3GPP functional and performance testing of user equipment

In 2001, two 3G networks were launched, first by NTT DoCoMo in Japan and more recently in the UK on the Isle of Man. The press had previously reported delays in several operator's network deployment schedules. The availability of appropriate UMTS test equipment is essential in order to deploy and test a UMTS network before any commercial launch. Vendors want to verify their implementation and trial networks, while operators follow suit. The paper discusses the 3GPP UE conformance and type approval tests, with emphasis on the error rate performance, together with practical aspects concerning how they are performed. It also presents results obtained with the UbiNetics Test Mobile TM100.