System for monitoring telephone networks and/or data communication networks, especially mobile telephone networks

• US 5,987,306 A
• Filed: 04/08/1997
• Issued: 11/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ascom Network Testing AB (Ascom Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Nilsen, Arild, Berntzen, Rune
• Primary Examiner(s): Bost, Dwayne D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GELIN, JEAN ALLAND
• Application Number:
  US08/750,336
• Time in Patent Office: 952 Days
• Field of Search: 455/67.1, 455/67.4, 455/67.3, 455/67.7, 455/446, 455/448, 455/424, 455/425, 455/423, 455/226.1, 370/338, 379/32, 379/27, 379/29, 379/22, 371/5.1, 371/5.2, 371/20.4, 371/27.1
• US Class Current: 455/67.11
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2254 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/18 Network planning tools
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements

Abstract

A system and method monitors telephone networks and/or data communication networks, especially cellular mobile telephone networks (CeN), and provides good evidence of performance and quality of the services to be delivered by the network. At the same time, the system and method is easy to handle and includes components that require only small spaces and that are effective in use. According to the invention, a method and system (CeNA) includes one or more fixed and/or mobile units (FTU, MTU), herein designated as field units or test units, that enable quality observations and communication with a network operator or operation center (CU).

Claims

1. A system for monitoring telephone networks and/or data communication networks, especially cellular mobile telephone networks, the system including a plurality of base stations equipped with a transmitter and a receiver as well as a plurality of mobile units with equipment for communicating with at least one of said plurality of base stations, the system comprising:

an operator of a network;

at least one fixed and/or mobile unit, said at least one fixed and/or mobile unit configured for making at least one observation of quality, and said at least one fixed and/or mobile unit configured for engaging in a communication with said operator, said communication between said at least one fixed and/or mobile unit and said operator occurring via said network;

a database wherein data relating to observations of quality from said at least one fixed and/or mobile unit are stored and processed;

a data processor, said data processor configured so as to be controllable by said operator;

wherein said database is accessed by said data processor to retrieve at least part of said data relating to observations of quality that have been received and stored, the accessing allowing an analysis of larger or smaller geographical areas, as well as smaller sub-areas and regions thereof, a geographical position being further definable by smaller mesh-shaped parcels; and

wherein the system further comprises a plurality of fixed and/or mobile units, said at least one fixed and/or mobile unit being one of said plurality of fixed and/or mobile units, said plurality of mobile units having quality observation organs that are equipped to make at least one measurement pertaining to at least one element of the group comprising a reception level, a reception quality, a signal to echo noise ratio, handovers, a time for establishing a connection, a rate of call set-up, blocked calls, failed calls, and failed handovers;

said quality observation organs also equipped for storing, updating, and transmitting said at least one measurement via said plurality of fixed units.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said parcels are grouped together as map sheets that are sub-divided by a grid.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein:

said at least one fixed and/or mobile unit further comprises a plurality of fixed units that are arranged in a geographical pattern; and

said at least one fixed and/or mobile unit further comprises a plurality of mobile test units that are mounted in vessels and/or vehicles that move about in said network.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said communication occurs by at least one of reporting during certain intervals of time or temporary local logging of analysis data for subsequent communication.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises an interface between said operator and said plurality of fixed and/or mobile units, said interface allowing said quality observation organs in individual units of said plurality of fixed and/or mobile units to observe quality as determined in accordance with particular requirements from said operator.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said database comprises an open database that communicates with other similar open databases.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one fixed and/or mobile unit can communicate with said operator via an open network and the system communicates via said open network as well.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of mobile units being in communication with said plurality of fixed units, and wherein said plurality of mobile units have said quality observation organs, said quality observation organs comprising at least one of a built-in micro computer, a test mobile, a positioning system, and a communication equipment.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of fixed units communicating with said plurality of mobile units via a special modem and via a cellular telephone network, and said plurality of fixed units communicating with said operator via an open network.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of mobile units equipped to receive changes in observation programming or measurement ordering and to store temporarily said observations of quality in a personal store of each of said plurality of mobile units, said plurality of mobile units equipped as well with said quality observation organs for communication of said observations of quality to said operator via said plurality of fixed units.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one fixed and/or mobile unit can communicate with said operator via a substantially open network, and said substantially open network (TCP/IP) enables connection of components via at least one of a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), an integrated services digital network (ISDN), fixed lines, and dial-up lines.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of mobile units being arranged in a private car, a service car, a bus or coach, a tram or train;

and wherein said at least one of said plurality of mobile units being arranged for unattended, automatic operation; and

wherein said at least one of said plurality of mobile units is configured for performing functions of a mobile telephone in addition to performing said observations of quality of said quality observation organs and doing so without a particular power supply.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the system may be applied to analog networks, digital networks, and/or networks comprising wholly or in part a combination of analog and digital aspects.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one fixed and/or mobile unit can communicate with said operator via an open network, said operator being in an operations center.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein said communication between said at least one unit and said operator occurs virtually in real-time.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein said database is an open database and said data relating to observations of quality is for analyzing and for graphical presentation of the quality of said network in selected geographical areas, for accumulating statistics, and for transporting of information to other applications.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein said operator establishes requirements for making said observations of quality based on at least one of a basic setting, a report interval, a maintenance schedule, and access level.

18. A system for monitoring telephone networks and/or data communication networks, especially cellular mobile telephone networks, the system including a plurality of base stations equipped with a transmitter and a receiver as well as a plurality of mobile units with equipment for communicating with at least one of said plurality of base stations, the system comprising;

an operator of a network;

at least one fixed and/or mobile unit, said at least one fixed and/or mobile unit configured for making at least one observation of quality, and said at least one fixed and/or mobile unit configured for engaging in a communication with said operator, said communication between said at least one fixed and/or mobile unit and said operator occurring via said network;

a database wherein data relating to observations of quality from said at least one fixed and/or mobile unit are stored and processed;

a data processor, said data processor configured so as to be controllable by said operator;

wherein said database is accessed by said data processor to retrieve at least part of said data relating to observations of quality that have been received and stored, the accessing allowing an analysis of larger or smaller geographical areas, as well as smaller sub-areas and regions thereof, a geographical position being further definable by smaller mesh-shaped parcels;

wherein said observations of quality comprise quality observation measurements that are presented for visualized inspection in at least one form selected from the group comprising map sheets, either as statistical overviews of accumulated measurements or as a route overview for a mobile conversation;

a grid overview; and

a chart overview; and

wherein a presentation in the form of a route overview includes a built-up route list, said built-up route list comprising at least one element selected from the group comprising identification of a selected mobile unit with associated identification;

time for starting and stopping;

original cell and cellular network;

available themes, including at least one of a reception level, a reception quality, and a time schedule;

events that are to be part of the analysis, including at least one of completed or noncompleted handovers, establishment of a connection, blocked call, rejected call, and signal to echo noise ratio; and

the presentation being shown in legible symbols.