Testing of commercial and prototype eSIM devices.

Anritsu Corporation and Comprion have announced the availability of downloadable 5G and 4G eSIM test profiles for use with Anritsu’s MT8000A Radio Communications Test Station and Rapid Test Designer (RTD) application software.

An increasing number of mobile device manufacturers are integrating embedded SIMs (eSIMs) into their products, whether phones, tablets, wearables or IoT devices, both for flexibility and to save valuable physical device real-estate. However, because eSIMs are non-removable, it is now more difficult to set-up communication testing between the mobile device and a network simulator in the lab.

Previously, test labs and handset manufacturers used a physical Anritsu Test SIM to configure the mobile device so it could be tested with the Anritsu network simulator. However, since there is no longer a card slot for eSIM-only devices, the device's configuration must instead be digitally loaded onto the mobile device-under-test via an Anritsu-specific eSIM test profile.

This is now also possible for prototype and commercial eSIM devices via the Comprion eSIM Test Profile Service. Comprion and Anritsu have jointly developed the necessary test profiles to test the mobile devices using the Anritsu MT8000A network simulator for the RTD 5G and 4G protocol test software environment in the R&D lab.

The Comprion eSIM Test Profile Service is fully GSMA SAS compliant and available online via a subscription service. It includes a repository of eSIM test profiles as well as a GSMA-standardized Remote SIM Provisioning service to deliver the test profiles to eSIM devices.

“The combination of a repository of eSIM test profiles and a GSMA-standardized and SAS-compliant Remote SIM Provisioning service to deliver Anritsu specific test profiles to eSIM devices is unique in the industry and makes testing easier, faster, and more cost-effective, significantly reducing time-to-market." says Dr. Marcus Dormanns, Lead Innovation Manager at Comprion.

Anritsu’s Marketing Director Kevin Ingrams added,  “ANRITSU is delighted that once again it is extending its successful long-term collaboration with Comprion to deliver market leading eSIM test solutions to its customers in order to keep them at the forefront of latest technology”.

@Anritsu @AnritsuEMEA @COMPRION @NapierPR #TandM #Telecommunications  

Communication between industrial automation devices and energy networks.

Ixxat® SG-gateways enable communication between industrial automation devices and energy networks. HMS Networks is now extending the Ixxat SG-gateway line with new versions including a 4G/LTE modem for cellular connectivity as well as 4-port Ethernet switching capabilities, giving users additional energy networking options for substations and power plants.

Ixxat SG-gateways are used in many areas of energy automation, e.g. in modern pow-er plants and in large-scale energy consumer installations for retrofitting systems and digitalizing substations. The SG-gateways are used for different purposes: They con-nect energy control networks with industrial automation devices, enable remote access, act as gateways between different protocols and thus enable the development of state-of-the-art IIoT applications.

With the new, integrated 4G modem and the extensive protocol support, the Ixxat SG-gateways are ideal for easy digitalization of small, outlying energy distribution stations. The 4G CAT1 connection offers 10 Mbps downstream and 5 Mbps upstream commu-nication with low latency, high network coverage and a universal data channel – inde-pendent of wired Ethernet, DSL or fiber optics. 4G can be used as either the main or backup communication channel. All supported IP-based protocols – including IEC 61850, IEC 60870-5-104, MQTT and OPC-UA – can be transmitted over the wireless link. The 4G modem can also be used as an independent communication channel for e.g. device maintenance and alarm messages (SMS or MQTT), enables straight-forward implementation of predictive and remote maintenance applications.

In addition to the 4G option, new multi-port versions of the Ixxat SG gateways are now available, able to securely connect networks through several independent interfaces on data level. This simplifies data exchange between energy automation networks and industrial Ethernet systems (such as PROFINET or EtherNet/IP) as well as connection to IoT-systems and cloud applications. Each network segment is connected separately and can still exchange data with all other segments. Thanks to integrated security func-tions, including a firewall, the overall system is easy to design and maintain, as well as being considerably more robust and secure against unauthorized access, compared to the use of conventional gateway and switch combinations.

@HMSIxxat @hmsnetworks @mepaxIntPR #PAuto 

Connecting machines to the Internet.

The new 4G LTE EU (Europe) extension card for eWON Flexy, an advanced IIoT gateway and remote access router, has been announced by HMS Industrial Networks. This enables Flexy users to access, monitor and control machinery remotely over the cellular 4G network.

Many field-based applications do not have access to a wired Internet connection and requires cellular connectivity. Using an eWON Flexy with a 4G cellular connection allows users to access their machinery in remote places where Ethernet is not available.

Among advantages 4G provides the following:

• A more reliable connection
The 4G extension card can connect, not only to the newest LTE (Long-Term Evolution) networks, but also ensures an automatic fall-back to lower cellular connectivity. If the 4G network becomes unstable, congested or unavailable, the connection will automatically switch to 3G (HSPA/WCDMA) or 2G (GPRS/EDGE). In other words, it ensures a connectivity continuity, no matter what the network circumstances are.

• Faster communication
4G connectivity is also beneficial when it comes to latency: there is a better interaction and compatibility with the latest equipment installed by Mobile Network Operators (MNO). Furthermore, it can also provide better network coverage depending on the mobile installations provided by the MNO. The frequency ranges covered by the new 4G extension card (B1, B3, B7, B8, B20) ensure a wide compatibility with major MNO’s and covers Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

For remote access, a SIM card with a data plan is all that is needed to connect the Flexy to the Talk2M cloud-based solution and access an industrial control system. Similarly, for SCADA-like applications, secure remote VPN connectivity can also benefit from the SIM card without provisioning a fixed IP address on the remote site.

@ewonrouters #4G #PAuto