CAMEL Signaling Tester

Test Harness & Test Suite for the Validation of CAMEL Phase 3 & Phase 4 Implementations.

CAMEL Conformance Test Architecture

Overview

The CAMEL Signaling Tester is a test environment for the CAP (Customized Applications for Mobile Enhanced Logic Application Part) signaling specification as defined by the ETSI standards. It is a SAFIRE based test harness able to run pre-defined ACATS test scenarios against CAMEL test objects in a controlled & deterministic manner.

The SAFIRE graphical editor allows new scenarios to be created or existing scenarios to be modified using the CAMEL interface library (API), which defines the CAMEL messages and parameters. The test harness includes a CAMEL protocol analyzer for on-line capture and decode of the signaling in real-time both during tests and as a stand-alone tracer for live systems.

The CAMEL Signaling Tester is suitable for conformance tests, functional tests, factory tests & acceptance tests.

Key Features

• Fully integrated, complete test environment for CAMEL Phase 3/4
• ISO conformant test scenarios giving framework coverage of CAMEL Phase 3/4
• Graphical development environment & libraries for creating new CAMEL Phase 3/4 tests
• Compatible with ACATS INAP Professional Test Suite (not included)
• Expandable for MAP, CAP for complete core network testing and validation
• CAMEL Reference Test Object

GSM Network Architecture

Description

The CAMEL Signaling Tester was designed to be a complete solution for CAMEL signaling test requirements.  It has the key components:

• CAMEL Test Harness including codec & lower layers
• ACATS CAMEL Framework Test Suite
• CAMEL Interface Library
• CAMEL Protocol Analyzer

The CAMEL test harness uses the powerful SAFIRE environment to provide advanced features like

• Graphical editing (flow diagram representation)
• Automated execution of test campaigns
• Slow motion replay with synchronized trace & breakpoints
• Test reports with statistics (also HTML)
• Real-time, high performance protocol analysis

Using the CAMEL Signaling Tester , test objects can be accurately, reliably and comfortably validated for compliance with the ETSI standard specification. It is suitable for manufacturers, network operators and service providers to address all stages of the development cycle, regression testing through to type approval, acceptance testing & certification (note: requirements may be country/organization specific).

The provided CAMEL Framework Test Suite includes test scenarios for the validation of CAMEL services by simulating the controlled interaction on the CAMEL interfaces:

• gsmSSF <-> gsmSCF
• gsmSCF <-> gsmSRF
• gsmSSF <-> gsmSCF
• gsmSSF <-> gsmSCF

SAFIRE Editor Sample

The framework test suite contains a selection of important scenarios, which can be used to confirm the basic functionality of a CAMEL test object. They are also an excellent basis for customization and enhancement according to specific needs.

The available CAMEL Framework Test Scenarios are based on different CAMEL procedures, such as:

• Mobile Originated Calls procedures
• Mobile Terminated Calls procedures
• Procedures for serving network dialed services
• SMS procedures
• Procedures for GPRS (Attach, PDP Context Activation and Deactivation, Detach)
• Charging Activities
• Notification of non-traffic events to the CSE (Mobility Management for CS and GPRS)

An upgrade is available for the ACATS CAMEL Signaling Test Suite, which offers extensive coverage of the CAMEL signaling test requirements.

CAMEL Reference Test Object

For reference a virtual test harness is included, that allows test scenarios to be run off-line against a software-only test object under controlled conditions.  The test harness uses a software bus to replace the physical connection and an accurate software model as the test object.  Normally fully automated execution of tests is possible, but in some specific cases the test object allows/requires user interaction during the tests.

Run Test Scenarios against the CAMEL Reference Test Object

Specifications & Test Specifications

• ETSI TS 129 078 V3.15.0 (2003-03) CAMEL Phase 3
• ETSI TS 129 078 V5.9.0 (2004-09) CAMEL Phase 4

Related Products & Services

• Full engineering services available for critical project development and acceptance testing
• MAP and SS7 extensions for complete intelligent network testing
• SIGTRAN module to test without E1/T1 hardware