Mobile telemetry as a data gathering tool for the advanced mobile phone service field trial

A Mobile Telemetry feature was a data gathering tool used by Bell Laboratories during the Service Test phase of the Chicago Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS) Developmental Cellular System. This feature was the result of a need to gather basic data on performance of the mobile telephone equipment and, in particular, on certain interactions of the user with the system. For this purpose, the mobile monitors many of its own actions and telemeters information to the Mobile Telephone Switching Office (MTSO). When a telemetry equipped mobile is enabled, it can make autonomous requests for the system´s retrieval of telemetry information at periodic intervals determined by the system. Upon receiving the request, the MTSO commands the mobile unit to transmit the telemetry information. The actual telemetry data, along with any of the events associated with the request and retrieval process, is recorded by the Data Retrieval System (DRS). The DRS is a mini-computer based system connected to the MTSO for collecting and recording events occurring within the cellular system´s No. 1 ESS switch. This paper addresses the specifics of the telemetry function, as implemented in the mobile unit and in the system, as well as the types of data that can be obtained or derived from this operating feature.