Method and apparatus for adopting performance report messages in a telecommunications system

• US 5,774,456 A
• Filed: 09/30/1996
• Issued: 06/30/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Viavi Solutions, Inc. (Lumentum Holdings Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Applied Digital Access, Inc. (Lumentum Holdings Inc.)
• Inventors: Wright, Maynard A., Hartmann, Paul R., Ellebracht, Edward T., Pope, Kevin T., Hecker, Ramone A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Wellington
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, HUY DUY
• Application Number:
  US08/723,096
• Time in Patent Office: 638 Days
• Field of Search: 370/241, 370/242, 370/243, 370/244, 370/245, 370/246, 370/247, 370/248, 370/249, 370/250, 370/251, 370/252, 370/359, 370/360, 370/384, 370/419, 370/420, 370/463, 370/522, 370/524, 370/527, 370/528, 370/529, 379/1, 379/2, 379/3, 379/4, 379/5, 379/6, 379/9, 379/10, 379/27, 379/28, 379/29, 379/33, 379/37, 379/47, 379/188, 379/199, 379/399, 340/825.06, 340/825.17, 340/825.16, 340/825.36, 340/825.37, 340/825.49
• US Class Current: 370/242
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/14 Monitoring arrangements for SDH/SONET rings H04J3/085
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/10 Providing fault- or trouble-signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/244 for multiplex systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/303 and using PCM multiplexers, e.g. pair gain systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1316 Service observation, testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13162 Fault indication and localisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1332 Logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13322 Integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13349 Network management
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1336 Synchronisation

Abstract

A method and apparatus for automated sectionalization of a DS1/DS3 data path based upon information received at a single location along the path. A test and monitor device is located at a point of demarcation between an LEC and an IEC. A Remote Module is located at a point of demarcation between the LEC and CPE. The test and monitor device is fully ANSI compatible. The information that is received is processed in a three step process in order to generate a "Sectionalizer Report". In preparing the Sectionalizer Report, the information output from a filter is used to determine where particular Events originated. Supplimental Performance Report Messages are generated to enhance the ability to sectionalize the data path.

Claims

1. A method for determining whether an event originated within customer premises equipment or network equipment within a telephone system, including the steps of:

(a) receiving at a network interface, a first signal from a customer premises equipment, the first signal including a performance report message;

(b) determining whether any conditions are present in the first signal which would cause a diagnostic bit within a performance report message to be set if the performance report message were being generated based upon the condition of the first signal;

(c) if any conditions are present in the first signal which would cause a diagnostic bit within a performance report message to be set if the performance report message were being generated based upon the condition of the first signal, then modifying the performance report message by setting the U2 bit of a performance report message generated by the customer premises equipment and received as part of the first signal; and

(d) sending the performance report message generated by the customer premises equipment and received as part of the first signal to the network with the U2 bit set if the performance report message has been modified, and sending the performance report message generated by the customer premises equipment and received as part of the first signal to the network with the U2 bit not set if the performance report message has not been modified.

2. A method for determining whether an event originated within customer premises equipment or network equipment within a telephone system, including the steps of:

(a) receiving at a network interface, a first signal from a customer premises equipment, the first signal not including a performance report message;

(b) determining whether any conditions are present in the first signal which would cause a diagnostic bit within a performance report message to be set;

(c) generating a performance report message based upon the condition of a second signal received at the network interface from the network;

(d) if any conditions are present in the first signal which would cause a diagnostic bit within a performance report message to be set, then setting the U2 bit of the performance report message; and

(e) sending the performance report message generated by the customer premises equipment and received as part of the first signal to the network with the U2 bit set if the performance report message has been modified, and sending the performance report message generated by the customer premises equipment and received as part of the first signal to the network with the U2 bit not set if the performance report message has not been modified.

3. A method for determining whether an event originated within customer premises equipment or network equipment within a telephone system, including the steps of:

(a) receiving at a network interface, a first signal from a network;

(b) determining whether any conditions are present in the first signal which would cause a diagnostic bit within a performance report message to be set if the performance report message were being generated based upon the condition of the first signal;

(c) receiving from customer premises equipment a performance report message generated by the customer premises equipment;

(d) if any conditions are present in the first signal which would cause a diagnostic bit within the performance report message to be set if the performance report message were being generated based upon the condition of the first signal, then modifying the performance report by setting the U1 bit of a performance report message generated by the customer premises equipment; and

(e) sending the performance report message generated by the customer premises equipment and received from the customer premises equipment to the network with the U1 bit set if the performance report message has been modified, and sending the performance report message generated by the customer premises equipment and received as part of the first signal to the network with the U1 bit not set if the performance report message has not been modified.

4. A unit for determining whether an event originated within customer premises equipment or network equipment within a telephone system, including:

(a) a receiver for receiving a first signal from a customer premises equipment, the first signal including a performance report message;

(b) first means, coupled to the receiver, for determining whether any conditions are present in the first signal which would cause a diagnostic bit within a performance report message to be set if the performance report message were being generated based upon the condition of the first signal;

(c) second means, coupled to the first means, for setting the U2 bit of a performance report message generated by the customer premises equipment and received as part of the first signal if any conditions are present in the first signal which would cause a diagnostic bit within a performance report message to be set if the performance report message were being generated based upon the condition of the first signal; and

(d) transmitter, coupled to the second means, for sending the performance report message generated by the customer premises equipment and received as part of the first signal to the network.

