Link error monitoring
First Claim
1. In a communication network, a method for estimating an average time interval between link errors, said method comprising the steps of:
- on reset, initializing a register to a positive value R0 which exceeds a threshold time interval between errors;
detecting link errors and updating the register so that, when the nth link error is detected where n=1, 2, . . . , N and N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, the register has the value.
space="preserve" listing-type="equation">w.sub.1 ×
i.sub.n +w.sub.2 ×
i.sub.n-1 + . . . +w.sub.n ×
i.sub.1 +w.sub.n+1 ×
R0where i1, i2, . . . , in are successive time intervals between errors and w1, . . . , wN are predetermined positive weights, the register value being an estimate of the average time interval between link errors.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a communication network, an efficient link error monitor is provided that completely relieves the microprocessor of computing the link error rate and comparing it with link error rate thresholds. The link error rate computation and the comparison are performed by the physical layer of a communication station. The physical layer generates an interrupt to the microprocessor only if a threshold is crossed and a microprocessor action may be required. The physical layer includes a number of registers that can be conveniently written by the microprocessor to designate the thresholds and monitor the link errors. The link error rate is estimated using a simple estimator that provides a realistic link error rate estimate even at early stages of operation when few link errors have been detected and when, therefore, little statistical information on the link error rate exists.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. In a communication network, a method for estimating an average time interval between link errors, said method comprising the steps of:
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on reset, initializing a register to a positive value R0 which exceeds a threshold time interval between errors; detecting link errors and updating the register so that, when the nth link error is detected where n=1, 2, . . . , N and N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, the register has the value.
space="preserve" listing-type="equation">w.sub.1 ×
i.sub.n +w.sub.2 ×
i.sub.n-1 + . . . +w.sub.n ×
i.sub.1 +w.sub.n+1 ×
R0where i1, i2, . . . , in are successive time intervals between errors and w1, . . . , wN are predetermined positive weights, the register value being an estimate of the average time interval between link errors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for estimating an average time between link errors in a communication network, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a circuitry for storing an estimated time interval between errors; initializing said estimated time interval stored in said circuitry to a positive number that is greater than a threshold time interval between errors; providing a clock signal; on each cycle of the clock signal; determining if a new link error has been detected; if a new link error has not been detected, then adding to said estimated time interval in said circuitry a predetermined number I representing a length of one cycle of the clock signal; and if a new link error has been detected, then dividing said estimated time interval in said circuitry by a predetermined number D to obtain an estimate for a weighted average time between link errors. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. In a physical layer controller for controlling a physical layer of a station capable of being inserted into a communication network, an apparatus for providing an average time interval between errors, the apparatus comprising:
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a register for providing the average time interval between errors; a circuitry C1 for initializing said register on reset to a positive number; and a circuitry C2 for adding to said register a length of a time interval in which a new link error has not been detected, and if a new link error has been detected, for dividing said register by a predetermined number D to obtain a weighted average time between link errors. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A link error rate signaling apparatus in a physical layer controller for controlling a physical layer of a station that is capable of insertion into a communication network, the link error rate signaling apparatus comprising:
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a threshold register REG-- TH1 that a user may write in order to designate a link error rate threshold, a register R1 for representing a current link error rate, and a circuitry C1 for signaling when the link error rate represented by the register R1 crosses in a predetermined direction the threshold designated by the threshold register REG-- TH1. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A link error event signaling apparatus in a physical layer controller for controlling a physical layer of a station that is capable of insertion into a communication network, the link error event signaling apparatus comprising:
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a threshold register REG-- TH1 that a user may write in order to designate a link error rate threshold TH1; and a circuitry C1 for signaling a link error event E1 consisting in the current link error rate being in a predetermined relationship with the threshold TH1. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method for detecting and signaling link error rate events in a communication network, said method comprising the steps of:
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designating a link error rate threshold TH1 and a link error rate threshold TH2; detecting occurrences of an event E1 that consists in the current link error rate being in a predetermined relationship with the threshold TH1; detecting occurrences of an event E2 that consists in the current link error rate being in a predetermined relationship with the threshold TH2; and when the event E1 is detected and armed, signaling the event E1, unarming the event E1 and arming the event E2. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37)
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Specification