Geolocation Data Acquisition via Network Probes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems lack detailed real-time quality of service information, particularly within buildings, due to reliance on average statistics and expensive drive tests, which are insufficient for identifying intermittent faults and do not provide immediate diagnostic insights.
Innovation Solution
A geolocation data acquisition system that employs network probes to continuously capture communication session data from call processors and base stations, creating a comprehensive database for real-time analysis of quality of service and fault detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If network probes continuously capture communication session data from all call processors, then quality of service measurement precision and fault detection capability are improved, but data storage requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the network into multiple call processor groups, each served by a dedicated data extraction module. This segmentation allows continuous monitoring of specific network segments without requiring all call processors to be monitored simultaneously, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision for each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary data extraction and filtering at the data extraction module level before storing data in the database. By preparing and pre-processing data at the source, the system reduces the complexity of subsequent data processing operations while maintaining comprehensive quality of service measurement capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If drive tests are conducted to assess coverage within a sector, then measurement precision improves, but cost and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously captures communication session data from all call processors without interruption. This continuous monitoring eliminates the need for periodic drive tests, providing ongoing coverage information without the time and cost penalties associated with manual testing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The network itself performs self-monitoring through automated data extraction modules that continuously capture quality of service parameters. This self-service capability replaces the need for external drive tests, providing comprehensive coverage data without requiring manual intervention or specialized testing equipment.
3Measurement precision
If GPS receivers are provided in mobile communication units, then location accuracy improves, but battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses network-based measurement data as an intermediary to determine user location and quality of service parameters. Instead of relying on GPS receivers in mobile devices, the network probes capture location information from base station data, eliminating the battery drain effect of GPS while maintaining location accuracy for network analysis.
4Loss of information
If emergency call geolocation is implemented, then location information availability improves, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The data extraction modules continuously capture quality of service data from all call processors for all calls, not just emergency calls. This universal data collection approach provides location information for both emergency and regular calls using the same infrastructure, eliminating the need for separate emergency-specific geolocation equipment while ensuring location information availability when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A geolocation data acquisition system (200) and method (400) for acquiring communication session data from a mobile radio communications network (210). A data extraction module (222, 226) extracts call session data continuously from a network of call processors (224, 228), each call processor supporting mobile communication units in an associated geographical region of the coverage area of the mobile radio communications network. The data extraction module (222, 226) provides the extracted data to one of several storage areas (260). In each storage area, a record is created of the communication session data for each call made within the coverage area of an associated set of call processors (224, 228). The records stored in each storage area (260) comprise the data available for all communication sessions in the geographical region associated with the corresponding set of call processors (224, 228).