Crowd-Sourced Wireless Coverage Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques for generating coverage maps in telecommunications do not accurately represent real-world conditions, as they fail to account for obstructions like buildings and trees, leading to less than accurate coverage information.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves collecting and aggregating data from devices connected to a service provider's network to generate coverage maps that reflect real-world conditions, using user data to verify signal strength and quality, and presenting this information through user interfaces such as maps, graphs, or charts for improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If engineering estimates and prediction models are used to generate coverage maps, then coverage information can be obtained without extensive field testing, but the accuracy of coverage information deteriorates because real-world obstructions like buildings and trees are not accounted for
Solution Approach 1:
The system collects actual signal strength measurements from user devices in the field and uses this feedback data to verify and update coverage map predictions. The coverage verification module compares predicted coverage with actual measurements, creating a closed-loop system that continuously improves accuracy based on real-world performance data.
Solution Approach 2:
User devices automatically contribute signal strength measurements and location data to the coverage verification system without requiring dedicated field testing equipment. The system leverages the existing network of user devices to gather coverage data, turning end-users into passive participants in coverage verification.
2Productivity
If traditional prediction models are used, then coverage maps can be generated quickly without extensive data collection, but the reliability of coverage information deteriorates due to lack of real-world condition consideration
Solution Approach 1:
The system first generates coverage predictions using engineering models before field verification. This preliminary coverage map serves as a hypothesis that is then tested against actual measurements, allowing the system to maintain quick initial generation while subsequently improving reliability through verification.
Solution Approach 2:
Actual signal measurements from user devices provide feedback that validates or corrects the preliminary prediction models. The system uses this feedback to identify areas where predictions diverge from reality, improving the reliability of future predictions while maintaining efficient generation speeds.
3Use of energy by moving object
If engineering estimates are used for coverage determination, then resource consumption is reduced, but the quality of service information deteriorates due to inability to account for real-world signal blocking
Solution Approach 1:
The system leverages the computational resources and sensing capabilities of user devices themselves to collect and report signal strength data. This eliminates the need for dedicated field testing equipment and reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining measurement accuracy through distributed data collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from actual device measurements to correct engineering estimates. By comparing predicted signal strength with actual measurements from multiple devices, the system can identify patterns of signal blocking by buildings and trees, improving accuracy without proportionally increasing energy consumption.
Data Source
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AI summary
Verifying coverage based at least in part on crowd-sourced data associated with devices that are communicatively coupled to a service provider via a network is described. Techniques described herein include determining coverage data associated with a plurality of areas corresponding to a geographical location. In an example, the coverage data can indicate whether coverage associated with each area of the plurality of areas is verified coverage such that individual devices of a plurality of devices have successfully connected to a service provider above a threshold number of times in each area. Additionally, the techniques described herein include generating a user interface to graphically represent the coverage in the geographical location via a coverage map including a plurality of tiles respectively corresponding to the plurality of areas, each tile of the plurality of tiles being associated with a presentation indicating whether coverage associated with a corresponding area is verified coverage.