QuOTA is Comarco’s new automated wireless network test system, which allows standard commercial handsets to function as Quality of Service measurement probes. QuOTA measures network quality from the true perspective of the customer, using actual subscriber equipment, without the need for additional hardware.
QuOTA can function as a broad-scale service monitor, but can also provide enough information to identify and troubleshoot specific performance exceptions. In all cases, QuOTA measures the critical KPI’s, such as access time, success rate, throughput, MOS, or end-to-end message delivery time. If available from the selected handset, QuOTA will also log radio trace information, including Layer 2 and Layer 3 messages.
QuOTA tests can be controlled interactively from the handset, or remotely, using QuOTA Control, a centralized, web-based test management application. By using QuOTA Control, the user can remotely configure and schedule tests, allowing QuOTA mobile probes to gather data autonomously in the field.
QuOTA devices can also be paired with Bluetooth GPS receivers, to collect geographical coordinates during the tests.
Key Features of the QuOTA System Include:
Support for devices using both Symbian and MS Windows Mobile operating systems
GSM, CDMA, GPRS, EDGE, and WCDMA testing capabilities
Voice and data service testing
Lightweight, transportable form factor
Can be handheld, or mounted in fixed or mobile locations
Supports external Bluetooth GPS, or internal A-GPS position data
Automatic time synchronization
Trace data collection (device specific)
Forcing function support (device specific)
Automatic, or manual test execution
Flexible server architecture
Map interface shows position and status of QuOTA probes
Remote, over the air software updates
Automatic, remote data logging
Automatic, remote data upload
Automatic report generation and distribution
QuOTA Keeper
QuOTA devices may be carried by hand, and used as a normal phone, or mounted in vehicles or fixed locations. The QuOTA Keeper enclosure provides support and protection for the QuOTA phone and a Bluetooth GPS receiver, when they are located in mobile, remote or unmanned areas. When mounted inside the QuOTA Keeper, the QuOTA device is constantly monitored. If, for any reason, the phone should fail to respond, the QuOTA Keeper will reset the QuOTA device, restoring normal functionality.
This watchdog capability enables the QuOTA Keeper to support fully autonomous operation. A QuOTA device, mounted in a QuOTA Keeper, is an ideal solution for automatically gathering data from mobile or stationary location such as cars, buses, trains, malls, offices, campuses, airports... anywhere you want to measure the service quality of your network.
