Communication device and communication quality measurement method

Abstract

To make it possible to perform, when communication quality deteriorates, measurements for investigating the cause.SOLUTION: A communication device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an ONU function unit that performs PON communication with an OLT, an HGW function unit that performs IP address-based routing, and one or more UNI ports. The communication device includes a signal acquisition unit that executes processing for taking out communication packets transmitted and received between the ONU function unit and the HGW function unit to the outside of the device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication device and a method for measuring communication quality. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a home gateway unit (HGU) that can mount a pluggable ONU in its housing and has both the function of an ONU of a PON system and the function of a home gateway (HGW). The above HGU realizes the loopback function specifying a UNI port by controlling the route of the loopback frame from the OLT. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-175092 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Patent Document 1 does not consider a method for determining whether a problem in communication quality is caused by an ONU function or an HGW function when the problem occurs. In view of the above-described conventional problems, the present disclosure aims to enable a communication device having both an ONU function and an HGW function to perform measurements to identify the cause of deterioration in communication quality. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a communication apparatus comprising an ONU functional unit that performs PON communication with an OLT, an HGW functional unit that performs routing based on IP addresses, and one or more UNI ports, and further comprising a signal acquisition unit that performs processing to extract communication packets transmitted and received between the ONU functional unit and the HGW functional unit from the apparatus.

[0006] A method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a method for measuring communication quality performed on a communication device having an ONU functional unit and an HGW functional unit, wherein the communication device is a communication device that can switch between multiple operating modes, and the multiple operating modes include the following first and second modes, and the measurement method includes a first step of measuring the communication quality of downstream packets using a quality measuring device connected to a specified UNI port of the communication device operating in the first mode, and a second step of measuring the communication quality of the downstream packets using the quality measuring device connected to the UNI port of the communication device operating in the second mode. First mode: Operation mode in which both the ONU function unit and the HGW function unit are operating Second mode: Operation mode in which the ONU function unit operates and the HGW function unit does not operate

[0007] A method according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a method for measuring communication quality performed on a communication device having an ONU functional unit and an HGW functional unit, wherein the UNI port of the communication device includes a normal port that is not for measuring communication quality and a dedicated port that is for measuring communication quality, and the communication method includes a first step of measuring the communication quality of downstream packets and upstream packets using a quality measuring device connected to the normal port, and a second step of measuring the communication quality of the downstream packets and the upstream packets using a quality measuring device connected to the dedicated port.

[0008] The present disclosure can be realized not only as a system and device having the above-described characteristic configuration, but also as a program for causing a computer to execute such characteristic configuration. Furthermore, the present disclosure can be realized as a semiconductor integrated circuit that realizes part or all of the system and device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to perform measurements to investigate the cause of deterioration in communication quality in a communication device that has both an ONU function and an HGW function. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a connection diagram showing a schematic configuration of a PON system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the HGU (first mode). [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the HGU (second mode). [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for switching between operation modes. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation mode switching procedure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for measuring communication quality for an HGU (FIGS. 2 and 3). [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a modified example of the internal configuration of the HGU. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for measuring communication quality for an HGU (FIG. 7) according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] <Summary of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure> The following provides an outline of embodiments of the present disclosure. (1) The communication device of this embodiment is a communication device having an ONU functional unit that performs PON communication with an OLT, an HGW functional unit that performs routing based on IP addresses, and one or more UNI ports, and is also equipped with a signal acquisition unit that performs processing to extract communication packets transmitted and received between the ONU functional unit and the HGW functional unit outside the device.

[0012] According to the communication device of this embodiment, the signal acquisition unit executes processing to extract communication packets transmitted and received between the ONU functional unit and the HGW functional unit from the device, so that it is possible to measure the communication quality of communication packets that pass through only the ONU functional unit, for example. Therefore, by adopting the measurement method described below, it becomes possible to carry out measurements to identify the cause of deterioration in communication quality.

[0013] (2) In the communication device of this embodiment, if the signal acquisition unit is a control unit that can switch the communication device to one of a plurality of operating modes, the plurality of operating modes may include the following first and second modes. First mode: Operation mode in which both the ONU function unit and the HGW function unit are operating Second mode: Operation mode in which the ONU function unit operates and the HGW function unit does not operate

[0014] In this way, by comparing the communication quality of the communication device operating in the first mode with the communication quality of the communication device operating in the second mode, it becomes possible to determine whether the HGW functional unit is the cause of a deterioration in communication quality.

[0015] (3) In the communication device of this embodiment, the control unit may connect the ONU functional unit to the HGW functional unit in the first mode, and connect the ONU functional unit to a PHY unit corresponding to a specified UNI port in the second mode.

