U.S. patent application number 14/264796 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-21 for generating a network map.
The applicant listed for this patent is Urs-Viktor Marti, Thomas Zasowski. Invention is credited to Urs-Viktor Marti, Thomas Zasowski.
Application Number | 20140233428 14/264796 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44146740 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140233428 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Marti; Urs-Viktor ; et
al. |
August 21, 2014 |
GENERATING A NETWORK MAP
Abstract
Aspects of the present invention relate to a method, and various
systems operable or arranged to implement that method, of
generating a network map illustrating availability of network
access technologies in various locations of the network. The method
may comprise the following steps: (a) sending, by a first network
unit, the location of which is identified by a first identifier,
first data to a second network unit, the location of which is
identified by a second identifier, whereby the first data is sent
using at least two different network access technologies and is
sent to at least two different possible locations for the second
network unit; (b) receiving by the first network unit from the
second network unit, first measurement data relating to the sent
first data; and (c) generating the network map based on the
measurement data, the first identifier and the second
identifier.
Inventors: |
Marti; Urs-Viktor;
(Munchenbuchsee, CH) ; Zasowski; Thomas; (Zurich,
CH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Marti; Urs-Viktor
Zasowski; Thomas |
Munchenbuchsee
Zurich |
|
CH
CH |
|
|
Family ID: |
44146740 |
Appl. No.: |
14/264796 |
Filed: |
April 29, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13337873 |
Dec 27, 2011 |
8712420 |
|
|
14264796 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
370/254 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 4/029 20180201;
H04W 4/021 20130101; H04W 64/003 20130101; H04L 41/145 20130101;
H04L 12/2838 20130101; G01S 5/0284 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/254 |
International
Class: |
H04L 12/24 20060101
H04L012/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 17, 2011 |
EP |
11151166.3 |
Claims
1. A method, comprising: receiving by a processing unit, a first
measurement data transferred from a second network unit, the
location of which is identified by a second identifier, wherein:
the first measurement data relates to first data received by the
second network unit from a first network unit, the location of
which is identified by a first identifier; and the first network
unit sends the first data to the second network unit, while the
second network unit is located in at least two different locations;
and generating by the processing unit a network map based on the
first measurement data, the first identifier and the second
identifier, wherein the network map illustrates availability of
network access technologies in various locations of a network
comprising the first network unit and the second network unit.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit is
the first network unit.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first data is sent
by the first network unit using at least two different network
access technologies.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first measurement
data is obtained by processing the first data.
5. The method according to claim 1, comprising generating a
recommendation for a network access technology for a home
networking unit in a given location and/or a recommendation for a
position for a home networking unit configured to use a specific
network access technology.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first network unit
is placed in at least one other location, the first network unit
then sending the first data from this new location to the second
network unit.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein in at least certain
locations the first network unit and/or the second network unit
is/are plugged into a connection point of a wired communication
network.
8. The method according to claim 1, comprising receiving by the
processing unit before generating the network map, from the first
network unit a second measurement data for use in generating the
network map.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the first network unit
receives third data from the second network unit, whereby the third
data is received over at least two different network access
technologies and from at least two different locations for the
second network unit, and the first network unit processes the third
data to obtain the second measurement data.
10. The method according to claim 1 or 8, wherein the first and/or
second measurement data comprise one or more of the following
values: attenuation between the first and second network units,
throughput, distance between the first and second network units,
data round-trip time, data receiving statistics, bit rate sweep
statistics, packet size sweep statistics, data loss statistics and
retransmission information.
11. The method according to claim 1 or 8, wherein when obtaining
the first and/or second measurement data, a learning process is
used in which the previously processed data is taken into account
when processing the current data.
12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first network unit
and the second network unit exchange the first and second
identifiers.
13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the network map is
obtained by mapping a network topology map with a given floor
plan.
14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first measurement
data is transferred to the processing unit by the second network
unit transferring the first measurement data to the first network
unit which transfers the first measurement data to the processing
unit.
15. The method according to claim 1, wherein a specific second
network unit is used for each location and wherein the first
measurement data is obtained by the specific second network units
processing, one after the other or simultaneously, the first
data.
