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TEMS Discovery 4.0 - Technical Product Description PDF
TEMS Discovery 4.0 - Technical Product Description PDF
0, 2/24/2012 1
Technical Product Description
TEMS Discovery 4.0
2 NT12-3246, 1.0, 2/24/2012
Ascom. All rights reserved.
TEMS is a trademark of Ascom. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
NT12-3246, 1.0, 2/24/2012 3
Contents
1 Introduction 6
1.1 Who Is TEMS Discovery Intended For? ............................................................................ 8
1.2 Capabilities ....................................................................................................................... 8
1.2.1 Drive Test Data Import .................................................................................................. 8
1.2.2 Call Trace Import ........................................................................................................... 8
1.2.3 IP Trace Import .............................................................................................................. 8
1.2.4 Network Configuration Import ........................................................................................ 9
1.2.5 GIS Data Import ............................................................................................................ 9
1.2.6 Antenna Data Import ..................................................................................................... 9
1.2.7 Coverage Map Import .................................................................................................... 9
1.2.8 Handover Matrix Import ................................................................................................. 9
1.2.9 Import API ..................................................................................................................... 9
1.2.10 Operating Systems ........................................................................................................ 9
1.3 Functionality Levels ........................................................................................................ 10
1.3.1 TEMS Discovery Replay .............................................................................................. 10
1.3.2 TEMS Discovery Standard .......................................................................................... 10
1.3.3 TEMS Discovery Professional ..................................................................................... 10
1.3.4 TEMS Discovery Enterprise ......................................................................................... 10
1.4 Where to Find Out More ................................................................................................. 10
2 Overview 11
2.1 Easy and Extensive Customization Capabilities ............................................................. 11
2.1.1 Network Data Integration ............................................................................................. 12
2.1.2 Scripting Capabilities ................................................................................................... 13
2.1.3 Reporting Capabilities ................................................................................................. 14
2.1.4 Problem Set Capability ................................................................................................ 15
2.1.5 Analysis Set ................................................................................................................ 15
2.1.6 Efficient Way of Working .............................................................................................. 15
2.2 Low Total Cost of Ownership .......................................................................................... 16
2.2.1 Free Access to GIS Databases .................................................................................... 16
2.2.2 Multivendor Logfile Support ......................................................................................... 17
3 System Description 18
3.1 Licensing ......................................................................................................................... 18
3.1.1 Local Licensing ............................................................................................................ 18
3.1.2 Floating Licensing........................................................................................................ 18
3.1.3 Network Licensing ....................................................................................................... 19
4 Key Features 20
4.1 Flexible Deployment With Instant Access to Data........................................................... 20
4.1.1 Data Organization and Management ........................................................................... 21
4.1.2 Multidimensional Statistical Database .......................................................................... 22
4.1.3 Full Access to Information Elements ............................................................................ 23
4.1.4 Message Flow Diagram ............................................................................................... 24
4.1.5 Automatic Data Processing ......................................................................................... 25
4.1.6 Versatile Data Binning ................................................................................................. 27
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4.1.7 Powerful Data Filtering ................................................................................................. 28
4.1.8 Diagnostics .................................................................................................................. 28
4.1.9 Extensive Data Sharing Across the Organization ......................................................... 29
4.2 Analysis Views ................................................................................................................ 30
4.2.1 Map View ..................................................................................................................... 30
4.2.2 Google Map and Microsoft Bing Map ........................................................................... 32
4.2.3 Time-series Chart View ................................................................................................ 33
4.2.4 Message View ............................................................................................................. 34
4.2.5 Table View ................................................................................................................... 35
4.2.6 Point Details View ........................................................................................................ 36
4.2.7 Instant Chart View........................................................................................................ 37
4.2.8 Metric Correlation View ................................................................................................ 38
4.2.9 Problem Summary View ............................................................................................... 38
4.2.10 Histogram View ............................................................................................................ 39
4.2.11 Multidimension Statistic View ....................................................................................... 40
4.2.12 Sector Statistic View .................................................................................................... 41
4.3 Scripting and Reporting ................................................................................................... 42
4.3.1 Script Builder ............................................................................................................... 42
4.3.2 Reporting ..................................................................................................................... 43
4.3.3 Highly Automatic Batch Printing ................................................................................... 44
5 TEMS Discovery: Drilling Down to Measurement Data 45
5.1 Contents and Characteristics .......................................................................................... 45
5.2 Further Examples of How to Use TEMS Discovery ......................................................... 46
5.2.1 Dropped Call Analysis .................................................................................................. 46
5.2.2 Analyzing TEMS Pocket Indoor Measurement ............................................................. 47
5.2.3 Sector-Based Statistics ................................................................................................ 50
6 Centralized Statistical Anal ysis 51
6.1 TEMS Discovery Enterprise ............................................................................................ 51
6.1.1 Back-End Data Processing .......................................................................................... 52
6.1.2 Web Client ................................................................................................................... 53
6.1.3 TEMS Discovery Professional ...................................................................................... 54
6.1.4 Multidimensional Statistical Database Builder .............................................................. 55
6.1.5 Multidimensional Statistical Viewer .............................................................................. 56
6.1.6 Dashboard Builder ....................................................................................................... 57
7 Appendices 58
7.1 Supported Operating Systems ........................................................................................ 58
7.2 Logfile Support ................................................................................................................ 58
7.3 Supported Technologies ................................................................................................. 59
7.4 Data Processing .............................................................................................................. 59
7.5 Cell Configuration Support .............................................................................................. 59
7.6 Handover Matrix .............................................................................................................. 60
7.7 GIS .................................................................................................................................. 60
7.8 Reporting......................................................................................................................... 60
7.9 Analysis Views ................................................................................................................ 61
7.10 Map Support .................................................................................................................... 62
7.11 Reporting and Scripting ................................................................................................... 62
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7.12 Export ............................................................................................................................. 62
7.13 Data Organization and Data Sharing .............................................................................. 63
7.14 License Options .............................................................................................................. 63
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1 Introduction
For true benchmarking, monitoring, rollout, and analysis and troubleshooting of UMTS, CDMA, TD-
SCDMA, WiMAX, and LTE wireless networks, Ascom Network Testing offers the post-processing
tool TEMS Discovery.
