Efficient deployment of mobile test units to gather location-dependent radio-frequency data

A method comprising:

• receiving, by a data server, requests for empirical data;
• generating a drive-test plan, by the data server, based on determining whether to make a measurement of an electromagnetic signal at a location P within a geographic region and to which a mobile test unit can be directed, based, at least in part, on
• (i) at least one of the requests for empirical data,
• (ii) a map of waypoints to which the mobile test unit can be directed for a measurement within the geographic region, and
• (iii) whether a previous measurement of the electromagnetic signal has been made at a location Q, wherein Q≠P;
• making measurements of electromagnetic signals, by the mobile test unit, in accordance with the drive-test plan generated by the data server;
• receiving, by the data server, the measurements made by the mobile test unit;
• and
• transmitting, by the data server, empirical data that is based on the measurements received.

A method comprising:

• receiving, by a data server, requests for empirical data;
• generating a drive-test plan, by the data server, based on determining whether to make a measurement of an electromagnetic signal at a location P within a geographic region and to which a mobile test unit can be directed, based, at least in part, on
• (i) at least one of the requests for empirical data,
• (ii) a map of waypoints to which the mobile test unit can be directed for a measurement within the geographic region, and
• (iii) variability of the terrain at the location P;
• making measurements of electromagnetic signals, by the mobile test unit, in accordance with the drive-test plan generated by the data server;
• receiving, by the data server, the measurements made by the mobile test unit;
• and
• transmitting, by the data server, empirical data that is based on the measurements received.