Mobile interface configuration details

The Mobile support in Paragon Active Assurance enables you to run tests and monitoring sessions over a mobile interface using a preinstalled mPCIe 4G modem in a Test Agent provided by Paragon Active Assurance.

Besides running normal data traffic over this interface, it is also possible to log mobile network parameters such as signal strength and cell network location information.

For details on normal network interface configuration, see Test Agent interface configuration.

Mobile interface dialog

  • Click Test Agents on the main menu.

  • Click the Test Agent of interest.

  • Click the Test Agent’s mobile network interface (“usb0”).

In the dialog that appears, the Status tab shows read-only information. You can reset the counting of packets by clicking the Reset packet counters button. Note that this will reset the packet counters only temporarily, until you close the dialog.

../../_images/ta-mobile-status.png

The Interface tab looks as follows:

../../_images/ta-mobile-interface.png

  • Management: Check this box if the mobile interface is to be used for Test Agent management. Compare the page on Test Agent interface configuration in general.

  • RAT (mode/band): Here you select what radio access technology (RAT) and frequency band the Test Agent should preferably use. “AUTO” means that the choice of RAT and/or band will be done automatically.

  • APN: Access Point Name for connecting to the mobile network.

The Mobile Status tab, finally, also shows read-only information, including some mobile network measurements (some of which are visible in the screenshot). See the section below for details on the terminology used.

../../_images/ta-mobile-mob-status.png

Terminology

Here is a list of terms used in conjunction with the Mobile interface.

Some of the terms are specific to a certain type of network access technology such as GSM, WCDMA or LTE.

  • IMSI: International Mobile Subscriber Identity.

  • IMEI: International Mobile Station Equipment.

  • APN: Access Point Name.

  • RAT mode: Radio Access Technology mode.

  • RAT sub-mode: Radio Access Technology sub-mode.

  • ARFCN: Absolute Radio-Frequency Channel Number.

  • CI: Cell ID as a decimal number.

  • eNB+CI [LTE only]: eNB + Cell ID [LTE Only]. For LTE the Cell ID, or more correctly E-UTRAN Cell Identifier, is composed of two values, eNB ID (20 bits) and Cell ID (8 bits).

  • RNCID + CI [WCDMA only]: RNCID + Cell ID [WCDMA only]. In WCDMA the Cell ID, or more correctly UTRAN Cell Identifier, is composed of two values, RNC ID (12 bits) and Cell ID (16 bits).

  • RAC: Routing Area Code [GSM/WCDMA only].

  • LAC: Location Area Code (LAC) [GSM/WCDMA only].

  • TAC: Tracking Area Code (TAC) [LTE only].

  • PLMN: Public Land Mobile Network.

  • PCI: Physical Cell ID [LTE only].

  • BSIC: Base Station Identity Code.

  • SC: Scrambling Code.

  • RSSI: Received Signal Strength Indication.

  • RSRP: Reference Signal Received Power.

  • RSCP: Received Signal Code Power.

  • RSRQ: Reference Signal Received Quality.

  • Ec/Io: Chip energy interfering co-channel.

  • SINR: Signal to Interference + Noise Ratio.