FI121619B - Monitoring station and method for monitoring telecommunications networks - Google Patents

Description

MONITORING STATION AND METHOD FOR MONITORING TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a monitor-5 position for a plurality of telecommunication networks. The invention relates to a method for monitoring telecommunications networks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

10 Wireless access to various telecommunication networks has increased significantly. Wireless access allows the user to move freely within the coverage of the telecommunication network, and the user can simultaneously communicate with the telecommunication network. Non-network communication networks include, for example, GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) and the like.

Each wireless communication network typically has its own network management system that produces different statistics about the network. In addition, various monitoring stations, fixed or portable, are known in the art which can monitor multiple networks one at a time or multiple networks simultaneously. Monitoring stations may provide information on, for example, signal strength in a wireless network, signal-to-noise ratio, data throughput, bit error rate, audio quality, etc. One such monitoring station will be known, for example, from WO2006 / 005894.

However, there is a need for a solution that would provide additional insight into the functioning of wireless communications networks.

35 2

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main aspects of the invention are set forth in independent claims 1 and 11. Various applications are set forth in the subclaims.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a monitoring station comprising at least two radio transceivers arranged to provide wireless access to a corresponding wireless communication network. The monitoring station is configured to provide at least two parallel connections with different radio transceivers; transmit and / or receive on the first connection; send and / or receive on another connection; and measure the characteristics of the first and second connections, wherein the data transmitted through the first connection is received on the second connection, and the data transmitted through the second connection is received on the first connection. The monitoring station is further arranged to monitor the change of the first and / or second connection from the first cell to the second cell; and storing measurement data on cell exchange and / or cell exchange related conditions

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of monitoring telecommunications networks. The method establishes at least two parallel links to telecommunications networks with different radio transceivers. The method further comprises transmitting and / or receiving on a first connection; transmitted and / or received on another connection; mi-30, connecting characteristics of the first and second connection; monitoring the handover of the first and / or second connection from the first cell to the second cell; and storing measurement information on the cell exchange and / or conditions associated with the cell exchange. The data transmitted through the first connection is received on the second connection, and the data transmitted via the second connection is received on the first connection.

One of the advantages of the invention is that the monitor-5 station is capable of providing information on inter-network activity and on the actual end-user experience when visiting various wireless communication networks.

10 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying figures, which are incorporated to provide a further understanding of the invention, form part of the specification and illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, facilitate the explanation of the principles of the invention. In the figure:

Figure 1 shows a monitoring station according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 illustrates a system according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 illustrates a monitoring arrangement according to an embodiment;

Figure 4 shows a monitoring arrangement according to another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a monitoring arrangement according to another embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a monitoring arrangement according to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures.

Figure 1 shows a monitoring station according to one embodiment of the invention. The monitoring station comprises a controller 104 which controls the operation of the monitoring station.

4

The memory 106 may be arranged to store an application comprising operation commands. The monitoring station 100 further comprises a plurality of radio transceivers 102a-102d, each of which is capable of connecting to a different wireless network. The monitoring station may further comprise a LAN adapter (LAN, Local Area Network), for example an Ethernet adapter. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the monitoring station 100 comprises a WLAN transceiver 102a, a GSM transceiver 102b, a WCDMA transceiver 102c and a WiMAX instant receiver 102d. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the monitoring station may further comprise other transceivers, for example, a flash OFDM (Orthogonal frequency-15 division multiplexing), Bluetooth transceiver, TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio), GSM-R transceiver, etc. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the monitoring station 100 comprises additional elements, for example an-20 antenna or antennas, not shown in Figure 1. In addition, the monitoring station has the ability to operate multiple radio transceivers simultaneously. The monitoring station 100 may further comprise a battery 108 configured to provide propulsion power to the station. In another embodiment 25, monitoring station 100 may also receive propulsion power from the vehicle in which it is installed. To determine the location of the monitoring device 100, it further comprises a positioning capability 110, for example a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver. In another embodiment, the wireless network may provide location information to the monitoring station. Thus, the monitoring station 100 itself does not necessarily need a positioning system receiver. The monitoring station 100 may also be provided with one or more Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs) of wireless communication networks.