[0016] In this way, communication packets transmitted and received between the ONU function unit and the HGW function unit can be extracted from the device through a specified UNI port. Therefore, by comparing the communication quality of a communication device operating in the first mode with the communication quality of a communication device operating in the second mode, it becomes possible to determine whether the HGW function unit is the cause of a deterioration in communication quality. Furthermore, the specified UNI port can be used not only as a user port but also as a port for measuring communication quality.

[0017] (4) In the communication device of this embodiment, when the control unit switches the operating mode in response to receiving a predetermined control command, the predetermined control command may be at least one of a command using a switch provided in the communication device, a command using a control command from the LAN side, and a command using a control packet from the PON side.

[0018] In this case, by sending any of the above commands to the control unit, it is possible to cause the control unit to switch the operation mode of the communication device.

[0019] (5) In the communication device of this embodiment, if there are multiple UNI ports and the multiple UNI ports include a normal port that is not for measuring communication quality and a dedicated port that is for measuring communication quality, the signal acquisition unit may be a packet forwarding unit that forwards downstream packets output by the ONU functional unit to a PHY unit corresponding to the dedicated port and forwards upstream packets output by the HGW functional unit to the PHY unit.

[0020] In this way, communication packets transmitted and received between the ONU functional unit and the HGW functional unit can be extracted from the device through a dedicated port. Therefore, by comparing the communication quality measured by the quality measuring device connected to the dedicated port with the communication quality measured by the quality measuring device connected to the normal port, it becomes possible to determine whether the ONU functional unit or the HGW functional unit is the cause of a deterioration in communication quality.

[0021] (6) In the communication device of this embodiment, when the ONU function unit and the HGW function unit are included in one SoC, the SoC may further include a CPU that controls the ONU function unit and the HGW function unit.

[0022] In this way, the manufacturing costs of the communication device can be reduced and the power consumption of the communication device can be suppressed compared to when the ONU function unit, HGW function unit, and the CPU that controls them are implemented separately on separate chips.

[0023] (7) The measurement method of this embodiment is a method for measuring communication quality performed on a communication device having an ONU functional unit and an HGW functional unit, wherein the communication device is a communication device that executes a plurality of operating modes switchably, and the plurality of operating modes include the above-mentioned first and second modes, and the measurement method includes a first step of measuring the communication quality of downstream packets using a quality measuring device connected to a predetermined UNI port of the communication device operating in the first mode, and a second step of measuring the communication quality of the downstream packets using the quality measuring device connected to the UNI port of the communication device operating in the second mode.

[0024] According to the measurement method of this embodiment, by comparing the communication quality of a communication device operating in a first mode measured in a first step with the communication quality of a communication device operating in a second mode measured in a second step, it becomes possible to determine whether the HGW functional unit is the cause of a deterioration in communication quality.

[0025] (8) The measurement method of this embodiment is a method for measuring communication quality performed on a communication device having an ONU functional unit and an HGW functional unit, wherein the UNI port of the communication device includes a normal port that is not used for measuring communication quality and a dedicated port that is used for measuring communication quality, and the communication method includes a first step of measuring the communication quality of downstream packets and upstream packets using a quality measuring device connected to the normal port, and a second step of measuring the communication quality of the downstream packets and the upstream packets using a quality measuring device connected to the dedicated port.

[0026] According to the measurement method of this embodiment, by comparing the communication quality measured by a quality measuring device connected to a normal port in the first step with the communication quality measured by a quality measuring device connected to a dedicated port in the second step, it becomes possible to determine whether the cause of a deterioration in communication quality is the ONU functional unit or the HGW functional unit.

[0027] <Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure> Hereinafter, details of embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that at least some of the embodiments described below may be combined in any manner.

[0028] [Overall system configuration] FIG. 1 is a connection diagram illustrating an example of an optical communication system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 is a GEPON (Gigabit Ethernet (registered trademark) Passive Optical Network) system that conforms to a predetermined communication protocol such as IEEE802.3ah or IEEE802.3av. However, the PON system 100 may also be an optical communication system with a transmission rate of over 1G, such as 10G-EPON.

[0029] The optical communication system 100 includes an OLT 1, a plurality of home gateway units (hereinafter referred to as "HGUs") 2, and an optical line 3. The optical line 3 includes an optical fiber 31 which is a trunk line, an optical coupler 32, and an optical fiber 33 which is a branch line branching from the optical coupler 32. The OLT 10 is an optical line terminal installed on the central office side of a telecommunications carrier. One end of an optical fiber 31 is optically connected to an optical signal input / output terminal of the OLT 10. The other end of the optical fiber 31 is optically connected to an optical coupler 32.

