Method and system for measuring data quality of service in a wireless network using multiple remote units and a back end processor

• US 6,928,280 B1
• Filed: 04/17/2000
• Issued: 08/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Nielsen Company LLC (MOOD Media Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Telephia Incorporated (RR Donnelley & Sons Company)
• Inventors: McDowell, Mark, Helinski, David, Stead, Graham, Khalil, Joseph, Kitchell, Joseph, Xanthos, James
• Primary Examiner(s): WASHINGTON, ERIKA ALISE
• Application Number:
  US09/550,955
• Time in Patent Office: 1,940 Days
• Field of Search: 455/423, 455/424, 455/425, 455/67.11, 455/67.13, 455/67.14, 455/67.15, 455/67.7, 455/452.2, 455/414.1, 455/456.1, 455/466, 455/446, 370/338, 709/232
• US Class Current: 455/423
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/6837 using probe arrays or probe chips C12Q1/6874 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/6844 Nucleic acid amplification reactions
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/689 for bacteria
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 2525/179 incorporating arbitrary or random nucleotide sequences
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 2565/101 Interaction between at least two labels
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5003 Managing SLA; Interaction between SLA and QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5087 wherein the managed service relates to voice services management of VoIP services H04M7/0081
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/509 wherein the managed service relates to media content delivery, e.g. audio, video or TV
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5093 wherein the managed service relates to messaging or chat services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic

Abstract

The present invention provides for a method and system for measuring data quality of service in a wireless network using multiple peripatetic (i.e. mobile) and/or stationary, unattended, position, and performance instruments (PUPPIs) that are remotely controlled by a back end processor. In some embodiments of the invention, the data service whose quality is measured relates to wireless Internet access, e-commerce transactions, wireless messaging, or push technologies. In other embodiments of the invention, the system includes an element that is located within the wireless network infrastructure, for example, at the WAP gateway to monitor the wireless data protocol and to perform benchmarking measurements.

Claims

1. A method for measuring data quality of service on a communication path between a first node in a traffic wireless network and a second node in a data network, the method comprising:

sending to the first node command information related to data quality of service measurements for at least one of the communications path and the second node;

performing measurements on at least one of the communication path and the second node to produce measurement information in relation to said command information; and

receiving response information in relation to said measurement information and said command information.

2. The measuring method of claim 1 wherein said sending step uses a wireless link.

3. The measuring method of claim 1, wherein said sending step uses a CDPD link.

4. The measuring method of claim 1, wherein said sending step uses a wireless LAN link.

5. The measuring method of claim 1, wherein said sending step uses a wired link.

6. The measuring method of claim 1, wherein said receiving step uses a wireless link.

7. The measuring method of claim 1, wherein said receiving step uses a CDPD link.

8. The measuring method of claim 1, wherein said receiving step uses a wireless LAN link.

9. The measuring method of claim 1, wherein said receiving step uses a wired link.

10. The measuring method of claim 1, wherein said performing step produces measurement information related to circuit switched data.

11. The measuring method of claim 1, wherein said performing step produces measurement information related to packet data.

12. The measuring method of claim 1, wherein said performing step produces measurement information related to SMS messages.

13. The measuring method of claim 1, wherein said performing step produces measurement information related to wireless Internet access.

14. The measuring method of claim 1, wherein said performing step produces measurement information related to wireless Internet transactions.

15. The measuring method of claim 14, wherein wireless Internet transactions are e-commerce transactions.

16. The measuring method of claim 1, wherein said performing step produces measurement information related to push data.

17. The measuring method of claim 1, wherein said performing step produces measurement information related to latency.

18. The measuring method of claim 1, wherein said performing step produces measurement information includes Layer 3 network information.

19. The measuring method of claim 1, wherein said performing step produces measurement information includes RF information.

20. The measuring method of claim 1, wherein said performing step produces measurement information includes call connection information.

21. The measuring method of claim 1, wherein said performing step produces measurement information related to iDEN.

22. The measuring method of claim 1, wherein said performing step produces measurement information related to CDMA.

23. The measuring method of claim 1, wherein said performing step produces measurement information related to TDMA.

24. The measuring method of claim 1, wherein said performing step produces measurement information related to AMPS.

25. The measuring method of claim 1, comprising the further step of:

scheduling missions related to said command information.

26. The measuring method of claim 1, comprising the further step of:

generating test traffic related to said measurement information.

27. The measuring method of claim 1, comprising the further step of:

storing said control information at a remote unit.

28. The measuring method of claim 1, comprising the further step of:

storing said measurement information at a remote unit.

29. The measuring method of claim 1, comprising the further step of:

pre-processing said measurement information at a remote unit.

30. The measuring method of claim 1, comprising the further step of:

post-processing said measurement information at a back end processor.

31. The measuring method of claim 1, comprising the further step of:

organizing remote unit data, related to said command information, at a back end processor.

32. The measuring method of claim 1, wherein said sending step includes sending said command information from a back end processor to at least one of a plurality of remote unit.

33. The measuring method of claim 1, wherein said performing step includes performing said measurements using one of a plurality of remote units.

