Method for reverse path mapping in a wireless network using Xtel and ericsson telecommunications equipment

• US 6,983,142 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2000
• Issued: 01/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Iyer, Gopal N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hudspeth, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMITH, SHEILA B
• Application Number:
  US09/751,286
• Publication Number:
  US 20020123341A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,831 Days
• Field of Search: 455/42.3, 455/424, 455/67.11, 455/115.1, 455/226.1, 379/1.01, 379/26.01, 379/27.01, 379/27.02, 379/27.03, 379/32.03
• US Class Current: 455/423
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic

Abstract

A method and system are provided for generating a graphical representation of call-specific data in a wireless network in conjunction with Xtel and Ericsson equipment. The method includes performing a first phone call using the Xtel equipment to obtain a first set of call-specific drive test data from an area covered by the wireless network. This first set of data includes at least a time associated with the first phone call. The method also includes performing a second phone call using the Lucent equipment to perform an RF call trace. This second phone call is made in connection with the drive test and provides a second set of call-specific data. As for the first set of data, the second set of data includes at least a time associated with the second phone call. Next, the method includes combining the first and second sets of data into a combined output file based on common time information. Then, the method includes processing the combined output file in a thematic mapping software program to provide a graphical representation of the combined output file. This embodiment can also be implemented in a system performing the method or on a computer-readable medium.

Claims

1. A method for generating a graphical representation of call-specific data in a wireless network in conjunction with Xtel and Ericsson equipment, said method comprising:

performing a first phone call using said Xtel equipment to obtain a first set of call-specific drive test data from an area covered by said wireless network, wherein said first set of data includes at least a time element of said first phone call;

performing a second phone call using said Ericsson equipment to perform an RF call trace in connection with said drive test and to obtain a second set of call-specific data, wherein said second set of data includes at least a time element of said second phone call;

combining said first and second sets of data into a combined output file based on respective said time elements of said first and second phone calls; and

processing said combined output file in a thematic mapping software program to provide a graphical representation of said combined output file.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said call-specific data include signal strength information.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing said second phone call from a switch location in said wireless network.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said combined output file includes call-specific data selected from the group consisting of Time, Latitude, Longitude, Forward Signal Strength, Reverse Signal Strength, Forward BER, and Reverse BER.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating said graphical representation based on signal strength data.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said graphical representation is color-coded to reflect one or more levels of signal strength depicted on said graphical representation.

7. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for generating a graphical representation of call-specific data in a wireless network in conjunction with Xtel and Ericsson equipment, said medium comprising:

instructions for performing a first phone call using said Xtel equipment to obtain a first set of call-specific drive test data from an area covered by said wireless network, wherein said first set of data includes at least a time element of said first phone call;

instructions for performing a second phone call using said Ericsson equipment to perform an RE call trace in connection with said drive test and to obtain a second set of call-specific data, wherein said second set of data includes at least a time element of said second phone call;

instructions for combining said first and second sets of data into a combined output file based on respective said time elements of said first and second phone calls; and

instructions for processing said combined output file in a thematic mapping software program to provide a graphical representation of said combined output file.

8. The medium of claim 7, wherein said call-specific data include signal strength information.

9. The medium of claim 7, further comprising instructions for performing said second phone call from a switch location in said wireless network.

10. The medium of claim 7, wherein said combined output file includes call-specific data selected from the group consisting of Time, Latitude, Longitude, Forward Signal Strength, Reverse Signal Strength, Forward BER, and Reverse BER.

11. The medium of claim 7, further comprising instructions for generating said graphical representation based on signal strength data.

12. The medium of claim 7, wherein said graphical representation is color-coded to reflect one or more levels of signal strength depicted on said graphical representation.

13. A system for generating a graphical representation of call-specific data in a wireless network in conjunction with Xtel and Ericsson equipment, said system comprising:

drive test equipment for performing a first phone call using said Xtel equipment to obtain a first set of call-specific drive test data from an area covered by said wireless network, wherein said first set of data includes at least a time element of said first phone call;

switch equipment for performing a second phone call using said Ericsson equipment to perform an RF call trace in connection with said drive test and to obtain a second set of call-specific data, wherein said second set of data includes at least a time element of said second phone call;

a processor for combining said first and second sets of data into a combined output file based on respective said time elements of said first and second phone calls; and

a processor for processing said combined output file in a thematic mapping software program to provide a graphical representation of said combined output file.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said call-specific data include signal strength information.

15. The system of claim 13, further comprising a switch for performing said second phone call.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein said combined output file includes call-specific data selected from the group consisting of Time, Latitude, Longitude, Forward Signal Strength, Reverse Signal Strength, Forward BER, and Reverse BER.