NetScan in brief

• Real-time, continuous mobile network monitoring, processing and data analysis.

   

• Covers 2G RAN (A, Abis, Gb) and selected 3G RAN (Iub, Iur IuCS, IuPS) and LTE (S1) interfaces. In addition, process data from traceports of key vendors (LTE RAN monitoring).

   

• Shared-RAN (MOCN & MORAN) support including secure separation of data between MNO’s involved.

   

• Reach set of pre-defined KPI’s (CSSR, CSTR, etc.) aggregated per cell, project, region and BSC/RNC, and cluster of cells.

   

• Real-time KPI monitoring and alarming per cell and BSC/RNC.

   

• Real-time monitoring of QoE and alarming per VIP subscriber (High Value Account).

   

• Network-wide session analysis (e.g. calltracing) with message correlation.

   

• Message decoding down to bit level.

   

• Open architecture ready to deploy new features (integration with external systems like data warehouse, CEM, etc.).

   

• Support for Gn interface (User and Control Plane monitoring with Deep Packet Inspection and Classification).

   

• Voice Quality Scoring — voice waveform processing (VoQA):
  • Impairment detection based directly on decoded voice analysis.
  • Clipping, dead-air, echo detection.
  • Estimates true quality of voice communication.
  • All major voice codecs are supported.

   

• In the road map: 
  • Advanced Geo-location. 
  • Advanced algorithms to support radio-planning (HO relations optimisation, coverage analysis, geo-service analysis).

System Architecture

Two-step data processing

• Captured PDU’s are streamed transparently into a file to guarantee lossless data acquisition and buffer peaks of traffic.

   

• PDU’s from recorded streams are processed, correlated into transactions at various levels and indexed. Some low-level statistics are also calculated at this stage. Records and statistics are stored into a local DB while processed PDU’s are kept in indexed files.

Distributed information storage

• Captured data-streams are processed in real time on local servers.

   

• Captured PDU’s are correlated at various levels to form DCH transaction, RAN-Core association, NAS transaction, etc.

   

• Transaction records and statistics are stored in distributed database.

   

• Users access data in a system through central server and WEB-based application.

User-friendly Interface

• Users access system via easy-to-use, intuitive WEB application.

   

• No single component needs to be installed on the end-user computer. Just WEB browser.

   

• Secure access via ciphered connection and domain-based user login (SSO - Single Sign-On).

   

• User access-rights are controlled by system administrator and allows for geographical and MNO’s data isolation.

   

• All user activity is securely logged to prevent sensitive data leakage.

Network status indication

• Network-status screen visualises values of statistics with colours indicating violation of statistics' pre-defined thresholds.

• All elements on screen are active – with a single click one can see statistic details, detailed cell analysis or signalling transactions.

Statistics

• Multiple statistics in one table.

   

• Graphical visualisation of many statistics in common geo- and time contexts.

   

• Graphical visualisation of a single statistic in many geo- and time contexts.

Roaming statistics

• Inbound roamers statistics.

   

• Roaming statistics can be narrowed into region, project or particular BSC/RNC.

   

• Table can be sorted per each column.

User-terminal statistics

• Selected statistics are distributed per terminal model and terminal vendor (TAC distribution).

Call tracing

Calls can be traced based on:

• localisation (Region->Project-> BSC/RNC->cell),

   

• terminal or user identity (IMEI, IMSI, TMSI),

   

• selected transaction parameters (termination cause, type of transaction, etc.),

   

• specific events – like unsuccessful HO.

Transaction details

• Calls can be analysed in tabular and graphical formats.

   

• Another window conveniently illustrates handover flows.

   

• Last but not least, a window shows all parameters reported in MR messages and all important RAN events.
  Measurements are correlated with particular cells.

Cell analysis

• 3-dimensional graphs illustrate correlation between specific measurements reported in MR messages for the selected cell and time.

   

• Graphs are available for: down-link Rx level vs quality, up-link Rx level vs quality, timing advance vs up-link quality, timing advance vs down-link quality.

Roadmap

• Advanced Geo-location. 
• Advanced algorithms to support radio-planning (HO relations optimisation, coverage analysis, geo-service analysis).
• Radio-experience management.