34. The measuring method of claim 1, wherein said receiving step includes receiving said response information at a back end processor from at least one of a plurality of remote units.

35. The measuring method of claim 1, wherein said performing step produces measurement information related to CDPD.

36. The measuring method of claim 1, wherein said performing step produces measurement information related to PDAs.

37. The measuring method of claim 1, wherein said performing step produces measurement information related to GSM.

38. The measuring method of claim 1, wherein said performing step produces measurement information related to private data network traffic.

39. A method for measuring data quality of service in a traffic wireless network comprising:

sending command information related to data quality of service measurements;

performing measurements to produce measurement information in relation to said command information;

receiving response information in relation to said measurement information and said command information; and

monitoring WAP gateway functions.

40. A method for measuring data quality of service in a traffic wireless network comprising:

sending command information related to data quality of service measurements;

performing measurements to produce measurement information in relation to said command information;

receiving response information in relation to said measurement information and said command information; and

benchmarking in relation to a WAP gateway.

41. A measuring system for measuring data quality of service on communication paths between remote nodes in a wireless network and a node on a data network, the system comprising:

a back end processor for controlling the measuring system;

a plurality of remote units, in communication with said back end processor via a control link, acting as remote nodes to perform measurements on at least one of the communication paths and the node on the data network.

42. A measuring system for measuring data quality of service on at least one traffic wireless network, comprising:

a back end processor for controlling the measuring system;

a plurality of remote units, in communication with said back end processor via a control link, for performing measurements on the at least one traffic wireless network; and

a WAP monitor for monitoring WAP gateway functions.

43. A measuring system for measuring data quality of service on at least one traffic wireless network, comprising:

a back end processor for controlling the measuring system;

a plurality of remote units, in communication with said back end processor via a control link, for performing measurements on the at least one traffic wireless network; and

a WAP benchmarker for benchmarking in relation to a WAP gateway.

44. A remote unit, which is one of a plurality of remote units that communicates with a back end processor, for measuring data quality of service on a communication path between a first node in a traffic wireless network and a second node in a data network, the remote unit comprising:

a control unit for controlling said remote unit;

a location unit for providing position information;

a control link modem for communicating via a control link with the back end processor; and

at least one traffic modem for performing measurements on at least one of the communication path and the second node.

45. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein said control unit is a portable computer.

46. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein said control unit is a single board computer.

47. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein said location unit is a GPS receiver.

48. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein said control link modem is a CDPD modem.

49. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein said control link modem is a software-defined radio modem.

50. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein said control link modem is a wired modem.

51. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein each traffic modem of said at least one traffic modem performs measurements on a respective traffic wireless network of the at least one traffic wireless network.

52. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein a respective traffic modem of said at least one traffic modem is a modem module.

53. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein a respective traffic modem of said at least one traffic modem is a cellular phone.

54. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein a respective traffic modem of said at least one traffic modem is a software-defined radio.

55. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein a respective traffic modem of said at least one traffic modem is an iDEN modem.

56. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein a respective traffic modem of said at least one traffic modem is a CDMA modem.

57. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein a respective traffic modem of said at least one traffic modem is a TDMA modem.

58. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein a respective traffic modem of said at least one traffic modem is a GSM modem.

59. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein said measurements are performed on circuit switched data.

60. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein said measurements are performed on packet data.

61. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein said measurements are performed on SMS messages.

62. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein said measurements are performed on wireless Internet access.

63. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein said measurements are performed on wireless Internet transactions.

64. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein said measurements are performed on wireless Internet e-commerce transactions.

65. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein said measurements are performed on push data.

66. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein said measurements include latency measurements.

67. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein said measurements include data reliability.

68. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein said measurements include Layer 3 network information.

69. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein said measurements include RF information.

70. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein said measurements include call connection information.

71. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein each of said plurality of remote units includes a battery backup for providing backup battery power.

72. The remote unit of claim 44, further comprising:

an external storage for storing at least one of said measurements.

73. The remote unit of claim 44, further comprising:

a wireless LAN device for communicating with the back end processor.

74. The remote unit of claim 44, further comprising:

an RF scanner for measuring the at least one traffic wireless network.

75. The remote unit of claim 74, wherein said RF scanner is a software-defined radio.

76. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein said remote unit is stationary.

77. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein said remote unit is mobile.

78. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein said control link is wired.

79. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein said control link is wireless.

80. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein a respective traffic modem of said at least one traffic modem is a PDA modem.

81. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein a respective traffic modem of said at least one traffic modem is a CDPD modem.

82. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein said measurements are performed on PDA traffic.

83. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein said measurements are performed on CDPD traffic.

84. The remote unit of claim 44, wherein said measurements are performed on private data network access.

85. A method for measuring data quality of service on communication paths between plural remote units in a traffic wireless network and a second node in a data network, using a back end processor and the plural remote units, the method comprising:

sending command information from the back end processor to at least two of the plural remote units, the command information being related to data quality of service measurements for at least one of the communication paths and the second node;

performing measurements on at least one of the communication paths and the second node, using the at least two of the plural remote units, to produce measurement information in relation to said command information; and

receiving response information at the back end processor from the at least two of the plural remote units, said response information being in relation to said measurement information and said command information;

wherein said response information provides a measure of data quality of service for at least one of the communication paths and the second node.

