Artiza Networks is the leader in 3G/LTE radio access network (RAN) testing. Artiza has been collaborating in RAN nodes/core network nodes testing with major operators and venders in most advanced market in the industry for more than 10 years. Artiza's tester products have been dominating the Japan market by high density load testers. We are proud to provide world class product line in UMTS, since the beginning of 3G developments. We co-operated with vender for 1st Super3G (LTE) experimental trial for major operator in Japan. With our powerful engineering resources covering from PCB, FPGA/DSP in wired and baseband, firmware, application software engineers, we have the full capability for in-house scratch development and providing professional services with technology trained sales forces. Artiza has filed in Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2001. Since Artiza was established, we have been profitable except few years with stable balance sheet.

LTE Solutions eNB Testers

The Turnkey Solutions for eNB Performance Evaluation

Long Term Evolution (LTE) is the next big wave of wireless broadband. It has been almost a decade since 3G service has been deployed, and it still continues to grow today. In the meantime, in 2010 the next wave is already arriving. The last step toward 4G service, LTE will make a huge impact in our ubiquitous communication life. The technology will bring broadband speed to mobile networks, and enable us to take full Internet access to remote locations. With a bandwidth of 100Mbps downlink and 50Mbps uplink, LTE delivers lightning-fast web-browsing, smoother e-mail access and real-time video streaming even in rural areas. Another outstanding characteristic is the short latency of only 100msec in the control plane and 5ms in the user plane. With near real-time response, it will enable a series of high speed IP applications, and change the meaning of the mobile network in our lives.

Figure 1: Roadmap to 4G

LTE's high speed capability is realized with multiple advanced technologies, such as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), and System Architecture Evolution (SAE). On top of these technologies, it is essential to have highly effective radio controller nodes in the LTE network, the "evolved NodeB" (eNB). The performance of the network service heavily relies on eNB's capability, and it is tremendously important for venders to provide high performance LTE eNB for excellent mobile broadband experience. Artiza LTE eNB Load Tester is the complete test suite for LTE eNB developers, covering from simple functional protocol testing to comprehensive load testing over multiple layers; it is the turnkey solution for eNB performance evaluation. With our unique methodology, Aritza offers a wide range of functional testing from the beginning stage to the final stage of the development, including first-in-the-industry stability and durability test bench for eNB reliability. All of these testing tools are brought from Artiza's expertise of testing collaboration with most advanced major venders and wireless operators including UMTS over the last 10 years.

Figure 2: E-UTRAN Architecture

Figure 3: LTE eNB

Figure 4: AZP-1400/500

Ultimate Test Bench for LTE EPCs

LTE is the last step towards 4G service, and it will make a huge impact in our ubiquitous communication life. There are a number of advanced technologies introduced in LTE network, and System Architecture Evolution (SAE) is one of such technologies. SAE is designed based on IP technology, and it has the simplified architecture with vision of all-IP network. In order to achieve the LTE's original goals, i.e., higher throughput, lower latency and lower cost per bit, the performance of Evolved Packet Core (EPC) is extremely important along with those of E-UTRAN eNBs. EPC also provides simplified mobility between legacy mobile communication technology GSM/GPRG and UMTS. Even though EPCs do not comprise a big share of CAPEX and OPEX as to eNB in the wireless infrastructure, but it makes a great impact on overall network profitability. Service providers must take consideration into the performance of EPCs.

Figure 1: Roadmap to 4G

Figure 2: SAE Architecture

The LTE EPC defines series of network functions as follows.

MME (Mobility Management Entity):

The MME is an important controller node in the LTE network. It is responsible for:

• Idle mode UE (User Equipment) tracking
• Paging procedure such as re-transmissions
• Bearer activation and deactivation process
• S-GW selection for a UE at the initial attach
• Intra-LTE handover with Core Network node relocation
• User authentication with HSS

When the signaling of Non-Access Stratum (NAS) terminates at the MME, it generates and allocates temporary identities to UEs. Then, it authorizes the UE for the Public Land Mobile Network. It is also responsible for the enforcement of UE roaming restrictions. The MME handles the ciphering/integrity protection for NAS signaling and the security key management. It supports lawful interception of signaling, and the control plane function for mobility between LTE and legacy networks with the S3 interface. The S6a interface connects to the HSS for roaming UEs.

S-GW (Serving Gateway):

The main functionality of Serving Gateway is routing and forwarding of user data packets. It is also responsible for inter-eNB handovers in the U-plane and provides mobility between LTE and other types of networks, such as between 2G/3G and P-GW. The DL data from the UEs in idle state is terminated at S-GW, and arrival of DL data triggers paging for the UE. S-GW keeps the context information such as parameters of the IP bearer and routing information, and stores back the UE contexts when paging happens. S-GW is also responsible for replicating user traffic for lawful interception.

P-GW (PDN Gateway):

PDN Gateway is the connecting node between the UEs and external networks. It is the entry point of data traffic for the UEs. In order to access multiple PDNs, UE can connect to several P-GWs at the same time. The functionalities of P-GW include:

• Policy enforcement
• Packet filtering
• Charging support
• Lawful interception
• Packet screening

Another important role of P-GW is to provide mobility between 3GPP and non-3GPP network. For example, mobility between WiMAX and 3GPP2 or between CMDA 1X and EVDO are supported by P-GW.

Figure 3: LTE Network

Figure 4: Bearer Services in LTE/SAE Network

Artiza LTE EPC Load Tester is the complete test suite for LTE EPC developers, specialized in load testing. It covers from simple functional protocol testing to comprehensive load testing in C-plane and U-plane, and it is the turnkey solution for EPC performance evaluation. With the capability for versatile load testing in C-plane along with the QoS (Quality of Service) testing up to 2 millions of bearers on 10 GbE interface, Artiza LTE EPC Load Tester brings you the ultimate testing environment with the toughest load condition to EPCs.