Network Performance Measurement System for Wireless Signal Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to accurately assess the wireless signal quality at each mobile handset in cellular networks and cannot provide overall network performance monitoring across wireless networks with non-uniform access points, such as IEEE 802.11 systems, limiting the ability to optimize network performance for real-time applications.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that measure application-specific network performance by gathering radio statistics like packet error rate, received signal strength, and data rate from wireless devices and network concentrators, communicating this data to a central unit for comprehensive network performance analysis, enabling real-time monitoring of both wireless and wired components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If point-to-point quality measurement systems are used at base stations, then signal quality at the base station can be assessed, but the signal quality at each mobile handset cannot be measured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network measurement function by deploying separate measurement devices at each access point and mobile station, rather than relying on a single centralized base station measurement system. This segmentation enables independent measurement at each node and aggregation of results for comprehensive network assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network management server as an intermediary that collects, aggregates, and analyzes measurement data from multiple access points and mobile stations. This intermediary consolidates distributed measurements into comprehensive network performance assessments.
2Measurement precision
If network sniffers are used to measure signal quality at each access point, then access point performance can be assessed, but the system is not mobile and cannot measure wireless device performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static network sniffer into a dynamic measurement system by implementing software-based measurement capabilities in mobile devices and access points. This enables measurements to be taken from multiple moving positions throughout the network rather than from a fixed location.
3Reliability
If centralized collection of performance data is implemented, then overall network performance monitoring is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal measurement framework where the same measurement and data collection mechanisms are used across all access points and mobile stations regardless of their specific roles in the network. This standardized approach simplifies the overall system architecture while enabling comprehensive monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
An application specific, network performance measurement system and method are provided wherein the application operates over a network wherein the performance of the network at one or more elements of the network is measured.