Terminal Evaluation Unit for Malfunction Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting malfunctioning terminals in cellular networks are reactive and do not effectively measure perceived quality per user, leading to ongoing quality issues and subscriber churn due to undetected network problems not related to node malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A method and arrangement in a terminal evaluation unit that calculates and compares individual connection drop rates of terminals to a mean drop rate, determining if a terminal is malfunctioning based on this ratio, and provides results to network operators for proactive evaluation and action.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If network operators monitor network nodes to detect quality issues, then network node malfunction can be identified, but individual terminal quality problems cannot be measured
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the quality measurement from network-node level to individual terminal level. By calculating separate connection drop rates for each terminal and comparing them to cell-level mean drop rates, the system can identify quality issues specific to individual terminals rather than attributing all drops to network node problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces connection drop rate as an intermediary metric that bridges network node monitoring and individual terminal assessment. This metric allows the system to evaluate terminal performance indirectly through connection behavior data, enabling quality measurement for terminals without direct monitoring capability.
2Reliability
If reactive quality measurement methods are used, then network operators can identify quality issues, but subscriber churn rate increases due to delayed response
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables preliminary detection of terminal malfunction by continuously monitoring connection drop rates and identifying terminals with abnormal drop patterns before they cause significant subscriber churn. The system proactively flags potential issues rather than waiting for reactive complaints from subscribers.
3Measurement precision
If connection data is collected and analyzed for all terminals, then individual terminal quality can be assessed, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality analysis by calculating connection drop rates specific to each terminal's operational context (cell location, time period) and comparing them against locally relevant mean drop rates. This targeted approach allows individual terminal assessment without requiring complex analysis of all network data.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and arrangement in a terminal evaluation unit for detecting a malfunctioning terminal in a cellular network is provided. Connection data is received from at least one network node in the cellular network, wherein the connection data is referring to connections of terminals when present in cells of the cellular network. A mean connection drop rate is calculated based on the connection data for the terminals when present at least in a first cell during a preset time period. An individual connection drop rate which is associated with the first terminal is determined from the connection data. Deciding, based on a ratio between the individual connection drop rate and the mean drop rate, whether or not the first terminal is malfunctioning and providing the result from the deciding action to a cellular network operator for further evaluation.