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Powerful, reliable and scalable solution for testing the femtocell and femtocell gateway over luh, lu-CS and lu-PS interfaces

KEY FEATURESFemtocell access point and UE simulation over Iuh interface

SGSN simulation over Iu-PS interface

MSC simulation over Iu-CS interface

Powerful scalable load testing platform

Maximum fl exibility with fully customizable test cases

Multitechnology, multiprotocol and multi-user testing tool

Wide range of protocol support with different versions

Flexible to modify protocol messages for proprietary implementation

NetHawk EAST for FemtocellTestingGateway Testing

INTRODUCTIONFemtocells are low-power wireless access points that operate in licensed spectrum to connect standard mobile devices to a mobile operator’s network using residential DSL or cable broadband connections. They provide a better method to deliver the fixed mobile convergence (FMC). While most of the existing FMC solutions require dual-mode handsets, femtocell brings innovation with greater potential in the existing singlemode standard handsets. This provides new mobile broadband services to the home and develops a relevant technology to support residential users. Femtocells are the small cellular base stations to provide better in-house coverage as we move toward 3G and LTE architecture, which operates in the higher frequency band.

Femtocell-enabled phones can automatically detect the femtocell range at the premises and use it instead of the outdoor macro network. Since devices operate at very low radio power levels it also helps enhancing battery life.

These base stations are connected to the operator’s network via broadband connection (cable or DSL). With the above-mentioned advantages, femtocell development has been tremendous. However, prior to the end of 2008, there was no specific standard for the interface between the HNB and the HNB-Gw, which left network equipment vendors and operators testing the femtocell and the femtocell gateway with quite a challenge.

NetHawk EAST Femtocell Gateway Testing solution is a powerful, reliable and scalable solution to meet the challenges of today’s dynamic testing needs. NetHawk EAST was already supporting most of the femtocell deployment architectures:

UMTS-centric architecture

UMA-based architecture

SIP/IMS-based architecture

NetHawk EAST now provides solutions to test the femtocell (HNB) and the femtocell gateway (HNB-GW) based on the 3GPP-defined Iuh standard (between HNB and HNB-GW) and the IuCS and IuPS interface toward the core network.

FEMTOCELL NETWORK ARCHITECTUREFemtocell network consists of a femtocell base station at the customer premises connected to the operator’s mobile core network via the broadband connection.

Femtocell AP and Femtocell GW are referred to as HNB and HNB-GW respectively. On December 2008, 3GPP defined the Iuh stack, which sits between the HNB and the HNB-GW. The interface between the HNB-GW and the core network (MSC/SGSN) remains the same.

The Iuh interface introduces two new layers: HNBAP and RUA. HNBAP (Home NodeB application Protocol) will be defined for HNB Registration, UE Registration and HNB-GW Discovery, whereas RUA will encapsulate the RANAP messages to be transmitted on SCTP.

NETHAWK EAST FOR FEMTOCELL AND FEMTOCELL GATEWAY TESTINGThe NetHawk EAST testing tool can be used by telecom equipment manufacturers and service providers to test the implemented femtocell gateway based on the integration to the core network through Iuh interface.

Femtocell access point and UE simulation over Iuh interface

SGSN simulation over Iu PS interface

MSC simulation over Iu CS interface

NetHawk EAST can emulate multiple network elements with one test case. It provides a common environment for test cases across all standard and proprietary protocols. It supports simultaneous multiprotocol testing, conformance and validation. NetHawk EAST offers a scalable load testing platform with maximum flexibility. It supports fully customizable tests for positive and negative evaluation.

FEMTOCELL TESTINGNetHawk EAST can also act as a femtocell gateway to test a real HNB. The Iuh stack is supported by NetHawk EAST on which it can respond to the queries sent by the HNB. Similarly, it can handle the NAS and other procedures sent by the HNB.

lub

lu-CSlu-PS

lu-CSlu-PS

luh

RNC

Core Network

lu-PSHNB-GW

luhHNB

Internet

NetHawk EAST Femtocell Testing

Figure 1: Architecture

CS Stack PS Stack

Control PlaneUser Plane

Control PlaneUser Plane

HNBAPRANAP

HNBAPRANAP

RUA AMR Voice RUA IP

SCTP RTP SCTP GTP-U

IP UDP IP UDP

IPSec Remote IP IPSec Remote IP

IP IPSec ESP IP IPSec ESP

Data Link Transport IP Data Link Transport IP

Femtocell

NetHawk EASTFemtocell Gateway

luh

IPIPSec

Femtocell

Figure 3: Femtocell testing

Figure 2: luh stack

FEMTOCELL GATEWAY TESTINGThe femtocell gateway acting as the Iu Concentrator uses the standard RANAP stack based on the 3GPP standards for the Iu interface over IPSec.

NetHawk EAST can surround the femtocell gateway/Iu concentrator simulating the femtocell access points (FAP) and the standard mobile core network through the Iu-CS and Iu-PS interfaces.

