Remote Controlled Traffic Generator for UMTS Networks

One of the main challenges in CDMA networks is traffic generation and network overloading of a live-system in an efficient and realistic way. This is much more efficient if the operator of the network could remotely generate traffic, in order to monitor the real QoS support of the network. On the other hand, network operators validate their network planning and dimensioning by numerous drive tests with special monitoring equipment, with several people setting up calls/sessions from different distances or by analyzing the real network statistics. This is a time-consuming procedure and in addition it introduces difficulties to generate the desired traffic pattern. This paper describes the high level specifications of a remote controlled UMTS traffic generator that considers all aspects of radio propagation like interferences, fadings and power control in 3G and generates real traffic according to the demands of the planner. This is a compact solution for traffic generation and cell-loading, which allows planners to interact with their planning tools and monitor the system performance in any traffic pattern. The implementation is based on the idea of ´many-to- one´ devices and it considers all details of UMTS characteristics. In this paper, we present the prototype system that can be moved to any place of the network coverage and given its location, the position of the base-stations and the desired traffic given in the accompanied user-friendly software it will generate the equivalent traffic that will result in the same impact in the network.