Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods can be provided for measuring a parameter—e.g., channel impulse response and/or power delay profile—of a wideband, millimeter-wave (mmW) channel. The exemplary systems can include a receiver configured to receive a first signal from the channel, generate a second signal, and measure the parameter based on a comparison between the first and second signals; and a controller configured to determine first and second calibration of the system before and after measuring the parameter, and determine a correction for the parameter measurement based on the first and second calibrations. Exemplary methods can also be provided for calibrating a system for measuring the channel parameter. Such methods can be utilized for systems in which the TX and RX devices share a common frequency source and for systems in which the TX and RX devices have individual frequency sources that free-run during channel measurements.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods can be provided for measuring a parameter—e.g., channel impulse response and/or power delay profile—of a wideband, millimeter-wave (mmW) channel. The exemplary systems can include a receiver configured to receive a first signal from the channel, generate a second signal, and measure the parameter based on a comparison between the first and second signals; and a controller configured to determine first and second calibration of the system before and after measuring the parameter, and determine a correction for the parameter measurement based on the first and second calibrations. Exemplary methods can also be provided for calibrating a system for measuring the channel parameter. Such methods can be utilized for systems in which the TX and RX devices share a common frequency source and for systems in which the TX and RX devices have individual frequency sources that free-run during channel measurements.

Abstract: A system and method for design, tracking, measurement, prediction and optimization of data communications networks includes a site specific model of the physical environment, and performs a wide variety of different calculations for predicting network performance using a combination of prediction modes and measurement data based on the components used in the communications networks, the physical environment, and radio propagation characteristics.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a site specific representation of an environment are disclosed. The system and method comprise sending an RF signal and receiving a reflected RF signal. Based upon determining characteristics of the reflected RF signal, characteristics of an obstruction in the environment are computed. Finally, a site specific representation of the environment based upon the computed characteristics is created.

Abstract: A Building Database Manipulator to build databases for a variety of physical environments including definitions of buildings, terrain and other site parameters, by scanning in or rapidly editing data. Raster scans may be entered or object files in various formats may be used as input. Detailed information is stored in the drawing database about the object's location, radio frequency attenuation, color, and other physical information such as electrical characteristics and intersections of the object with the ground, floors, ceilings, and other objects when objects are formatted in a drawing. The formatting process is strictly two-dimensional in nature, but the resulting drawing is a true three-dimensional environment. The user sees the three-dimensional building structure by altering the views. The resulting database may be used in a variety of modeling applications, but is especially useful for engineering, planning and management tools for in-building or microcell wireless systems.

Abstract: A computerized model provides a display of a physical environment in which a communications network is or will be installed. The communications network is comprised of several components, each of which are selected by the design engineer and which are represented in the display. Errors in the selection of certain selected components for the communications network are identified by their attributes or frequency characteristics as well as by their interconnection compatibility for a particular design. The effects of changes in frequency on component performance are modeled and the results are displayed to the design engineer. A bill of materials is automatically checked for faults and generated for the design system and provided to the design engineer. For ease of design, the design engineer can cluster several different preferred components into component kits, and then select these component kits for use in the design or deployment process.

Abstract: A computerized system allows for collecting data for a spatially distributed group of objects or networks by either skilled or unskilled personnel and for analyzing the collected data in an environmental database.

Abstract: A method for visualizing and efficiently making comparisons of communication system performance utilizing predicted performance, measured performance, or other performance data sets is described. A system permits visualizing the comparisons of system performance data in three-dimensions using fluctuating elevation, shape, and/or color within a three-dimensional computer drawing database consisting of one or more multi-level buildings, terrain, flora, and additional static and dynamic obstacles (e.g., automobiles, people, filing cabinets, etc.). The method enables a design engineer to visually compare the performance of wireless communication systems as a three-dimensional region of fluctuating elevation, color, or other aesthetic characteristics with fully selectable display parameters, overlaid with the three-dimensional site-specific computer model for which the design was carried out.

Abstract: A method for visualizing and efficiently making comparisons of communication system performance utilizing predicted performance, measured performance, or other performance data sets is described. A system permits visualizing the comparisons of system performance data in three-dimensions using fluctuating elevation, shape, and/or color within a three-dimensional computer drawing database consisting of one or more multi-level buildings, terrain, flora, and additional static and dynamic obstacles (e.g., automobiles, people, filing cabinets, etc.). The method enables a design engineer to visually compare the performance of wireless communication systems as a three-dimensional region of fluctuating elevation, color, or other aesthetic characteristics with fully selectable display parameters, overlaid with the three-dimensional site-specific computer model for which the design was carried out.

Abstract: A computerized model provides a display of a physical environment in which a communications network is or will be installed. The communications network is comprised of several components, each of which are selected by the design engineer and which are represented in the display. Errors in the selection of certain selected components for the communications network are identified by their attributes or frequency characteristics as well as by their interconnection compatibility for a particular design. The effects of changes in frequency on component performance are modeled and the results are displayed to the design engineer. A bill of materials is automatically checked for faults and generated for the design system and provided to the design engineer. For ease of design, the design engineer can cluster several different preferred components into component kits, and then select these component kits for use in the design or deployment process.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a site specific representation of an environment are disclosed. The system and method comprise sending an RF signal and receiving a reflected RF signal. Based upon determining characteristics of the reflected RF signal, characteristics of an obstruction in the environment are computed. Finally, a site specific representation of the environment based upon the computed characteristics is created.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for designing or deploying a communications network is disclosed. A computerized model which represents a physical environment in which a communications network is or will be installed is provided. System components which may be used in the physical network as a part of the network having electrical characteristics or frequency specific information are identified. At least one component kit composed of at least two system components, wherein interconnectivity of the at least two system components without a fault is assured, is also identified. Using the computerized model, at least one performance characteristic for a part of the communications network is determined. At least one component kit in a part of the communications network together with a representation of a part of the physical environment is represented.

Abstract: A computerized model provides a display of a physical environment in which a communications network is or will be installed. The communications network is comprised of several components, each of which are selected by the design engineer and which are represented in the display. Errors in the selection of certain selected components for the communications network are identified by their attributes or frequency characteristics as well as by their interconnection compatability for a particular design. The effects of changes in frequency on component performance are modeled and the results are displayed to the design engineer. A bill of materials is automatically checked for faults and generated for the design system and provided to the design engineer. For ease of design, the design engineer can cluster several different preferred components into component kits, and then select these component kits for use in the design or deployment process.

Abstract: A computerized system allows for collecting data for a spatially distributed group of objects or networks by either skilled or unskilled personnel and for analyzing the collected data in an environmental database.

Abstract: A method for engineering management and planning for the design of a communications network in three dimensions (3-D) combines computerized organization, database fusion, and site-specific communication system performance prediction models. The method enables a designer to keep track of communication system performance through the process of pre-bid, design, installation and maintenance of a communication system. Automated selection, placement and configuration of communication component equipment can be performed using desired performance criteria identified at finite locations within the environment along with a finite set of communication component models and suitable locations and configurations in the environment.

Abstract: A computerized system allows for collecting data for a spatially distributed group of objects or networks by either skilled or unskilled personnel and for analyzing the collected data in an environmental database.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring and monitoring wireless network performance in campus and indoor environments provides for embedding measured network and signal properties at one or more locations within a facility into a site specific computer model which represents the facility. The computer representation is preferably three dimensional. The system and method allows for automatic, periodic, or location specific taking of measurements, and automatic or periodic embedding of measured data. The system and method allows real time or non-real time measurement and storing of performance data, and the invention is useful for test, measurement, verification, and in-situ or remote monitoring for on-going validation and maintenance of wireless networks.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating the position of wireless devices within a wireless communication network combines measured RF channel characteristics for the wireless device with one or more predicted performance lookup tables, each of which correlates an RF channel characteristic to some higher order network performance metric and/or a position within an environmental model. Measured RF channel characteristics for wireless devices are compared against the performance lookup tables to determine the sent of lookup tables that most closely match the measured RF channel characteristics. The positions within the environmental model corresponding to the selected set of matching lookup tables are identified as possible locations for the wireless device. The performance lookup tables are uniquely constructed by site-specific location, technology, wireless standard, and equipment types, and/or the current operating state of the communications network.

Abstract: A system and method which employ one or more portable hand held computers and one or more servers, allows a field engineer to complete the entire design, deployment, test, optimization, and maintenance cycle required to implement successful communications networks. The portable hand held computer provides the user with a three-dimensional display of the physical environment in which a communications network will be deployed or optimized. The engineer may take the portable hand held computer into the field, and make alterations to the components, position of the components, orientation of the components, etc. based on on-site inspection. As these alterations to the computerized model are made, predictions for the effects these changes will have on the communications network are displayed to the engineer. Measurements may also be made using equipment connected to or contained in the portable hand held computer, and these measurements may be used to optimize performance criteria.

Abstract: A system and method for design, tracking, measurement, prediction and optimization of data communications networks includes a site specific model of the physical environment, and performs a wide variety of different calculations for predicting network performance using a combination of prediction modes and measurement data based on the components used in the communications networks, the physical environment, and radio propagation characteristics.