MISSION BRIEF

About the 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. 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-550 system, viewing real time notifications, managing data, and conducting advanced signal analysis. Highlighted features include Geofencing, Spectrum Viewer, Band Editor, Rogue Cell Detection, and Passive Basestation Location (PBL). Other features include Express Start, File Splitting, Log File Data Decimation, L3 Logging, KML File Conversion, Signal Removal, and Provider Filtering. DCode Pro also auto populates regionally specific survey settings based on the system's GPS location. ICS-550 software can easily be updated as new software is released, allowing the unit to remain as an industry leading advanced network characterization solution.

Key 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 11 embedded operating system
• Internal GPS
• Geofencing - a data file management tool that allows the user to create pre-defined geographic boundaries where the ICS will collect data; a must-have feature for long range UAS air surveys
• Spectrum Viewer - a single intuitive display that presents a RF spectral display and identifies various cellular modulation types, signals, and interferences
• Band Editor - an advanced feature that allows the user to identify spectrum considered out-of-band for known standards based Band Classes; critical to fully understanding the availability of commercial communications in developing nations
• Rogue Cell Detection - alerts the user to the possibility of a rogue cell operating in the survey area; DCode passively detects these devices and assigns a confidence score to each discovery
• Passive Basestation Location (PBL) - provides the geographic positions of cellular sectors from ground or airborne surveys