TEMS Discovery is highly configurable and extremely user-friendly. It allows engineers to easily
assess wireless performance and quickly pinpoint network problems.
Highly automatic data processing increases the efficiency and provides instant access to
knowledge about the behavior and performance of your network. No other product can match the
variety of information elements that TEMS Discovery handles, allowing thorough analysis of the
collected data. With comprehensive GIS data support and display you can pinpoint and visualize
network problems.
Analyzing air interface measurements in TEMS Discovery is the only way to obtain a truly
adequate picture of the network, thanks to the many unique and advanced features within TEMS
Discovery that competing reporting and analysis products cannot match.
TEMS Discovery helps operators to:
Increase revenue: Problems can be located and fixed before they start affecting
customers, improving customer satisfaction and reducing churn. Fewer blocked and
dropped calls mean more call time and higher earnings. A high quality of service also
helps attract new subscribers.
Optimize investments: A wireless telecom network represents a huge investment and
needs optimization to bring the best possible return. TEMS Discovery helps when
analyzing the collected data, allowing you to make wise investment decisions. It can
also be used to test new features before rollout to ensure their performance in the live
network.
Maximize their competitive edge: With TEMS Discovery the entire network is
scrutinized down to the smallest detail. Every single event, all important key
performance indicators (KPIs), any signs of network degradation, and many more are
examined continuously. This keeps your network at the highest possible quality, leaving
competitors behind.
Speed up rollout and verification of new technology: Analyzing huge data volumes
takes a lot of time and with TEMS Discovery the process can be simplified and focused
on detecting and solving problems not only processing data. With the introduction of
TEMS Discoverys new diagnostics features, users can pinpoint issues in network
configuration and other problems that can be time-consuming to identify. Using
diagnostics, they can find the signatures of the problems and highlight them.
TEMS Discovery provides comprehensive data processing for both packet-switched and circuit-
switched data. TEMS Discovery supports all major radio technologies, as listed in Appendix 6.3.
This data processing uses multiple data sources, such as measurement data from drive test
devices and scanners, as well as GIS data, network cell configuration and parameters, neighbor
lists, and antenna patterns. To complete the picture, drive test data can be synchronized with
network call traces and IP traces (LibPcap).
For LTE, for example, TEMS Discovery supports analysis of both LTE scanner data and LTE
device data from all supported drive test tool vendors, more than 2,000 LTE information elements,
events, and cell data items.
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The TEMS Discovery portfolio is easy to configure according to your post-processing needs,
starting from single logfile analysis in TEMS Discovery Replay, up to a fully automated centralized
post-processing solution based on TEMS Discovery Enterprise.
With TEMS Discovery, you will increase your efficiency and profit via:
Easy and extensive customization capabilities: The various views and Data Explorers can be
arranged in countless combinations. Multiple sub-views for easy side-by-side comparison or the
more conventional views with maps (including Google Maps and Microsoft Bing Maps, through
license agreements), time series, messages, tables, histograms, or reports the choice is yours. In
addition, TEMS Discovery includes a completely customizable report template builder, key
information settings, analysis sets, point detail configuration, and more.
Figure 1. Example of the highly configurable user interface of TEMS Discovery
Low total cost of ownership: The software can be deployed with minimal IT system requirements
and with minimal dependence on third-party software. Large volumes of data are handled with low
memory demand, and the intuitive interface provides a fast learning curve and reduced analysis
time. There is also integrated online access to free or low-cost GIS data sources.
