Dual-Scanner Wireless Spectrum Analysis for Fast BSIC Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless network scanners are limited by slow scanning rates due to the need to decode base station identification codes (BSIC), which restricts the ability to accurately determine geographic locations of signal strength measurements, especially when the user is in motion.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dual-scanner system where one scanner decodes BSIC while the other measures signal strength at a faster rate without decoding, allowing for timestamp and location correlation to associate BSIC with signal strength measurements, enabling faster and more accurate geographic location identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single scanner decodes BSIC to identify base stations, then base station identification accuracy is improved, but scanning speed decreases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the scanning system into two separate scanners: a first scanner dedicated to decoding BSIC for base station identification, and a second scanner dedicated to measuring signal strength without decoding. This segmentation allows each scanner to specialize in one function, improving overall system performance by eliminating the trade-off between identification accuracy and scanning speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the outputs of two separate scanners through a correlator that merges BSIC identification data with signal strength measurements using timestamp and location correlation. This merging allows the system to achieve both accurate base station identification and fast scanning rates simultaneously.
2Productivity
If a single scanner measures signal strength at high speed without decoding, then scanning speed is improved, but base station identification capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The first scanner performs preliminary BSIC decoding and identification before the second scanner measures signal strength. The identification results are then correlated with the fast signal strength measurements using timestamp and location data, allowing the system to recover base station identification information that would otherwise be lost in high-speed scanning.
Solution Approach 2:
The correlator acts as an intermediary that connects the fast signal strength measurements from the second scanner with the BSIC identification data from the first scanner. By using timestamp and location as matching criteria, the correlator restores base station identification capability to the high-speed signal strength measurements.
3Measurement precision
If scanning time is extended to decode BSIC for all frequencies, then measurement accuracy is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scanning process into two parallel operations: one dedicated to BSIC decoding and another to signal strength measurement. This eliminates the sequential time consumption where signal strength measurements must wait for BSIC decoding to complete, as both operations occur simultaneously with their own optimized timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The second scanner continuously measures signal strength without interruption or waiting for BSIC decoding cycles. The BSIC decoding by the first scanner runs independently and continuously as well. This continuous operation of both scanners maximizes the use of time and resources, eliminating idle periods and maintaining constant measurement accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are disclosed to scan a wireless communication spectrum. An example method disclosed herein includes causing a first scanner to determine, for a frequency of a wireless communication spectrum, a decoded base station identifier, causing a second scanner to determine a plurality of signal strengths at the frequency without determining a base station identifier, and determining that the base station identifier is associated with a subset of the plurality of signal strengths by comparing at least one of timestamps and locations associated with the base station identifier and the plurality of signal strengths.