Testing and Evaluation

In addition to research, CACN performs testing and evaluation using our testing environments. Conducting tests in real-world environments to validate the effectiveness of protocols and standards, ensuring they meet the stringent requirements of critical applications.

NG9-1-1 Testing Program

Sponsor: U.S. Department of Homeland Security

This program funded by The Department of Homeland Security through University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Critical Infrastructure Resilience Institute and will deliver conformance, interoperability, and end-to-end testing of NG9-1-1 solutions.

NG9-1-1 Conformance and Interoperability Program
Project Description

Interoperability, the ability of disparate components and systems from multiple vendors to work together seamlessly, is not only crucial for the 911 system – whose networks and call centers are independently constructed and managed – but it is required by the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007. Some requirements included that the systems be Internet Protocol Based and that they would support multi-media (voice, video, text, etc.). This new vision requires that equipment from different vendors be interoperable with one another. Construction of the interoperability testing lab is complete, but in this phase of the project it must be certified to meet the ISO 17025 standard for testing laboratories. In addition, the full interoperability test suite must be developed and validated. And finally, a financial sustainability model must be refined to ensure that the testing can continue into the future without the need for ongoing government funding.  

QualComm Emergency Response Testbed

Sponsor: Qualcomm
CACN Researchers: CACN Staff
Partner Researchers: TEEX – Testing & Innovation Center

Period: 1 Year (04/2024 – 09/2024)

Project Description

Assist Qualcomm with quantitative performance evaluations of prototype systems by targeting test scenarios for demonstration at the Interoperability Institute 2024. This includes providing pre-testing support and preparing a test plan for 5G Sidelink tests with P2X applications, focusing on range and clarity for voice, video, and text. Additionally, CACN (at the time ITEC) will test low-power IR sensors to assess the dynamic range of the integrated sensor. All results will be compiled into a comprehensive test report.

Qualcomm Smart Engine Testbed

Sponsor: Qualcomm
CACN Researchers: CACN Staff
Partner Researchers: TEEX – Testing & Innovation Center

Period: 1 Year (3/2023 – 12/2023)

Project Description

Assist Qualcomm in characterizing the performance of their deployable 4G network by conducting three sets of performance tests under various operational conditions. These tests will evaluate coverage and quality of service, including performance changes under load conditions with additional user equipment (UEs) generating traffic. Additionally, author a white paper outlining the significance of 5G in enhancing public safety.

Impact-Resilient Droppable Robots for Payload Delivery

Sponsor: Squishy Robotics
CACN Researchers: CACN Staff
Partner Researchers: TEEX – Testing & Innovation Center

Period: 1 Year (06/2023 – 09/2023)

Project Description

Provide consultation and RF testing expertise and support for Squishy Robotics. Anticipated activities include pre-event consultation during on project team calls, Recommendations to Squishy team on built-in RF measurement capabilities, Preparation of interference generators for 900 MHz and 5.8 GHz bands, and Coordinate and direct the execution of RF testing, to include Establish baseline, Capture operating conditions, Generate interference as needed to characterize failure conditions, and Compare Squishy’s internal spectrum analyzer to CACI Spectrum Guard.