Abstract: In a communication network architecture, a service provider monitors its customer's experience as the customer selects and uses services offered by the service provider. An agent, such as software installed on-board the customer's mobile equipment, measures parameters that are related to the services, and communicates the measured parameters to the service provider, over the communication network.

Abstract: In a communication network architecture including mobile equipment that employs multiple functions selectable for use by the user, the functions having respective measurable parameters, a service provider monitors the user's behavior with, and use of, the mobile equipment. An agent, such as software installed on-board the mobile equipment, measures parameters that are related to the user's behavior and use of the mobile equipment, and communicates the measured parameters to the service provider, over the communication network. The agent detects change of such user behavior and use, and accordingly changes parameters to measure and report on.

Abstract: In a communication network architecture having multiple technology coverage areas that support different network technologies, a service provider monitors its customer's experience as the customer roams between technology coverage areas. An agent, such as software installed on-board the customer's mobile equipment, measures parameters that are related to the network technology, and communicates the measured parameters to the service provider, over the communication network.

Abstract: In a communication network architecture having multiple service providers over different service areas, a home service provider monitors its customer's experience as the customer roams between technology coverage areas supported by different service providers. An agent, such as software installed on-board the customer's mobile equipment, measures parameters that are related to the service provider and the services it provides, and communicates the measured parameters to the home service provider over the communication network.

Abstract: Probe configuration is achieved in a measurement system in which probes are given possible configuration data depending upon conditions in an area relevant to the area of the probe. The possible probe configurations include global boundaries, such as time, and each probe then, based upon the possible configurations, selects a configuration. In one embodiment, the probe may interact with a central processor to further define the probe configuration. In one embodiment, probes may communicate with other probes, both to help define their operating environment and to optionally provide configuration data to another probe.

Abstract: Measurement sensors are designed to provide metadata to data recording devices in an opportunistic manner to conserve bandwidth and/or power. In one embodiment, the metadata is communicated to the recording device during opportunistic periods, such as, for example, when actual data transmission can be skipped, or when battery level is high, or when there is enough bandwidth, i.e., other sensors are not using the full allocated bandwidth. In one embodiment, a plurality of sensors each only send a portion of their data such that all the portions taken together form the complete metadata. In another embodiment, each sensor only sends an identification of its type and the receiving device “looks up” the full metadata from a database.

Abstract: Individual probe management is accomplished in a measurement system by communicating configuration data to each probe based on that probe's received metadata. In one embodiment, the configuration data is sent from a server and the server does not keep track of the probe's configuration. The configuration data can be, for example, parameters used to directly configure the probe or software modules for running on the probe.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system and method is arranged so that less expensive probes are designed for simple installation. Since both probe cost and installation cost are reduced more probes can be deployed thereby improving wireless measurements across a system. In one embodiment, a self-contained probe is designed using internally generated power and vehicle speed information thereby eliminating the need for connecting into a vehicle's power. The low-cost design of each probe allows the electronics to be externally mounted in a quick and easy manner. The resulting large number of deployed probes then allows for different measurements being sent from different probes thereby further reducing the cost per probe.

Abstract: A measurement device having a configurable measurement interface that enables the dynamic allocation of responsibilities among front-end and back-end subsystems of a measurement device. A measurement device according to the present teachings includes a front-end subsystem for performing an interaction with a physical environment and back-end subsystem having a set of resources for supporting the front-end subsystem. The front-end and back-end subsystems are coupled to and communicate through a measurement interface. The front-end subsystem transfers a set of bootstrap information via the measurement interface to the back-end subsystem and in response the back-end subsystem configures the resources to support the front-end subsystem.

Abstract: A probe management system is disclosed having a central location for developing experiments and measurement requests for the particular probe system. Instead of issues detailed measurement requests to each of the smart probes in the system, each smart probe determines the measurements to be taken based on the experiment and measurement request. Furthermore, prior to participating in such an experiment the smart probe determines its capabilities to participate and configures itself for such participation if the smart decides to actually participate in the experiment or measurement request.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for managing bandwidth in a wireless probe measurement system that may include receiving an indicator at the wireless probe to begin taking measurements of one or more variables, measuring the one or more variables, calculating a set of statistical values at the wireless probe using the measured one or more variables, and transmitting the set of statistical values to a central station.

Abstract: A method for configuring network devices under control of a configuration server. The configuration server loads an applet onto a node which is connected to a local network. The applet searches the local network for a network device. A set of network configuration parameters for the network device are then generated under control of the configuration server. The configuration server then transfers the network configuration parameters to the applet which relays them to the network device via the local network.

Abstract: A method for configuring a device which uses server responses to transport configuration data to the device. A system according to the present teachings includes a device that transfers a request message via a communication network and a configuration server that receives the request message via the communication network and in response transfers a response message to the device via the communication network wherein the response message includes a set of configuration data for the device.