Testing methods and apparatus for wireless communications

• US 20060105762A1
• Filed: 01/12/2006
• Published: 05/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cingular Wireless II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lipsit, James Mason
• Granted Patent: US 7,346,346 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/423
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/0085 using test signal generators

Abstract

Several testing methods and apparatus for wireless communications, such as a cellular telephone communications, are described. One method for use in troubleshooting a problematic call in a wireless communication system by a computer test station includes the steps of receiving a telephone call from a wireless telephone unit while the wireless telephone unit is simultaneously connected in a call; receiving, during the telephone call, first information which identifies the wireless telephone unit and second information which identifies a wireless switch utilized in the call; sending, during the telephone call, a trace command having the caller ID information to an address associated with the wireless switch; and receiving, in response to sending the trace command, call trace information including information that identifies a plurality of devices of the wireless switch utilized in the call. In response, the computer test station delivers a message that includes this device information to, for example, the wireless telephone unit or a system maintenance computer for appropriate handling.

Claims

1. A method for use in troubleshooting a call in a wireless communication system by a computer test station, the method comprising:

receiving a telephone call from a wireless unit while the wireless unit is simultaneously connected in a call;

receiving, during the telephone call, first information which identifies the wireless unit and second information which identifies a wireless switch utilized in the call;

sending, during the telephone call, a call trace request using of the first and the second information; and

receiving, in response to sending the call trace request, call trace information including information that identifies a plurality of devices of the wireless switch utilized in the call.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein receiving the first information comprises receiving caller identification (ID) information.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein receiving the second information comprises receiving dual-tone multiple-frequency (DTMF) digits corresponding to a wireless switch identifier.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving call trace information comprises receiving information which identifies one echo canceller of a plurality of echo cancellers of the wireless switch utilized in the call.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein sending the call trace request with use of the first and the second information comprises sending, to an address corresponding to the wireless switch, a trace command having caller ID information corresponding to the wireless unit.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

sending a message including at least portions of the call trace information to the wireless unit.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

sending a message including at least portions of the call trace information to a preselected address.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

recording and storing audio signals from the call as data in a file; and

sending a message including at least portions of the call trace information and the file to a preselected address.

9. A computer test station for troubleshooting a call in a wireless communication system, the computer test station comprising one or more processors that:

receive a telephone call from a wireless unit while the wireless unit is simultaneously connected in a call;

receive, during the telephone call, first information which identifies the wireless unit and second information which identifies a wireless switch utilized in the call;

send, during the telephone call, a call trace request with use of the first and the second information; and

receive, in response to sending the call trace request, call trace information including information that identifies a plurality of devices of the wireless switch utilized in the call.

10. The computer test station according to claim 9 wherein, to receive the first information, said one or more processors are further executable to receive caller identification (ID) information.

11. The computer test station according to claim 9, wherein, to receive the second information, said one or more processors are further executable to receive dual-tone multiple-frequency (DTMF) digits corresponding to a wireless switch identifier.

12. The computer test station according to claim 9, wherein, to receive the call trace information, said one or more processors are further executable to receive information which identifies one echo canceller of a plurality of echo cancellers at the wireless switch utilized in the call.

13. The computer test station according to claim 9, wherein said one or more processors are further executable to send, to an address corresponding to the wireless switch, a trace command having caller ID information corresponding to the wireless unit.

14. The computer test station according to claim 9, wherein said one or more processors are further executable to send a message including at least portions of the call trace information to the wireless unit.

15. The computer test station according to claim 9, wherein said one or more processors are further executable to send a message including at least portions of the call trace information to a preselected address.

16. The computer test station according to claim 9, wherein said one or more processors are further executable to record audio signals from the call and store the recording as data in a file;

and send a message including at least portions of the call trace information and the file storing the audio signals to a preselected address.