16. A system, comprising: a network unit for use during generation
of a network map illustrating availability of network access
technologies in various locations of a network, the location of the
network unit being identified by a first identifier, the network
unit being operable to: send first data to another network unit,
the location of which is identified by a second identifier, while
the other network unit is located in at least two different
locations; receive from the other network unit second data
comprising first measurement data relating to the sent first data;
and process the first measurement data to obtain the network map
based on the first measurement data, the first identifier and the
second identifier.
17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the measurement data
processing comprises transferring the measurement data to an
external device for generating the network map.
18. The system according to claim 16, wherein the network unit is
operable to send the first data using at least two different
network access technologies.
19. The system according to claim 16, wherein the network unit is
operable to exchange the first and second identifiers with the
other network unit.
20. The system according to claim 16, wherein the network unit is
operable to: receive third data from the other network unit,
whereby the third data is received over at least two different
network access technologies and from at least two different
locations for the other network unit; and process the third data to
obtain the second measurement data.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY AND CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0001] Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119, this patent application
claims the filing date benefit of and right of priority to European
Application No. 11151166.3, which was filed on Jan. 17, 2011.
[0002] The above stated application is hereby incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0003] [Not Applicable].
MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE
[0004] [Not Applicable].
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention relates to networking. More
specifically, certain embodiments of the invention relate to method
for of generating a network map, such as a home network map. The
present invention likewise relates to corresponding communication
network units, to a communication system and to a computer program
product being operable to and/or arranged to implement the
method.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A home network, also known as a home area network, is a
residential local area network. It is used for communication
between devices typically deployed in a home. The devices involved
are usually a small number of personal computers and accessories,
such as printers, routers, switches and mobile computing devices.
In most home networks an important function is the sharing of
Internet access, often a broadband service through a cable
television, fibre or digital subscriber line (DSL) provider.
Additionally, a home server may also be added for increased
functionality.
[0007] One common way of creating a home network is by creating a
wireless local area network (WLAN), which can be based on any IEEE
802.11 specification, Wireless Gigabit Alliance (WiGig)
specifications, high speed packet access (HSPA), HSPA evolution,
Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), 3GPP long
term evolution (LTE), etc. A home network can also include a
combination of different network access technologies. Femtocells
can be advantageously used in the design of wireless home networks.
A wireless home network can be used to connect electronic devices
to each other, to the Internet, and/or to wired networks which use
Ethernet technology, for instance.
[0008] As an alternative to wireless technologies, the existing
home wiring can be used to create a home network. The Internet
access can be achieved over the existing wiring between the home
and an access provider. The connectivity for the Internet access
can be based on, for example, coaxial (coax) cables, phone wires,
fibres or power lines to allow devices to transfer information. The
ITU-T G.hn and IEEE Power Line Standard, which provide high-speed
(up to 1 Gbit/s) local area networking over existing home wiring,
are examples of home networking technologies designed specifically
for Internet protocol television (IPTV) delivery. The user can
install a wired home network by using special wall plugs which can
support different access technologies, such as Power Line Standard,
polymer optical fibre or Ethernet. With the installation of a home
network, the network can be accessed by simply plugging a computer
into a wall socket.
[0009] Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and
traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the
art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the
present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present
application with reference to the drawings.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] A system and/or method is provided for generating network
maps, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with
at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the
claims.
[0011] These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of
the present invention, as well as details of an illustrated
embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the
following description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Various features and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from the following description of non-limiting exemplary
embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a simplified exemplary layout of a home for which
a home network map can be determined, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary topology of measurements
obtained when creating the home network map, in accordance with the
embodiment of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 is an exemplary home network map obtained after
mapping the topology map, in accordance with the embodiment of the
invention.
[0016] FIGS. 4a and 4b show a flow chart illustrating the method of
generating the network map in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Certain embodiments of the present invention may be found in
a method and system for generating network maps, as described in
the following in more detail with reference to the attached
figures.
[0018] In current home networks, it is difficult to predict the
performance of home networking devices such as power line
communication (PLC) modems or WLAN devices. For PLC, it mainly
depends on the power line installation, i.e. cabling; and for WLAN,
distance and number of walls may determine the throughput and
coverage. Aspects of the present invention enable more reliable
determination of the performance of a home network and more
specifically locations where certain home networking devices could
be advantageously placed in order to optimise their operation.
