Mobile unit and network element for testing RF coverage
View Patent ↗A mobile unit and network element are used to test RF coverage in a wireless communication network. A mobile unit receives testing location information, including the cell location data and the boundary information, from a network element. The mobile unit moves about the testing location and receives information about the RF quality of the signal and stores this data. The mobile unit periodically sends the stored data to the network element. The network element includes a correlation element that correlates the received data to form new values for each of the cell sites tested. This correlated value can be used for multiple cell sites to determine which cell sites most need additional RF coverage testing. In addition, the network element can map the data and either send to the mobile unit, display on a monitor at the network element, or sent to a web server for access via the Internet.
1. A network element comprising:
a processor for determining testing location information and a time interval;
a correlation database coupled to the processor, wherein the correlation database stores the testing location information and the time interval;
a transmitter coupled to the processor, the transmitter effective in sending the testing location information to a mobile unit;
a receiver coupled to the processor and effective in receiving data from the mobile unit;
memory coupled to the processor and effective in storing the data;
a correlation element coupled to the processor, the correlation element effective in correlating the data;
wherein the correlation element correlates the data by comparing measured data locations with received data for each cell and combines them to form new correlated values; and
wherein the correlation element compares a first correlated value related to a first cell site to a second correlated value associated with a second cell site, and wherein the comparison determines which cell site should be tested next.
2. A network element in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the processor is effective in determining if testing is not complete, and if the testing is not complete sending updated correlated testing location information.
3. A network element in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the correlation element performs analysis of RF coverage based on the received data.
4. A network element in accordance with claim 3 , wherein the correlation element utilizes initial testing location information and the received data.
5. A network element in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the data includes a recorded cell ID, and wherein the correlation element correlates the recorded cell ID to a cell ID of an actual cell location.
6. A network element in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the correlation element plots the testing location information on a map.
7. A network element in accordance with claim 6 , wherein the map is sent via the transmitter to a mobile unit.