Using personal wireless devices for network testing

• US 9,288,705 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2014
• Issued: 03/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InterDigital Patent Holdings, Inc. (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: InterDigital Patent Holdings, Inc. (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wang, Peter S., Stern-Berkowitz, Janet A., Tamaki, Nobuyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Khan, Suhail
• Application Number:
  US14/508,867
• Publication Number:
  US 20150024706A1
• Time in Patent Office: 525 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/318 Received signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/08 Monitoring or testing based on specific metrics, e.g. QoS, energy consumption or environmental parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems

Abstract

A personal wireless device is utilized to carry out measurements of one or more network-performance related metrics in response to a triggering event. The triggering event can be a message that is transmitted by a network element to the personal wireless device. The personal wireless device may be exemplified by a variety of personal devices such as, for example, a cellular phone, or a personal digital assistant (PDA). The measurements may be used to derive network-performance related information such as cellular signal coverage areas, signal hole areas, and signal interference areas.

Claims

1. A device configured to:

receive configuration information for carrying out a measurement,

carry out the measurement of a network-performance related metric consistent with the configuration information when the device is connected to a cell or a public land mobile network (PLMN) authorized for the measurement to be performed, and

transmit an indication of an availability of the measurement to a network element when the device is connected to a cell or PLMN included in a list comprising at least one reporting place authorized for reporting the measurement.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is at least one of a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant device, or an internet-enabled wireless device.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the measurement is a logged-type measurement carried out when the device is in an idle mode of operation.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the configuration information comprises at least one of a measurement validity time or a report validity time.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the device is further configured to stop carrying out the measurement of the network-performance related metric when the measurement validity time is over.

6. The device according to claim 4, wherein the device is further configured to store the measurement of the network-performance related metric during the report validity time.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the device is further configured to delete the measurement of the network-performance related metric when the report validity time is over.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is further configured to receive new configuration information for carrying out the measurement;

and, upon receipt of the new configuration information, replace the configuration information previously received with the new configuration information and clear the measurement of the network-performance related metric carried out consistent with the configuration information previously received.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the indication is transmitted to the network element in an RRCConnectionSetupComplete message.

10. A method comprising:

receiving configuration information for carrying out a measurement,

carrying out the measurement of a network-performance related metric consistent with the configuration information when the device is connected to a cell or a public land mobile network (PLMN) authorized for the measurement to be performed, and

transmitting an indication of an availability of the measurement to a network element when the device is connected to a cell or PLMN included in a list comprising at least one reporting place authorized for reporting the measurement.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the measurement is a logged-type measurement carried out in an idle mode of operation.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the configuration information comprises at least one of a measurement validity time or a report validity time.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the measurement of the network-performance related metric is stopped being carried out when the measurement validity time is over.

14. The method according to claim 12, further comprising storing the measurement of the network-performance related metric during the report validity time.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising deleting the measurement of the network-performance related metric when the report validity time is over.

16. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:

receiving new configuration information for carrying out the measurement; and

upon receipt of the new configuration information, replacing the configuration information previously received with the new configuration information and clearing the measurement of the network-performance related metric carried out consistent with the configuration information previously received.

17. The method according to claim 10, wherein the indication is transmitted to the network element in an RRCConnectionSetupComplete message.

18. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions, the computer-executable instructions comprising instructions for performing the following:

accessing configuration information for carrying out a measurement,

carrying out the measurement of a network-performance related metric consistent with the configuration information when the device is connected to a cell or a public land mobile network (PLMN) authorized for the measurement to be performed, and

transmitting an indication of an availability of the measurement to a network element when the device is connected to a cell or PLMN included in a list comprising at least one reporting place authorized for reporting the measurement.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 18, wherein the measurement is a logged-type measurement carried out in an idle mode of operation.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 18, wherein the configuration information comprises at least one of a measurement validity time or a report validity time.

21. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 20, wherein the measurement of the network-performance related metric is stopped being carried out when the measurement validity time is over.

22. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 20, wherein the computer-executable instructions further comprise instructions for storing the measurement of the network-performance related metric during the report validity time.

23. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 22, wherein the computer-executable instructions further comprise instructions for deleting the measurement of the network-performance related metric when the report validity time is over.

24. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 18, wherein the computer-executable instructions further comprise instructions for:

receiving new configuration information for carrying out the measurement; and

upon receipt of the new configuration information, replacing the configuration information previously received with the new configuration information and clearing the measurement of the network-performance related metric carried out consistent with the configuration information previously received.

25. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 18, wherein the indication is transmitted to the network element in an RRCConnectionSetupComplete message.

26. A device configured to:

receive configuration information for carrying out a measurement, wherein the configuration information comprises a measurement validity time;

carry out the measurement of a network-performance related metric consistent with the configuration information, wherein the measurement is carried out when a cell or public land mobile network (PLMN) the device is connected to or located in is a cell or PLMN authorized for the measurement to be performed, and wherein the measurement is carried out until the measurement validity time is over; and

transmit an indication of an availability of the measurement to a network element, wherein the indication is transmitted when the cell or PLMN the device is connected to is a cell or PLMN included in a list that includes at least one reporting place authorized for reporting the measurement.

27. The device according to claim 26, wherein the device is at least one of a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant device, or an internet-enabled wireless device.

28. The device according to claim 26, wherein the measurement is a logged-type measurement further carried out when the device is in an idle mode of operation.

29. The device according to claim 26, wherein the configuration information further comprises a report validity time.

30. The device according to claim 29, wherein the device is further configured to store the measurement of the network-performance related metric during the report validity time.

31. The device according to claim 30, wherein the device is further configured to delete the measurement of the network-performance related metric when the report validity time is over.

32. The device according to claim 26, wherein the device is further configured to receive new configuration information for carrying out the measurement;

and, upon receipt of the new configuration information, replace the configuration information previously received with the new configuration information and clear the measurement of the network-performance related metric carried out consistent with the configuration information previously received.

33. The device according to claim 26, wherein the indication is transmitted to the network element in an RRCConnectionSetupComplete message.

34. A method comprising:

receiving configuration information for carrying out a measurement, wherein the configuration information comprises a measurement validity time;

carrying out the measurement of a network-performance related metric consistent with the configuration information, wherein the measurement is carried out when a cell or public land mobile network (PLMN) the device is connected to or located in is a cell or PLMN authorized for the measurement to be performed, and wherein the measurement is carried out until the measurement validity time is over; and

transmitting an indication of an availability of the measurement to a network element, wherein the indication is transmitted when the cell or PLMN the device is connected to is a cell or PLMN included in a list that includes at least one reporting place authorized for reporting the measurement.

35. The method according to claim 34, wherein the measurement is a logged-type measurement carried out in an idle mode of operation.

36. The method according to claim 34, wherein the configuration information further comprises a report validity time.

37. The method according to claim 36, further comprising storing the measurement of the network-performance related metric during the report validity time.

38. The method according to claim 37, further comprising deleting the measurement of the network-performance related metric when the report validity time is over.

39. The method according to claim 34, further comprising:

receiving new configuration information for carrying out the measurement; and

upon receipt of the new configuration information, replacing the configuration information previously received with the new configuration information and clearing the measurement of the network-performance related metric carried out consistent with the configuration information previously received.

40. The method according to claim 34, wherein the indication is transmitted to the network element in an RRCConnectionSetupComplete message.

41. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions, the computer-executable instructions comprising instructions for performing the following:

accessing configuration information for carrying out a measurement, wherein the configuration information comprises a measurement validity time;

carrying out the measurement of a network-performance related metric consistent with the configuration information, wherein the measurement is carried out when a cell or public land mobile network (PLMN) the device is connected to or located in is a cell or PLMN authorized for the measurement to be performed, and wherein the measurement is carried out until the measurement validity time is over; and

transmitting an indication of an availability of the measurement to a network element, wherein the indication is transmitted when the cell or PLMN the device is connected to is a cell or PLMN included in a list that includes at least one reporting place authorized for reporting the measurement.

42. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 41, wherein the measurement is a logged-type measurement carried out in an idle mode of operation.

43. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 41, wherein the configuration information further comprises a report validity time.

44. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 43, further comprising storing the measurement of the network-performance related metric during the report validity time.

45. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 44, wherein the computer-executable instructions further comprise instructions for deleting the measurement of the network-performance related metric when the report validity time is over.

46. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 41, wherein the computer-executable instructions further comprise instructions for:

receiving new configuration information for carrying out the measurement; and

upon receipt of the new configuration information, replacing the configuration information previously received with the new configuration information and clearing the measurement of the network-performance related metric carried out consistent with the configuration information previously received.

47. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 41, wherein the indication is transmitted to the network element in an RRCConnectionSetupComplete message.

48. A device configured to:

receive configuration information for carrying out a measurement, wherein the configuration information comprises a measurement validity time and a report validity time;

carry out the measurement of a network-performance related metric consistent with the configuration information, wherein the measurement is carried out when a cell or public land mobile network (PLMN) the device is connected to or located in is a cell or PLMN authorized for the measurement to be performed, and wherein the measurement is carried out until the measurement validity time is over;

store the measurement of the network-performance related metric during the report validity time;

transmit an indication of an availability of the measurement to a network element, wherein the indication is transmitted when the cell or PLMN the device is connected to is a cell or PLMN included in a list that includes at least one reporting place authorized for reporting the measurement; and

delete the measurement of the network-performance related metric when the report validity time is over.

49. The device according to claim 48, wherein the device is at least one of a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant device, or an internet-enabled wireless device.

50. The device according to claim 48, wherein the measurement is a logged-type measurement carried out when the device is in an idle mode of operation.

51. The device according to claim 48, wherein the device is further configured to receive new configuration information for carrying out the measurement;

and, upon receipt of the new configuration information, replace the configuration information previously received with the new configuration information and clear the measurement of the network-performance related metric carried out consistent with the configuration information previously received.

52. The device according to claim 48, wherein the indication is transmitted to the network element in an RRCConnectionSetupComplete message.

53. A method comprising:

receiving configuration information for carrying out a measurement, wherein the configuration information comprises a measurement validity time and a report validity time;

carrying out the measurement of a network-performance related metric consistent with the configuration information, wherein the measurement is carried out when a cell or public land mobile network (PLMN) the device is connected to or located in is a cell or PLMN authorized for the measurement to be performed, and wherein the measurement is carried out until the measurement validity time is over;

storing the measurement of the network-performance related metric during the report validity time;

transmitting an indication of an availability of the measurement to a network element, wherein the indication is transmitted when the cell or PLMN the device is connected to is a cell or PLMN included in a list that includes at least one reporting place authorized for reporting the measurement; and

deleting the measurement of the network-performance related metric when the report validity time is over.

54. The method according to claim 53, wherein the measurement is a logged-type measurement carried out in an idle mode of operation.

55. The method according to claim 53, further comprising:

receiving new configuration information for carrying out the measurement; and

upon receipt of the new configuration information, replacing the configuration information previously received with the new configuration information and clear the measurement of the network-performance related metric carried out consistent with the configuration information previously received.

56. The method according to claim 53, wherein the indication is transmitted to the network element in an RRCConnectionSetupComplete message.

57. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions, the computer-executable instructions comprising instructions for performing the following:

receiving configuration information for carrying out a measurement, wherein the configuration information comprises a measurement validity time and a report validity time;

carrying out the measurement of a network-performance related metric consistent with the configuration information, wherein the measurement is carried out when a cell or public land mobile network (PLMN) the device is connected to or located in is a cell or PLMN authorized for the measurement to be performed, and wherein the measurement is carried out until the measurement validity time is over;

storing the measurement of the network-performance related metric during the report validity time;

transmitting an indication of an availability of the measurement to a network element, wherein the indication is transmitted when the cell or PLMN the device is connected to is a cell or PLMN included in a list that includes at least one reporting place authorized for reporting the measurement; and

deleting the measurement of the network-performance related metric when the report validity time is over.

58. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 57, wherein the measurement is a logged-type measurement carried out in an idle mode of operation.

59. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 57, wherein the computer-executable instructions further comprise instructions for:

receiving new configuration information for carrying out the measurement; and

upon receipt of the new configuration information, replacing the configuration information previously received with the new configuration information and clear the measurement of the network-performance related metric carried out consistent with the configuration information previously received.

60. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 57, wherein the indication is transmitted to the network element in an RRCConnectionSetupComplete message.