Patent ID: 8976689
Filing Date: 2015-03-10
Classification: H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: providing, by a host system computer to a test unit, a test protocol for configuring the test unit to accept and return streams of data packets directed to the test unit by the host system computer; receiving, at the host system computer from the test unit via a cell tower used by the test unit to communicate, a signal, the test unit disposed at a fixed location relative to the cell tower used by the test unit to communicate; determining, by the host system computer, an identity of the cell tower used by the test unit to communicate; identifying, by the host system computer, the test unit based on the identity of the cell tower used by the test unit to communicate; receiving, at the host system computer, information about the test unit, the information comprising a distance of the test unit relative to the cell tower used by the test unit to communicate and an existence of an obstruction between the test unit and the cell tower used by the test unit to communicate; transmitting, by the host system computer, a stream of data packets to the test unit; identifying, by the host system computer, a transmission path of network elements through which the stream of data packets flows as the stream of data packets is transmitted to the test unit, wherein the network elements comprise the cell tower used by the test unit to communicate; and tracking, by the host system computer, measurements associated with the stream of data packets transmitted to the test unit and associated with return data packets returned, by the test unit based on the test protocol, to the host system computer, the measurements tracked for segments associated with each of the network elements in the transmission path, and the information about the test unit used when assessing the measurements.