Drive or Walk Testing! Evaluate your network. 

Issue Description

Every good Radio Frequency design, after its implantation, should be evaluated. There are a few ways to do this, for example through analysis of KPI or through prediction tools and signal interference. Another efficient and very common way to evaluate the network is conducting a Drive Test. However, what is Drive Testing and how should it be conducted to achieve maximum result?

The name is intuitive: take a drive-test. The Drive Test is a test performed in cellular networks regardless of technology (GSM, CDMA, UMTS, LTE, etc. ...). This means collecting data onboard of a moving vehicle. Its variation is also intuitive: Walk-test for example collects data by walking areas of interest.
The analysis of drive tests is fundamental for the work of any professional in the field of IT and Telecommunication comprising two phases: data collection and data analysis.

Although through the analysis of KPI's we can identify problems such as dropped calls, among others, the drive tests allow a deeper analysis in the field, such as identifying areas of each sector of coverage, interference, evaluation of network changes and various other parameters.

Our Solution

The most popular and widespread communication devices in our time, are smartphones and tablets. Wireless communication is omnipresent nowadays and end-users are connected permanently with one another, regardless of their whereabouts. In locations such as airports, train stations, shopping malls, subways and walking zones, they have reached the highest ranking for wireless communication. Professional and consistent testing in such areas are necessary for mobile operators, to guarantee end-user satisfaction. Testing in indoor or walking areas can only be done with a portable solution (e.g. Xpack). The Xpack case, holding up to 4 MicroPuxes, enables testing in a very efficient way and delivers reliable results, regardless of the location. These test operations can be carried out by a nontechnically skilled person. Xpack is supplied with 1 LiPo battery pack (optionally with 2) that enables testing for several hours, with 2 battery packs, a complete working day. All PIXIP.NET Probes are Drive-Test ready. MiniPUX and even PUX Probes can easily be mounted in a car and connected to cigarette lighter 12V connector. All probes are capable of transmitting the test results over mobile network and for the case there is no network available, they can just hold the results of few weeks locally and upload them later, as soon as a connectivity is available.

In the case of optimization for indoor locations and walking areas, the collected measurement data will be used to optimize the mobile operator’s network in a specified area and to perform different types of analysis (RF, network, service).

Technical Highlights

Economic Benefits

• Enterprise QoS platform – one system to test all services from voice to products like music portal
• Module based platform enabling step by step growth
• Low-cost test probes – mass testing possible
• One single system for different user groups like radio and network testers, service testers, portal testers and product testers
• Future safe system – module based extension for new services or new network technologies
• Full featured web-based Reporting, Monitoring and Alarming System included
• Low installation costs – plug and play distribution of test devices
• Low support costs – unattended testing capabilities, remote access
• Stationary-, mobile-, drive-, field and on device testing with one single system
• Customized test scenario creation capabilities – no additional costs for new test scenarios
• Automatic test scenario creation using XMASS RSD and HTTP/WAP Recorder within few minutes
• Create Once, use everywhere – export – Import capabilities between multiple system installations
• Enterprise Integration with SAP and Business Objects platforms

Customers

• Mobile Operators
• MVNOs
• Broadband ISPs
• Fixed-Net Operators
• Regulators

Products involved