Testing methods and apparatus for wireless communications
View Patent ↗Several testing methods and apparatus for wireless communications, such as a cellular telephone communications, are described. One method for use in troubleshooting a problematic call in a wireless communication system by a computer test station includes the steps of receiving a telephone call from a wireless telephone unit while the wireless telephone unit is simultaneously connected in a call; receiving, during the telephone call, first information which identifies the wireless telephone unit and second information which identifies a wireless switch utilized in the call; sending, during the telephone call, a trace command having the caller ID information to an address associated with the wireless switch; and receiving, in response to sending the trace command, call trace information including information that identifies a plurality of devices of the wireless switch utilized in the call. In response, the computer test station delivers a message that includes this device information to, for example, the wireless telephone unit or a system maintenance computer for appropriate handling.
1. A method for use in troubleshooting a call in a wireless communication system by a computer test station, the method comprising:
receiving a telephone call from a wireless unit while the wireless unit is simultaneously connected in a call;
receiving, during the telephone call, first information which identifies the wireless unit and second information which identifies a wireless switch utilized in the call;
sending, during the telephone call, a call trace request using of the first and the second information; and
receiving, in response to sending the call trace request, call trace information including information that identifies a plurality of devices of the wireless switch utilized in the call.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein receiving the first information comprises receiving caller identification (ID) information.
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein receiving the second information comprises receiving dual-tone multiple-frequency (DTMF) digits corresponding to a wireless switch identifier.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein receiving call trace information comprises receiving information which identifies one echo canceller of a plurality of echo cancellers of the wireless switch utilized in the call.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein sending the call trace request with use of the first and the second information comprises sending, to an address corresponding to the wireless switch, a trace command having caller ID information corresponding to the wireless unit.
6. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
sending a message including at least portions of the call trace information to the wireless unit.
7. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
sending a message including at least portions of the call trace information to a preselected address.
8. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
recording and storing audio signals from the call as data in a file; and
sending a message including at least portions of the call trace information and the file to a preselected address.
9. A computer test station for troubleshooting a call in a wireless communication system, the computer test station comprising one or more processors that:
receive a telephone call from a wireless unit while the wireless unit is simultaneously connected in a call;
receive, during the telephone call, first information which identifies the wireless unit and second information which identifies a wireless switch utilized in the call;
send, during the telephone call, a call trace request with use of the first and the second information; and
receive, in response to sending the call trace request, call trace information including information that identifies a plurality of devices of the wireless switch utilized in the call.
10. The computer test station according to claim 9 wherein, to receive the first information, said one or more processors are further executable to receive caller identification (ID) information.
11. The computer test station according to claim 9 , wherein, to receive the second information, said one or more processors are further executable to receive dual-tone multiple-frequency (DTMF) digits corresponding to a wireless switch identifier.
12. The computer test station according to claim 9 , wherein, to receive the call trace information, said one or more processors are further executable to receive information which identifies one echo canceller of a plurality of echo cancellers at the wireless switch utilized in the call.
13. The computer test station according to claim 9 , wherein said one or more processors are further executable to send, to an address corresponding to the wireless switch, a trace command having caller ID information corresponding to the wireless unit.
14. The computer test station according to claim 9 , wherein said one or more processors are further executable to send a message including at least portions of the call trace information to the wireless unit.
15. The computer test station according to claim 9 , wherein said one or more processors are further executable to send a message including at least portions of the call trace information to a preselected address.
16. The computer test station according to claim 9 , wherein said one or more processors are further executable to record audio signals from the call and store the recording as data in a file; and send a message including at least portions of the call trace information and the file storing the audio signals to a preselected address.