Taxis and buses measure wireless quality

Can taxis and buses measure wireless network quality? According to Andrew Corporation yes, taxis and buses are important extensions of a wireless network operator's efforts to measure network performance and improve service levels.

The Invex3G autonomous drive test product is an extension of Andrew's Invex3G, an industry standard data collection platform used by operators and independent testing companies.

The system provides quality of service metrics for voice and data calls, with the ultimate goal to measure the performance of a wireless for maintenance, optimisation or competitive analysis.

"Invex3G Autonomous puts a vast fleet of third-party vehicles to work on behalf of wireless users everywhere," said Martin Coates, vice-president, Network Solutions-Europe.

Drive testing is a method used by wireless operators to determine in real time how networks are performing in areas such as signal coverage and call quality.

This specialised activity requires skilled personnel to travel in a vehicle with the drive test equipment, but the company's system is an option that means that technicians no longer have to accompany the equipment while capturing all the important data that enables operators to upgrade the service they provide to users.

The system is fully self-contained and fully remotely controlled, with an intelligent power management system to ensure it remains alert and accessible during any power condition, including long periods of vehicle inactivity.

The equipment uses standard consumer handsets. Antennas are standard off the shelf items that are connected to a mobile phone for improved range and performance.

The equipment can have a combination of handsets for voice calls and aircards for data calls. In combination, the unit can house up to six handsets and one aircard or seven aircards and two handsets.

It operates on all mobile frequency bands from 850 to 2100 MHz.

It supports multiple aircards and handsets and includes a GPS receiver to provide constant location information. GPS is used to identify the location of the equipment as calls are placed in the network

Other advantages include:

• A reduction in an operator's traditional drive testing and benchmarking costs, while freeing up the valuable time of its skilled technicians and engineers;

• The equipment runs unattended and operates remotely, enabling drive test data and results to be sent across a remote radio link between the test equipment and a central operations centre;

• It can be installed into third-party fleet vehicles such as taxis, buses, trains and delivery trucks without the need for radio planners and technicians to attend to the equipment during testing or idle times.

The system enables wireless network operators to view their services from the subscribers' perspective, providing quality-of-service measurements including mean opinion scores, data throughput and call details. And the system provides the objective means for network operators to assess and improve service levels and use of key resources.

It supports all major mobile wireless technologies and can simultaneously scan multiple radio frequency carriers for multi-technology testing.

Pairing drive test high-speed data-collection hardware with an easy-to-use, flexible PC graphical user interface and display, means it provides a complete measurement solution for wireless network planning, maintenance, optimisation and benchmarking.