Invex.NxG i.Drive-B (Benchmark) collects drive-test data without having to deploy costly personnel and vehicles to manually test and collect network data.

The Invex.NxG i.Drive-B solution is designed to improve the quality of service of a wireless network while reducing drive test costs. The autonomous solution is a self-contained testing tool capable of collecting and transmitting crucial network data collected from multiple air cards and handsets without direct manned intervention. Rugged Invex.NxG autonomous chassis’ (clients) can be installed in mass transit vehicles, taxi cabs, and delivery vehicles to automatically collect data when the vehicle is in operation. They can also be installed in vehicles to perform directed drives using unskilled drivers.

The Invex.NxG i.Drive-B Client collects and transmits drive test, location, and time data to the data server. The client is a fully self-contained, remotecontrolled tamper-resistant chassis with an intelligent power management system that allows the client to remain alert and accessible during any power conditions. The heart of the client is the Embedded Controller module, a high speed Windows XP Embedded computer that runs the Invex.NxG software.

The controller communicates with the hardware, collects the log files, and passes the log file data to an air card that is plugged into the controller’s integrated PCMCIA slot, which in turn, transmits the data by FTP to the data server. The client supports multiple handsets and air cards in Isolation modules and includes a GPS receiver to provide location information and an integrated backup battery.

The i.Drive-B is a web based server that communicates with the remote clients. The server sends configuration information to the clients including the settings, options, and scripts for all devices attached to the clients. The server can also send software and firmware updates. This configuration information can be sent to all the clients in a market, a group within a market, or individual clients. Remote client and device status is constantly monitored by the server. Access to the server is web based allowing scripts and configurations to be generated and sent to the remote clients from any suitable PC with an Internet connection.

The remote client zips the log files and sends them to the FTP data server. The Data Server receives the Invex.NxG log files from the client and automatically passes files to a postprocessing application such as Xceed Technologies’ Vortex™ for report generation. Dynamic reports and maps are available over the web to a variety of users including market managers, engineers, technicians, and planners. The data can be viewed from a typical high level to see overall statistics averaged over time and location or in detail to track down specific network problems.

 Dynamic Web-based Maps and Reports