5

In one embodiment of Figure 1, the monitoring station 100 further comprises a motion sensor 112 arranged to determine whether the monitoring station 100 is in motion. In practice, the motion sensor 112 is an example of an accelerometer or an electric compass. The motion sensor related functionality is further discussed in the description of Figure 2.

In the embodiment of Figure 1, the monitoring station 100 is connected via a LAN or WAN adapter to another 10 wireless devices that provide wireless access to the Internet using regional wireless technology (e.g., Flash OFDM, WiMAX). In this case, the LAN or WLAN is used to provide the connection at short range to the end users and the actual connection to the Internet is provided by a technology which provides a wider coverage area. Thus, it is possible to monitor the quality of service of data traffic characteristics (throughput, turnaround time, packet delay, synchronization reference, packet loss, application measurements) without having to know the RF characteristics of a wide area wireless connection (e.g., Flash OFDM, WiMAX). Connecting the measurement results to the location of the device at a given time provides a good understanding of the quality of service.

The monitoring station 100 may be of any physical shape. It can also be a handheld device. It is also obvious that the features of the monitoring station can be integrated into a commercially available end-user device. In other words, the station does not need to be a dedicated monitoring weapon-30 ma.

Figure 2 shows a system in which the monitoring station shown in Figure 1 is in use. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, monitoring station 100 is attached to a vehicle (e.g., train 214, bus 35 216, taxi or special monitoring vehicle) operating in the monitored area. As shown in Figure 2, there are several different types of 6 networks in the system: WCDMA network 204, GSM network 206, two WLAN networks 208 and 210, and WiMAX network 212. Obviously, the networks shown in Figure 2 are only examples of possible wireless networks. .

In one embodiment of Figure 2, monitoring station 100 is configured to monitor connection cell switching from the first wireless communication network to the second wireless communication network and to provide statistics on the handover. The connection may be a packet-switched or a circuit-switched connection. In addition, handover may refer to handover of a mobile network or cell reselection in wireless data networks. In addition, the handover may be initiated by the monitoring station itself or, alternatively, in response to the receipt of the handover request from the network, for example due to conditions in the first wireless communication network.

For example, the first wireless communication network is a GSM network 206 and the second wireless communication network 20 is a WiMAX network 212. In this embodiment, the monitoring station 100 is arranged to establish a GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) data reporting server 200 or any other suitable server. As can be seen in Figure 2, the networks overlap in a predetermined area. When the monitoring station detects the presence of the WiMAX network 212, it initiates a GPRS data connection cell handoff (handover) to the WiMAX network 212. The application transmitted over the data connection is, for example, VoIP (Voice over 30 IP). The monitoring station 100 is configured to monitor or measure at least one of the following parameters: cell exchange success; cell exchange location; continuity of service provided by the connection; delay in handover, signal strength in first 35 wireless networks when handover occurs; interference levels in both networks, etc. These measurement results provide accurate status information for both the first and the second wireless networks when handover occurs. The results provide network administrators with information on the conditions under which the handover occurs.

In one embodiment of Figure 2, monitor station 5 further comprises motion sensor 112. The purpose of motion sensor 112 is that when monitor station 100 receives propulsion from the vehicle to which it is attached, monitor station 100 will charge the battery only when the motion sensor detects 10 advice moves. In other words, the monitoring station 100 uses its battery when the vehicle is stationary. Of course, it is possible that the vehicle is running but not moving. Thus, it is possible, for example, to use a timer that determines when to start using the monitor-15 base station's 100 batteries.

In one embodiment of Figure 2, monitoring station 100 may also collect other information about the internal functions of the wireless networks. The collected information may comprise at least one of the following: signal strength; response time; the level of interference; lead; the characteristics of the application transmitted over the connection (e.g., circuit switched speech quality, packet switched voice quality, video quality, etc.); packet loss; packet synchronization error; packet delay; availability of services; 25 and retention of services etc.

