Anritsu Co. announces the availability of integrated IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) functionality for its MD8475A Signaling Tester. Adding this LTE functionality extends the capabilities of the MD8475A’s SmartStudio graphical network simulation environment to include Call Session Control Function (CSCF), Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), and Domain Name System (DNS) servers, using either IPv4, IPv6, or dual-stack addressing. The MD8475A now provides device and UE developers with a complete state-based network simulation environment in one instrument, including simulated servers.

Anritsu’s existing full-functionality SMS Center (SMSC) has now been integrated with the new IMS functionality to provide SMS delivery via either IMS or SGs within LTE networks. Using the SMSC, a wide variety of text, multimedia, and binary files can be sent at various intervals to stress the device, and ensure performance and compliance.

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Basic IMS functionality for the MD8475A is included in Anritsu’s SmartStudio GUI as standard. Extended IMS functionality to simulate aberrant behavior, including CSCF errors and busy UAs, can be added through the CSCF Extended option (MX847570-080). Using the MD8475A, IMS logs can be analyzed using on-board Wireshark IP log analysis. Both a virtual UA and graphical monitoring of the UA-under-test are available in SmartStudio to make testing intuitive. Overall, SmartStudio creates a scenario-less test environment that simplifies testing and cuts test  times compared to conventional base station simulator approaches with one or more external PCs.

“We are pleased to help accelerate the launch of IMS services on LTE networks,” said Wade Hulon, Vice President and General Manager of Anritsu Company. “We understand our customer’s needs for functional testing of new VoLTE devices, and are proud to offer a single-instrument solution to support easy testing of new IMS features.”

The MD8475A Signaling Tester is a compact, Windows 7-based tester capable of emulating two base stations or an LTE 2x2 MIMO downlink, with formats including LTE, W-CDMA/HSPA+, GSM/(E)-GPRS, and CDMA2000. In addition to VoLTE, circuit-switched voice calls are supported, including GSM, W-CDMA, and CDMA2K, and circuit-switched fallback (CSFB) from LTE to 2G and 3G is available. End-to-end testing is supported by the tester, with the capability to install user-supplied servers inside the MD8475A or to connect external servers. Anritsu’s SmartStudio GUI provides easy graphical control of the MD8475A, and the internal state machine emulates real network operation without the need for scripts.