Advanced Network Characterization Solutions

The Integrated Collection System (ICS™) product line includes industry-leading cellular, wireless, and Bluetooth advanced network characterization solutions. ICS™ passively collects data, which allows for a wide range of applications such as characterizing advanced cellular and Wi-Fi networks; detecting rogue cellular base stations; and passively locating cellular base stations. The breadth of ICS™ products allows users to find the right product for their needs including tactical, stationary, and commercial applications. With the addition of the ICS™-550, we now have a solution to meet your needs as the communications industry evolves into the deployment of 5G NR (New Radio) cellular technologies.

ICS™-550

ICS-550 is an advanced network characterization tool that surveys the environment and records the metadata of detected control channels and the information therein. These completely passive measurements are obtained without handshaking or any additional interfacing with the communications network.

ICS-550 provides its users with state-of-the-art survey solutions that support the new 5G NR technologies. This product has been designed to support both the evolution of 5G non-standalone (NSA) and standalone (SA) networks. There are two product offerings: the ICS-550 and ICS-550 DC. The optional downconverter (DC) expands the 5G survey frequency range.

ICS-550 is capable of surveying the new mmWave frequency bands allocated for 5G NR networks while simultaneously scanning sub 6 GHz frequencies. The system form factor remains light and portable by utilizing a downconverter to survey the mmWave frequency bands. We will continue to develop new features to support 5G NR surveying as technologies advance.

The DCode Pro software is the user’s primary interface when taking control of the ICS-550 system, viewing real time notifications, managing data, and conducting advanced signal analysis.

Features

• Enhanced Carrier Discovery – Coming Soon!
• Fully autonomous collection
• Remote interface
• Complete decoding of control channel messages
• Self-Configuring
• Active tool configuration
• L3 logging and parsing
• Provider filtering
• Capable of surveying both fixed wireless access (FWA) and mobile access
• Windows 10 embedded operating system
• Internal GPS

Operational Configurations

• 5G NR
  • < 6 GHz
  • mmWave (with optional Downconverter)
• LTE
• WCDMA
• GSM
• CDMA (optional add-on)
• EVDO (optional add-on)
• WiMAX (optional add-on)
• Wi-Fi (with add-on Q-Fi module)

ICS™-550SE

ICS-550SE is an advanced network characterization tool that surveys the cellular and WiFi environment and records the metadata of detected control channels and the information therein. These completely passive measurements are obtained without handshaking or any additional interfacing with the communications network.

ICS-550SE provides its users with state-of-the-art survey solutions that support the new 5G NR technologies. This product has been designed to support the evolution of both 5G non-standalone (NSA) and standalone (SA) networks. ICS-550 is capable of surveying the new mmWave frequency bands located for 5G NR networks while simultaneously scanning sub 6 GHz frequencies. Additionally, the ICS-550SE passively surveys the WiFi environment to include WiFi 6E. QRC will continue to develop new features to support 5G NR surveying as technologies advance.

The DCode Pro software is the user’s primary interface when taking control of the ICS-550SE system, viewing real time notifications, managing data, and conducting advanced signal analysis.

DCode Pro

DCode Pro is a feature-rich network analysis and characterization software program. It acts as a specialized software program that demodulates cellular and wireless signals, including 5G, LTE, WiMAX, WCDMA, CDMA, EVDO, GSM, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, depending on the ICS model and optional add-ons. DCode Pro includes onboard analytical tools to assist users with real-time processing and utilization of data.

DCode Pro is exclusive to the ICS family of survey and network characterization tools which pairs a feature-rich software suite with industry-leading radios in the ICS and Q-Fi systems. These tools produce network information at the speed of operations. This pairing of elite radios with the right software creates a tool that provides the operator a complete understanding of the networks.

Each protocol can be activated individually or simultaneously for specialized applications. The operator has the flexibility to set up any protocol from the Configuration Manager, which makes for a more user-friendly package. While scanning and collecting network data on protocols for the area of interest, the user can cycle from band to band at the push of a button or can select specific bands from the interface. Optimized for multi-protocol, multi-band cellular surveys at high rates of speed, DCode Pro is the ideal cellular drive test software.

