
US
: Tektronix announced a new software application for the Tektronix
family of K12/K15 series protocol test systems that isolates the root
causes of network problems and optimizes network operation in 2G,
2.5G and EDGE environments. Designed for heterogeneous 2G/2.5G/EDGE
networks in isolation or inter-working with 3G networks, the GSM/GPRS
Optimization Expert extracts and calculates parameters for advanced
problem isolation, root-cause identification and performance optimization
enabling high-speed processing.
Operators are challenged
to maintain evolving 2.5G networks in the midst of adding new and
resource demanding packet services (i.e. email, multi-messaging services,
HTTP), increasing traffic levels and 3G to 2G handovers. The Tektronix
GSM/GPRS Optimization Expert displays problem-centric views that allow
fast problem isolation. Through combining the problem-centric display
of network data with K12/K15 bit-level message decoding, the GSM/GPRS
Optimization Expert enables improved network maintenance and significant
reduction in Mean Time to Repair (MTTR).
"While the 3G wireless
networks evolve, it is critical for operators to ensure their 2G and
2.5G infrastructures are performing according to customers' expectations
and are inter-working properly with the new 3G network elements,"
said Arif Kareem, Vice President, Diagnostics, Tektronix. "The
introduction of the GSM/GPRS Optimization Expert will help our customers
effectively address those challenges that stem from the contraction
on investment in the legacy technology that undermines the successful
inter-working with 3G technology."
The GSM/GPRS Optimization
Expert runs on the K15 platform or on a notebook PC and consists of
four modules that correspond to the key focus areas of mobile network
operators including Application Expert, Roaming Expert, Radio Expert
and Network Performance Expert.
Application Expert enables
a more effective approach to troubleshooting, starting directly from
the end user application level. It provides information on the user
experience of the services offered through the network, providing
statistics on call behavior (call duration, blank calls, looped PCM),
voice mail, MMS (Multimedia Messaging Services) usage, SMS (Short
Message Service) usage, IP usage, HTTP loading time and Wireless Application
Protocol (WAP).
Roaming Expert allows operators
to optimize and increase roaming traffic share. It provides information
about roaming performance and roaming problems and displays statistics
and information on in-roaming, quality offered to roamers, roamers'
behavior and estimates competitors' network coverage.
The Radio Expert module
enables operators to optimize 2G/2.5G radio performances and increase
the QoS offered to end users. It is based on Abis traces and provides
statistics on radio measurements, radio channel management, handovers
and coverage.
Network Performance Expert
eases the job of network engineers, by measuring and analyzing network
performance, providing statistics such as transaction counts (MOC,
MTC, LU, Data Volumes), transaction failures, equipment failures,
handovers and codec usage.
Availability
GSM/GPRS Optimization Expert will begin shipping in May.
About the K15 Protocol
Test Platform
Tektronix' K15 protocol test platform and application software support
troubleshooting of live and trial 3G, 2.5G, and 2G mobile networks.
It is a high-end, portable hardware platform with a suite of advanced
software applications. The platform runs on a high-performance cPCI
bus architecture that hosts several boards to connect to multiple
interfaces including E1/T1/J1 electrical, STM-1 optical, and 10/100
Mbit/s Fast Ethernet. Remote control and NTP/GPS time synchronization
between different units are integrated into the platform. Available
software applications include decoding for EDGE, UMTS and CDMA2000
protocols; Expert software for real-time Multi-Interface Call Trace
for EDGE, UMTS and CDMA2000; automatic UMTS Iub monitoring configuration;
and offline GPRS network performances analysis.