[0030] One end of each optical fiber 33 is optically connected to the optical coupler 32. The other end of each optical fiber 33 is optically connected to an input / output terminal of the optical signal of the HGU2. The HGU2 in this embodiment is a communication device that combines the functions of an optical network unit (ONU) installed on the user side of an optical fiber service (e.g., a subscriber's home) and the functions of a home gateway (HGW) that has routing functions based on IP (Internet Protocol) addresses, etc.

[0031] A user terminal 4 is connected to the HGU 2. The connection between the HGU 2 and the user terminal 4 may be either a wired connection or a wireless connection. Possible user terminals 4 connectable to the HGU 2 include, for example, personal computers (PCs), wireless LAN (Local Area Network) devices such as smartphones and tablet PCs, and IoT (Internet of Things) devices, which are home appliances capable of internet communication.

[0032] [Internal structure of HGU] 2 and 3 are block diagrams showing an example of the internal configuration of the HGU2. Specifically, Fig. 2 shows the HGU2 when its operation mode is a "first mode" (HGU mode) described below. Fig. 3 shows the HGU2 when its operation mode is a "second mode" (ONU mode) described below.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the HGU 2 includes a housing 20 and a plurality of electronic components mounted on a circuit board (not shown) inside the housing 20. The multiple electronic components include, in order from the PON side (left side of Figures 2 and 3) to the user side (right side of Figures 2 and 3), a PON side transceiver unit 21, a signal processing unit 22, and multiple UNI (user network interface) ports 23.

[0034] The UNI port 23 is a port for inputting and outputting electrical signals on the user side. The UNI port 23 includes, for example, RJ-45 connectors 23A, 23B, and 23D. The UNI port 23 may also include a wireless LAN communication port 23C. The PON side transmitting / receiving unit 21 is a transmitting / receiving unit having the function of an optical transceiver that converts optical signals into electrical signals and vice versa, and includes, for example, a laser diode, a laser driver, a photodiode, and a post-amplifier.

[0035] The laser driver drives the laser diode with an electrical signal at a predetermined transmission rate input from the signal processing unit 22. The laser diode converts the electrical signal at the predetermined transmission rate into an optical signal and sends the converted optical signal to the optical fiber 33. The photodiode converts an optical signal having a predetermined transmission rate input from the optical fiber 33 into an electrical signal, and inputs the converted electrical signal to the post-amplifier. The post-amplifier amplifies the input electrical signal and outputs it to the signal processing unit 22.

[0036] The signal processing unit 22 of this embodiment is an electronic circuit configured by, for example, a one-chip SoC (System on a Chip). The signal processing unit 22 has a control unit 24 and a plurality of function units 25-28. The plurality of functional units 25 to 28 are realized by configuring, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The plurality of functional units 25 to 28 may be configured with an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or may be configured with both an FPGA and an ASIC. The control unit 24 is made up of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), but may also be configured with an FPGA or the like.

[0037] The control unit 24 can acquire predetermined setting information by communicating with a communication terminal (not shown), such as a personal computer owned by a telecommunications carrier or a user. The control unit 24 is a control unit (CPU) shared by an ONU function unit 25 and an HGW function unit 26, which will be described later, and executes various settings for the ONU function unit 25 and the HGW function unit 26 based on the acquired setting information. The control unit 24 switches the operation mode (first mode and second mode) of the HGU 2 based on a predetermined control command, which will be described later.

[0038] The plurality of functional units 25 to 28 include an ONU functional unit 25, an HGW functional unit 26, an L2 switch 27, and a plurality of PHY units 28. The plurality of PHY units 28 correspond one-to-one to the plurality of UNI ports 23A to 23D.

[0039] The PON side of the ONU function unit 25 is electrically connected to the PON side transmitting / receiving unit 21 . The LAN side of the ONU functional unit 25 is electrically connected to the HGW functional unit 26 in the first mode (Figure 2), and is electrically connected to a specified PHY unit 28 (in Figure 3, the PHY unit 28 corresponding to the UNI port 23A) in the second mode (Figure 3).

[0040] The ONU function unit 25 is a function unit that executes PON communication with the OLT 1 ​​in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol related to PON, and corresponds to, for example, a MAC (Media Access Control) unit of a standalone ONU. In the PON system 100, the OLT 1 ​​performs time division multiplexing and dynamic bandwidth allocation (DBA) in accordance with the Multi-Point Control Protocol (MPCP).

