VoIP testing

Agilent has introduced what it claims is the test industry’s leading drive test solution for voice over internet protocol (VoIP) that allows network equipment manufacturers and wireless service providers to integrate voice-quality measurements with drive test RF data used in the optimisation of wireless networks.

The company has added the VoIP test sequence as a software upgrade to its drive test platform that supports RF measurements for all established wireless technologies.

Drive test users can buy the VoIP solution while protecting their earlier investment in the drive test platform.

The software provides end-to-end service quality measurements of SIP-based VoIP communication. It works by generating real-time transport protocol streams that mimic VoIP traffic.

The software takes time-stamped measurements as the RTP traffic flows between two endpoints in the data network.

The measurements include R-Factor MOS, packet loss, delay and jitter, and can be automated within the same drive test software that simultaneously measures RF.

The VoIP system works for all established mobile data services such as WiMAX, UMTS and EVDO, and will work for LTE as soon as a compliant phone is developed.