The system also comprises a reporting server 200 which receives, for example, monitoring results from monitoring station 100 and reports the results. In another embodiment, the monitoring station 100 30 stores the measurement data in its internal memory for subsequent reporting. Reporting server 200, for example, is a centralized server that collects information relating to all monitored wireless communications networks. Reporting application in Reporting-35 lime 200 collects and presents monitoring results based on various aspects. These aspects may include, for example: location; cell identifier, 8 network technologies, application type (e.g., speech, video, etc.) / handover measurements when performing handover from the first wireless communication network to the second wireless communication network 5 (e.g., handover success, handover location, connection relay service delay, handover).

In one embodiment of Figure 2, the monitoring station 100 is arranged to adjust the signal reception level of the signal 10 and / or the transmit power of the radio transceiver. Thus, it is possible, for example, to simulate different terminals with different performances.

The decision to initiate a handover may come from the monitoring station itself or via a wireless communication network. The network may initiate a handover based on radio network conditions or network load, for example.

In addition, the monitoring station may operate in inactive mode. In other words, it collects information about sig-20 signal conditions in various radio access networks.

This information can be used to determine whether cell replacement is to be performed.

The monitoring station may also monitor the radio access network used by other terminals and thereby monitor the success of the network selection of the terminals and the timing and success of the handovers.

By using the monitoring station disclosed in the invention, the reporting server is able to produce end-to-end measurement results of service quality and cellular success. These results can then be compared with the statistics produced by the internal network management system of the wireless communication system. This provides better statistical reliability. The measurement results can also be used in network design. For example, the results can be combined with parameters provided by the web design software. Statistics can also be sold to a suitable party.

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In another embodiment, a party may be provided with limited access to statistics. The monitoring system can also be integrated with conventional network management systems.

5 In addition, the reporting server may be arranged to generate an alert for a desired party when predetermined limits are exceeded in the statistical data. For example, an alarm may be triggered when the cell exchange location is "too late". In other words, the signal-10 Iin strength is too weak in the first wireless communications network. The location where the cell-switching should take place can thus be changed.

Additionally, the reporting server may be arranged to send automated reports from the wireless communication network 15 to a desired party. This can be done, for example, twice daily or with any other reporting rhythm.

It is also obvious that the system disclosed in the invention can provide measurement information to a plurality of network operators.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing a monitoring arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention. In Figure 3, monitoring station 300 is configured to monitor connection (to test server 302) handover from the first 25 wireless network (network 1) to another wireless network (network 2) and to provide statistics on handover. In Figure 3, the exchange takes place between cells 304 and 306. The connection may be a packet-switched or circuit-switched connection. In addition, handover may refer to handover of messaging networks or cell reselection of wireless data networks. In addition, the monitoring station itself may initiate a handover, or alternatively, the handover may be initiated in response to sil-35 when receiving a handover request from the network, for example due to conditions in the wireless communication network.

10

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a monitoring arrangement according to another embodiment of the invention. In Fig. 4, monitoring station 400 is configured to monitor cellular switching (from test server 402) from cell 404 to cell 406 in a wireless communication network and to provide statistics on cell switching. The connection may be packet switched or circuit switched. In addition, handover may refer to handover of cellular networks or cell reselection 10 in a wireless data network. In addition, the monitoring station itself may initiate a handover, or alternatively, the handover may be initiated in response to receiving a handover request from the network, for example, due to conditions in the wireless communication network.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a monitoring arrangement according to another embodiment of the invention. In Figure 5, monitoring station 500 comprises a plurality of radio transceivers, each of which is capable of connecting to 20 different wireless networks. This application shows two wireless networks, networks 1 and 2.