5. A unit for determining whether an event originated within customer premises equipment or network equipment within a telephone system, including:

(a) a first receiver for receiving a first signal from the network;

(b) a second receiver for receiving a second signal from a customer premises equipment, the second signal not including a performance report message;

(c) first means, coupled to the first receiver, for generating a performance report message for reporting the condition of a first signal;

(d) second means, coupled to the second receiver, for determining whether any conditions are present in the second signal which would cause a diagnostic bit within a performance report message to be set if the performance report message were being generated based upon the condition of the second signal;

(e) third means, coupled to the second and second means, for setting the U2 bit of the performance report message if any conditions are present in the second signal which would cause a diagnostic bit within a performance report message to be set if the performance report message were being generated based upon the condition of the second signal; and

(f) transmitter, coupled to the third means, for sending the performance report message.

6. A unit for determining whether an event originated within customer premises equipment or network equipment within a telephone system, including:

(a) a receiver for receiving at a network interface, a first signal from a network;

(b) a first means, coupled to the receiver, for determining whether any conditions are present in the first signal which would cause a diagnostic bit within a performance report message to be set if the performance report message were being generated based upon the condition of the first signal;

(c) a receiver for receiving from customer premises equipment a performance report message generated based upon the condition of the first signal;

(d) a second means, coupled to the first means, for setting the U1 bit of a performance report message generated by the customer premises equipment if any conditions are present in the first signal which would cause any diagnostic bits within a performance report message to be set if the performance report message were being generated at the network interface; and

(e) a transmitter, coupled to the second means, for sending to the network the performance report message generated by the customer premises equipment with the U1 bit set.

7. A method for determining whether an event originated within customer premises equipment or network equipment within a telephone system, including the steps of:

(a) receiving at a network interface, a first signal from a network;

(b) determining whether any conditions are present in the first signal which would cause a diagnostic bit within a performance report message to be set if the performance report message were being generated at the network interface;

(c) if the network interface receives a performance report message generated by the customer premises equipment, then;

(1) if any conditions are present in the first signal which would cause a diagnostic bit within a performance report message to be set if the performance report message were being generated at the network interface, then modifying the performance report message generated by the customer premises equipment in a manner which is undetectable to equipment which is not specially designed to detect the modification; and

(2) sending to the network the modified performance report message.

8. The method of claim 7, further including the steps of:

(a) receiving at the network interface, a second signal from the customer premises equipment including a performance report message;

(b) determining whether any conditions are present in the second signal which would cause a diagnostic bit within a performance report message to be set if the performance report message were being generated at the network interface; and

(c) if any conditions are present in the second signal which would cause a diagnostic bit within a performance report message to be set if the performance report message were being generated at the network, then modifying the performance report message generated by the customer premises equipment in a manner which is undetectable to equipment which is not specially designed to detect the modifications, and

(d) sending to the network the modified performance report message.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein if the network interface does not receive a performance report message generated by the customer premises equipment, then the method further includes the steps of;

(a) generating a performance report message indicating the condition of the signal received at the network interface from the network;

(b) if any conditions are present in the signal received from the customer premises equipment which would cause a diagnostic bit within a performance report message to be set if the performance report message were being generated at the customer premises equipment, then modifying the generated performance report message in a manner which is undetectable to equipment which is not specially designed to detect the modification; and

(c) sending the modified performance report message to the network.

10. A unit for determining whether an event originated within customer premises equipment or network equipment within a telephone system, including:

(a) first receiver for receiving at a network interface, a first signal from a network;

(b) first means, coupled to the first receiver, for determining whether any conditions are present in the first signal which would cause a diagnostic bit within a performance report message to be set if the performance report message were being generated at the network interface, and if the network interface receives a performance report message generated by the customer premises equipment, then;

(1) if any conditions are present in the first signal which would cause a diagnostic bit within a performance report message to be set if the performance report message were being generated at the network interface, then modifying the performance report message generated by the customer premises equipment in a manner which is undetectable to equipment which is not specially designed to detect the modification; and

(2) sending to the network the modified performance report message.

11. The unit of claim 10, further including:

(a) second receiver for receiving at the network interface, a second signal from the customer premises equipment including a performance report message;

(b) second means, coupled to the second receiver, for determining whether any conditions are present in the second signal which would cause a diagnostic bit within a performance report message to be set if the performance report message were being generated based upon the condition of the second signal, and if any conditions are present in the second signal which would cause a diagnostic bit within a performance report message to be set if the performance report message were being generated based upon the condition of the second signal, then;

(1) modifying the performance report message generated by the customer premises equipment in a manner which is undetectable to equipment which is not specially designed to detect the modifications, and

(2) sending to the network the modified performance report message.

12. The unit of claim 10, further including:

(a) means for generating a performance report message indicating the condition of the signal received at the network interface from the network if the network interface does not receive a performance report message generated by the customer premises equipment;

(b) means for modifying the generated performance report message in a manner which is undetectable to equipment which is not specially designed to detect the modification if any conditions are present in the signal received from the customer premises equipment which would cause a diagnostic bit within a performance report message to be set if the performance report message were being generated based upon the signal received from the customer premises equipment; and

(c) means for sending the modified performance report message to the network.