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Telecommunications engineers develop smartphone app to assess cellular coverage and download speeds
RIT Cellular Metrics app can benefit both customers and carriers toward improving service levels
Researchers at Rochester Institute of Technology developed a new smartphone app that allows users to measure the actual download speeds of cellular providers and compare results in the specific geographic area. It also has security capabilities that can protect users’ identities.
RIT Cellular Metrics, the new app, simultaneously maps coverage areas and details the performance levels of cellular carriers in the area. The app is free and available through the Google Play store for Android devices.
“We developed a custom app because we wanted to know exactly which carrier—AT&T, Verizon, Sprint or T-Mobile—had the fastest connection speed at a given location, not just which had faster speed or better coverage on a regional level,” said Clark Hochgraf, associate professor of telecommunications engineering technology in RIT’s College of Applied Science and Technology and a member of the research team. “What we found was quite surprising. The download speeds for two carriers can be very different at one location. And the download speed for the same carrier can vary greatly when you move as little as a few hundred feet away.”
Cellular coverage and cellular internet download speeds vary by carrier services and from location to location. The app collects background measurements of the cellular network’s speed twice a day. Collection frequency can be altered by the user and can also be done on demand. One of the key features of the app is it protects an individual’s privacy and identity.
As more people download and use the app, the map will show more detail about coverage and connection speeds, including predicting how connection speeds could change throughout the day. This type of data could benefit carrier network operations to be more effective and provide better service to customers. The team is also developing a version of the app for emergency response teams to access network coverage information before going into areas affected by natural disasters or other dangerous situations.
Hochgraf is one of five faculty from CAST’s Department of Electrical, Computer and Telecommunications Engineering Technology involved in the app development. Others are: Professor William Johnson, associate professors Yossi Nygate and Mark Indelicato and Assistant Professor Miguel Bazdresch. q
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American Consulting Engineering Companies of New York
President, David J. Meyer, 585-218-0730 Email: dmeyer@pathfinderengineers.com
American Public Works Association Monroe County/Genesee Valley Branch Past-Chairman, Geoff Benway Email: gbenway@ci.webster.ny.us
American Society of Civil Engineers, Rochester Section
President, Christopher Sichak, PE Email: SichakC@erdmananthony.com
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Rochester Chapter
President, Bill Clark, PE, CEM Email: ashraerocnews.com
American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Rochester Section
Chairman, Steven Ivancic, University of Rochester
American Society of Plumbing Engineers, Rochester New York Chapter
President, Jennifer Wengender, PE, CPD, Clark Patterson Lee, 205 St. Paul Blvd., Rochester, NY 14604. 585-454-7600. Email: jwengender@clarkpatterson.com
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President, Mark Laistner, Popli Design Group, 585-481-1239 Email: MLaistner@popligroup.com Advertising Rates
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Association For Facilities Engineering, Rochester Chapter
President, Matthews Knights, 585-924-2186 x221 Email: mknights@ultrafab.com
Electrical Association
Executive Director, Karen Lynch Email: karen@eawny.com President, Russ Corcoran, Landmark Electric, 585-359-0800. Email: russc@landmarkelectric.net.
Genesee Valley Land Surveyors Association
President, Jared R. Ransom, LS 585-737-6881 Email: jaredransomls@gmail.com
Illuminating Engineering Society of North America Inc., Rochester Section
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President, David Odgers Email: odgers@frontiernet.net
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Chairman, Ralph Kraft, 585-621-6946
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Rochester
Section Chairman, Greg T. Gdowski, 585-275-2580 Email: Greg_Gdowski@urmc.rochester.edu
Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, Rochester Chapter
President, John Kaemmerlen, 585-475-2767 Email: jxkpdm@rit.edu
International Council on Systems Engineering, Finger Lakes Chapter
President, Jack Riley Email: jackri2139@hotmail.com
Monroe Professional Engineers Society
President, David C. Roberts, PE Email: dcrobertspe@gmail.com
New York State Association of Transportation Engineers, Section 4
President, Howard R. Ressel, 585-272-3372. Email: Howard.Ressel@dot.ny.gov
New York Water Environment Association Inc., Genesee Valley Chapter
(www.gvcnywea.org) President, Bill Davis, 585-381-9250 Email: william.davis@mrbgroup.com
Sheet Metal & Air-Conditioning Contractor’s National Association-Rochester, Inc.
Executive Director, Aaron Hilger 585-586-8030. Email: mzin@smacnaroc.org
Society of Plastics Engineers, Rochester Section
President, Brett Blaisdell, Bausch & Lomb, 1400 North Gooaman Street, Rochester, NY 14609 585-338-5417, Email: brett.blaisdell@bausch.com
Society of Women Engineers
President, Marca J. Lam, RIT Email: mjleme@rit.edu
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