Additionally, aspects of the present invention enable, for a given
location, determination of which access technology or technologies
would be optimal or otherwise desirable. The above considerations
also apply to business and neighbourhood networks and are not
limited to the above mentioned communication technologies and
standards.
[0019] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in
the following in more detail with reference to the attached
figures. This embodiment will be described in the context of a home
network, but it is to be noted that the teachings of the present
invention are not limited to the home networks, but are also
applicable in e.g. business and neighbourhood networks. Aspects of
the present invention enable automatically generating, based on
channel properties and/or features, a network map illustrating
availability and/or properties of network access technologies in
various locations of the network. Furthermore, aspects of the
present invention can consider several wireless and wired
technologies simultaneously. Based on the generated map, a
recommendation can be given for the optimum positions for home
networking equipment with specific technology to achieve the best
possible performance. Additionally the best suited technology can
be recommended, assuming that the position is a more important
concern.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a simplified exemplary layout of a home for which
a home network map can be determined, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. In the exemplary setup shown
in FIG. 1, the home shown therein may comprise a four-room
apartment, and the home network may be spread over the four rooms,
namely room 1, room 2, room 3 and room 4.
[0021] In FIG. 1 there are shown 7 mains sockets or power line
sockets 101.sub.1-101.sub.7. The sockets 101.sub.1-101.sub.7 may be
in different phases. There can be, for example, three power line
phases. For example, sockets 101.sub.1, 101.sub.2, 101.sub.6 and
101.sub.7 may be in phase 1, whereas the sockets 101.sub.3,
101.sub.4 and 101.sub.5 may be in phase 2.
[0022] In room 1 there is also shown a residential WLAN transmitter
103. The WLAN transmitter 103 may comprise suitable logic,
circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to
implement various aspects of the present invention. In this regard,
the WLAN transmitter 103 may be operable to create and/or arranged
for creating a wireless access network for peripheral devices, such
as laptop computers or printers (not shown).
[0023] In FIG. 1 there are also shown first and second home
networking units 105.sub.1 and 105.sub.2. The home networking units
105 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code
that may be operable to implement various aspects of the present
invention. In this regard, the home networking units 105 may be
operable to automatically create and/or arranged for automatically
creating the home network map, as is described later in more
detail. The home networking units 105 may comprise personal
computers and laptops, tablets, televisions (e.g. HDTV), printers,
and other like devices.
[0024] In operation, a networking map may be generated
automatically in the home shown in FIG. 1, using various networking
elements in the home for example. The automatically generated map
of the house installation may help in determining suitable setups
for placing the home networking equipment. This can be used in
particular by employees from field services to support customers
with their home installation, and/or by customers themselves.
Additionally, the generated map may enable customers to get a rough
overview of the best suited technology for a given position, as
well as an overview of wired line installations. The home
networking equipment can use any combination of wireless
technology, e.g. WLAN, WiGig, HSPA, LTE, or wired technology, e.g.
power line, optical fibre, Ethernet, Coax, media for
transmission.
[0025] The optimum network access technology at a given position
can be determined by placing one unit, e.g., home networking unit
105.sub.1, at a measurement point, e.g., a wall connection point,
and another unit, e.g., home networking unit 105.sub.2, at the
remaining positions of interest, one after the other. Each of the
positions will get an identity (ID). This ID may be given by the
home networking unit 105, as will be explained later in more
detail. Based on physical parameters, such as signal strength, and
a localisation measurement (e.g. time-of-arrival or
time-difference-of-arrival), a distance measure between two home
networking units 105.sub.1, 105.sub.2, as well as the achievable
data rates are determined. Additionally, dependencies of different
sockets (e.g. connected to different phases) can be determined in
the case of wired technologies. The results can be determined
within one measurement step for all different media supported by
the home networking units 105. The results can be plotted into a
map where the layout of the home installation is shown
schematically. On the map, optimal technologies for a given
position as well as optimal positions for a given technology are
recommended based on the physical characteristics of the different
media's channels.
