Modular Test Probe Emulating Cellular Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring the quality of cellular phone networks are unreliable due to the limitations of consumer cellular phones and fail to accurately emulate the customer experience, making it difficult to consistently and reliably assess signal strength, noise, and data transmission accuracy across large wireless networks.
Innovation Solution
A test probe system that includes an interconnect module, a communication module, an identification module, an audio module, and a computer to emulate a cellular device, allowing for remote control and data transfer, enabling accurate measurement of network parameters and customer experience simulation across various locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If consumer cellular phones are used to measure network quality, then measurements can be obtained at various locations, but the measurements are not repeatable and do not provide reliable results
Solution Approach 1:
The test probe is divided into modular components: a replaceable wireless module that can be exchanged to emulate different cellular devices, while the main body contains stable measurement and control electronics. This segmentation allows the system to maintain consistent measurement capabilities while adapting to different network conditions through module replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The test probe creates a controlled copy of a cellular device environment through the wireless module, which replicates the radio interface and protocol behavior. This controlled copy provides repeatable measurements by eliminating the variability inherent in consumer phones while still measuring actual network performance.
2Reliability
If a radio module is controlled directly by a computer, then meaningful measurements can be made, but it does not actually measure the customer experience
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless module acts as an intermediary between the computer control system and the cellular network. It translates computer control commands into proper cellular protocols and emulates real customer device behavior, thereby capturing actual customer experience while maintaining measurement consistency through controlled operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by replacing the wireless module to emulate different cellular devices, operating systems, and network conditions. This allows the same controlled platform to accurately measure customer experience across various scenarios while maintaining reliable and repeatable test conditions.
3Ease of operation
If consumer cellular phones are used for testing, then on-site measurements can be performed, but the quality and reliability of the phones limit the measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The test probe is designed as a universal testing platform that can emulate multiple types of cellular devices through replaceable wireless modules. This single device can perform on-site measurements with the ease of a consumer phone while providing the measurement precision of a controlled test instrument across various network conditions and device types.
Data Source
AI summary
A test probe. The test probe includes an interconnect module configured to connect to a modular, replaceable wireless module, a connect module configured to communicate with a communication network and the wireless module, an identification module configured to receive and transmit an identification of the test probe, an audio module configured to enable transfer of audio data from/for communication with the communication network from/to the wireless module and to translate audio data to/from audio signals, and a computer configured to enable transfer of audio signals from/to the audio module, transfer of digital data from/to the wireless module, and transfer of test data to/from a remote controller. Test data from the remote controller comprises instructions to control the wireless module and data for the wireless module to transfer to the connect module, and test data transmitted to the remote controller comprises digital data and audio data received from the wireless module.