GL Communications Inc. held a press conference to introduce their protocol emulation suite, Message Automation and Protocol Simulation (MAPS), which supports Location Based Services (LCS) and Circuit Switched Fallback (CSFB) across 2G, 3G, and 4G networks for emulating and validating LTE location-based services and seamless voice/SMS fallback scenarios. These innovative emulators expand GL’s robust MAPS platform, allowing service providers, equipment vendors, and R&D teams to test, validate, and automate critical network functions more efficiently.
The MAPS products below showcase GL’s comprehensive coverage for mobile network testing.
MAPS LTE SLs Emulator: This emulator mimics the SLs interface between Evolved Serving Mobile Location Center (E-SMLC) and Mobility Management Entity (MME) for LTE location services. It supports LCS-AP and LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) signaling for location requests, information exchange, aborts, and resets. The emulator features a GUI for bulk UE signaling, protocol decoding, message traceability, and automation through CLI or Python scripting.
MAPS LTE SGs Emulator: This emulator validates the SGs interface between LTE MME and 3G/2G Mobile Switching Centers (MSCs) for circuit-switched fallback. It supports location updates, paging, IMSI detach, and SMS delivery. The emulator offers role flexibility (MME or MSC), test scripts, message customization, and automation options.
MAPS IuPC Interface Emulator: This emulator replicates the IuPC interface between Radio Network Controller (RNC) and Stand-Alone Serving Mobile Location Center (SAS) for UMTS location services. It supports PCAP signaling and enables functional and load testing, protocol decoding, flexible call flows, and automation through CLI or Python scripting.
MAPS Lb Interface Emulator: This emulator emulates the Lb interface between SMLC and BSC for GSM location services using BSSAP-LE and BSSLAP protocols. It supports TA, U-TDOA, and A-GPS positioning methods with procedures for location requests and information transfer. The emulator offers SMLC/BSC role flexibility, protocol tracing, ready test scripts, and automation through CLI or Python scripting.
MAPS IuCS and IuH Emulator: This emulator supports UMTS circuit-switched and femtocell signaling over RANAP and DTAP protocols via SCTP/IP or ATM. It allows testing of call control, supplementary services, CSFB, SMS, and handover procedures. The High-Density version emulates up to 20,000 UE profiles with CSV profiles and RTP traffic for end-to-end validation, supports automation through CLI and Python scripting, and is available in portable and rack-mountable form factors with remote access and control.
Filed Under: Development tool, Network software, Test & Measurement, Tools
