Method and apparatus for collecting data associated with wireless communications

A communication device, comprising:

• a self-latching mechanism;
• a processing system including a processor;
• and
• a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, comprising:
• connecting to a transmission medium at a target location via the self-latching mechanism, wherein the target location is determined via an unmanned aircraft performing operations comprising:
• flying to a plurality of positions associated with the target location according to a control signal;
• wirelessly receiving a group of test signals when the unmanned aircraft is at the plurality of positions, wherein the group of test signals is transmitted from a transmitter associated with a transmission medium;
• determining a radio frequency (RF) parameter associated with each of the group of test signals resulting in RF parameters;
• and
• determining placement information indicative of a particular position for the connecting of the communication device with the transmission medium via the self-latching mechanism at the target location, wherein the placement information is generated based on the RF parameters;
• and
• facilitating transmission and reception of electromagnetic waves propagating along the transmission medium without an electrical return path.

A machine-readable storage medium, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processing system at an unmanned aircraft, facilitate performance of operations, comprising:

• obtaining a control signal that causes the unmanned aircraft to fly to a plurality of positions associated with a target location;
• wirelessly receiving a group of test signals when the unmanned aircraft is at the plurality of positions;
• determining a radio frequency (RF) parameter associated with each of the group of test signals resulting in RF parameters;
• and
• generating placement information indicative of a particular position for a communication device to be positioned at the target location, wherein the placement information is generated based on the RF parameters.