Method and apparatus for controlling timing of network performance logging in a wireless communication system

Abstract

A method and system controls timing of network performance information logging of a cellular network by configuring a mobile device to automatically collect data about physical characteristics of the cellular network and log that data. The mobile device initially receives network performance information logging configuration from its registered cellular network. Based on the configuration, the mobile device configures itself to collect and log the network performance information relating to physical characteristics of the cellular network. While in idle mode, the mobile device collects and logs the information. A logging duration timer corresponds to a specified time duration over which the mobile device logs network performance information. If the mobile device starts the logging duration timer at the time of configuration, it maintains the timer even after the transition to idle mode. The mobile device may also start the logging duration timer after it transitions to idle mode.

1 . A computer-implemented method for controlling the timing of an automatic network performance measurement of a cellular network in a mobile device having a processor and a storage area, the method comprising:
 receiving a configuration from the cellular network while the mobile device is operating in a connected mode, the configuration specifying parameters relating to network performance logging to be performed by the mobile device;   based on the configuration, configuring the mobile device to automatically log network performance information for the cellular network in the storage area;   starting a logging duration timer while the mobile device is operating in connected mode, the logging duration timer corresponding to a specified time duration over which the mobile device logs the network performance information;   transitioning the mobile device from the connected mode to an idle mode, wherein transitioning comprises canceling at least a portion of all active timers, the at least a portion of all active timers not including the logging duration timer;   logging the network performance information according to the configuration; and   stopping logging the network performance information in response to the logging duration timer expiring.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the logging of the network performance information is a part of a Minimization of Drive Tests (MDT) procedure. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the specified time duration is specified by the cellular network in the configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the specified time duration is predetermined before the mobile device receives the configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the specified time duration is one of 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 40 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, or 120 minutes. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the logging duration timer is timer T 326  or timer T 330 . 
     
     
         7 . A computer-implemented method for controlling the timing of an automatic network performance measurement of a cellular network in a mobile device having a processor and a storage area, the method comprising:
 receiving a configuration from the cellular network while the mobile device is operating in a connected mode, the performance measurement configuration specifying parameters relating to network performance logging to be performed by the mobile device;   based on the configuration, configuring the mobile device to log network performance information for the cellular network in the storage area;   in response to the mobile device transitioning from the connected mode to an idle mode, starting a logging duration timer, the logging duration timer corresponding to a specified time duration during which the mobile device logs the network performance information;   logging the network performance information according to the configuration; and   stopping logging the network performance information in response to the logging duration timer expiring.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the logging of the network performance information is a part of a Minimization of Drive Tests (MDT) procedure. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the specified time duration is specified by the cellular network in the configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the specified time duration is predetermined before the mobile device receives the configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the specified time duration is one of 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 40 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, or 120 minutes. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the logging duration timer is timer T 326  or timer T 330 . 
     
     
         13 . A system for managing an automatic network performance measurement of a cellular network in a mobile device, the system comprising:
 a storage area;   a transceiver configured to communicate with the cellular network;   a processor coupled to the storage area and the mobile device;   a communication component configured to receive a configuration from the cellular network while the mobile device is operating in a connected mode, the configuration specifying parameters relating to network performance logging to be performed by the mobile device;   a logging component configured to log the network performance information for the cellular network in the storage area based on the configuration when the mobile device is operating in an idle mode;   a timing component configured to start a logging duration timer in response to the mobile device transitioning from the connected mode to the idle mode, the logging duration timer corresponding to a specified time duration over which the mobile device logs the network performance information, and to direct the logging component to stop the logging of the network performance information in response to the logging duration timer expiring.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the logging of the network performance information is a part of a Minimization of Drive Tests (MDT) procedure. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the specified time duration is specified by the cellular network in the configuration. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the specified time duration is predetermined before the mobile device receives the performance measurement configuration. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the specified time duration is one of 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 40 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, or 120 minutes. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the logging duration timer is timer T 326  or timer T 330 .