In Figure 5, monitoring station 500 establishes a test connection "towards itself". In other words, the monitoring station establishes a connection towards the public communication network (test server), for example, via a WLAN radio (transceiver). The connection is arranged to be redirected back to the monitoring station from the test server 502 over another radio interface, for example, via a WCDMA radio link. The connection thus circulates through the 30 public telecommunications networks back to the monitoring station 500. The connection is, for example, a VoIP connection. This arrangement simulates a connection between two different users (terminal). The monitoring station 500 is arranged to monitor cell exchanges and conditions 35 in connection with the exchanges. For example, the connection in wireless communication network 1 may change from cell 504 to cell 506. Similarly, connection in wireless communication network 2 may change from cell 508 to cell 510. When implementing the arrangement shown in FIG. 5, there are multiple cell exchanges since cell exchanges occur in both networks. Thus, information on cell-5 exchanges is highly efficient.

One of the advantages of this arrangement is that the monitoring station can be forced to change either uplink or downlink, or both, and thus the monitoring station can also monitor the conditions of the exchange 10.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a monitoring arrangement according to another embodiment of the invention. In Figure 6, the monitoring station 600 comprises a plurality of radio transceivers each capable of connecting to 15 different wireless networks. This application shows four different wireless networks, networks 1, 2, 3 and 4.

In Figure 6, the monitoring station establishes a test connection "towards itself". In other words, the monitor-20 base station establishes a connection towards the public telecommunication network (test server 602), for example, via a WLAN radio (transceiver) (from cell 604 of wireless communication network 1). The connection is arranged to be redirected back to the monitoring station by the test server 25 us 602 over another radio interface, for example via a WCDMA radio connection (via cell 608 of the wireless communication network 2). The connection thus circulates through the public telecommunications network back to the monitoring station 600. The connection is, for example, a VoIP connection. This arrangement simulates a connection between two different users (the terminal). A monitoring station 600 is configured to monitor cell exchanges and conditions associated with the exchanges. For example, the connection in the wireless communication network 1 may change from cell 604 to the cell 606 in the wireless communication network 3. Similarly, the connection in the wireless communication network 2 may change from cell 608 to cell 610 in the wireless communication network 4.

One of the advantages of this arrangement is that the monitoring station can be forced to switch either up-5 link or downlink, or both, and thus the monitoring station can also monitor the switching conditions.

In Figures 3-6, the test server may be any ringing server that may be used in conjunction with the monitoring station.

It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that as technology advances, the basic idea of the invention can be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are thus not limited to the examples described above, but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims (19)

