Method and apparatus for tracking call processing failure data in a radiotelephone system

Abstract

A system (102) for monitoring call processing failures in a radiotelephone network (100) includes a server (140) coupled with the radiotelephone network and configured to receive call processing failure data. The system further includes a plurality (142) of clients configured to be coupled to the server on a network (144) for display and analysis of the call processing failure data. The clients may include a portable client (152, 154) for remote or wireless access to call processing failure data at the server, permitting troubleshooting and failure analysis in the field. The client computers are preferably Windows-based and provides both analog (AMPS) and digital call processing failure counts.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09 / 354,049 filed Jul. 15, 1999 in the name of Chuyun Wu and commonly assigned with the present application, which application is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.COPYRIGHT NOTICE [0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. MICROFICHE APPENDIX [0003] A microfiche appendix of computer program source code is included and comprises 2 sheets and a total of 114 frames. [0004] The Microfiche Appendix is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference, and contains material which is subject to copyright protection as set forth above. BA...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Call processing failures occur in radiotelephone systems for a variety of reasons.

Transmission from a local station may be unexpectedly interrupted if the mobile station enters a tunnel or loses battery power.

Other reasons exist as well, such as co-channel and adjacent channel interference.

Many such call processing failures occur randomly.

However, a large percentage of call processing failures may occur due to the same cause.

Such a cause might be an otherwise undetected equipment failure.

Another cause might be a break in coverage pattern of the system, where handoff failures occur.

While useful, this previous solution has not kept up as cellular systems expanded.

The PC is not portable, but requires a hard-wired connection directly to the cellular processor.

The former system only reads call processing failures in an analog advanced mobile phone system (AMPS), not the digital systems currently being deployed.

Historical failure data are lost.

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