Open Competition 1 - Information Technology

The Advanced Mobile Application Testing Environment

Sponsor: mVerify Corporation (formerly Mobile Systems Verification Corporation)

• Project Performance Period: 6/1/2003 - 5/31/2005
• Total project (est.): $2,054,551.00
• Requested ATP funds: $1,934,551.00

The use of mobile communications devices will increase during the next few years, along with data storage, network capacity, and processor speed. The scope and complexity of the associated software will expand correspondingly, and the adverse effects of a single bug or service disruption will become increasingly serious. Currently, testing of software applications for mobile systems is costly and not effective. Mobile Systems Verification Corporation (MSV) plans a two-year project to design, fabricate, and test the Advanced Mobile Application Testing Environment (AMATE). This is a prototype for an end-to-end automated testing system that will improve the reliability and effectiveness of the national mobile information technology infrastructure. The environment will consist of software components, user devices, computers, micro-controllers, network hardware, mobile transmitters and receivers, and radio-signal conditioning equipment. AMATE will simulate millions of mobile users, their movements, airlink variation, and network operations under extreme conditions without disrupting an active network or its customers. The challenge will be to simulate and control a complex environment that includes device handoff between base stations and a mix of cellular voice and data networks having multiple sources and protocols. Without ATP funding, the project could not proceed because it involves too much risk for private investors and will require more resources than the small company can provide on its own. AMATE could lead to more reliable mobile applications, may reduce wireless application errors by as much as 50 percent, and could increase productivity associated with mobile application development. With current technology, testers can run an average of one test per hour. If AMATE is successful, users could run many thousands of software tests per hour. This will reduce development costs and time to market for mobile applications, helping the U.S. wireless industry to regain its lead in the global market.

For project information:

Robert V. Binder, (312) 342-0003
info@MobileSystemsVerification.com

ATP Project Manager

Barbara Cuthill, (301) 975-3273
barbara.cuthill@nist.gov