A monitoring station (100) comprising: at least two radio transceivers (102a, 102b, 102c, 102d) configured to provide 5 wireless access to a respective wireless communication network (204, 206, 212); characterized in that the monitoring station (100) is arranged to establish at least two parallel connections with different radio transceivers (102a, 102b, 102c, 102d); transmit and / or receive on the first connection; send and / or receive on another connection; and measuring the characteristics of the first and second connections, wherein the data transmitted through the first connection 15 is received on the second connection, and the data transmitted through the second connection is received on the first connection; and the monitoring station (100) is configured to monitor first and / or second cell switching from the first cell to the second cell; and storing measurement data on the cell exchange and / or conditions associated with the cell exchange. The monitoring station (100) of claim 1, wherein the change comprises a handover from a first wireless communication network (204, 206, 212) to a second wireless communication network (204, 206, 212). The monitoring station (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the monitoring station (100) is further arranged to report measurement information to the reporting server (200) over a communication network. The monitoring station (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the monitoring station (100) is further arranged to initiate a connection change or handover in response to a request from the reporting server (200). The monitoring station (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the monitoring station (100) is further arranged to initiate a connection change or a handover. The monitoring station (100) of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the monitoring comprises at least one of the following aspects: successful cell exchange; cell exchange location; 10 continuity of service provided by connection; and delay in cell exchange. The monitoring station (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the monitoring station (100) is further configured to monitor at least one of the following: signal strength; response time; the level of interference; lead; Features of the 20 applications transmitted over the connection; packet loss; packet synchronization error; packet delay; 25 availability of services; and retention of services. The monitoring station (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the monitoring station (100) comprises detecting means (112) for detecting motion of the monitoring station (100); and wherein the monitoring station (100) is arranged to charge the battery (108) of the monitoring station (100) only when the vehicle in which the monitoring station (100) is located is moving. The monitoring station (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the monitoring station (100) is further arranged to adjust the signal reception level and / or the transmit power of the radio receiver transmitter (102a, 102b, 102c, 102d). The monitoring station (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the monitoring station (100) comprises a positioning capability (110) arranged to determine the location of the monitoring station (100). A method for monitoring communication networks, the method comprising: establishing at least two parallel connections to the communication networks (204, 206, 212) by different radio transceivers (102a, 102b, 102c, 102d); characterized in that it is transmitted and / or received on a first connection; transmitted and / or received on another connection; measuring connection characteristics of the first and second connections; Monitoring the handover of the first and / or second connection from the first cell to the second cell; storing measurement information about the cell exchange and / or conditions associated with the cell exchange; wherein the data 25 transmitted over the first connection is received on the second connection and the data transmitted over the second connection is received on the first connection. 12. Förfarande enligt patentkrav 11, varvid ändringen innefattar cellväxling frän et första träd-lost communications (204, 206, 212) till ett andra trädlöst communications (204, 206, 212). The method of claim 11, wherein the change comprises a handover from a first wireless communication network (204, 206, 212) to a second wireless communication network (204, 206, 212). 13. Förfarande enligt patent krav 11 eller 12, the colors förfarandet vidare innefattar: att rapportera rotate account en rapporterings-10 server (200) via et datakommunikationsnät (204, 206, 212). The method of claim 11 or 12, the method further comprising: reporting measurement data to the reporting server (200) via a communication network (204, 206, 212). 14. Förfarande enligt face av patentkraven 11-13, som vidare innefattar: att inleda cellväxling som et på be-15 gäran frän rapporteringsservern (200). The method of any of claims 11 to 13, further comprising: initiating a handover in response to a request from a reporting server (200). 15. Förfarande enligt face av patentkraven 11-13, som vidare innefattar: att inleda cellväxlingen main basis av ett in-ternt beslut päörakningsstationen. 16. Förfarande enligt nägot av patentkraven 11 - 15, varvid övervakningen innefattar ätminstone en av feljande synpunkter: en framgängsrik cellväxling; cellväxlingens position; 25 den av förbindelsen genererade tjänstens kontinuerlig-het; och fördröjning vid cellväxlingen. The method of any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising: initiating a cell switch based on an internal decision of the monitoring station. The method of any one of claims 11 to 15 10, wherein the monitoring comprises at least one of the following aspects: successful cell exchange; cell exchange location; continuity of service provided by the connection; and 15 delay in cell exchange. 