JP2003008645A - VoIP SYSTEM AND ITS TEST METHOD - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a VoIP system and its test method, which are improved in operability, by checking that the voice encoding/decoding operation of a TGW is performed on a plurality of lines in a short time normally. SOLUTION: A testing sever sends a test pattern that a voice signal is encoded into a signal loop-back means installed at an exchange interface side in the TGW through a voice encoding section and a packet assembling section in the TGW, and receives the test pattern sent from the signal loop-back means through the voice encoding section and the packet assembling section, again. The received test pattern is examined in order to make sure that the voice encoding/decoding operation of the TGW is performed normally.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a VoIP system for performing a test for confirming the normality of a voice encoding / reproducing operation and a test method therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a test method for voice encoding / reproducing operation of a TGW (Trunk Gateway) which is a gateway for interfacing with a switch, a test pattern in which a sine wave signal is encoded is folded back and forth on the switch interface side of the TGW. There is known a test method for judging the normality of the audio encoding / reproducing operation based on the level information of the received data of the received signal.

Confirmation of voice encoding / reproducing operation of a VoIP (Voice over IP) system is generally performed by the following method.

(1) The test data is folded back by the TGW, and the match between the test data and the folded back data is confirmed. (2) A test pattern recommended by ITU-T or the like is transmitted from the test server to the voice encoding circuit of TGW,
In the voice coding circuit, voice code conversion is performed based on a voice coding algorithm. Then, the converted data is sent back to the test server, and the test server compares the data with the expected value pattern to confirm the normality of the voice encoding circuit. A combination of this method and a method of providing a monitor circuit on the TGW to reproduce a test voice and confirming it as a voice is used to test the voice encoding / reproduction operation of the TGW.

[0005]

However, in the above conventional technique, the packetizing circuit of the test server and the TGW,
There is a problem that the normality of the voice encoding operation of the voice encoding circuit can be confirmed, but the exchange interface side of the voice encoding circuit cannot be confirmed.

Further, in the above-described method of providing the monitor circuit in the TGW and reproducing the test voice and confirming it as voice, it is necessary for the person to perform the confirmation. Therefore, when testing a plurality of lines, there is a problem that the test takes time and the operability is poor.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a VoIP system and a test method therefor, which shortens the data matching time and improves the operability. .

[0008] That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a test method for efficiently confirming the normality of the voice encoding / reproducing operation in the TGW of the VoIP system.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a VoIP system which is connected to a switchboard and an IP network via a TGW and transfers an encoded voice signal using an IP packet. In the VoIP system, the TGW has a voice encoding unit and a packetizing unit, a test server connected to the IP network, a signal return unit arranged on the exchange side in the TGW, and a predetermined unit. When the test pattern obtained by encoding the voice signal of 1 is stored in the test server and the operation mode of the signal folding means is set, and the signal folding means is set to the folding operation mode. , The test transmitted from the test server to the signal folding means via the voice coding unit and the packetization unit. Provided is a VoIP system in which a pattern is received by the test server from the signal folding means again via the voice encoding unit and the packetizing unit, and a predetermined judgment test is performed based on the received test pattern. .

[0010] Preferably, the test pattern is composed of data obtained by voice-encoding a sine wave signal as the voice signal, and indicates the normality of the voice encoding / reproducing operation of the TGW.
It is confirmed whether or not the change in the level information about the coded data of the test pattern folded back by the signal folding means is equivalent to the sine wave signal.

According to another aspect of the invention, the exchange and the IP are connected via a TGW having a voice encoder and a packetizer.
In a test method of a VoIP system which is connected to a network and transfers an encoded voice signal using an IP packet, a step of determining an operation mode of a signal loopback unit arranged on the exchange side in the TGW, When the signal loopback unit is set to the loopback operation mode, a sine wave signal is voice-coded from the test server connected to the IP network to the signal loopback unit via the voice coding unit and the packetization unit. Transmitting a test pattern composed of the converted data, receiving the test pattern transmitted again from the signal folding unit via the voice encoding unit and the packetizing unit on the test server, and receiving the test pattern. And confirming the normality of the voice encoding / playback operation of the TGW based on the test pattern Test method for obtaining VoIP system is provided.

