Measurement Module for Wireless Network Quality Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for measuring wireless network quality are complex, expensive, and do not accurately reflect the user experience, as they use specialized equipment that differs from typical user devices, providing theoretical data that does not account for real-world interactions with the network.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a measurement module integrated with a mobile device to collect key performance indicators, such as signal strength and audio quality, in a format that reflects actual user experience, transmitted back to the device and organized for analysis, using interfaces like USB and Bluetooth, allowing for real-time data collection that mimics typical user interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If specialized network monitoring analyzers are used to collect network quality data, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and the data does not reflect true user experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copies of actual user devices (mobile phones, tablets, laptops) instead of specialized test equipment. These device copies run the same software and hardware as typical user devices, collecting network quality data in a manner that truly reflects user experience while maintaining measurement accuracy through standardized measurement software.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system is implemented across multiple types of common user devices (mobile phones, tablets, laptops) rather than requiring specialized equipment. This universal approach allows the same measurement functionality to be performed on various devices that users actually possess, eliminating the need for complex specialized analyzers.
2Measurement precision
If specialized test equipment is used to collect network data, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates as the equipment is not available to end users
Solution Approach 1:
Users can directly operate the measurement system on their own devices without requiring specialized equipment or expert intervention. The measurement software runs on standard user devices that users already possess and can operate independently, making network quality measurement accessible to end users while maintaining precision through standardized protocols.
3Device complexity
If conventional measurement methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of information increases as data does not reflect real user interactions
Solution Approach 1:
By using copies of actual user devices rather than simplified test equipment, the system captures genuine user interaction patterns and real-world network conditions. This approach preserves information about how users actually interact with networks while keeping the measurement system simple to deploy on existing devices.
4Measurement precision
If specialized equipment is used for network measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to custom equipment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is designed to run on universally available consumer devices (mobile phones, tablets, laptops) rather than requiring custom-manufactured specialized equipment. This approach maintains measurement precision through standardized software while dramatically simplifying manufacturing and deployment, as no custom hardware production is needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for measuring the quality of a wireless communications network includes a measurement module coupled to a mobile device, such as a cell phone. The mobile device is provisioned for typical use on the wireless communications network. The measurement module receives measurement data from the mobile device over a first interface. The measurement module organizes the measurement data into a second format and transmits that data back to the mobile device over a second interface. The measurement module includes a real-time clock so that the data is transmitted back to the mobile device in order to be joined with other measurement data concurrently gathered by the mobile device.