ELARS Wireless Network Configuration Auditing and Repair

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless telecommunications networks face challenges in maintaining optimal configuration and service quality for E911 and location-based services, particularly in detecting and correcting configuration errors that can lead to service degradations and potential outages, which are critical for ensuring accurate location determination and disaster recovery.

Innovation Solution

The E911/LBS Auditing and Repair System (ELARS) tool automatically identifies configuration errors by comparing current network configurations to a signature configuration, enabling self-checking, automated validation of connections, and initiating repairs to restore network health, ensuring optimal performance, disaster recovery, and business continuity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual configuration auditing and repair methods are used, then configuration errors can be detected and corrected, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoidauditing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by automatically comparing current network configurations against stored signature configurations, allowing the network to self-diagnose and self-correct configuration errors without manual intervention, thus achieving both high reliability and efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical auditing processes with automated electronic comparison systems that use computer algorithms to rapidly compare configuration data, substituting human labor with automated computational methods to reduce time while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If comprehensive configuration monitoring is implemented to ensure service quality, then service reliability improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice qualityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing signature configurations that represent optimal network states, allowing rapid comparison and detection of deviations before they cause service failures, thus ensuring service quality without requiring complex real-time analysis systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent monitors configuration parameters by comparing specific configuration data points against stored signatures, focusing on critical parameters rather than exhaustive monitoring of all system aspects, thereby maintaining service quality while limiting system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Duration of action of stationary object

If automated repair systems are deployed to correct configuration errors, then service continuity improves, but initial setup and implementation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice continuityVSAvoidimplementation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses copying by creating and storing signature configurations that represent correct network states, then automatically copying these signature configurations to replace erroneous configurations, enabling automated repair through simple copy operations rather than complex repair logic

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent prepares repair solutions in advance by pre-storing multiple signature configurations for different network states, allowing the system to immediately apply the appropriate pre-prepared configuration when an error is detected, ensuring service continuity without complex real-time decision-making

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8665750B2Methods, devices, and computer program products for auditing and repairing a wireless telecommunications network configuration

Publication Date: 2014.03.04 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

A wireless telecommunications network configuration is audited and repaired. Configuration data is received, representing a current configuration of network elements within the network. The current configuration indicates how network elements are configured within the network or routing and handling communications within the network. Fault and performance data is received representing a current level service quality of the network. The current configuration data is compared to a signature configuration of the network, the signature configuration representing how network elements should be configured within the network such that communications are routed and handled for at least one of optimal performance, disaster recovery, and operation continuity. A determination is made, based on the comparison and the collected fault and performance data, whether repairs are needed to the current configuration of the network. Repair information is provided for the network elements needing repairs based on a determination that repairs are needed.