The MME Nodal Test Case

The Mobility Management Entity (MME) Nodal test case allows you to test a MME. The eNodeBs are connected to the MME by means of the S1-MME and to the SGW by means of the S1-U. The S1 interface supports a one-to-many relation between MMEs / Serving Gateways and eNodeBs.

MME Nodal Testing

MME Nodal tests S1-MME and S11 interface.

End-to-End Testing

In the end-to-end configuration, the test case supports testing of S1-MME, S1u and SGi interface.

Inter Mobility MME

The Inter Mobility MME tests (Intra-MME or Inter-MME) Mobility handoff, S1-MME, and S11 interface.

Intra-MME, X2 Intra-SGW Handoff

Inter MME, Inter SGW, X2 Inter-SGW Handoff

MME Nodal UTRAN/GERAN — SGSN-MME Handoff

The mobility management procedures handling SGSN-MME handoff include mechanisms to minimize the handover latency due to authentication and authorization for network access. This also minimizes the service interruption and performance impacts to the UE during handover and where possible support bidirectional service continuity (UEs supporting either single or dual radio capability).

Mobility between GERAN/UTRAN access and non-3GPP access supports S4-based SGSNs.
For multiple PDN-GWs connecting to the same PDN, all the PDN GWs supports the same mobility protocols.

The LTE UTRAN/GERAN SGSN-MME handoff testing requires the following test cases:

LTE MME Test Application
UMTS Test Application
IP Data Test Application (Optional)

The MME Nodal EUTRAN – Gn UTRAN/GERAN Handoff testing requires the following test cases:

LTE MME Test Application
UMTS Test Application
IP Data Test Application (Optional

NOTE: Supports for both Iu and Gb SGSNs.

E-UTRAN to UTRAN/GERAN Handover (same SGW)

NOTE: Applicable to all LTE Test cases.

Supported Test Applications/Features:

LTE Gateway Test Application
PCRF Node Emulation (Optional)
GPRS Test Application
IP Data Test Application (Optional)

NOTE: When PDN GW is emulated, it connects to Serving Gateway (SGW) via the S5/S8 interface.

E-UTRAN to UTRAN/GERAN Handover (same PDN GW)

NOTE: Applicable to all LTE Test cases.

Supported Test Applications/Features:

LTE Gateway Test Application
PCRF Node Emulation (Optional)
GPRS Test Application
IP Data Test Application (Optional)

NOTE: When PDN GW is emulated, it connects to Serving Gateway (SGW) via the S5/S8 interface.

CS Fallback to 1xRTT

The S102 is the reference point between MME and 1xCS IWS, and provides a tunnel between MME and 3GPP2 1xCS IWS to relay 3GPP2 1xCS signalling messages. The 1x CS signalling messages are those defined for A21 interface.

Functional Entities

The UE capable of CS fallback to 1xRTT and SMS over 1xCS supports access to E-UTRAN/EPC as well as access to the 1xCS domain over 1xRTT. The UE also supports the following additional functions:

1xRTT CS registration over the EPS after the UE has completed the E-UTRAN attachment;
1xRTT CS re-registration due to mobility;
CS fallback procedures specified for 1xRTT CS domain voice service;
Procedures for mobile originated and mobile terminated SMS over E-UTRAN.

MME

The MME enabled for CS fallback to 1xRTT supports the following additional functions:

It serves as a signalling tunnelling end point towards the 3GPP2 1xCS IWS via S102 interface for sending/receiving encapsulated 3GPP2 1xCS signalling messages to/from the UE.
1xCS-IWS (terminating S102 reference point) selection for CSFB procedures;
Handling of S102 tunnel redirection in case of MME relocation;
Buffering of messages received via S102 for UEs in idle state.

E-UTRAN

The E-UTRAN enabled for CS Fallback to 1xRTT supports the following additional functions:

Provision of control information that causes the UE to trigger 1xCS registration;
Forwarding 1x RTT CS paging request to the UE;
Forwarding 1x RTT CS related messages between MME and UE;
Release of E-UTRAN resources after UE leaves E-UTRAN coverage subsequent to a page for CS fallback to 1xRTT CS.

eMBMS

MME Nodal tests M3-MME and M1 interface for eMBMS.

With this test case, you define:

Identifiers for the NAS, Control and User nodes
The session volume and rates, and an optional rate distribution model
The IPSec authentication
The SCTP source and destination ports
S1-AP setup and response time

Measurements collected for this test case include:

Counters that record the number and types of messages sent and received
Average response times for the different types of messages received from an SUT
Errors encountered during the test
MSS context state and rates

Learn more about:

Learn how to:

Test Terminology

Mobility Management Entity (MME): The MME manages mobility, UE identities and security parameters. MME functions includes:

NAS signaling and related security
Authentication
Bearer management functions including dedicated bearer establishment

Serving Gateway: The Serving Gateway is the node that terminates the interface towards EUTRAN. For each UE associated with the EPS, at a given point of time, there is one single Serving Gateway. Serving GW functions include:

The local Mobility Anchor point for Intra-Mobility handover
EUTRAN idle mode downlink packet buffering and initiation of network triggered service request procedure
Packet routing and forwarding

PDN Gateway: The PDN Gateway is the node that terminates the SGi interface towards the PDN. If a UE is accessing multiple PDNs, there may be more than one PDN GW for that UE. PDN GW functions include:

Policy enforcement
Per-user based packet filtering (by e.g. deep packet inspection)
Charging support
UE IP address allocation
Packet screening

eNodeB (Evolved UTRAN): The eNodeBs are connected by means of the S1-MME interface to the MME and to the Serving Gateway (S-GW) by means of the S1-U.

Test Options

When your test activity measures processing capability rather than rates, you can expand the scope of the test:

Add Data Traffic to the test to more closely simulate a live network using various wireless applications and protocols.
Encrypt Data Traffic with the optional Dynamic IPSec feature.
Use the SUT Query option to monitor the CPU utilization of an SUT, and determine the amount of activity that the SUT can handle within a given CPU threshold.

Measurements

Measurements collected for the basic MME Nodal test case are reported on the following tabs. Additional measurements may be available depending on the test activity and options executed with the test case.