17. Förfarande enligt nägot av patentkraven 11-16, varvid övervakningen vidare innefattar över-30 vakning av ätminstone en av feljande: signalens styrka; svarstid; störningsnivä; genomgäng; särdragen hos tillämpningen som sänts via förbindelsen; paketsvinn; packet synchronization; 5 packet forwarding; tjänsternas tillgänglighet; och tjänsternas bevarande. The method of any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the monitoring further comprises monitoring at least one of the following: signal strength; 20 response time; the level of interference; lead; the characteristics of the application transmitted over the connection; 25 packet loss; packet synchronization error; packet delay; availability of services; and retention of services. The method of any one of claims 11 to 17, further comprising: detecting movement of the monitoring station (100); and charging the battery of the monitoring station (100) only when the vehicle in which the monitoring station (100) is set is moving. The method of any one of claims 11 to 18, further comprising: adjusting the level of reception of the signal and / or the transmission power of the radio receiver transmitter (102a, 102b, 102c, 102d). 1. Övervakningsstation (100) innefattande: ¤minstone tvä radiosändtagare (102a, 102b, 102c, 102d), inrättade att anordna trädlös åkomst 5 account et motsvarande trädlöst datakommunikationsnät (204, 206, 212); a telescoping device (100) and an anatomical attachment parallel to the transducer (10a, 102b, 102c, 102d); för att sända och / eller Motta med en första förbindelse; för att sända och / eller Motta med en andra förbindelse; och för att røragen hos den första och den andra förbindelsen, varvid data som sänts via den förbindelsen, och data som sänts via den andra förbindelsen; och ervervakningsstationen (100) and an ervervakningsstationen (100) and ervervakningsstationen (20) and och / eller den 20 andra förbindelsen frän en första cell till en andra cell; och att lagra rätdata angäende cellväxlingen och / eller omständigheter i anslutning account cellväxlingen. The Övervakningsstation (100) enligt patent 25 krav 1, a varvid en ändring innefattar cellväxling frän et födlöst datakommunikationsnät (204, 206, 212) an account et andra trädlöst datakommunikationsnät (204, 206, 212). 3. The winding station (100) enrolls the face of the patent craven 1-2, the color winding station (100) of the packing station and the rappering server account (200) via the datacommunication server. 4. The winding station (100) has a face mask patent 1-3, the color winding station (100) has an insertion pattern and an in-line sealing cell for the cellular transmission system (200). The belt winding station (100) is an embodiment of the patent patent craven 1-4, the color belt winding station (100) is a varnish and an attnant att inleda ändringen av förbindel-sen eller cellväxlingen. 6. Övervakningsstation (100) enligt nägot av patentkraven 1-5, varvid övervakningen innefattar 10 ätminstone en av feljande synpunkter: en framgängsrik cellväxling; cellväxlingens position; den av förbindelsen genererade tjänstens konstinuerlighet; och 15 fördröjning vid cellväxlingen. 7. A vervakningsstationen (100) enligt nägot av patentkraven 1-6, varvid vakervakningsstationen (100) vidare or anordnad att vvervaka vätminstone en av fel-j ande: 20 signalens styrka; svarstid; störningsnivä; genomgäng; särdragen hos tillämpningen som sänts via 25 förbindelsen; paketsvinn; packet synchronization; Package Exchange Ning; tjänsternas tillgänglighet; och 30 tjänsternas bevarande. 8. The belt assembly (100) is a face assembly patent 1-7, the belt belt assembly (100) is an inferior identifier body (112) for an image identification system (100); och varvid belting stationation (100), and an attnad att ladda belting stationation (100) accumulator (108) of itself, and turning belt belting station (100) placerats, rörelse. 9. The seeding station (100) is a face mask of patent kraven 1-8, the colored seeding station (100) being an antenna and an attorney signaling element and / or a radio station (102a, 102b, 102c, 102d). 10. The vervacningsstation (100) enligt face av patentkraven 1-9, the color vervacningsstationen (100), and the position defining the vervacningsstationens (100). 11 11. Förfarande för att övervaka datakommunicationsnät, varvid förfarandet innefattar: att uppkoppla ätminstone tær parallel för-bindelser account datakommunikationsnät (204, 206, 212) med olika radiosändtagare (102a, 102b, 102c, 102c); 20 kännetecknat av att man sänder och / eller mottar med en första förbindelse; man sander och / eller mottar med en andra förbindelse; 25 man mäter förbindelsesärdragen hos den första och den andra förbindelsen; man belt evening den första och / eller den andra förbindelsens cellväxling frän en första cell till en andra cell; 30 man lagrar rätdata angäende cellväxlingen och / eller omständigheter i anslutning account cellväxlingen; varvid data som sänts via den första förbin-delsen mottas med den andra förbindelsen, och data som sänts via den första förbindelsen. 18. Förfarande enligt face av patentkraven 11-17, som vidare innefattar: 10 att identifiera en rörelse päövervakningsstationen (100); The belt loading station (100) accumulator itself is a det fordon, the buzzer station station (100) placerats, the business rotator. 15 19. Förfarande enligt face av patentkraven 11-18, som vidare innefattar: att reglera signalens mottagningsniva och / eller radiosändagarens (102a, 102b, 102c, 102d). 20