Method and apparatus for correcting faults in a passive optical network
First Claim
1. A method of correcting faults in a passive optical network (PON), comprising:
- transmitting a communications signal including a bit error rate (BER) test data pattern via an optical communications path from a first optical network node to a second optical network node in a passive optical network;
acquiring from the second optical network node a status indicator representative of an operating state at the second optical network node responsive to the test pattern;
determining if a fault condition exists as a function of the status indicator; and
performing an action to correct the fault condition in an event a fault condition exists.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Component malfunctions in passive optical networks (PON) can increase bit error rates and decrease signal-to-noise ratio of communications signals. These faults may cause the receivers of the signals, either the optical line terminal (OLT) or optical network terminals (ONTs), to experience intermittent faults and/or may result in misinterpreted commands that disrupt other ONT'"'"'s communication, resulting in a rogue ONT condition. Existing PON protocol detection methods may not detect these types of malfunctions. An embodiment of the present invention identifies faults in a PON by transmitting a test series of data patterns via an optical communications path from a first optical network node to a second optical network node. The test series is compared to an expected series of data patterns. An error rate may be calculated as a function of the differences between the test series and expected series. The error rate may be reported to identify faults in the PON. Through use of the embodiment, network faults can be identified and optionally automatically corrected, saving a network service provider from expending technician time and maintaining an operating state of the network.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method of correcting faults in a passive optical network (PON), comprising:
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transmitting a communications signal including a bit error rate (BER) test data pattern via an optical communications path from a first optical network node to a second optical network node in a passive optical network; acquiring from the second optical network node a status indicator representative of an operating state at the second optical network node responsive to the test pattern; determining if a fault condition exists as a function of the status indicator; and performing an action to correct the fault condition in an event a fault condition exists. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for correcting faults in a network node in a passive optical network (PON), comprising:
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a transceiver configured to transmit a communications signal including a bit error rate (BER) test data pattern via an optical communications path from a first optical network node to a second optical network node in a passive optical network; an acquisition unit configured to acquire from the second optical network node a status indicator representative of an operating state at the second optical network node responsive to the test pattern; a determination unit configured to determine a fault condition as a function of the status indicator; and a correction unit configured to perform an action to correct the fault condition in an event a fault condition is determined. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A computer program product for identifying and correcting faults in an network node in a passive optical network (PON), the computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer readable instructions stored thereon, which, when loaded and executed by a processor, causes the processor to:
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transmit a communications signal including a bit error rate (BER) test data pattern via an optical communications path from a first optical network node to a second optical network node in a passive optical network; obtain from the second optical network node a status indicator representative of an operating state at the second optical network node responsive to the test pattern; determine if a fault condition exists as a function of the status indicator; and perform an action to correct the fault condition in an event a fault condition exists.
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Specification