NG9-1-1 Test Call System for Automated Emergency Routing Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing 9-1-1 emergency calling system lacks automated and periodic testing capabilities, particularly for Emergency Services IP Networks (ESInets) and NG9-1-1 Core Services facilities, which are essential for ensuring the reliability and effectiveness of emergency call routing to the correct Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs, and current testing methods are inadequate for detecting operational failures in a timely manner.
Innovation Solution
The NG9-1-1 Test Call System provides automated testing capabilities that include initiating test calls from various devices, simulating calls from different locations, and stress testing the system to ensure that emergency calls are correctly routed to the appropriate PSAP, with features such as automated test call generation, reporting, and the ability to simulate high call volumes, thereby enhancing the reliability of the emergency call handling system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automated testing is implemented, then testing frequency and system reliability detection are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtual test call generators that create simulated 9-1-1 calls instead of requiring physical test equipment. These virtual callers replicate real emergency call behavior and routing paths, allowing comprehensive system testing through software-based call simulations that copy the characteristics of actual emergency calls without the complexity of physical test hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The testing system automatically generates, routes, and evaluates test calls without requiring manual intervention for each test execution. The system self-manages the entire testing workflow including call generation, PSAP routing verification, and result reporting, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high testing frequency and reliability assessment capability.
2Productivity
If stress testing with high call volumes is performed, then system capacity and performance under load are improved, but system stability during testing may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The testing system implements controlled periodic stress testing where high-volume test calls are distributed over defined time intervals rather than all at once. This allows the system to handle peak loads in manageable waves, maintaining stability while still evaluating capacity under stress conditions. The periodic nature prevents overwhelming the system infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The test call generation rate is dynamically adjusted based on system response and capacity observations. The system monitors performance metrics during stress testing and automatically modulates the volume and rate of incoming test calls to prevent system overload, thereby maintaining stability while still achieving meaningful capacity evaluation.
3Measurement precision
If location information is collected from test calls, then routing accuracy to correct PSAP is improved, but information security and privacy concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses disposable test caller identifiers and temporary location data that are generated for each test call and immediately discarded after verification. Rather than storing or retaining location information, the system uses transient data elements that serve their routing verification purpose and are then eliminated, minimizing privacy and security exposure while maintaining accurate routing testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The testing system employs intermediary test PSAPs and routing proxies that handle location information verification without exposing actual caller location data to external systems. These intermediaries act as secure buffers that validate routing accuracy using location information while preventing direct access to sensitive data, thereby maintaining both measurement precision and information security.
Data Source
AI summary
An NG9-1-1 Test Call System provides for comprehensive testing for NG9-1-1 emergency calling systems. The Test Call System may include a Test Call Manager, a Test Call Generator and a Test Call Responder (or Receiver). While the NG9-1-1 Test Call System exercises the telephone network it does not consume resources of the NG9-1-1 emergency calling system, i.e., the emergency calling system PSAP is not used for testing. One function of the Test Call Manager is the creation of a Test Call Profile created to satisfy some test coverage criteria. The Profile may specify parameters of a suite of test calls including desired call handling destination (PSAP), originating network or geographic region, time or date for the start of testing, time or date for the end of testing, rate of test calls, number of test calls. Based on the geographic parameters the Profile is distributed to an appropriate Test Call Generator and an appropriate Test Call Responder (Receiver). The Profile is used at the Test Call Generator to generate and transmit the test calls defined in the Profile. The Profile is used at the Test Call Responder (Receiver) to determine if the calls defined in the Profile are or are not received. Reports on the receipt or non-receipt of test calls are then used to inform users/maintenance function of the actual state of the emergency calling system.