Private network link verification procedure in free space optical communication network
First Claim
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1. A node for use in a freespace optical communication network, said node comprising:
- a plurality of node heads, wherein each node head comprises an optical receiver and an optical transmitter; and
a node base, coupled with said plurality of node heads, said node base comprising a control processor and a data transport mechanism switch, coupled to said control processor and said plurality of node heads, wherein said control processor includes a link verification module for monitoring and verifying the status of a communication link between nodes in said network.
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Abstract
A system and method for verifying the integrity of a communication link in a wireless optical communication network. The system and method include monitoring the communication link on at least two levels and enabling or disabling signaling over the communication link appropriately depending on events reported through the system.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A node for use in a freespace optical communication network, said node comprising:
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a plurality of node heads, wherein each node head comprises an optical receiver and an optical transmitter; and
a node base, coupled with said plurality of node heads, said node base comprising a control processor and a data transport mechanism switch, coupled to said control processor and said plurality of node heads, wherein said control processor includes a link verification module for monitoring and verifying the status of a communication link between nodes in said network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A control processor for use in a wireless communication node, wherein the node is one of a plurality of nodes in a wireless optical communication network and comprises a physical layer and a transceiver layer, said control processor comprising:
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a link verification module for monitoring and verifying the status of a communication link;
a physical layer task module for monitoring said physical layer and reporting changes in said first state variable;
a physical layer interrupt service routine for controlling said physical layer task and reporting physical layer events to said link verification module;
a transceiver task module for monitoring said transceiver layer and reporting changes in said second state variable;
a link maintenance node protocol module for receiving reporting of transceiver events via said transceiver task; and
a transceiver manager task module for reporting transceiver events to said link verification module.
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5. A method for verifying the status of a communication link in a wireless communication network having a plurality of nodes with optical communication links therebetween, wherein the optical communication link is implemented using an optical receiver/transmitter pair, the receiver/transmitter pair having a physical layer and a receiver/transmitter layer, the method comprising:
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checking the status of said receiver/transmitter layer for changes in the status of said communication link at said receiver/transmitter layer; and
if said checking results in a link-up statusnotifying a link verification module of said link up status;
checking the status of said physical layer for stability via a physical layer link up procedure; and
enabling network signaling over said communication link if said physical layer is stable.
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6. In a wireless communication network having a plurality of nodes with communication links therebetween, wherein the communication link is implemented using a receiver/transmitter pair, the receiver/transmitter pair having a physical layer and a receiver/transmitter layer, a method for verifying the status of the communication link, comprising:
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checking the status of said receiver/transmitter layer for changes in the status of said communication link at said receiver/transmitter layer; and
if said checking results in a link down statusnotifying a link verification module of said link down status;
disabling network signaling over said communication link. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. A method for verifying the status of a communication link in a wireless communication network having a plurality of nodes with optical communication links therebetween, wherein the optical communication link is implemented using an optical receiver/transmitter pair, the receiver/transmitter pair having a physical layer and a receiver/transmitter layer, and wherein the physical layer comprises a plurality of physical layer devices, the method comprising:
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checking the status of said physical layer of said communication link; and
if said checking results in a changed status, said method further comprises;
triggering an interrupt service routine;
determining which physical layer device triggered said interrupt service routine;
calling an appropriate physical layer device interrupt service routine;
determining whether a link verification procedure is needed for said physical layer device; and
initiating a link verification procedure for said changed status if said link verification procedure is needed. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 17, 18, 19)
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13. A node for use in a wireless optical communication network, said node comprising:
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a plurality of node heads, wherein each node head comprises an optical receiver and an optical transmitter;
a control processor coupled to said plurality of node heads, having a link verification module for verifying the status of a communication link between nodes in said network;
a data transport mechanism switch coupled to said plurality of node heads.
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14. A method of verifying a communication link in a wireless communication network, wherein the network has a plurality of nodes with transceivers, said method comprising:
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monitoring said communication link at a first level, said first level comprising a physical layer of components;
monitoring said communication link at a second level, said second level comprising a transceiver layer;
when said first level reports a change in status;
performing a link verification task;
when said second level reports a failure;
disabling signaling over said communication link; and
when said second level reports a link up request;
verifying a positive status of said physical layer; and
enabling signaling over said communication link.
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16. A system for verifying a communication link in a wireless optical communication network, wherein the network has a plurality of nodes with optical transceivers, comprising:
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means for monitoring said communication link at a first level, said first level comprising a physical layer of components;
means for monitoring said communication link at a second level, said second level comprising a transceiver layer;
when said first level reports a change in status;
means for performing a link verification task;
when said second level reports a failure;
means for disabling signaling over said communication link; and
when said second level reports a link up request;
means for verifying a positive status of said physical layer; and
means for enabling signaling over said communication link.
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Specification