Assessing interference environment for wireless communication devices
Disclosed is a device and method to automate the process of measuring RF noise, correlating measured noise with known sources, and making adjustments to the noise-measuring and reporting process. A wireless communication device is coupled to equipment at a fixed location, and transmits data about the operation of the equipment back to an operator, via a provider's network. Examples include fixed wireless terminals. A management entity aboard the wireless communication device performs the measurements via a transceiver, and performs remedial actions when required, without requiring an onsite technician or remote assistance. The management entity may include a spectrum analyzer.
1. A device, comprising:
a processor; and
a memory storing logical instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
measuring a radio-frequency (RF) spectrum within a range of an antenna coupled to the processor, and
comparing the RF spectrum with a known ambient RF spectrum to determine a noise level.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the known ambient RF spectrum is obtained at a time that the device is known to be operating properly.
3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the ambient RF spectrum includes a composite of ambient RF spectrums measured at different times.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the RF spectrum includes a network signal and an interference measurement from an RF source.
5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the RF source is one of a GSM, UMTS, LTE, COMA, WiFi, and WiMax network.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the noise level includes any combination of: an error rate, an interference level, and an interference mask.
7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the interference mask represents a known source of noise.
8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the known source of noise is a signal from a third-party network.
9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the operations further comprise adjusting a frequency of measurement, adjusting a type of measurement, reporting the noise level, generating an alarm, and changing an operating band to avoid interference.
10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the operations further comprise de-registering from a network prior to measuring the RF spectrum.
11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the operations further comprise presenting a user interface via a display in communication with the processor, the user interface displaying the noise level.
12. The device of claim 11 , wherein the user interface enables an adjustment of a frequency and a type of noise signature measurement.
13. The device of claim 11 , wherein the display is coupled to a remote device across a network in communication with the processor.
14. A method, comprising:
utilizing a device including a processor for measuring a radiofrequency (RF) signal around an antenna coupled to the device, the RF signal including an interference level;
comparing the noise signature with an ambient RF signal, the ambient RF signal representative of an environment where the device is known to be operating properly; and
determining that a noise threshold is exceeded, the noise threshold including one of a signal strength of a provider's network, an error rate, an interference level, or an interference mask.
15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising performing a remedial action.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the remedial action comprises one or more of: adjusting a frequency of measurement, adjusting a type of measurement, generating an alert, and changing an operating band to avoid interference.
17. The method of claim 14 , further comprising: de-registering from a network prior to measuring the RF signal.
18. The method of claim 14 , further comprising displaying the RF measurement along with a plurality of user options on a user interface on a display coupled to the device.
19. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
measuring an ambient signature of a radio-frequency (RF) environment around an antenna coupled to the processor, the ambient signature including an interference signature for a known third-party network;
storing the ambient signature;
measuring a noise level;
comparing the noise level with the ambient signature; and
determining that a threshold is exceeded.
20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 19 , wherein the noise level is representative of another RF source, and wherein measuring the noise level includes comparing a measured interference level with the interference signature for the known third-party network.