[0026] To do the measurements, at least two home networking units
105.sub.1, 105.sub.2 are needed, which possibly support multiple
technologies. One unit, e.g. home networking unit 105.sub.1, may be
used as a reference (base) station, and it is placed at a reference
position, such as close to a home gateway that may be the access
point to the external communication network, which can operate by
using Internet protocol, for example. In FIG. 1, the first home
networking unit 105.sub.1, acting as a reference station, may be
plugged into, for example, the socket 101.sub.1, which may be close
to the home gateway. A second unit, e.g., home networking unit
105.sub.2 (outstation, measurement point), may function as a
measurement unit in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, and may be afterwards placed at all other
positions of interest in the house or apartment. At each
measurement point, a non-ambiguous ID is given to this measurement
point for later evaluation. The two units 105 involved are made
aware of each other's IDs for combination purposes. Thus, the units
105 may exchange the IDs if/when they have connectivity. If there
is no connectivity between the two units 105, then the measurement
will fail and repositioning of at least one of the units 105 is
necessary. Each measurement should have its own identifier. This
can be done by exchanging the identifiers between both units. In an
alternative solution, each measurement gets a unique identifier
when it is stored in an additional data storing element (not
shown), which may be in the home network or external to it, being
accessible via the Internet for example. The storing of the
measurement data is explained later in more detail.
[0027] When performing measurements, the second unit 105.sub.2 may
be moved from a location to a new location until no or only a very
weak signal can be received. Then the first unit 105.sub.1 is moved
to a new, not yet used location, where there is a high probability
that it can establish a connection to the second unit 105.sub.2.
The second unit 105.sub.2 is not moved in case of a connectivity
failure. If power line is used, it is possible that both units 105
are now in a different phase than before. It is to be noted that,
depending on the implementation details, also the reference station
105.sub.1 can operate as a measurement station, as becomes clear
from the following description.
[0028] The measurement is started, e.g., by pressing a button on
the second home networking unit 105.sub.2. During the measurement,
different physical and statistical characteristics and features are
measured and stored between the first home networking unit
105.sub.1 (base) and the second home networking unit 105.sub.2
(measurement point). Measurements on the channel between these two
units are at least one of the following: attenuation,
signal-to-noise ratio, signal-to-interference ratio, throughput,
distance, round-trip time, data receiving statistics, bit rate
sweep statistics, packet size sweep statistics, data loss
statistics, and retransmission information. These measurements,
which are enabled by sending any data between two home networking
units, are explained next in more detail.
[0029] The measurements can be done in both directions. For
example, first the link from the first home networking unit
105.sub.1 to the second home networking unit 105.sub.2 is measured,
and after this has been done, then the same link in the opposite
direction is measured. Afterwards, features and statistics measured
at the second home networking unit 105.sub.2 are transferred to the
first home networking unit 105.sub.1 and stored. The data measured
by the second home networking unit 105.sub.2 can also be
transferred during a later measurement. The measurement data can
also be sent to an additional data storing element (not shown),
which may be in the home network, or external to it and accessible
via the Internet, for example. After the measurements are done for
one medium, e.g., power line communications, they are done for the
remaining media, i.e., the operations described above are repeated
until all desired network access technologies, e.g., WLAN or fibre,
are measured.
[0030] In the sender's (home networking unit) signal generator,
different parameters, such as frequency, transmission power, etc.,
can be changed. This allows the automatic measurement of several
frequency bands, i.e., frequency dependent parameters can be
measured to determine, e.g., the best frequency band if there are
more than one. These parameters are then transmitted via a data
link to the receiver (or vice versa). When sending data to the
receiver, the sender's signal generator is tuned on different
frequencies and transmission power (these are called characteristic
sender points). For each of these characteristic sender points,
different parameters are measured. These parameters may comprise
one or more of: on the sender side, the output voltage; on the
receiver side, the input voltage; on the receiver side, the
throughput (data rate, data per time) for the received data; on the
receiver side, the number of transmission errors (errors per time);
on the sender side, the data round-trip time (run time of signal
from the sender to the receiver and back); and on the receiver
side, the phase difference (phase shifting).
