, and bridges the first and second calls by relaying audio during a test of subjective audio quality.