Flexible deployment architecture: Network configuration is easy to set up with minimal platform
requirements and allows for collaboration of engineers across functional roles and geographies.
The processed data is instantly accessible across the organization and provides highly organized
information, with an unlimited number of composite datasets.
Multivendor capabilities. TEMS Discovery handles a variety of drive test tools and is thus the
only post-processing tool you need to learn, maintain, and upgrade.
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1.1 Who Is TEMS Discovery Intended For?
TEMS Discovery is designed to benefit all levels of the operators organization.
RF engineers are notified of all sorts of local malfunctions (weak signal reception, bad
C/I, low data throughput, etc.), prompting them to try out various tweaks to the network
configuration. TEMS Discovery provides easy access to information elements as well as
on-demand data extraction and intelligence embedding with the Script Builder, for
pinpointing and evaluating network problem areas. Advanced R&D staff can also use
TEMS Discovery as a research tool in the rollout stage of emerging technologies,
because it provides customization of scripts.
Managers are able to supervise the organizations processes and services. They can
keep track of any events or metrics of interest (dropped call rate, to give just one
example) by studying reports easily defined with the Report Builder. They are aided in
making decisions on investments and organizational improvements. By getting a tighter
grip on the networks end-to-end voice and data quality, the company is also in a better
position to offer customers reliable service level agreements.
Network planners learn about spots with recurrent problems by requesting statistics
confined to specific areas. This helps reveal deficiencies in the network layout or the
underlying theoretical models, while also providing input for improvements. As a result,
planners are able to boost network utilization and get maximum mileage out of the
existing network before new investments are made.
Marketing staff can extract statistics on usage patterns, furnishing the basis for
precisely targeted advertising campaigns. Being more intimately familiar with the
networks quality of service, marketers can also work out more advanced and precise
charges for various services. It is less risky to promise, and charge for, quality that has
been thoroughly assured.
The customer care unit can order coverage information to enlighten customers who
are making complaints or enquiries. Complaints can be cross-checked against network
status reports to help determine whether a problem resides in the network or in the
customers handset.
1.2 Capabilities
1.2.1 Dri ve Test Data Import
TEMS Discovery supports the import of native drive test data from the major drive test tool vendors
(see Appendix 6.2).
With the generic data import, any text-based (.tab or .csv) file format can be imported to TEMS
Discovery. It is easy to define an import schema by dragging and dropping.
1.2.2 Call Trace Import
Call traces from Ericsson and WCDMA can be imported and synchronized with the drive test data.
1.2.3 IP Trace Import
IP trace data (LibPcap) collected together with drive test data can be synchronized and analyzed in
TEMS Discovery.
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1.2.4 Network Configuration Import
Site data can be imported as network configuration files. TEMS Discovery supports import of cell
configuration data from multiple network planning tool and drive test tool vendors. Network
configuration data can also be imported from Ericsson OSS (Bulk CM), as shown in Appendix 6.4.
With the generic network configuration import, any text-based (.tab or .csv) file format can be
imported to TEMS Discovery. It is easy to define an import schema by dragging and dropping.
Network configurations imported into TEMS Discovery can be exported to Ascom Network
Testings TEMS XML cell file format.
1.2.5 GIS Data Import
For map display, there is a wide selection of free or low-cost yet high-quality data available. TEMS
Discovery supports approximately 100 commonly used GIS file formats, including:
Automatic merging of GIS data with different sources, formats, and projections
Terrain elevation data, raster images, and vector data
Free access to online GIS databases
Google Maps/Microsoft Bing Maps as a complement to ordinary map formats
1.2.6 Antenna Data Import
The network configuration file can contain antenna type as a parameter of the sector table. TEMS
Discovery is able to provide a view for the antenna pattern of a sector.
1.2.7 Coverage Map Import
Coverage maps exported from external planning tools can be imported into TEMS Discovery.
Those coverage maps can be displayed in the Map View for viewing, or used to generate delta
metrics.
1.2.8 Handover Matrix Import
Handover matrices can be imported. Based on those matrices, TEMS Discovery can perform
neighbor list tuning and eventually export a neighbor list work order for implementation. See
Appendix 6.12.
1.2.9 Import API
TEMS Discovery provides an API for users to develop their own parser to import data into TEMS
Discovery. This means that you can import native data from any tool and any type of data.
1.2.10 Operating Systems
TEMS Discovery is a .NET application that can be used with most of the Microsoft operating
systems. See Appendix 6.1.
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1.3 Functionality Levels
TEMS Discovery is available in four versions with different levels of functionality:
TEMS Discovery Replay performs single logfile analysis.
TEMS Discovery Standard includes all the functionality needed to analyze drive test
data, multiple logfile analysis.
TEMS Discovery Professional is an advanced version with enhanced functionality for
automated reporting and analysis.
TEMS Discovery Enterprise is a centralized post-processing solution for fully
automated statistical data processing and reporting, and Web-based analysis.
1.3.1 TEMS Discovery Replay
TEMS Discovery Replay is a low-cost single logfile post-processing tool for TEMS logfiles. With
TEMS Discovery Replay you can quickly analyze collected logfiles. For more information, see
Appendix tables.
1.3.2 TEMS Discovery Standard
The Standard version includes multiple logfile analysis capabilities with synchronized views and
built-in standard reporting. TEMS Discovery Standard
1
is available with local or network license.
For more information, see Appendix tables.
1.3.3 TEMS Discovery Professional
The Professional version includes all of the functionality needed for drive test data analysis and
lets you tailor the tool to fit into the process flow.
TEMS Discovery includes Script Builder, Report Builder, and automatic data processing, just to
mention some of the advanced features that can make the analysis efficient. For more information,
see Appendix tables.
1.3.4 TEMS Discovery Enterprise
The Enterprise version is a tool for server-based, centralized post-processing. It offers a huge
processing capacity and includes a multidimensional statistical database that simplifies reporting
and analysis on a statistical level. The processed data can be accessed and analyzed from the
TEMS Discovery Web Client or from TEMS Discovery Professional. TEMS Discovery Enterprise is
based on Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 and can easily be integrated into a Microsoft
SharePoint/Reporting Services environment.
1.4 Where to Find Out More
For additional information concerning TEMS Discovery or other TEMS products, please visit us on
the Web at www.ascom.com/networktesting.
To sign up for a subscription to TEMS Bulletins, please go to the link above and click Register for
TEMS Bulletins. This free service includes email notification of TEMS product launches, version
upgrades, and patches, as well as our online customer magazine.
1
TEMS Discovery Standard bundled with TEMS Investigation supports only logfiles collected with TEMS
Investigation.
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2 Overview
2.1 Easy and Extensive Customization Capabilities
With TEMS Discovery, you have the flexibility to configure a wide range of items, from simple view
layouts and key information settings to sophisticated report templates. You can embed your
companys preferences, expertise, and knowledge into the tool and thereby define your sets of
preferences or templates.
Post-processing with TEMS Discovery fulfills a full range of needs:
Initial tuning: Find missing neighbors, evaluate your coverage, and review your
services, among other tasks.
Network monitoring: Key performance indicators (KPIs) for voice, data services,
streaming video, and video telephony help you to keep track of the quality of your
network. They also serve as good decision support for your improvements.
Network optimization: The tool assists in pinpointing network problems, including root
cause analysis.
Benchmarking: Find out if you are best or worst or somewhere between, and identify
the differences between you and your competitors.
Coverage anal ysis: Coverage is not only about measuring your signal strength values,
but also accessibility of different services, limited service plots, and no-coverage plots.
With various drive test tools you can perform measurements on your roaming partners
to find out if they are fulfilling their requirements. TEMS Discovery coverage plots can
also be used in your planning tool.
Troubleshooting: With TEMS Discovery, the troubleshooting of tricky problems that
need multiple data sources (drive test data, call trace data, IP trace data, etc.) can be
done in one tool with full synchronization.
Indoor: TEMS Discovery can import indoor measurements including RF data, pinpoints,
and maps in a single operation, if the indoor map is not positioned, the map can be
geolocated with a few clicks.
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2.1.1 Network Data Integration
Full access to various types of data and simultaneous display of this data enhances your
understanding of the networks performance. You can customize what to display on the screen as
well as how it is displayed.
Figure 2. Customized display of network data
Some of the useful functions that enable you to find what you are looking for are listed below:
Integration of imported network configuration data, parameters, and neighbor lists
Color coding or labeling of all parameters
Grouping and searching by one or multiple parameters
Linking of drive test data points to sectors
Graphical neighbor list display and editing
Organization of data in projects
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2.1.2 Scripting Capabilities
The Script Builder provides an advanced function to extract data from messages and apply
customized algorithms to generate new metrics and events. It offers rule-based classification of
events and automated analysis, and thus considerable time savings.
Figure 3. The Script Builder assists in customizing algorithms and extracting specific data
The functions in brief:
On-demand data extraction and intelligence embedding
Simple drag-and-drop access to:
o All metrics
o All information elements in Layer 3 messages
Generation of any metrics, events, and filtering criteria
Embedding of proprietary algorithms for standardization across the organization
Scripting in C#/C/C++syntax
Generated metrics and events are accessible from all tools and reports, similar to
already built-in metrics and events.
14 NT12-3246, 1.0,2/24/2012
2.1.3 Reporting Capabilities
Accurate analysis templates and reports are important for the sharing of knowledge.
The Report Builder within TEMS Discovery is designed to provide great flexibility for generating
reports in Microsoft Office Excel