[0041] Therefore, the ONU function unit 25 transmits a request storing the amount of data accumulated in its own upstream buffer (not shown) to the OLT 1, and the OLT 1 ​​executes DBA based on the amount of data included in the request. Furthermore, the ONU function unit 25 transmits to the OLT 1, at the time specified in the grant received from the OLT 1, communication packets of the amount of data permitted by the grant.

[0042] The ONU function unit 25 can also transmit and receive predetermined control frames, such as Ethernet OAM (Operation, Administration, and Maintenance) frames ("Ethernet" is a registered trademark), to and from the OLT 1.

[0043] The HGW function unit 26 is a function unit that executes routing based on IP addresses, and in the case of a standalone HGW, is realized by an electronic circuit such as a CPU. The HGW function unit 26 establishes a connection using the communication method IPoE (Internet Protocol over Ethernet) or PPPoE (Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet) based on account information of an Internet Service Provider (ISP), and acquires a global IP address as a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) client.

[0044] On the LAN side, the HGW function unit 26 functions as various servers and gateways that provide the user terminal 4 with an Internet connection. Specifically, the HGW functional unit 26 has a DHCP server function that issues private IP addresses, a NAPT (Network Address Port Translation) function that performs address conversion between the WAN (Wide Area Network) side and the LAN side, and a filter and firewall function that blocks suspicious access in accordance with predetermined rules set by the user.

[0045] When the control unit 24 sets the HGU 2 to the first mode (FIG. 2), it activates both the HGW function unit 26 and the L2 switch 27. In this case, the L2 switch 27 determines the output destination of the communication packet based on the correspondence information between the IP address and the MAC address. For example, the L2 switch 27 outputs the downstream communication packet input from the HGW functional unit 26 to a predetermined PHY unit 28, and outputs the upstream communication packet input from each PHY unit 28 to the HGW functional unit 26.

[0046] In the first mode (FIG. 2), the PHY unit 28 converts a predetermined electrical signal (communication packet) input from the L2 switch 27 into a carrier signal of a predetermined frequency, and outputs the converted carrier signal to the UNI ports 23A to 23D. In the first mode (FIG. 2), the PHY unit 28 extracts a predetermined electrical signal (communication packet) from the carrier signal input from the UNI port 23 and outputs the extracted electrical signal to the L2 switch 27.

[0047] When the control unit 24 sets the HGU2 to the second mode (FIG. 3), the control unit 24 executes the following process to extract communication packets transmitted and received between the ONU function unit 25 and the HGW function unit 26 to the outside of the device. That is, the operation of the HGW functional unit 26 and the L2 switch 27 is stopped. The operation may be stopped by any of power-off, sleep, and hibernation. The control unit 24 also bypasses the HGW functional unit 26 and the L2 switch 27 and connects the ONU functional unit 25 to a predetermined PHY unit 28 (the PHY unit corresponding to the UNI port 23A in FIG. 3) (bypass connection).

[0048] In this case, the predetermined PHY unit 28 converts a predetermined electrical signal (communication packet) input from the ONU function unit 25 into a carrier signal of a predetermined frequency and outputs it to the UNI port 23A. Furthermore, the predetermined PHY unit 28 extracts a predetermined electrical signal (communication packet) from the carrier signal input from the UNI port 23A, and outputs the extracted electrical signal to the ONU function unit 25.

[0049] [Types of HGU operation modes] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the multiple operation modes that the signal processing unit 22 of the HGU 2 can switch between include the following first and second modes. First mode (FIG. 2): A normal operation mode in which both the ONU function unit 25 and the HGW function unit 26 are in operation. Hereinafter, this mode will also be referred to as "HGU mode." Second mode (FIG. 3): An operation mode for quality measurement in which the ONU function unit 25 operates and the HGU function unit 26 does not operate. Hereinafter, this mode is also referred to as "ONU mode."

[0050] The operation mode of the signal processing unit 22 is switched by transmitting at least one of the following control commands 1 to 3 to the control unit 24. Control command 1: Command using switch 5 installed on HGU2 Control command 2: Commands using control commands from the LAN side Control command 3: Command using control packet from PON side

[0051] The control command 1 is generated by turning on a switch 5 provided on the circuit board or housing 20 of the HGU 2. The switch 5 is, for example, a DIP switch. The control command 1 is transmitted directly from the DIP switch 5 to the control unit 24 by, for example, I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) communication. The switch 5 may be a jumper pin that can be inserted into or removed from a circuit board, or a push button switch provided on the housing.

[0052] The control command of the control instruction 2 is generated by inputting a predetermined command into a user terminal 4 such as a personal computer. The interface for the control command may be, for example, a Web GUI (Web Graphical User Interface) or a CLI (Command Line Interface). The control command 2 is converted into, for example, an Ethernet signal and transmitted to the control unit 24 via the PHY unit 28 , the L2 switch 27 , and the HGW function unit 24 .