[0031] Features in the physical layer and in the data layer are
measured, and can be combined in order to obtain a feature vector
comprising a vector of measured features. For each of the sender
points, one or more measurements can be done. Some additional
parameters from the data transmitting devices can also be
considered, e.g., coupling transformers and capacitors. The
measured values can be exchanged via the data link (on top of the
electrical measurement) between the sender and the receiver. The
measurements are done in two layers: the physical layer is used for
measuring electrical features and the logical layer is used for
measuring data features. The exchange of data between the units 105
is done in the data layer by using the physical layer. Thus, the
data exchange can be done while performing measurements. With the
exchange of data between the sender and the receiver, different
measurement scenarios can be implemented. For example, the sender
can inform the receiver about which parameters it has used, and the
receiver can inform the sender about what it received. Then the
sender can react to the receiver's answers, for example it can
increase or decrease transmission power or change frequency,
etc.
[0032] The system can also be synchronized. This means, in one
embodiment, that the time base of both units 105 is synchronized to
ensure measurement quality but also determine and/or record the
state of each of the units 105. This is important, for example, if
a measurement fails. Then the units have to find each other again
and know in which state (see the flow chart of FIGS. 4a and 4b)
they are to recover and continue with the measurements. If no
signal (connectivity) is available, the receiver does not send data
to the sender. With a predefined timeout, a no-connection can be
detected. Thanks to the exchange of data between the sender and the
receiver during measurements, it is possible to react instantly to
the transmission characteristics, and a synchronization of the two
devices can be obtained.
[0033] The measured values are stored in one of the home networking
units 105.sub.1 and 105.sub.2 or transferred to another storage
device or to a server in the Internet for later processing. To get
a more accurate picture of the home network, the first home
networking unit 105.sub.1 can also be placed at different positions
such that all possible combinations of positions can be measured.
The second home networking unit 105.sub.2 can also indicate the
preferred link to the first home networking unit 105.sub.1 on an
output device, e.g., a small display. This is advantageous if the
user performing the measurements would like to have instant
feedback regarding some specific measurements. Of course, the first
home networking unit 105.sub.1 can also be arranged to show the
results on a display. The first and second home networking units
can actually be physically identical.
[0034] After all the measurements are performed, the measurement
data can be transferred to a computer or computing device for
calculation and/or presentation of the results. This may be one of
the home networking unit 105.sub.1, 105.sub.2, or a dedicated
processing element (not shown), which may be in the home network,
or external to it and accessible via the Internet, for example, and
have suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code for
implementing various aspects of the present invention, such as with
respect to processing and/or post-processing use of measurement
data. The processing and post-processing of the measurement data is
explained later in more detail.
[0035] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary topology of measurements, which
may be obtained based on measurement data generated in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. This topology of
measurements, however, is not yet mapped to the apartment layout.
To get a more informative network map, the apartment layout can be
mapped to the topology of measurements. Thus, the measurement
points can be placed on a simplified room map. Based on the
measured data, a network map is generated, the link data is shown
in a detailed way and a recommendation of the best suited
technology for a given position is provided automatically. This is
schematically shown in FIG. 3, which illustrates an exemplary home
network map obtained after mapping the topology of measurement map
to a floor plan of the apartment shown in FIG. 1. The network map
of FIG. 3 can also be obtained by the user indicating manually,
when performing measurements, the relevant room number.
[0036] The flow chart of FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrates one example of
the method of generating a home network map, such as in accordance
with the embodiment described above. First in step 401 the user
places the first home networking unit 105.sub.1 in a new location,
and then in step 403 also places the second home networking unit
105.sub.2 in a new location. In step 405, location IDs are given
unambiguously identifying the locations of these units 105. Each
unit allocates a unique (within the measurement set) location ID to
itself. Thus, the IDs can be given by each unit locally. Also in
this step, the units 105 exchange the IDs so that the measurements
can be synchronized and combined. In step 407 the first unit
105.sub.1 sends data to the second unit 105.sub.2 by using an
available network access technology. In step 409 the second unit
receives the data, processes it, and performs measurements. The
steps 407 and 409 are generally performed concurrently, i.e., in
parallel. Thus, first measurement data is obtained. In step 411 it
is determined whether the two previous steps have been completed
for all available access technologies. If the response is negative,
then the process continues in step 407.
