System and method for making measurements in customer devices across different network technologies

• US 20070218893A1
• Filed: 03/14/2006
• Published: 09/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Keysight Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Liu, Jerry, Tatman, Lance, Purdy, Glen, Engel, Glenn
• Granted Patent: US 7,979,031 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/423
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

In a communication network architecture having multiple technology coverage areas that support different network technologies, a service provider monitors its customer'"'"'s experience as the customer roams between technology coverage areas. An agent, such as software installed on-board the customer'"'"'s mobile equipment, measures parameters that are related to the network technology, and communicates the measured parameters to the service provider, over the communication network.

Claims

1. A parameter measurement system, for measuring parameters accessible by mobile equipment which communicates over a communication network, the communication network including first and second technology coverage areas, the system comprising:

an agent which includes;

(i) measuring means for measuring predetermined parameters of operation of the mobile equipment within one of the first and second technology coverage areas, and for detecting a change of technology coverage area;

(ii) means for changing measurement parameters to make parameter measurements appropriate for a detected change of technology coverage area; and

(iii) a transmitter for transmitting measured parameters over the communication network.

2. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the mobile equipment includes a processor, memory, and a wireless communication interface.

3. A system as recited in claim 2, wherein the mobile equipment includes one of (i) a cellular telephone, (ii) a portable computer, (iii) a handheld personal digital assistant unit, and (iv) a wireless sensor.

4. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the agent is included within the mobile equipment.

5. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the agent includes parameter storage for accumulating measurements of the parameters, and storing the measurements as the measurements accumulate.

6. A system as recited in claim 5, wherein the agent stores the accumulated measurements of the parameters for one of (i) a predetermined period of time, (ii) until a predetermined quantity of parameters have been accumulated, and (iii) until a change in technology is detected.

7. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the agent further comprises a processor for preprocessing the measured parameters before transmitting the measured parameters.

8. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the agent further includes:

(i) a sensor for sensing the network technology available as the mobile equipment roams, and

(ii) sets of parameters suitable for different network technologies, including a parameter set from which parameters are selected for measurement based on the sensed available network technology.

9. A system as recited in claim 8, wherein the agent further comprises a transmitter for transmitting the selected parameters over the communication network, responsive to a received request for transmission of the parameters.

10. A system as recited in claim 8, wherein the agent further comprises a selector for selecting parameters for measurement, responsive to one of (i) a received command to do so;

and (ii) an elapsed time.

11. A system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a service provider which is coupled for communication with the mobile equipment over the communication network, and which receives the measured parameters.

12. A system as recited in claim 11, wherein the service provider includes a node, coupled to the communication network to receive the measured parameters transmitted from the agent.

13. A method for measuring parameters accessible by mobile equipment which communicates over a communication network, the communication network including first and second technology coverage areas, the method comprising:

(i) measuring predetermined parameters of operation of the mobile equipment within one of the first and second technology coverage areas to detect a change of technology coverage area;

(ii) changing measurement parameters to make parameter measurements appropriate for a detected change of technology coverage area, and

(iii) transmitting measured parameters over the communication network.

14. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the mobile equipment includes a processor, memory, and a wireless communication interface.

15. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein the mobile equipment includes one of (i) a cellular telephone, (ii) a portable computer, (iii) a handheld personal digital assistant unit, and (iv) a wireless sensor.

16. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the mobile equipment performs the measuring and the transmitting.

17. A method as recited in claim 13, further comprising accumulating measurements of the parameters, and storing the measurements as the measurements accumulate.

18. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein storing includes storing the accumulated measurements of the parameters for one of (i) a predetermined period of time, (ii) until a predetermined quantity of parameters have been accumulated, and (iii) until a change in technology is detected.

19. A method as recited in claim 13, further comprising preprocessing the measured parameters;

and transmitting the measured and preprocessed parameters.

20. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein:

the method further comprises sensing the network technology available as the mobile equipment roams,

the mobile equipment includes sets of parameters suitable for different network technologies, and

the method further comprises selecting a parameter set, from the sets of parameters, for measurement based on the sensed available network technology.

21. A method as recited in claim 20, further comprising transmitting the selected parameters over the communication network, responsive to a received request for transmission of the parameters.

22. A method as recited in claim 20, further comprising selecting parameters for measurement, responsive to one of (i) a received command to do so;

and (ii) an elapsed time.

23. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein:

a service provider is coupled for communication with the mobile equipment over the communication network; and

the method further comprises the service provider receiving the measured parameters.

24. A method as recited in claim 23, wherein:

the service provider includes a node coupled to the communication network; and

the method further comprises the node receiving the measured parameters transmitted from the agent.