[0012] Preferably, in the confirmation step, the normality is determined by whether or not the change in the level information about the coded data of the test pattern folded by the signal folding unit is equivalent to that of the sine wave signal. To confirm.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the accompanying drawings,
Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. [System Overview] As an embodiment of the present invention, Vo
The normality of voice in the IP system is confirmed by providing a test server in the system and transmitting a test pattern obtained by encoding a sine wave pattern described later to the test server.
The exchange interface side of the TGW has a loopback circuit.

Here, the test pattern (transmission) from the test server is supplied to the voice encoding unit via the packetization unit of the TGW, and the voice encoding process is performed by the voice encoding unit as in normal voice. Done. The output is TDSW (Time
division switch: It is folded back by the folding circuit connected to the time division switch, and is input to the speech coding section again, and then packetized by the speech coding section and the packetization section.

The packetizing section transmits the packetized RTP packet to the test server. The test server confirms the sequence number (SQ #) and the time stamp (Time Stamp) of the received RTP packet. Further, the test server confirms that the level information of the received encoded data is equivalent to the sine wave of the test pattern.

In the normality confirmation of the voice encoding / reproducing operation according to the present invention, in order to confirm / guarantee the normality of the packetizing unit and the voice encoding unit, the Ping test and the voice encoding unit described later are performed. It is necessary to perform the actual confirmation after performing the test example (test bed) in.

[System Configuration] The configuration of the VoIP system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Figure 1
It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the VoIP system which concerns on this Embodiment. As shown in the figure, the VoIP system is installed between the exchanges 11 and 12, and the voice signal interface with these exchanges and the IP network 20 are provided.
It has TGWs (Trunk Gateways) 13 and 14 for transmitting and receiving RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) packets inside.

The exchanges 11 and 12 are respectively connected to the terminal 11
In addition to accommodating b and 12b, they have TDSWs (time division switches) 11a and 12a, and are connected to the TGWs 13 and 14 via those switches and communication lines 16 and 17, respectively.

Each TG is provided in the control system of this VoIP system.
Call agents that control W13 and W14 (Call Ag
ent) 25 is arranged, and this call agent 25
The exchanges 11 and 12 are controlled via SGWs (Signaling Gateways) 23 and 24. The test server 15 is connected to the IP network 20 that connects the TGWs.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the TGWs 13 and 14 of the VoIP system according to this embodiment. Each of the TGWs 13 and 14 serves as an interface with a TGW control unit 31 that controls the entire TGW, a packetization unit 32 for packetizing an input signal and a voice encoding unit 33, a time division switch TSW 34, and a communication line.
It has an NF unit 35. A folding circuit 36, which will be described later, is connected to the TSW 34.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the format of an RTP packet when a voice signal is transferred between the packetizing unit 32 of the TGWs 13 and 14 and the test server 15. As shown in the figure, the RTP portion of the RTP packet 41 has a sequence number (SQ #) 43 and a time stamp (Time) 44.
It is configured to include.

[System Operation] The operation of the VoIP system according to this embodiment will be described below. First, the operation of a normal VoIP system will be described. When a call connection is requested from one of the exchanges 11 and 12 shown in FIG. 1 (for example, the exchange 11) via the control system 21 and the SGW 23, the call agent 25 To the control system 22 of the exchange 12 via the SGW 24.

When a response signal is returned from the exchange 12 on the called side, the call agent 25 sends the exchange 1 on the calling side.
The response is returned to 1 and the TGW 13 facing the exchange 11 is instructed to prepare for a predetermined operation.
The TGW 13, which is instructed to prepare, encodes the voice signal from the exchange by the voice encoding unit 33 (see FIG. 2) in the TGW in order to efficiently transfer the digitized voice signal.

The voice signal encoded in this way is converted into the RTP packet shown in FIG.
The RTP packet is transmitted to the TGW 14 of the partner exchange.

On the other hand, the TGW 14 on the other end receives the RTP packet transmitted via the IP network 20 at its packetizing unit 32, and the sequence number (SQ #) 43 and the time stamp 44 contained in the packet. Check the normality of.

As described above, the voice sent to the voice encoding unit 33 is encoded there and converted into a digital signal. The signal is transmitted via the TSW 34 and the INF unit 35.
As a result of being sent to the partner exchange, voice communication between the exchanges becomes possible.

At this time, the TGWs 13 and 14 do not packetize the voice signal in the silent section of the voice signal in order to improve the transfer efficiency on the IP network 20. Then, the TGW on the receiving side receives the packetizing unit 32.
When the reception of the RTP packet is interrupted, the voice encoding unit 33 performs the silent reproduction operation.

When the TGW next receives an RTP packet, the TGW again sends the payload (G.7XX) of the received RTP packet to the audio encoding unit 33 and restarts audio reproduction. The transmission and reception of the RTP packet between the exchanges 11 and 12 is performed by the sequence number (SQ #) 4 described above.
3 and time stamp 44, each other's TGW1
It is managed by the packetizing units 32 and 3.

[Confirmation of Voice Normality] A voice normality confirmation operation in the VoIP system according to the present embodiment will be described. The test server 15 shown in FIG. 1 has a test pattern in which a sine wave is voice-coded in advance. The test server 15 uses the voice coding / coding in the VoIP system.
If you are instructed to confirm the normality of the playback operation, first,
Confirm normality for the TGW being tested.

That is, the test server 15 confirms the normality of the packetizing unit 32 in the TGW by the Ping test shown in FIG. Specifically, the test server 15 sends predetermined test data 51 to the packetizing unit 32 as indicated by an arrow in the figure, and the data (folding data) 52 returned from the packetizing unit 32 is the test data 51. If it matches with, the packetizing unit 32 is assumed to be normal.

When the test server 15 confirms the normality of the packetizing unit 32 by the above Ping test,
The normality of the voice encoding unit 33 in the test target TGW is confirmed. FIG. 5 shows a test example (test bed) of the voice encoding unit 33.

In the test example (test bed) of the voice encoding unit, the test server 15 transmits the test pattern 55 recommended by ITU-T or the like to the voice encoding unit 33 in the TGW. The voice encoding unit 33 performs voice code conversion based on a predetermined voice encoding algorithm,
The converted data is sent back to the test server 15. Therefore,
The test server 15 compares the returned data as the generation pattern 56 with the expected value pattern 57, and if they match, determines that the voice encoding unit 33 is normal.

Thus, the VoIP according to the present embodiment
The system performs an operation for confirming the normality of the voice encoding unit 33 together with the Ping test described above, and
Regarding the packetization unit and voice coding unit in W, the normality of the parts excluding the exchange interface unit is confirmed.

On the other hand, according to the above-mentioned confirmation method, it is impossible to confirm the exchange interface side and the TSW 34 of the voice encoding unit 33 of the TGW. Therefore, a confirmation means different from the above is required.

Therefore, the test server 15 uses the above-mentioned Pin.
When the normality confirmation of the packetization unit 32 and the voice coding unit 33 in the TGW excluding the exchange interface unit is completed together with the g test, the TGW control unit 3 of the TGW is completed.
Give instructions to 1. By this instruction, the TSW 34 and the folding circuit 36 connected to the TSW 34 "fold".
Is set to.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing the relationship between the test pattern held in the test server 15 and the TGW reception pattern. In the figure, (a) shows an original sound data waveform (sine wave) used in the test, and (b) shows a test pattern (transmission) when the waveform is encoded and RTP packetized. .

That is, here, as shown in FIG. 6B, A (t1), B (t2), C (t3), ..., H in each of the consecutive sequences Sq1 to Sq8.
The test pattern is transmitted to the TGW 1 in the order of (t8).

The packetizer 32 and the voice encoder 33 of the TGW treat the above-mentioned test pattern received from the test server 15 in the same manner as a normal voice signal and send it to the TSW 34 as a digital signal of the exchange interface. Send out.

At this time, the TSW 34 and the loopback circuit 36 are set to "loopback" by the TGW control section 31 as described above, so that the input signal (test pattern) is again input to the voice coding section 33. , And the packetizing unit 32 packetizes the RTP, and the packet is transmitted to the test server 15.

As a result, the test server 15 sets the test pattern delayed by the delay time t as shown in FIG. 6C to A ′ corresponding to each of the sequences Sq1 to Sq8.
(T1), B '(t2), C' (t3), ..., H '(t
Receive in the order of 8). Then, the test server 15 reproduces the received pattern. FIG. 6D is an example of a reproduced waveform of received data.

Specifically, the test server 15 checks the normality of the packet order by the sequence number (SQ #) of the RTP packet, and changes the level information indicated by the voice coded data in the reception pattern (see FIG. 6). (D)) is equivalent to the sine wave of the original sound shown in (a) of FIG. At the time of this level confirmation, it may be determined whether or not the “level 0 confirmation point” of FIG. 6D matches the “level 0 point” of FIG. 6A. Good.

As described above, by confirming whether the test pattern transmitted from the test server 15 is normally returned by the TGW, the packet encoding unit 32, the voice encoding unit 33, and the voice encoding in the TSW 34 of the TGW are performed. / Check the normality of the playback operation.

As in the case of normal data communication, it is impossible for the voice encoding algorithm to match the voice encoded data on the transmitting side and the receiving side. Therefore, it is impossible to simply compare the test pattern transmitted from the transmitting side with the pattern received by return.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the above-mentioned Pi
In addition to the ng test and the test of the voice coding unit (test bed), the test pattern sent from the test server and having the encoded sine wave is folded back by the folding circuit of the TGW, and is received again by the test server. It has been confirmed that the level information in the encoded data is equivalent to the sine wave at the time of transmission.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the packetization unit and the voice coding unit in the TGW are operated in the same manner as in the call state, and the test pattern transmitted from the test server is returned to the exchange interface side. The change in the level information of the encoded data received by the test server via the voice encoding unit and the packetization unit is returned to the circuit.
By confirming that it is equivalent to the sine wave of the test pattern at the time of transmission, it is possible to easily confirm the normality of the voice coding / playback operation.

That is, since the normality of the voice encoding / reproducing operation of the TGW is confirmed by performing the above-mentioned three tests, the test time of a plurality of lines can be measured without checking the content of the voice code data. It is possible to confirm the voice normality of the VoIP system which is shortened and has excellent operability without requiring human intervention.

Further, in the system according to the present embodiment, only the level information is checked without confirming the content of the voice coded data, so that the test server does not need a large data processing capacity and the test time is shortened. In addition, the normality of the voice encoding / reproducing operation can be confirmed for each individual line without stopping the service even when the system is in the online service.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the test server 15 may call
The agent 25, the TGW control unit 31 in the TGW, and other servers in the IP network 20 may be collectively configured.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the type of the voice coding system is not particularly described. Therefore,
The present invention is not limited to a specific voice encoding system, and the voice normality confirmation of the VoIP system is applicable to all voice encoding systems.

