Communication link monitoring and failover
First Claim
1. An intelligent electronic device (IED) configured to operate in an electric power system and to monitor a first communication path in a data network, comprising:
- a communication subsystem in communication with the data network and configured to transmit information to a recipient;
a confirmatory signal subsystem configured;
to generate a confirmatory signal;
to insert the confirmatory signal into a continuous stream of data to be transmitted to the recipient through a first communication path in the data network; and
to detect a disruption in the confirmatory signal;
a failover subsystem configured to reroute the stream of network data to be transmitted to the recipient through a second communication path in response to the disruption;
wherein the second communication path comprises at least one physical connection in the network that is distinct from the first communication path; and
wherein the first communication path is established and continuously operating prior to the disruption.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for detection of a failed communication link and rerouting network traffic around the failure. One embodiment of a system consistent with the present disclosure may comprise a communication subsystem in communication with the data network and configured to transmit information to a recipient. The system may also include a confirmatory signal subsystem configured to generate a confirmatory signal. The confirmatory signal may be inserted into a stream of data to be transmitted to the recipient through a first communication path. Upon detection of a disruption in the confirmatory signal, a failover subsystem configured to reroute the stream of network data to be transmitted to the recipient through a second communication path. The second communication path may comprise one or more physical connections in the network that are distinct from the first communication path.
89 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An intelligent electronic device (IED) configured to operate in an electric power system and to monitor a first communication path in a data network, comprising:
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a communication subsystem in communication with the data network and configured to transmit information to a recipient; a confirmatory signal subsystem configured; to generate a confirmatory signal; to insert the confirmatory signal into a continuous stream of data to be transmitted to the recipient through a first communication path in the data network; and to detect a disruption in the confirmatory signal; a failover subsystem configured to reroute the stream of network data to be transmitted to the recipient through a second communication path in response to the disruption; wherein the second communication path comprises at least one physical connection in the network that is distinct from the first communication path; and wherein the first communication path is established and continuously operating prior to the disruption. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for monitoring a first communication path in a data network using an intelligent electronic device (IED) in an electric power system, comprising:
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generating a confirmatory signal using the IED; inserting the confirmatory signal into a continuous stream of data to be transmitted to a recipient via the first communication path using the IED; transmitting the confirmatory signal and the stream of network data via the first communication path using the IED; detecting a disruption in the confirmatory signal using the IED; and rerouting the stream of network data to be transmitted to the recipient through a second communication path in response to the disruption using the IED, the second communication path comprising at least one physical connection in the network that is distinct from the first communication path; wherein the first communication path is established and continuously operating prior to the disruption. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An intelligent electronic device (IED) configured to operate in an electric power system and to monitor a first communication path in a data network, comprising:
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a communication subsystem in communication with the data network and configured to transmit information to a recipient; a confirmatory signal subsystem configured; to generate a confirmatory signal; to insert the confirmatory signal into a stream of data to be transmitted to the recipient through a first communication path in the data network; and to detect a disruption in the confirmatory signal; a failover subsystem configured to reroute the stream of network data to be transmitted to the recipient through a second communication path in response to the disruption; an analog contact interface configured to receive an analog signal from the recipient via the analog contact interface; wherein the analog signal comprises a representation of the disruption.
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Specification