Message libraries RUA, HNBAP message library Updates on RANAP and GMM based on Rel 8

FeaturesCommon procedures supported for CS and PS domains: IPSec HNB registration HNB deregistration UE registration UE deregistration RANAP release RUA release

Procedures supported for CS domain: Location update Authentication Identification Paging GMM call setup MO GMM call release RTP bearer

Procedures supported for PS domain: Attach Authentication Identification Detach PDP activate PDP deactivate Bearer data

Future enhancements Handling failure scenarios CS and PS services SMS basic call Emergency call CS handout to macro layer

NetHawk EAST Femtocell Testing

NetHawk EASTMSC and SGSN

NetHawk EASTFemtocell and UEs

lu OC3/IP

IPIPSec

FemtocellGateway

Figure 4: Femtocell gateway testing

EXFO is certified ISO 9001 and attests to the quality of these products. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. EXFO has made every effort to ensure that the information contained in this specification sheet is accurate. However, we accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions, and we reserve the right to modify design, characteristics and products at any time without obligation. Units of measurement in this document conform to SI standards and practices. In addition, all of EXFO’s manufactured products are compliant with the European Union’s WEEE directive. For more information, please visit www.EXFO.com/recycle. Contact EXFO for prices and availability or to obtain the phone number of your local EXFO distributor.

For the most recent version of this spec sheet, please go to the EXFO website at www.EXFO.com/specs. In case of discrepancy, the Web version takes precedence over any printed literature. sales contact sales@NetHawk.EXFO.com, customer support support@NetHawk.EXFO.com

EXFO Corporate Headquarters > 400 Godin Avenue, Quebec City (Quebec) G1M 2K2 CANADA | Tel.: +1 418 683-0211 | Fax: +1 418 683-2170 | info@EXFO.com

Toll-free: +1 800 663-3936 (USA and Canada) | www.EXFO.com

EXFO America 3701 Plano Parkway, Suite 160 Plano, TX 75075 USA Tel.: +1 800 663-3936 Fax: +1 972 836-0164 EXFO Asia 151 Chin Swee Road, #03-29 Manhattan House SINGAPORE 169876 Tel.: +65 6333 8241 Fax: +65 6333 8242EXFO China Tower C, Beijing Global Trade Center, Room 1207 Beijing 100013 P. R. CHINA Tel.: + 86 10 5825 7755 Fax: +86 10 5825 7722 36 North Third Ring Road East, Dongcheng DistrictEXFO Europe Omega Enterprise Park, Electron Way Chandlers Ford, Hampshire S053 4SE ENGLAND Tel.: +44 2380 246810 Fax: +44 2380 246801EXFO NetHawk Elektroniikkatie 2 FI-90590 Oulu, FINLAND Tel.: +358 (0)403 010 300 Fax: +358 (0)8 564 5203EXFO Service Assurance 270 Billerica Road Chelmsford, MA 01824 USA Tel.: +1 978 367-5600 Fax: +1 978 367-5700

SPEAST-FEMTOCELL.1AN © 2010 EXFO Inc. All rights reserved. 2008

Printed in Canada 10/10

SPECIFICATIONS SUPPORT

IUH INTERFACE 3GPP TS 25.467-v8.0.0 3GPP TS 25.468-v8.1.0 3GPP TS 25.469-v8.1.0

lu-CS INTERFACE RANAP: 3GPP TS 25.413 v8.2.1: UTRAN Iu interface Radio Access Network

Application Part (RANAP) signaling CC/MM: 3GPP TS 24.008 v8.5.0: Mobile radio interface Layer 3 specification;

Core network protocols; Stage 3 SCTP: IETF RFC 2960 IP: IETF RFC 791 (1981-09) IuUP: 3GPP TS 25.415 v4.3.0: UTRAN Iu interface user-plane protocols

lu-PS INTERFACE RANAP: 3GPP TS 25.413 v8.2.1: UTRAN Iu interface Radio Access Network

Application Part (RANAP) signaling

SM/GMM: 3GPP TS 24.008 v8.5.0, Mobile radio interface Layer 3 specification; Core network protocols; Stage 3

SCTP: IETF RFC 2960

GTP-U: 3GPP TS 29.060 v.3.7.0, v.5.7.0: General Packet Radio Service (GPRS); GPRS Tunnelling Protocol (GTP) across the Gn and Gp interface

UDP: IETF RFC 793 (09/1981)

IP: IETF RFC 791 (09/1981)

IPSEC ESP: IETF RFC 4303 (Obsolete RFC 2406): IP Encapsulating Security Payload (ESP)

IPSec Encryption Algorithms: IETF RFC 2410: The NULL Encryption Algorithm and Its Use with IPSec, IETF RFC 2451: The ESP CBC-Mode Cipher Algorithms, I ETF RFC 3602: The AES-CBC Cipher Algorithm and Its Use with IPSec

IPSec Authentication Algorithms: IETF RFC 2410: The Null Encryption Algorithm and Its Use with IPSec, IETF

RFC 2404: The Use of HMAC-SHA-1-96 within ESP and AH, IETF RFC 3566: The AES-XCBC-MAC-96 Algorithm and Its Use with IPSec, IETF RFC 3664: Internet X.509 Public Key Infrastructure Certificate and CRL Profile, IETF RFC 2403: The Use of HMAC-MD5-96 within ESP and AH

EAP-SIM: IETF RFC 4186: Extensible Authentication Protocol Method for Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) Subscriber Identity Modules (EAP-SIM)

EAP-AKA: IETF RFC 4187: Extensible Authentication Protocol Method for Third- Generation Authentication and Key Agreement (EAP-AKA)

Key Management: IETF RFC 4306: Internet Key Exchange (IKEv2) Protocol, IETF RFC 4307: Cryptographic Algorithms for Use in the Internet Key Exchange Version 2,: IETF RFC 4308: Cryptographic Suites for IPSec, IETF RFC 2315: PKCS no. 7: Cryptographic Message Syntax version 1.5

NAT: IETF RFC 3947: Negotiation of NAT-Traversal in the IKE, IETF RFC 3948: UDP Encapsulation of IPSec ESP Packets

NetHawk EAST Femtocell Testing