Features

• Multi-Protocol, multi-band operations
• Cycle protocols and bands with the push of a button
• Complete decoding of control channel messages
• Self-Configuring
• Active tool configuration
• L3 logging and parsing
• Provider filtering
• Capable of surveying both fixed wireless access (FWA) and mobile access
• Geo-Fencing
• Logfile data decimation
• Rogue BTS detection
• Base Station location estimation

Q-Fi

The Q-Fi is an add-on module to the ICS-550, which offers a compact Wi-Fi survey capability. The Q-Fi module passively surveys the wireless environment and logs the metadata of Wi-Fi systems. The user is able to filter logged data by protocol, security type, network type as well as specific vendor information.

The Q-Fi Module utilizes our DCode Pro software as its primary user interface allowing users to manage data and receive real-time visual notifications.

Features

• Fully integrated into DCode
• IP rated case
• Seamless connection to ICS-500
• 802.11 a/b/g/n
• 2.4, 4.9 & 5.8 GHz bands supported
• Fully supports DCode band dictionary
• User defined channel scans
• User assigned channel priority
• Utilizing DCode Pro the Q-Fi measures & detects multiple parameters, including but not limited to:
  • Network identity
  • Network type
  • MAC address
  • IP address
  • Frequency
  • Bandwidth
  • Channel
  • Security used
  • Device type
  • GPS information at sample location

PBL Ground

PBL (Passive Base Station Location) is an industry-changing application that can be added to any ICS system. It allows a user to drive an area of interest and measure the cellular signals present to determine the physical location of the emitters for the respective signals. PBL uses proprietary location algorithms to establish the location of towers to within 10s of meters. Typically, 90% of the towers are detected within 200m or better. Denser drive patterns typically provide improved accuracy and a higher number of detected emitters. All prediction measurements are made while simultaneously collecting survey data.

Features

• Simultaneous calculations for GSM, CDMA, EVDO, WCDMA & LTE sectors
• 100% passive measurement
• Predictions are compatible with most mapping software
• Low-density driving required
• Sector azimuth estimation

PBL Air

The DCode Pro PBL for ground-based surveys feature has been extended to allow ICS systems to perform the same tower location functions using airborne surveys. This system requires the ICS-5xx family of systems, DCode Pro, and two additional supporting applications. One of these applications, the collection app, takes a list of frequencies to be scanned as input and will collect raw position estimation data. The second application, the analysis app, processes that raw data and produces a .pbl file with the same format as the ground-based .pbl files generated by DCode Pro.

As of the first release of this feature, testing and characterization have been limited to survey altitudes of less than 10,000 feet and flight speed under 150 knots. Survey patterns have been limited to a grid-style pattern with the “legs” separated by approximately 1 mile.

Features

• Simultaneous calculations for WCDMA, GSM & LTE sectors
• 100% passive measurement
• Predictions are compatible with most mapping software
• High altitude collection of data up to 10,000 feet
• Flights at 8,500 feet have produced results in which 90% of the towers were located to within 200 meters of their actual locations

BlueFi®

BlueFi® enables a user to collect Bluetooth and Wi-Fi MAC addresses and other broadcasted metadata which allows operators to gain a more complete picture of the device’s associations.

The device surveys Bluetooth 2.1, 4.0, 4.1, and 5.0 devices as well as 802.11 a/b/g/n access points and clients. The output data allows the operator to obtain MAC addresses, Over the Air (OTA) names, device relationships, signal strength, and a list of current device connections.

This product uses a combination of passive monitoring and optional active function pings to stimulate Bluetooth devices of interest. This data can be later analyzed to perform tracking and location ascertainment, pattern of life observation, Bluetooth device analysis, corporate compliance monitoring, and geographic report creation.

Features

• Passively monitors Bluetooth and Wi-Fi channels simultaneously
• Optionally, can perform general and targeted active pings to stimulate Bluetooth devices of interest
• Supports Bluetooth Classic & Bluetooth Low Energy
• Provides full Bluetooth and Wi-Fi MAC address
• Provides device commonality between multiple data sets
• Displays real-time notifications of known Wi-Fi & Bluetooth MAC addresses
• Rover, Raptor-X, and Google Earth visualization

*Parsons complies with all applicable Trade Compliance regulations. Some of Parsons products may require an authorization from the U.S. Government before they are exported.

Disclaimer: Parsons is a global company operating through various named legal entity subsidiaries. The company’s successful acquisitions have led us to become a leading disruptive technology company in the critical infrastructure, defense, and intelligence markets.

For pricing information regarding our suite of advanced network characterization solutions, please complete the contact us form.

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