ProScout™ is an integrated system consisting of an RF scanning receiver, GPS receiver, GSM phones and data display superimposed on a detailed street map. The GSM phones, GPS receiver, and RF scanning receiver attach conveniently to the laptop's USB ports. ProScout™, which runs under Windows XP, provides audio warnings to the drive test engineer for critical events such as lost GPS, handover, dropped call, etc. Data collecting software, mapping software, post processing software, and optimization software are all built in. Through the laptop's USB interface, ProScout supports the use of multiple phones simultaneously to collect data from different sources.

ProScout™ collects GSM/GPRS/EDGE messages from the GSM phones and displays the data on a laptop computer screen. The data available includes: Log Statistics, GSM Layer 3 Data, GPRS/EDGE Layer 3 Data, GPRS/EDGE LLC Data, GPRS/EDGE RLC/MAC Data, AMR Data, and AMR RATSCCH Data. Data displays include: Scan Window, Receive Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) Window, Channel Data Window, Graphs Window, Neighbor Data Window, and Map Window. ProScout™ also gives direct access to data through toggle buttons.

Recording a drive test log file is as simple as pressing two keys on the laptop keyboard. Pausing, resuming or stopping a log file requires only a single key press.

ProScout™ records log files up to the moment so that no recorded data is lost if there is an unexpected interruption in the data logging process. This means that re-driving of an area is not necessary due to loss of power, a disconnected cable or loss of RF or GPS signal. Once the interruption is addressed, simply continue recording from that point in the drive.

ProScout™ can record files up to the storage capacity of the storage media; however, it is good practice to record different log files for targeted areas or when retracing any part of the drive route.

ProScout™ allows the simultaneous playback of multiple log files. Thus, data collected from several sources can be viewed, post-processed, printed, etc. as if from a single source.

One of the most powerful features of ProScout™ is the ability to display a choice of several customizable color-coded GSM/GPRS/EDGE quantities in ProScout's™ integrated map, creating a vivid 'snapshot' of network performance. The feature allows the engineer to customize the display so that his/her eyes are drawn immediately to the areas of interest in the drive, speeding up the engineer's decision-making process.

ProScout™ data is exportable into several formats including PlaNET, MaxPlan, Actix and Odyssey. It even includes an ASCII format that is importable into MapInfo.

Another feature of ProScout™ is the operator-prepared base station file. It allows the operator to include as much data about the network as is desired. Of course, the more information that is input, the more useful the tool will be. When ProScout™ is used with a base station file, it allows the operator to identify which site(s) is experiencing RF communications problems. It can be used, in conjunction with mappable quantities, to identify and correct poor or missing handovers, missing neighbors, wrong serving cells, interference, and much more. Also, a line is drawn (optionally) to the reverse highlighted serving cell, while neighboring cells change color - according to the customizable RxLev settings - to reflect how the well the mobile is receiving their signal.

ProScout™ checks the base station file for common errors, including duplicate cell entry, valid BCCHs, valid BSICs, etc. If there are no common errors but the incorrect base station information is entered and used, ProScout™ can update the recorded log file after the drive to reflect the correct base station information.

Because the base station data is included in the log file, ProScout™ recorded data is self-consistent. Log files recorded in the past will still be valid even though the network itself has changed. In this way, a network history is maintained.

ProScout™ uses an RF Scanning Receiver that can scan 100 GSM channels per second. RSSI from the scanning receiver is evaluated in conjunction with real-time processing of network data during the drive test. RSSI from the scanning receiver provides real-time optimization data during the drive test. There is no need to wait for post-processing to get this data. Optimization data available in real-time include: C/A, missing best servers, missing neighbors, and much more.

ProScout™ displays GPS positions (drive path) in real-time on a detailed street map. Two sets of color-coded data (e.g., RxLev, RxQual, AMR Mode, C/A, etc) can be simultaneously displayed on the drive path. Maps and optimization data may be printed on up to an E-size plotter.

           

  Motorola™ V635 GPRS/EDGE      Navman™ GPS with Windshield Suction Cup         

ProScout™ was designed to work with the Motorola™ V635 GPRS/EDGE NetMon Phone. The V635 GPRS/EDGE NetMon Phone is based on the V635 GPRS/EDGE consumer phone but with added Network Monitor (NetMon) features. In addition to GSM and GPRS/EDGE data, the V635 NetMon Phone also provides AMR data to ProScout for display on a laptop computer screen.

For more versatility, ProScout™ can be provided with an optional Engineering Mode Motorola V635 GPRS/EDGE Netmon phone. The Engineering Mode phone will allow the engineer to instantaneously view network parameters right on the screen of the phone. This makes it possible for the engineer to instantaneously monitor the GSM network in places where it may not be convenient or possible to drive (indoors, off-road, etc.).