86. A method for measuring data quality of service on a communication path between a first node in a traffic wireless network and a second node in a data network, the method comprising:

receiving at the first node command information related to data quality of service measurements for at least one of the communication path and the second node, the command information being sent from a back end processor;

performing one or more measurements of performance on at least one of the communication path and the second node to produce measurement information in relation to said command information; and

sending response information in relation to said measurement information and said command information to the back end processor.

87. A method for producing a measurement result that is indicative of data quality of service on communication paths between plural remote units in a traffic wireless network and a second node on a data network, the method comprising:

sending command information to the plural remote units, said command information being related to data quality of service measurements for at least one of the communication paths and the second node;

receiving response information from the plural remote units, said response information being in relation to said command information and measurements performed on the at least one of the communication paths and the second node via the plural remote units; and

generating a measurement result based on said response information.

88. A system for assessing data quality of service on communication paths between remote nodes in a wireless network and a node on a data network, the system comprising:

means for obtaining measurements, at a statistically significant number of locations, of a performance parameter of at least one of the communications paths and the node on the data network; and

means for consolidating information indicative of the measurements obtained by the means for obtaining;

wherein the information consolidated by the means for consolidating provides an assessment of data quality of service for the at least one of the communication paths and the node on the data network.

89. The system of claim 88, wherein the means for obtaining measurements comprises plural remote units.

90. The system of claim 89, wherein a portion of the plural remote units are mobile units.

91. The system of claim 89, wherein substantially all of the plural measurement units are mobile units.

92. The system of claim 89, wherein substantially all of the plural measurement units are stationary units.

93. The system of claim 88, wherein the means for consolidating comprises a back end processor.

94. The system of claim 88, wherein the means for obtaining measurements performs the function of obtaining measurements in response to command information received from the means for consolidating.

95. A device for obtaining measurements indicative of data quality of service for at least one of communication paths between the device on a wireless network providing data service and a node on a data network, the device comprising:

a control link modem providing communications with a back end processor;

a traffic modem providing communications via the wireless network;

a location unit providing position information; and

a computer, the computer comprising;

a processor in communication with the control link modem and the traffic modem, and being connected to the location unit, and

a memory, connected to the processor, bearing software instructions adapted to enable the computer to perform the steps of;

receiving command information from the back end processor;

sending test traffic over one or more of the communication paths from the device on the wireless network to the node on the data network based on the command information received from the back end processor;

receiving response traffic over the wireless network from the node on the data network in reply to the test traffic;

recording measurement information comprising information regarding the test traffic, the response traffic, and location information contemporaneous with the step of receiving response traffic; and

sending the recorded measurement information to the back end processor.

96. A device for obtaining measurements indicative of data quality of service for at least one of communication paths between the device on a wireless network providing data service and a node on a data network, the device comprising:

a control link modem providing communications with a back end processor;

a traffic modem providing communications via the wireless network;

a location unit providing position information; and

a computer, the computer comprising;

a processor in communication with the control link modem and the traffic modem, and being connected to the location unit, and

a memory, connected to the processor, bearing software instructions adapted to enable the computer to perform the steps of;

receiving command information from the back end processor;

receiving test traffic over one or more of the communication paths between the device on the wireless network and the node on the data network;

recording measurement information comprising information regarding the test traffic and location information contemporaneous with the step of receiving test traffic; and

sending the recorded measurement information to the back end processor.

97. A device for obtaining measurements indicative of data quality of service for at least one of communication paths between the device on a wireless network providing data service and a node on a data network, the device comprising:

a modem providing communications with a back end processor and providing communications via the wireless network;

a location unit providing position information; and

a computer, the computer comprising;

a processor in communication with the modem and being connected to the location unit, and

a memory, connected to the processor, bearing software instructions adapted to enable the computer to perform the steps of;

receiving command information from the back end processor;

sending test traffic over one or more of the communication paths from the device on the wireless network to the node on the data network based on the command information received from the back end processor;

receiving response traffic over the wireless network from the node on the data network in reply to the test traffic;

recording measurement information comprising information regarding the test traffic, the response traffic, and location information contemporaneous with the step of receiving response traffic; and

sending the recorded measurement information to the back end processor.

98. A device for obtaining measurements indicative of data quality of service for at least one of communication paths between the device on a wireless network providing data service and a node on a data network, the device comprising:

a modem providing communications with a back end processor and providing communications via the wireless network;

a location unit providing position information; and

a computer, the computer comprising;

a processor in communication with the modem and being connected to the location unit, and

a memory, connected to the processor, bearing software instructions adapted to enable the computer to perform the steps of;

receiving command information from the back end processor;

receiving test traffic over one or more of the communication paths between the device on the wireless network and the node on the data network;

recording measurement information comprising information regarding the test traffic and location information contemporaneous with the step of receiving test traffic; and

sending the recorded measurement information to the back end processor.