PSAP Media Capability Profiling via Test Emergency Calls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack an efficient method to automatically determine the media handling capabilities of Public Safety Answering Platforms (PSAPs) covering cell sectors maintained by wireless networks, which is crucial for supporting next-generation 911 services, as existing methods are manual and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A network server generates test emergency services calls to PSAPs, identifying supported media formats and storing the information in a database, allowing for the creation of profiles that indicate which media formats are supported or unsupported, thereby enabling the network to convert or reject unsupported media formats in next-generation 911 calls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual methods are used to determine PSAP media handling capabilities, then human judgment can be applied, but the process is time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary testing by sending test emergency service calls to PSAPs before actual next-generation 911 service deployment. This advance capability assessment automatically determines media format support (voice, text, video, data) and stores results in profiles, eliminating the need for manual evaluation and preventing errors while saving time.
Solution Approach 2:
The PSAPs themselves participate in the capability determination process by responding to test calls with their supported media formats. This self-reporting mechanism allows the system to automatically build accurate capability profiles without external manual intervention, improving both accuracy and efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive media format testing is performed for all PSAPs, then complete capability profiles are obtained, but the complexity of the testing system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network server performs multiple functions using a single integrated system: it randomly selects cell sectors, generates test emergency service calls with various media formats, routes calls to appropriate PSAPs, receives capability responses, and stores profiles in databases. This multi-functional approach achieves comprehensive media format coverage without requiring separate complex testing systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system varies test parameters by randomly selecting different cell sectors and using multiple media formats (voice, text, video, data) in test calls. This parameter variation allows comprehensive capability assessment across diverse scenarios while maintaining a relatively simple testing framework through automated randomization.
3Reliability
If test emergency service calls are sent to all cell sectors, then complete PSAP coverage is achieved, but the number of calls and network traffic increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses random selection of cell sectors rather than testing every sector systematically. This partial action approach achieves statistically reliable capability profiles for the wireless network's PSAP coverage without generating an excessive number of test calls, balancing completeness with resource efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, and medium are provided for generating a profile for public safety answering platforms. The profile identifies media formats supported by the PSAPs at various cell sector locations maintained by a network provider. A network server selects a cell sector and generates a test emergency services call. The test emergency services call is transmitted to a PSAP. The PSAP generates a response that indicates whether the PSAP supports a media format identified in the test emergency services call. The PSAP transmits the response to the network server for storage in the profile.