Testing methods and apparatus for wireless communications

• US 7,330,724 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2006
• Issued: 02/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lipsit, James Mason
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Lee
• Application Number:
  US11/330,486
• Publication Number:
  US 20060105763A1
• Time in Patent Office: 761 Days
• Field of Search: 455/423, 455/424, 455/425, 455/67.11, 455/67.13, 455/67.14, 455/67.7, 370/241, 370/242, 370/249
• 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 test station for testing the operation of a wireless telephone unit within a wireless communication system, the test station comprising:

a computer;

wireless communication test software residing on memory that is accessible to the computer;

a computer telephony card coupled to the computer; and

the computer telephony card having a plurality of telephone line interfaces, each telephone line interface associated with a respective one of a plurality of telephone numbers in a hunt group.

2. The test station according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of telephone numbers of the hunt group are accessible by an abbreviated dialing telephone number.

3. A test station for testing a wireless telephone unit within a wireless communication system, the test station comprising:

a computer;

wireless communication test software residing on memory that is accessible to the computer;

a computer telephony card coupled to the computer; and

the computer telephony card having at least one telephone line interface, wherein the at least one telephone line interface comprises a plurality of telephone line interfaces, each interface of the plurality of telephone line interfaces being associated with a respective one of a plurality of telephone numbers of a hunt group, the hunt group being accessible by an abbreviated dialing telephone number.

4. A telecommunication system method for providing a plurality of wireless telephone units with remote access to a computer test station, the method comprising:

receiving an abbreviated dialing telephone number to establish a telephone call connection;

selecting one of a plurality of telephone numbers of a hunt group that is associated with the abbreviated dialing telephone number, each one of the plurality of telephone numbers associated with a computer test station; and

facilitating the telephone call connection between a wireless telephone unit and the computer test station with use of the selected telephone number.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the step of receiving comprises receiving the abbreviated dialing telephone number at a mobile telephone switch.