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	Network Testing and Emulation Solutions

LANforge Wi-Fi testbed with Cellular Network Emulator

The Candela Technologies Cell Emulator combines cellular and Wi-Fi test equipment to provide a testbed capable of testing APs that support cellular backhaul and User Endpoints (UEs) supporting cellular data connectivity. This testbed is useful for several tasks:

• Helping identify RF interference between Wi-Fi and cellular equipment.
• Testing failover between cellular and local network connectivity.
• Testing data throughput.

Presently, the Cell Emulator solution supports:

• Session failover validation
• Wi-Fi performance testing across 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands
• Assessing cellular transition factors, including:
  • session continuity
  • recovery time
  • throughput stability during transitions

This test solution is designed for service providers developing Wi-Fi enabled Customer Premises Equipment (CPE). Equipment makers can use this to test CPE equipment during development and to qualify APs in the lab before deployment.

The Cell Emulator includes fully automated cellular emulator-based test scenarios, including pre-configured test cases. Customers can select from a list of available tests. Most tests can run fully automated, though some require user interaction.

Cell Emulator Testbed Wiring Diagram:

The Candela Cell Emulator equipment comes in a compact form factor. Multiple chamber options are available, including integrated chamber stacks and stand-alone chambers. This solution includes:

• Cellular emulator that acts as a cellular base station
• Candela CT523c chassis
  • Provides Wi-Fi Stations, APs, Sniffers, 10g Ethernet and WAN emulation
  • Controls the Cell Emulator
  • Generate test traffic and reports
• 2 medium RF chambers for the DUT and LANforge
• 1 larger RF chamber to hold the Cell Emulator

Testbed Images

Shelf Detail

Supported Test Cases

The Candela LANforge software allows the customer to configure and control the Cell Emulator to run real world test scenarios, including:

1. Wi-Fi CPE Testing - Fiber to cellular repeat backhaul failover
2. Wi-Fi CPE Testing - Pure cellular backhaul
3. Wi-Fi STA/UE – Handover Between Wi-Fi and cellular (Emulated or Real Networks)

Test Case Details

1. Wi-Fi AP Testing - Normal backhaul to cellular backhaul failover

   

   This tests the router's ability to handle repeated failover events by alternately degrading the normal and cellular backhaul links. The goal is to assess how effectively the DUT switches between connections, maintains service continuity, and avoids unnecessary back-and-forth transitions. Key metrics include failover duration, session continuity, and time to recover stable service.

   

2. Wi-Fi AP Testing - Cellular backhaul throughput

   

   This scenario evaluates the performance of the router when operating primarily on a cellular backhaul. Metrics such as throughput, latency, and stability are measured under varying signal conditions.

   

3. Wi-Fi User Endpoint Testing - Handoff between cellular and Wi-Fi network connectivity (emulated cell network)

   

   Evaluate seamless transition of the UE/STA between Wi-Fi and cellular networks using the Candela Cell Emulator. Key metrics include handoff latency, packet loss, and impact on active sessions.

   

4. Wi-Fi User Endpoint Testing - Handoff between Cellular and Wi-Fi network connectivity (Real Cell Network)

   

   Evaluate seamless transition of the UE/STA between Wi-Fi and real cellular networks. Key metrics include handoff latency, packet loss, and impact on active sessions.

   

Cell Emulator UI:

Candela currently integrates with a commercial cell emulator from ALifecom. Additional cell emulators will be supported soon. The user may configure the cell emulator using its native UI, save the configuration to a file, and then have LANforge automate loading the different cell emulator configurations.

LANforge Cell Emulator UI:

The LANforge GUI provides integrated configuration and automation control of the Cell Emulator and other testbed components. It executes the test execution logic and generates a report when the test completes.

Sample Test Results:

The graph below shows that the cellular network (red line) is used as a backup upstream route whenever the Wi-Fi network (blue line) fails.

Key Measurements

• CPE/Router failover time and its effect on user experience
• UE Handoff time between cellular and Wi-Fi
• UE Handoff process (decision, initiation, execution) and its effects on user experience
• Performance over distance for both access links and backhaul links when Wi-Fi is access and cellular is backhaul
• Connection time, security, seamless authentication, open roaming, Hotspot 2.0
• VoLTE over Wi-Fi testing
• End to end throughput over Wi-Fi and cellular and during handover

Lead Times and Support:

Lead Times: Six to eight weeks.

TaaS/Onsite Support: Customers with only occasional test needs can use our Test as a Service option. Candela engineers can do the testing for you in our fully equipped test lab and provide a detailed test report with recommendations.

For more information, please contact sales@candelatech.com or give us a call at: 1-360-380-1618