Method and apparatus for objective measurement of wireless service performance and coverage

• US 20050288009A1
• Filed: 06/28/2004
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mark Poletti
• Original Assignee: Mark Poletti
• Inventors: Poletti, Mark
• Application Number:
  US10/877,183
• Publication Number:
  US 20050288009A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/423
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

The purpose of this invention is to provide a small, low-cost, modular unit which can be used for automated wireless network benchmarking and data collection. This invention provides a method to conduct simultaneous performance measurements on wireless networks that use multiple air interface technologies in multiple frequency bands. The invention will be capable of placing calls on wireless networks and recording typical diagnostic measurements and performance data, along with position information, without the use of a traditional wireless phone and data collection vehicle. This information is routinely used by service providers and other customers to identify performance problem areas, roaming issues and competitive benchmarking. One method for downloading performance data will be over a stand-alone 802.11x network at a predetermined location at the end of the drive-test period to a simple server and storage unit where it can be accessed for analysis. Alternatively, data transfer may also be achieved by using removable data storage media such as flash memory. The invention will be capable of receiving new customized phone software loads and dialing patterns using the same 802.11x network. Potential applications are in taxis, buses and other fleet vehicles which give random or repeatable routes, eliminating the expense of drive-testers and drive-test vehicles. This provides the ability to customize market drive routes, to provide more detailed and timely performance data in terms of area and time of day. Potential customers include wireless service providers, wireless resellers, engineering contracting/consulting firms, third party bench-marking companies, local municipalities and planning commissions.

Claims

1. The invention'"'"'s modular design will allow for flexible deployment of a multiplicity of test phones, which could be from an individual provider or multiple providers.

2. This invention can take simultaneous measurements of multiple service providers using multiple frequency bands (e.g. cellular and PCS).

3. Design approaches, such as a base-band modem chipset or PCMCIA card, may be used as an alternative solution to wireless handsets. This allows for a compact and light-weight design by eliminating the need for a proprietary interface cable from the handset to a personal computer. This not only enhances the compact and light-weight design characteristics, but it also enhances the data collection and processing ability ultimately improving overall measurement time and efficiency. Since no two handsets are alike, eliminating the handset as part of the solution also provides for a more representative measurement of parameters used for service performance, such as RSSI, S/N, Ec/Io, dropped calls, access failures and poor quality.