EPC Testing

EXFO's evolved-packet-core (EPC) solution enables wrap-around testing of the core network elements in LTE—MME, S-GW and PDN-GW—either individually or in combination. All the necessary elements and interfaces surrounding the system under test (SUT) can be simulated. The solution wraps the SUT by using S1-MME, S1-U, S11, S5, S10, S6a, Gx, Gxc, and other interfaces as needed.

Our solution can effectively be used in functional and load testing of LTE core network elements. In functional testing, EPC can send or receive any protocol messages of the supported interfaces. It also generates and receives IP user plane. In the receiving side, the EPC solution can calculate bit error rate (BER) from the received PRBS sequence. BER testing offers an efficient way to optimize network element implementation. Stateful application data can also be generated and verified. In load testing, our EPC solution simulates heavy loads of control-plane and user-plane traffic. The solution also provides support for IPSec, authentication algorithm, NAS ciphering/integrity and other advanced features.