Pilot RCU

Pilot RCU

Multi-technology Unattended Remote Test Probe A5.Pilot RCU 2.1 Brochure V13.2
A5.Pilot Watcher Brochure V5.3

Overview

Pilot RCU 2.1 has a modularized design with an integrated processing platform for optimum performance and stability. It compliments the Pilot Fleet Unify system, as an unattended network performance measurement and data collection equipment. It is designed for remote network quality monitoring, voice and data service verification, and benchmarking activity. Pilot RCU 2.1 uses a variety of test modules (up-to 8) and smartphone devices (up-to 4) to handle demanding mobile network test and measurement requirements.

Main Product Features

Portable and autonomous data measurement probe

Pilot RCU is designed with flexible and interchangeable multi-technology test modules for unsupervised autonomous data collection. The portable and compact form factor allows the product to be easily deploy for outdoor and indoor (e.g. stationary hotspots) testing.

Remote configuration and administration

Pilot RCU is the autonomous remote test and measurement probes offered with the Pilot Fleet Unify system. Test configuration, customized regional test, data upload scheduling, probe administration and status monitoring can be remotely done through Pilot Fleet Unify. All collected data will be remotely uploaded to the Pilot Fleet Unify system for storage, automatic processing, analysis and reporting.

LTE-A 3CC Carrier Aggregation

● Additional antenna interfaces (upto 24) for 3CC CA test
● 4x2 MIMO

Automatic Indoor Positioning Test

Indoor positioning with automated pinpointing by using Pilot Watcher (as the controller unit) and a “WALK” device (an indoor gyroscope). Suitable for various indoor test scenarios e.g. buidling floors, staircases, elevators etc, with or without dedicated map file.

LTE-IoT Test

Up to 8 channels of NB-IoT or eMTC test can be conducted simultaneously. Measurements can be monitored onsite with connection to Pilot Watcher or remotely from Pilot Fleet Unify server.
Test services: PING/FTP/UDP/Attach/Idle

GPS with Inertial Navigation System

Pilot RCU 2.1 provides a GPS solution with Inertial Navigation System to support service test in the tunnel or densely populated with high-rise buildings' scenarios. This may facilitate the automatic pinpointing on the GPS measurement plot when the GPS signal is lost or very poor.

VoLTE and PESQ/POLQA Audio Quality MOS

Both ITU-T P.862 PESQ for CS voice, and ITU-T P.863 POLQA for VoLTE audio quality measurements are supported with Pilot RCU 2.1. A maximum of 8 channels of these mesurements can be done concurrently with the latest i3 processor support.

Network and Cell Control for Service test

The control functionality allows the test module to be locked on an assigned Radio Access Technology (RAT) for test and measurement on the dedicated RAT.

Powerful Data Processing and Hardware Enhancements

Runs on Intel i3 CPU with enhanced circuit board for overall performance improvements when compared with the previous dual-core model. May perform simultaneous 4 channels 3CC test, 6 channels 2CC test or 8 channels POLQA test.

Fitted with Nano SIM slots and enhanced Wifi module for optional Wifi service test or as wireless connection to Pilot Watcher

Technology

LTE-IoT (NB-IoT and eMTC)
LTE-A 3CC/2CC
TDD-LTE
FDD-LTE
WCDMA, HSPA
TD-SCDMA
GSM

Benefits

Improves work efficiency by remote data management and configuration
Continuous and stable operation without manual attendance
Provide great solutions for various test scenarios 
Investment on robust and efficient solution for long term usage 
Save on OPEX for extensive manual data collection and testing

Main Use cases

Remote and Unattended Long Term Monitoring

Troubleshooting network performance and offered services on a large scale network requires a widely distributed monitoring system. Pilot RCU (together with the Pilot Fleet Unify system) can be easily deploy in private or public transport vehicles for 24/7 unattended data collection and monitoring. Stationary hot spot areas are also suitable for deployment of such probes. Its compact and non-intrusive design allow the probe to be positioned in strategic locations unnoticed. It is designed for long term monitoring and data collection, whereby network trending data is crucial to determine key network optimization activities or future network improvement investments .

Network and Services Performance Benchmarking

Tests can be easily configured either for radio access technology, network performance, services quality benchmarking purposes. The possibility to cascade the Pilot RCU's probes provides greater flexibility to extend the benchmarking potential. Collected data can be easily processed, analysed and use to produce the necessary KPI and statistical benchmarking reporting with Pilot Fleet Unify.

Limited Operation Resources or Budget

Regular network monitoring over long duration and wide network distribution area means the need to have full time resources to execute the project for testing, data collection, post processing and reporting. Pilot RCU with Pilot Fleet Unify system are designed to automate all such activities (remotely) with very little human intervention, therefore negating the needs for full time resources. This will free up the available resources for other more critical projects, and reduce the operation expenses in the long run.

Network Features and Services Verification

Having Pilot RCU remote test probe roaming around in vehicles over wide network coverage area or stationed at strategic hotspots, provides such important data store for network operators on the network and services performance. Network features upgrade, or newly introduced services requires constant monitoring over long duration especially when the network is loaded with real traffic. This presents the network operator with important trending data, not only for verification and troubleshooting purposes, but also on making key decisions for future investments.

Specifications

Pilot RCU

<>Compact form factor 
• Shock resistant, simple, and stable
No fans 
No noise during operation and dust-proof 
Good heat-dissipation 
• Aluminium design for good heat-dissipation 
Independent indicators 
• Independent indicators for various operating statuses 
Wide voltage range 
• DC 9~30 v, applicable to various environment 
Self-protection design 
• Power supply interface protection to avoid incorrect power supply connection
• Real-time hardware status monitoring and self-protection against overheating, overvoltage, and overcurrent
Extended USB interfaces 
• Supports external scanners (PCTEL) and USB Dongle which is used as an external data card
CE certified
Highly integrated
• Built-in test modules
• Provides multi-module and multi-band solutions for 2G/3G/4G (LTE-IoT, 4x2 MIMO) technologies, and supports, HSPA+ 42.2 M/21.1 Mbps, LTE CAT6, and LTE CAT 12 solutions
More antenna interfaces
• Increased number of antenna interfaces (up to 24) to support 2CC/3CC CA test and measurements

Supplementary Product Options

Pilot Watcher

Pilot Watcher is a software-based solution that is used to monitor the onsite performance and measurement of DingLi's unattended measurement equipment. Its an alternative option to remote monitoring and control of this equipment from Pilot Fleet Unify system. This is particularly useful for onsite troubleshooting and management by the technician, in case the remote connection to Pilot Fleet Unify is interrupted for some reason.

Pilot Watcher runs on an Android tablet and can be connected to a Pilot RCU, and Pilot Scout through WiFi for real-time service test monitoring. Users may monitor the onsite test modules/devices parameters, events, test routes geo-position, and device status. Test plans can be viewed, edited, and assigned to individual modules/devices. Pilot Watcher can be connected to only one test equipment for monitoring at one time