[0037] If, on the other hand, the response is in the affirmative,
then in step 413 the second unit 105.sub.2 sends data to the first
unit 105.sub.1 by using an available access technology. Then, in
step 415, the first unit 105.sub.1 processes the received data, and
performs measurements on the received data. Thus, second
measurement data is obtained. The steps 413 and 415 are generally
performed in parallel. In step 417 it is determined whether the two
previous steps have been done for all available access
technologies. If the response is negative, then the process
continues in step 413.
[0038] If, on the other hand, the response is in the affirmative,
then in step 419 the first measurement data are transferred from
the second unit 105.sub.2 to the first unit 105.sub.1. The data can
also be stored on another device in the network, if connectivity
exists. The measurements can be transferred using any available
wireless or wired technologies. The most optimal access technology,
in terms of performance, can be chosen for the transfer of the
data. In step 421, it is determined whether the second unit
105.sub.2 has been placed in all desired locations. If the response
is negative, then in step 423 the user places the second unit
105.sub.2 in another location. After this step the process
continues in step 405.
[0039] If in step 421 the response is positive, then in step 425 it
is determined whether the first unit 105.sub.1 has been placed in
all desired locations. If the response is negative, then in step
427 the first unit 105.sub.1 is placed in another location, and
after this the process continues in step 403. However, if in step
425 it is determined that the first unit 105.sub.1 has been placed
in all desired locations, then in step 429, the first and second
measurement data are processed. The processing may be performed by
the first unit 105.sub.1, or by a dedicated server or processing
element, which may be in the home network or external to it. Thus,
this step may also comprise transferring the first and second
measurement data from the first unit 105.sub.1 to the external
server or processing element. Then based on the processed
measurements, in step 431, a network map is created by the
processor that processed the measurements. In this example, first a
network topology map (as shown in FIG. 2) is obtained and then the
actual network map is obtained by mapping the topology map to a
given floor plan.
[0040] Different phases of power lines can also be determined. Here
statistical likelihoods can be used for determining the different
phases. Transferring data over from one phase to another is
possible, but likely subject to interference. But in this case the
data rate would drop dramatically. If now the position of the first
unit 105.sub.1 is changed and at the same time the second unit
105.sub.2 is kept fixed, and if then high data rates are measured
on the power line, it can be assumed with high probability that the
phase in our network measurement has changed.
[0041] In step 433, a recommendation for the best available network
access technology for a given position is given by the same
processor, and in step 435, a recommendation for the best position
for a given technology is given also by the same processor. The
obtained network map and the results can be made available on a
website for instance, so that they can be easily accessed by using
a username and a password, for example. Then the process may
terminate. It is to be noted that in the flow chart of FIG. 4, the
order of the steps may be changed in various ways. For example and
without limitation, the first measurement data can be transferred
from the second unit 105.sub.2 to the first unit 105.sub.1 every
time the measurements using one specific technology have been
terminated.
[0042] According to a first aspect of the invention, a method is
provided for generating a network map illustrating availability of
network access technologies in various locations of the network as
recited in claim 1. Thus, by use of the proposed method, a
customer, a field service employee or also an electrician can get
an automatic network and home installation map. This will help
users determine either suitable technologies for given positions or
suitable positions for given or new home networking equipment, such
as computers and printers. With the proposed approach it is
possible to generate a network map in an easy and automatic way by
exploiting physical properties of the different transmission media.
These properties can be, for example, signal attenuation, data
rates, signal travel times between two devices and further features
of the network. Furthermore, a network topology map (logical
network map), which can be schematic, can be drawn in a short time
for all available wireless and wired technologies. Especially for
older buildings and their installations, it is difficult to obtain
installation plans, or they rarely exist. If a floor plan is
available, then this plan can be used and the network topology map
can be mapped onto the floor plan. This may enable better planning
for further extensions, and recommendations can be given to a
customer.