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A test pattern obtained by encoding a predetermined voice signal in a VoIP system that is connected to a switchboard and an IP network via a TGW having a voice encoding unit and a packetization unit and transfers an encoded voice signal using an IP packet. Is stored in a test server connected to the IP network, and when the signal loopback means is set to the loopback operation mode, the test server sends it to the signal loopback means via the voice encoding unit and the packetization unit. The received test pattern is received again by the test server from the signal folding means via the voice encoding unit and the packetization unit, and the normal operation of the voice encoding / reproducing operation of the TGW is performed based on the received test pattern. By confirming the operability, it is not necessary for humans to confirm it, and it is possible to shorten the test time for multiple lines and improve operability. .

Further, since the test server checks only the level information of the encoded data without confirming the content of the coded data, the test server does not need a large data processing capacity,
As a result, the test time can be shortened.

Also by the VoIP system test method according to another invention, a sine wave signal is sent from the test server connected to the IP network to the signal folding section via the voice coding section and the packetization section in the TGW. A test pattern composed of voice-encoded data is transmitted, the test pattern transmitted from the signal folding unit again via the voice encoding unit and the packetization unit is received by the test server, and based on the received test pattern. By confirming the normality of the voice encoding / reproducing operation of the TGW, it is possible to shorten the test time for a plurality of lines and improve the operability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a VoIP system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a TGW of the VoIP system according to the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a format example of an RTP packet.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a Ping test.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a test example (test bed) of a voice encoding unit.

FIG. 6 is a timing diagram showing a relationship between a test pattern and a reception pattern.

[Explanation of symbols]

11,12 exchange 11b, 12b terminals 13,14 TGW (Trunk Gateway) 15 test server 16,17 Call line 20 IP network 23, 24 SGW (Signaling Gateway) 25 Call Agent 31 TGW control unit 32 Packetization unit 33 Speech coding unit 34 time division switch 35 INF department 36 Folding circuit

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A VoIP (Voice over IP) system which is connected to a switchboard and an IP (Internet Protocol) network through a TGW (Trunk Gateway) and transfers an encoded voice signal using an IP packet,
In the VoIP system, the TGW has a voice encoding unit and a packetizing unit, a test server connected to the IP network, a signal returning unit arranged on the exchange side in the TGW, and a predetermined voice signal. Means for storing the test pattern obtained by encoding in the test server, and means for setting the operation mode of the signal folding means, and when the signal folding means is set to the folding operation mode, the test The test pattern sent from the server to the signal folding unit via the voice encoding unit and the packetization unit is again transmitted from the signal folding unit via the voice encoding unit and the packetization unit. A VoIP system characterized by being received by a test server and performing a predetermined judgment test based on the received test pattern. 2. The VoIP system according to claim 1, wherein the test pattern comprises data in which a sine wave signal as the voice signal is voice-coded. 3. The VoIP system according to claim 2, wherein the judgment test confirms the normality of the voice encoding / reproducing operation of the TGW. 4. The normality is confirmed by checking whether or not a change in level information regarding coded data of the test pattern folded back by the signal folding means is equivalent to that of the sine wave signal. The VoIP system according to claim 3. 5. A T having a voice coding unit and a packetization unit.
An exchange and an IP (Inter) via a GW (Trunk Gateway)
net Protocol) connected to the network and I
VoIP that transfers encoded audio signals using P packets
(Voice over IP) In the method of testing the system, a step of determining an operation mode of a signal loopback unit arranged on the exchange side in the TGW; and a case where the signal loopback unit is set to a loopback operation mode, the IP A test server connected to a network transmits a test pattern composed of voice-encoded data of a sine wave signal to the signal folding unit via the voice encoding unit and the packetization unit, and the signal folding unit. From the unit, the step of receiving again the test pattern transmitted via the voice encoding unit and the packetization unit at the test server, and the voice encoding / reproducing operation of the TGW based on the received test pattern. A method for testing a VoIP system, comprising the step of confirming normality. 6. The confirmation step confirms the normality by checking whether or not a change in level information about coded data of the test pattern folded by the signal folding section is equivalent to that of the sine wave signal. The method for testing a VoIP system according to claim 5, wherein: