Testing Network Performance and Location Based Services throughout Calling and SMS Applications in Android

Abstract: This thesis work in Electrical Engineering at Telecommunication Department focuses on development of Android application for testing purpose such as testing the network performance and trying to collect data (e.g., signal strength, network type, phone type, SIM state, call state etc) which will be saved into the phone memory and used later to determine the network performance. This application has to be used on a handheld device running the Android Operating System (OS) for testing and logging purpose. How to build Android applications using eclipse software is explained. In this work, three applications are built, an application for SMS, one for GPS and an application for making phone calls. These three applications are used for testing the network performance and information (such as cell ID, service provider for the GPS, etc) is collected and saved into a text file on the phone memory. One application is for sending SMS periodically to a test number at Telenor and also the application is capable of receiving SMS. Another application is to make phone calls to a test number and log all data needed to a file on the phone. The data collected such as cell ID, network type, signal strength, operator name and much more, these data can then be logged into a file for future examining. This application is also capable of receiving phone calls and collect data needed for performing handover. The last app is a location based service app (GPS). These three apps are to be combined into one single application and to be run without user interaction. All information related to SMS, GPS and making phone calls will be saved into a file. This is done to monitor the behavior of the network and to improve the quality of service promised to the customer. This thesis serves as a testing application between the different environments of the Telenor network including handover between 2G and 3G. It also provides a guideline to Android developers, seeking solutions to the problems, which are not simply available. Android is a platform consisting of an operating system and a Software Development Kit (SDK) for handheld devices. It originates from a small software company, acquired by Google and is now owned by Open handset Alliance (OHA), where Google is a member. A description of Android application used for special purpose has been discussed in this thesis work. This involves storing of calling, SMS, and GPS navigation log reports in the phone memory. Resources and recommendations on further Android development are presented. Strategies on development of applications are also suggested throughout this thesis. The development for an Android device and its data traffic characteristics is of interest, which is also included in this thesis. Connectivity and new logic to improve GPS has also been discussed.