We are happy to announce Echo tools 3.2.17 upgrade for Echo handheld tools with several new features and improvements!
The new features and improvements include a new test; SFTP test, new Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS) parameter, expansion of 5G band locking support to several new phone models, audio recording library update, and various other fixes and improvements. See full descriptions of the features and upgrade lists below!
New test: support for SFTP test added
Support for the SFTP test has been added to handheld devices. Providing secure file transfer capabilities, SFTP (SSH or Secure File Transfer Protocol) is a safer option than FTP which makes SFTP more appealing to users. Like all other tests, SFTP tests can be configured either on the Echo device itself or in Cloud via which tests can be pushed to the devices remotely. The synchronization of test configuration between devices and Cloud applies naturally to SFTP test as to other tests as well.
SFTP test configuration for upload and download
Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS) parameter added
A new parameter has been added to LTE and 5G views to indicate DSS mode and whether the mode is on or off. DSS (Dynamic Spectrum Sharing) is a novel antenna technology that enables the parallel use of LTE and 5G in the same frequency bands. In DSS, the demand for 5G and LTE is determined in real-time, and the available bandwidth is divided independently and then the network decides dynamically which mobile communications standard the available frequencies are ideal and used for.
DSS parameter on measurement views
5G band locking support for Pixel 4a, Pixel 5, OnePlus 9, Motorola Edge, and Nokia X20
The 5G locking capability allows you to lock your phone to specific 5G bands. This expands further the already existing locking capability for 2G, 3G, and 4G. With the 5G locking feature support for Pixel 4a, Pixel 5, OnePlus 9, Motorola Edge, and Nokia X2, you can now force these new devices to the wanted 5G systems and bands and get the most out of your measurements!
5G band lock configuration and view during the measurement
Audio recording library update
The audio recording library has been updated to support phones with Android 11 OS. This is a substantial update that enables audio quality measurements for the majority of the phones supported by Echo tools! For the latest list of supported phones, please see the Supported Phones list in Cloud under the user menu.
Audio quality measurements in Echo tools can be performed either with Google ViSQOL, an objective speech quality model, or POLQA algorithm. ViSQOL is a model of human sensitivity to degradations in speech quality. It compares a reference signal with a degraded signal. POLQA algorithm, on the other hand, is a reference-based algorithm for measuring voice quality. In POLQA, voice quality is calculated by comparing original and degraded audio. Voice quality measurement is an optional feature that can be purchased for all Echo handheld tools.
ViSQOL and POLQA measurements on Android 11 devices
Support for reboot command added
Support for reboot command has been added in this release to the handheld devices. Reboot command feature allows the remote boot of a phone via Cloud in case the controlled phone is not attended by a person who could perform the reboot locally. This feature is highly convenient in a multitude of measurement and testing scenarios where either the tests are performed entirely remotely or where the test phones are handled or carried with by non-technical personnel.
Reboot command scheduler dialog in Cloud
PUSCH TX power per carrier parameter added
PUSCH TX power per carrier parameter has been added to handheld tools. This new parameter has already been logged to log files with previous releases but is now also decoded real-time and displayed during measurements.
Improvements in Timeline functionalities
This release comes with two improvements in Timeline functionalities.
The first improvement concerns the hiding of Timeline. From this upgrade on, Timeline cannot be swiped out of view anymore when it is set to other than the current, ongoing time. This is to avoid misinterpretation and confusion between the parameter values measured in the past and the real-time parameter values of the ongoing measuring.
The second improvement concerns the mechanism of adding waypoints to indoor maps. From now on, the waypoints can only be added to indoor maps if the Timeline is set to display the ongoing, real-time measurement. If the Timeline and therefore also the measurement views are synchronized to other than the current time, waypoints cannot be added. This improvement prevents the waypoints to be associated with results from the past by mistake while performing the measurement.
Improvements in Speedtest.net testing
Two improvements have been implemented to speed testing.
First, the threading and packets used for speed testing have been adjusted. This improvement results in throughput averages that match Speedtest.net website readings more accurately thus improving the quality of Speedtest.net test results in Echo tools.
Second, distance filtering has been removed from Speedtest.net server. The removal of the filter allows free configuration of speed test server without any filtering of distance to servers. In practice, this enables for example configuring of speed test servers before traveling to a new location or country where the test is performed.
Recording end time accuracy improved
The stability when finishing recording has been improved. Previously, occasional inaccuracy occurred in the ending times that were displayed in the measurement summaries of recordings. With the fixed stability, the user can now trust that the measurement summaries are accurate and precise including the correct ending times for the recordings.
Scanner measurement improvements
In scanner measurements, blind scan sweeps and thresholds have been modified to help reduce false positives and detect channels at lower signal strengths. This increases the accuracy of the automatic channel detection and allows the scanner configuration to be automated better.
Additional Improvements
In addition to the above-mentioned, this release also includes the following improvements:
- Dashboard bar displays the correct system in application startup if the system was configured to be other than auto.
- Locking options always display ‘enabled’ when locking is enabled. Previously this was not always so with some phone models.
- Indoor maps no longer attempt to upload automatically when the user is logged out of Cloud.
- AMR codec rates are displayed on the UMTS view.
- Samsung Galaxy S7 supports band lock
- Pixel 3 XL traces work after reboot
- iPerf on-site summary throughput displays the correct results
- Call scripts hang up only when set to hang up.
- Device information synchronizes accurately from Cloud.
- 5G band displays valid values.
The new versions will be pushed to Cloud shortly and they will be offered as an automatic update.
Happy upgrading!
Enhancell team