Solver TFO/TrFO (Tandem/Transcoder Free Operation)

When a mobile network uses Tandem or Transcoder Free Operation, (TFO, TrFO), it means that transcoder devices are physically present
in the signal path but the transcoding functions are bypassed.

A transcoder is a device in a GSM or 3G system that converts the speech encoding usually between G.711 and a format optimized for
the transmission over the air interface. This format relates to a specific speech codec.

The key advantage of TFO/TrFO is an improvement in speech quality by avoiding the double transcoding in the network.

TFO/TrFO in practice
With the GERAN/UTRAN networks where the 2G and 3G access networks connect to a Media Gateway (MGW) there will be
transcoders in both BSCs/RNCs and MGWs. The MSC server (MSS) decides which speech codec to be used. The codec will not be
altered in the middle of a call.

However, for multi rate AMR codecs there is the possibility to change between different rates during a call. On the legacy A interface
speech is transmitted in 64 kbps samples carrying 8 bit frames. For TFO, the 6 or 7 most significant bits are always in the PCM format.
The least 1or 2 significant bits are Compressed Speech (CS) with the format defined by the actual speech codec (GSM EFR, GSM FR,
FR AMR, etc). The traffic following a transcoder in TFO is either PCM + CS (6+2 bit) or PCM (8 bit). All 8 bits are always sent.

Solver TFO/TrFO- how it works

TFO is an optional feature in the A-interface Load Generator which allows Solver to negotiate codecs and rates via inband signaling in
order to generate TFO traffic.

For the Iu-CS interface, Solver offers the optional TrFO application which provides a unique capability to perform load testing of TrFO.
When TrFO is used in calls, the transcoders are bypassed and the same codec is used for the whole call path.

The abilities of the Solver TFO/TrFO solution makes it unique in the global load test tool market. Apart from the performance which is
in itself best-of-brand in terms of total cost per call, there are great possibilities to create flexible test scenarios and examine the TFO/
TrFO performance.

Our client base continues to expand rapidly into new markets.

Polystar solutions have now been implemented on six continents.
 © Polystar TM AB 2011
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External networks
S1 - U SGW PGW - Internet
- IMS

Included in the TFO/TrFO feature are the
following functions:
• TFO/TrFO Activation - Possibility to enable or disable
TFO/TrFO per Solver system.
• Configuration of Supported Codecs - Possibility to
configure per call scenario the set of supported codecs.
The set contains any combination of codecs and is sent in
call control messages.
• Automatic Codec Selection - The simulated BSC/RNCs
selects the preferred codec offered by the CN which is
received in the Assignment Request/RAB Assignment
Request message.
• TFO/TrFO Codec/Configuration Compatibility Check
- Possibility to check the compatibility between local
and remote codec (and configuration) during TFO/TrFO
negotiation.
• Rate Control and Mode Change - Possibility to either set
chosen rates of sent speech or set the allowed rates for
incoming speech. The periodic function includes the ability
to cycle through all set rates back and forth with timer
settings.
Solver TFO/TrFO including PESQ
One of the major features of TFO is the reduction of speech
transcodings in the network leading to improved speech quality.
Consequently there is a need to measure the speech quality through
PESQ to verify the quality gain and proper function of TFO/TrFO.
In the TFO/TrFO-enabled Solver, the start of the PESQ sample
submission can be adjusted to achieve the test conditions that are
needed.
Another Solver TFO feature is the TFO ratio parameter which
indicates the percentage of legacy G.711 that is in the recorded
speech fi le compared to compressed speech.
Solver TFO/TrFO is available for the following Solver
products and interfaces:
• Solver for GSM:
o A
• Solver for UMTS:
o Iu-CS

TFO only: TFO (A) 3GPP TS 28.062 - Inband Tandem Free Operation
• Traceability of TFO State Machine - Possibility to log and TrFO (Iu-CS) 3GPP TS 26.102 - Mandatory speech codec;
view status of the TFO state machine. Adaptive Multi-Rate (AMR)
• Statistics on TFO calls - Possibility to provide statistics speech codecs
such as total number of; calls, attempted TFO initializations, 3GPP TS 25.41- UTRAN Iu interface
successful TFO initializations, TFO breaks, attempted TFO re-
establishments and successful TFO re-establishments.

TrFO only:
• Solver TrFO: Solver Initiated Rate Control (SIRC) - The
possibility to choose an AMR codec rate, on which the call
will camp for the duration of the call is also called station rate
control and mode change.

+46 8 50 600 600 infotm@polystar.com www.polystar.com/Solver