[0043] The proposed method can be implemented in stand-alone
measurement units, but partial measurements of a limited number of
technologies can also be performed by every conventional
communication device, such as a power line modem, WLAN unit (e.g.,
WiFi access point) or computer. The processing may be performed by
the devices being used to generate the measurement, or by separate
dedicated processing units.
[0044] One advantage is also that the solution is immediately
applicable, and does not require changes in the network
architecture. The proposed solution is also very user-friendly as
there are no parameters that require configuration. The user only
needs to initiate the process, e.g. by pressing a button when
starting the process of obtaining the network map. The obtained
network map is a so-called logical map, i.e., the obtained map
shows how different measurement points are connected to each other
and the quality of the available technologies.
[0045] According to a second aspect of the invention, a computer
program product is provided for implementing the steps of the
method according to the first aspect of the present invention when
loaded and run on computer means of appropriate devices, such as
network units.
[0046] According to a third aspect of the invention, one or more
network units (e.g. units 105.sub.1 and 105.sub.2) may be operable
to and/or arranged to support the present invention, and/or to
implement various functions related thereto, which may comprise
generating network maps illustrating availability of network access
technologies in various locations of the networks.
[0047] The embodiment of the invention described above was in the
context of a home network. However, the teachings of the present
invention are not limited to this network. The teachings of the
present invention are applicable to all networks, where it would be
beneficial to create a network map. Examples of these networks are
business and neighbourhood networks. These networks can be local
area networks, but this is not necessarily the case.
[0048] The invention likewise relates to the home networking units
105 that are able to implement the method described above. Some of
the method steps described above are performed by the first home
networking unit 105.sub.1 and some by the second home networking
unit 105.sub.2. As mentioned, the home networking units 105 can be
specific measurement units or they can be normal end user network
devices that are equipped with the measurement capability. The
invention also relates to a system comprising the first and second
network units and possibly also an external processor being
operable and/or arranged to create the actual network map.
[0049] The invention likewise relates to a computer program product
comprising instructions for implementing the steps of the method
described above, when loaded and run on computer means of the
network unit capable of implementing the method.
[0050] While the invention has been illustrated and described in
detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration
and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and
not restrictive, the invention being not limited to the disclosed
embodiment. Other embodiments and variants are understood, and can
be achieved by those skilled in the art when carrying out the
claimed invention, based on a study of the drawings, the disclosure
and the appended claims. In particular, when creating the network
map, a learning process can be used for that purpose. In other
words, already performed measurements can be advantageously used in
further measurements to get a more detailed network map. Especially
if two separate measurements look similar, it can be determined
that the currently measured link has the same features as the
previously measured link. Furthermore, it is also possible to
perform measurements by using more than two measurement units. For
example, it would be possible to have one measurement unit at each
position that should be measured (e.g. 5-10 measurement units). By
pressing one button all the measurements between all the required
measurement units are done automatically. Each measurement would
take place as described for two units but the measurements will be
done automatically one after the other. Or alternatively each
measurement unit could perform measurements concurrently.
[0051] In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other
units or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not
exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfil
the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact
that different features are recited in mutually different dependent
claims does not indicate that a combination of these features
cannot be advantageously used. Any reference signs in the claims
should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.
[0052] Other embodiments of the invention may provide a
non-transitory computer readable medium and/or storage medium,
and/or a non-transitory machine readable medium and/or storage
medium, having stored thereon, a machine code and/or a computer
program having at least one code section executable by a machine
and/or a computer, thereby causing the machine and/or computer to
perform the steps as described herein.
[0053] Accordingly, the present invention may be realized in
hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The
present invention may be realized in a centralized fashion in at
least one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where
different units are spread across several interconnected computer
systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for
carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical
combination of hardware and software may be a general-purpose
computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and
executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the
methods described herein.
[0054] The present invention may also be embedded in a computer
program product, which comprises all the features enabling the
implementation of the methods described herein, and which when
loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods.
Computer program in the present context means any expression, in
any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended
to cause a system having an information processing capability to
perform a particular function either directly or after either or
both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or
notation; b) reproduction in a different material form.
[0055] While the present invention has been described with
reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents
may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present
invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a
particular situation or material to the teachings of the present
invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is
intended that the present invention not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present invention
will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *