Connection integrity monitor for digital selection circuits

• US 6,505,310 B1
• Filed: 09/17/1999
• Issued: 01/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Clearinghouse LLC (RPX Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Chauvin, Jean Guy, Hind, Joleen, Caird, Ross, Brown, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): Beausoleil, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wilson, Yolanda L.
• Application Number:
  US09/397,968
• Time in Patent Office: 1,208 Days
• Field of Search: 714/43,715,716,735,820,821,824 379/22.01,249 370/249
• US Class Current: 714/43
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/242 by comparing a transmitted test signal with a locally generated replica
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13076 Distributing frame, MDF, cross-connect switch
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13099 Loop multiplexer
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1316 Service observation, testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13162 Fault indication and localisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13163 Fault alarm

Abstract

A circuit connection integrity monitor detecting and isolating connection faults in data path cards is disclosed. A connection integrity monitoring method and corresponding apparatus are applicable to selector and cross-connect circuits and permit a user to monitor all points where signal traffic may be prone to misconnection.

Claims

1. A method of determining connection fault of an output signal in a data path selector circuit, comprising:

providing a selector circuit having a plurality of data inputs;

providing a second circuit, independent of said selector circuit, for comparing at least one output of said selector circuit with an expected input;

comparing, with said independent circuit, said output with said expected input to determine whether said output is in accordance with said expected input; and

detecting, if present, a connection fault.

2. A method of determining connection fault of an output signal in a data path cross-connect circuit, comprising:

providing a cross-connect circuit-having a plurality of data inputs;

providing a second circuit, independent of said cross-connect circuit, for comparing at least one output of said cross-connect circuit with an expected input;

comparing, with said independent circuit, said output with said expected input to determine whether said output is in accordance with said expected input; and

detecting, if present, a connection fault.

3. A connection integrity monitor for monitoring connection fault of an output signal in a selector circuit, comprising:

a selector circuit having a plurality of data inputs;

a second circuit, independent of said selector circuit, for comparing at least one output of said selector circuit with an expected input;

a comparison means for comparing said at least one output with said expected input; and

a detection means for detecting a connection fault from a comparison of said at least one output with said expected input.

4. A connection integrity monitor for monitoring connection fault of an output signal in a cross-connect circuit, comprising:

a cross-connect circuit having a plurality of data inputs;

a second circuit, independent of said cross-connect circuit, for comparing at least one output of said cross-connect circuit with an expected input;

a comparison means for comparing said at least one output with said expected input; and

a detection means for detecting a connection fault from a comparison of said at least one output with said expected input.

5. A method of monitoring a connection unit, said connection unit comprising a primary connection map for receiving connection control signals and a primary connection circuit for receiving input from said primary connection map and for performing primary connections between a plurality of inputs and a plurality of primary outputs, said primary connections based on said connection control signals, said method comprising:

receiving said connection control signals;

receiving said plurality of inputs;

performing secondary connections between said plurality of inputs and a plurality of secondary outputs, said secondary connections based on said connection control signals;

receiving said plurality of primary outputs; and

determining a connection integrity status indicator from said plurality of primary outputs and said plurality of secondary outputs.

6. A connection integrity monitor for monitoring a connection unit, said connection unit comprising a primary connection map for receiving connection control signals and a primary connection circuit for receiving input from said primary connection map and for performing primary connections between a plurality of inputs and a plurality of primary outputs, said primary connections based on said connection control signals, said monitor comprising:

a comparison map for receiving said connection control signals;

a secondary connection circuit for;

receiving said plurality of inputs;

receiving input from said comparison map; and

performing secondary connections between said plurality of inputs and a plurality of secondary outputs, said secondary connections based on said connection control signals; and

a comparison circuit for;

receiving each of said primary outputs;

receiving each of said secondary outputs; and

determining a connection integrity status indicator from each of said primary outputs and each of said secondary outputs corresponding to each of said primary outputs.

7. The monitor of claim 6 wherein said comparison circuit includes a difference circuit for generating a signal indicative of a difference between one of said primary outputs and one of said secondary outputs corresponding to each of said primary outputs.

8. The monitor of claim 7 wherein said difference circuit comprises an Exclusive OR gate.

9. The monitor of claim 7 wherein said comparison circuit includes a threshold detector for determining whether said difference indicative signal exceeds a threshold.

10. The monitor of claim 7 wherein said comparison circuit comprises a filter for filtering said difference indicative signal.

11. A method of checking integrity of a connection control path connected to a primary connection map of a primary circuit and to a secondary connection map of an integrity monitor, comprising:

a) maintaining activity on one of a plurality of data inputs to said primary circuit and said integrity monitor with an input signal which is unique as compared with other possible signals on said plurality of data inputs;

b) where said connection integrity monitor indicates a no fault connection for a given output of said primary circuit based on a comparison between a data signal on said given output and a corresponding data signal generated by said connection integrity monitor, where a connection origin for said given output is said one of said plurality of data inputs, and where a connection origin for said corresponding data signal is said one of said plurality of data inputs, writing a new connection origin for said given output to said primary connection map;

c) checking for an indication by said connection integrity monitor of a faulty connection for said given output; and

d) if said checking of step b) fails to indicate a faulty connection, indicating a potential connection control address bus failure.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

e) writing said new connection origin for said given output to said secondary connection map;

f) checking for an indication by said connection integrity monitor of a no fault connection for said given output; and

g) if said checking of step f) fails to indicate a no fault connection, indicating a potential connection control address bus failure.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising

reading back said new connection origin from said primary connection map;

comparing said read back new connection origin to said new connection origin of said writing step; and

if said comparing fails to match said read back new connection origin to said new connection origin of said writing step, indicating a potential connection control data bus failure.

14. A method of checking for a connection fault in a switched data path connection circuit, comprising:

providing a fault indicating output path corresponding with each output data path of said switched data path connection circuit and a fault indicating input path corresponding with each input data path of said switched data path connection circuit;

receiving connection control signals for said switched data path connection circuit;

receiving an input data signal at each fault indicating input path corresponding with each data path input of said switched data path connection circuit; and

utilising said connection control signals, each said input data signal and each output data signal on said each output data path to check for a connection fault.

15. A method of checking for a connection fault in a switched data path connection circuit, comprising:

providing a fault indicating output path corresponding with each output data path of said switched data path connection circuit and a fault indicating input path corresponding with each input data path of said switched data path connection circuit;

receiving connection control signals for said switched data path connection circuit;

receiving an input data signal at each fault indicating input path corresponding with each data path input of said switched data path connection circuit;

mapping said received data signal on said corresponding fault indicating input path to one said fault indicating output path based on said connection control signals; and

comparing a signal on said one said fault indicating output path with a signal on a corresponding output path of said switched data path connection circuit to check for a connection fault.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said comparing comprises generating a signal indicative of a difference between said signal on said one said fault indicating output path and said signal on a corresponding output path of said switched data path connection circuit.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising, if said difference indicative signal exceeds a threshold, indicating a connection fault.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising, before said comparing, matching a delay of said signal on said one said fault indicating output path to a delay of said signal on said corresponding output path of said switched data path connection circuit.

19. A method of checking for a connection fault in a switched data path connection circuit, comprising:

providing a fault indicating output path corresponding with each output data path of said switched data path connection circuit and a fault indicating input path corresponding with each input data path of said switched data path connection circuit;

receiving connection control signals for said switched data path connection circuit;

receiving an input data signal at each fault indicating input path corresponding with each data path input of said switched data path connection circuit;

for said each output data path of said switched data path connection circuit, comparing a signal on said each output data path to each input data signal; and

connecting a connection fault indicating signal resulting from said comparing step to one said fault indicating output path based on said connection control signals.