Cellular communications drive test system and method

A method of monitoring the performance of a cellular telephone call, comprising the steps of:

• (a) calling a first mobile telephone that is configured to be in an auto-answer mode;
• (b) receiving GPS location information indicative of the location of the first mobile telephone;
• (c) recording data on a first computer, the data comprising telephone call parameter information available from the first mobile telephone and the GPS location information;
• (d) calling a second mobile telephone that is in communication with the first computer;
• (e) transmitting via the second mobile telephone the data recorded on the first computer;
• (f) configuring a cellular telephone system switch to be in a call monitor mode and recording cellular system information with respect to the first mobile telephone;
• (g) forwarding the data and cellular system information with respect to the first mobile telephone to a second computer;
• and
• (h) graphically displaying the data and cellular system information with respect to the first mobile telephone.

An apparatus for monitoring call performance in a mobile telephone system, comprising:

• a computer, including a display, the computer being operable to:
• remotely access a switch;
• place the switch in a call monitor mode;
• receive and store mobile telephone system information and location information associated with a mobile telephone unit being used in a call being monitored;
• graphically display the system information and location information, wherein the display includes information associated with a serving cell site and at least one neighboring cell site, the display further including at least one indication of received signal quality at the serving cell site and the at least one neighboring cell site.

A test apparatus for a mobile telephone system, comprising:

• a first mobile telephone unit having an automatic answer mode;
• an RF location unit substantially collocated with the mobile telephone unit;
• and
• an interface unit substantially collocated with and coupled to the first mobile telephone unit and the RF location unit to obtain location and time information from the RF location unit and to provide the location and time information to be transmitted, along with call information, to a monitoring facility, via a mobile telephone unit.