Mobile Robotic Platform for Wireless Network Site Surveys
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conducting thorough site surveys for wireless communications networks is time-consuming and labor-intensive, requiring manual testing at multiple locations, and subsequent assessments are often necessary for performance monitoring or after network modifications.
Innovation Solution
A mobile robotic platform is used to conduct functionality testing in wireless communications networks, equipped with client device emulation, performance metrics analysis, and autonomous navigation using waypoints, allowing for efficient navigation and load testing without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual site survey testing is performed by a test administrator walking the site location, then comprehensive coverage of the service coverage area is achieved, but the time required for testing increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of a test administrator physically walking and manually testing each location with an automated robotic platform that autonomously navigates and performs testing. The robotic system uses sensors, navigation algorithms, and automated test execution to conduct site surveys without human intervention, thereby maintaining comprehensive coverage while dramatically reducing testing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic testing platform performs self-navigation and self-testing capabilities. It autonomously determines its location, navigates to test points, establishes wireless connections, executes performance measurements, and collects data without requiring a human test administrator. This self-service approach enables continuous and comprehensive site surveying that would be impractical with manual methods.
2Reliability
If frequent site survey assessments are conducted for performance monitoring or after network modifications, then network performance reliability is maintained, but the time and manpower resources required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic platform enables continuous site surveying and performance monitoring without interruption. Unlike manual methods that require scheduling and human availability, the automated system can operate continuously to monitor network performance in real-time, providing ongoing reliability assurance without the resource constraints of manual reassessments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces repeated manual site survey procedures with an automated robotic system that can be deployed after network modifications to quickly verify performance. This substitution eliminates the need for human administrators to repeatedly walk through sites, thereby maintaining network reliability while improving testing efficiency and reducing resource consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual testing procedures are used for site surveys, then flexibility in adapting to different test requirements is maintained, but the labor intensity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic testing system incorporates dynamic adaptability through programmable test sequences and configurable measurement parameters. The system can be programmed to execute different test protocols, adjust measurement criteria, and modify navigation patterns based on specific network conditions and test requirements, thereby maintaining flexibility while reducing manual operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual operational complexity with automated control systems that manage test execution, data collection, and analysis. The robotic platform autonomously handles navigation, connection establishment, performance measurement, and data logging, thereby reducing labor intensity and operational complexity while maintaining the ability to adapt to different test scenarios through software configuration rather than manual intervention.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to one aspect, the disclosed subject matter describes herein a system that includes a mobile robotic platform for navigating within a coverage area associated with an access point belonging to a communications network under test, wherein the mobile robotic platform includes a client device emulation module configured to emulate multiple client devices that are wirelessly connected to the access point and to send emulated test traffic data to the access point from each of the emulated client devices via a wireless connection. The mobile robotic platform also includes a real client device that includes a client application configured to communicate simulated test traffic data to the access point via an established wireless connection and a performance metrics module configured to determine wireless communication performance metrics associated with the wireless connection between the access point and at least one of the real client device or the emulated client devices.