Method for locating coverage gaps in wireless communication services

• US 20060183487A1
• Filed: 02/15/2005
• Published: 08/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Original Assignee: @Road Incorporated (Trimble Inc.)
• Inventors: Allen, Thomas R., Tiwari, Anil
• Granted Patent: US 8,260,322 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.500
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/18 Network planning tools
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences

Abstract

A method for determining coverage gaps within a geographical area served by a wireless communication network includes: (a) receiving a location report from each of a plurality of mobile units; (b) storing all location reports received from the mobile units in a database; and (c) searching the database for a position within the geographical area at which an acceptable quality wireless signal has not been received. The location report may include a measured signal quality metric of the wireless link, which may be the signal strength of the wireless link, a bit error rate of the wireless link, or both. Location reports may be displayed on a map to show coverage quality and gaps. Statistical technique and quantitative techniques can be applied on the signal quality metrics reported.

Claims

1. A method for determining coverage gaps within a geographical area served by a wireless communication network, comprising:

receiving a location report from each of a plurality of mobile units;

storing all location reports received from the mobile units in a database; and

searching the database for a position within the geographical area at which an acceptable quality wireless signal has not been received.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the location report includes a measured signal quality metric of the wireless link.

3. A method as in claim 2, wherein the measured signal quality metric includes signal strength of the wireless link.

4. A method as in claim 2, wherein the measured signal quality metric includes a bit error rate of the wireless link.

5. A method as in claim 2, wherein the searching involves applying a statistical technique on the signal quality of the wireless links on which location reports were received.

6. A method as in claim 1, wherein the location report includes a current location of the mobile unit at the time of establishing the wireless link.

7. A method as in claim 1, wherein the location report includes a plurality of locations of the mobile unit accumulated over a time period prior to the time the wireless link is established.

8. A method as in claim 1, wherein the location report includes identification of a base station with which the mobile unit established the wireless link.

9. A method as in claim 8, wherein the searching is limited to location reports transmitted over wireless links established with the base station.

10. A method as in claim 1, wherein the location report includes an identification of a carrier that provides the wireless link.

11. A method as in claim 10, wherein the searching is limited to location reports transmitted over wireless links provided by the carrier.

12. A method as in claim 1, wherein positions at which location reports are received are displayed on a map and the searching involves visually identifying locations where location reports have not been received.

13. A method as in claim 1, wherein positions at which location reports are received are displayed on a map and the searching involves visually identifying locations where an acceptable quality wireless signal has not been received.

14. A method as in claim 1, wherein the wireless communication network is coupled to the Internet.

15. A method as in claim 14, wherein the database is located at a server on the Internet and wherein the wireless communication network interfaces with the Internet through a wireless network gateway.

16. A method as in claim 1, wherein the mobile units are assets managed under a mobile resource management system.

17. A method as in claim 1, wherein the location reports are received over a wireless link.

18. A method for determining coverage gaps within a geographical area served by a wireless communication network, comprising:

receiving a location report from each of a plurality of mobile units;

storing all location reports received from the mobile units in a database; and

generating a coverage map displaying information from the location reports.

19. A method as in claim 18, wherein the location report includes a measured signal quality metric of the wireless link.

20. A method as in claim 19, wherein the measured signal quality metric includes signal strength of the wireless link.

21. A method as in claim 19, wherein the measured signal quality metric includes a bit error rate of the wireless link.

22. A method as in claim 19, wherein the generating the coverage map involves applying a statistical technique on the signal quality of the wireless links on which location reports were received.

23. A method as in claim 18, wherein the location report includes a current location of the mobile unit at the time of establishing the wireless link.

24. A method as in claim 18, wherein the location report includes a plurality of locations of the mobile unit accumulated over a time period prior to the time the wireless link is established.

25. A method as in claim 18, wherein the location report includes identification of a base station with which the mobile unit established the wireless link.

26. A method as in claim 25, wherein the generating the coverage map is limited to location reports transmitted over wireless links established with the base station.

27. A method as in claim 18, wherein the location report includes an identification of a carrier that provides the wireless link.

28. A method as in claim 27, wherein the generating the coverage map is limited to location reports transmitted over wireless links provided by the carrier.

29. A method as in claim 18, wherein said generating the coverage map comprises displaying on the map positions at which location reports are received and further comprising visually identifying locations where location reports have not been received.

30. A method as in claim 18, wherein said generating the coverage map comprises displaying on the map positions at which location reports are received and further comprising visually identifying locations where an acceptable quality wireless signal has not been received.

31. A method as in claim 18, wherein the wireless communication network includes a portion of the Internet.

32. A method as in claim 31, wherein the database is located at a server on the Internet and wherein the wireless communication network interfaces with the internet through a wireless network gateway.

33. A method as in claim 18, wherein the mobile units are assets managed under a mobile resource management system.

34. A method as in claim 18, wherein said generating the coverage map comprises displaying coverage quality for a region on the coverage map.

35. A method as in claim 18, wherein the location reports are received over a wireless link.