[0053] The control packet of the control command 3 is, for example, an Ethernet OAM frame having a data field that can be defined by the vendor. The control command 3 is transmitted from the OLT 1 ​​to the HGU 2 through the optical line 3 , and is then transmitted to the control unit 24 via the PON side transmitting / receiving unit 21 and the ONU function unit 25 .

[0054] [Operation mode switching procedure] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for switching between operation modes. Fig. 4 shows a switching procedure executed by the control unit 24 without restarting the HGU 2. Here, it is assumed that the control unit 24 is executing the first mode (HGU mode) in the default state, and the operation mode is switched from the first mode to the second mode (ONU mode). Also, the "control command" in Fig. 4 is any one of the above-mentioned control commands 1 to 3.

[0055] When the control unit 24 receives the control command (step S11), it executes switching from the first mode to the second mode (step S12). In the second mode, the control unit 24 turns off the HGU function unit 26 and the L2 switch 27 (steps S13 and S14), then disconnects the L2 switch 27 from each PHY unit 28 (step S15), and connects the ONU function unit 25 to a predetermined PHY unit 28 (step AS16). Note that "off" may mean any of power-off, sleep, and hibernation.

[0056] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing another example of a method for switching between operation modes. 5 shows the switching procedure executed by the control unit 24 after restarting the HGU 2. Here, the control unit 24 records the contents of the control command received before restarting the HGU 2 in a nonvolatile memory (not shown), and after starting up the HGU 2, first executes a process to check the operating mode recorded in the memory.

[0057] When the control unit 24 starts up after powering on the HGU 2 (step S21), it checks the operation mode (step S22). This process is executed by reading out the contents of the control command recorded in the memory.

[0058] If the confirmation result is the first mode (HGU mode), the control unit 24 connects the L2 switch 27 to each PHY unit 28 (step S23), and then turns on both the ONU function unit 25 and the HGW function unit 26 (steps S24, S25), and turns on the L2 switch 27 (step S26). Note that "on" means an operating state.

[0059] If the confirmation result is the second mode (ONU mode), the control unit 24 connects the L2 switch 27 to a predetermined PHY unit 28 (step S27), and then turns on the ONU function unit 25 (step S28). "Off" may mean any of power-off, sleep, and hibernation.

[0060] [Method of measuring communication quality] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for measuring communication quality for the HGU 2 (Figs. 2 and 3) of this embodiment. The flowchart in Fig. 6 shows a manual measurement procedure carried out by, for example, an operator of a telecommunications carrier. As shown in FIG. 6, the worker first sets the HGU 2 to the first mode (HGU mode) (step ST11), and then connects the quality measuring instrument 6 to the UNI ports 23B to 23D in normal operation (step ST12).

[0061] Next, the worker measures the communication quality of the downstream packets using the quality measuring device 6 (step ST13: first measurement). The communication quality includes, for example, the packet loss rate of communication packets, jitter (fluctuation), transmission delay, etc. The measurement results are recorded in, for example, the quality measuring device 6.

[0062] Next, the worker sets the HGU2 to the second mode (ONU mode) (step ST14), and then connects the quality measuring instrument 6 to the UNI port 23A that can also be used for measurement (step ST15).

[0063] Next, the worker measures the communication quality of the downstream packets using the quality measuring device 6 (step ST16: second measurement). The second measurement (step ST16) is performed for the same type of communication quality as in the first measurement (step ST13). The measurement results are recorded in the quality measurer 6, for example.

[0064] Next, the worker evaluates the measurement results (step ST17). This evaluation includes the task of determining whether or not there is a problem with the HGW function unit 26 by comparing the results of the first measurement with the results of the second measurement.

[0065] For example, if the threshold for determining whether the packet loss rate is appropriate is 0.1%, and the measurement result is as follows, it can be determined that a malfunction has occurred in the HGW function unit 25. Packet loss rate in the first measurement: 0.20% Packet loss rate in the second measurement: 0.01%

[0066] The reason is that if the measurement results of the second measurement, in which only the ONU functional unit 25 is operated, are good, but the measurement results of the first measurement, in which both the ONU functional unit 25 and the HGW functional unit 26 are operated, are poor, it can be assumed that there is a problem with the HGW functional unit 25. In the flowchart of FIG. 6, steps ST14 to ST16 may be performed first, and steps ST11 to ST13 may be performed later.

[0067] [Modification of the internal structure of the HGU] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a modified example of the internal configuration of the HGU2. The HGU2 of the modified example shown in FIG. 7 differs from the HGU2 of FIGS. 2 and 3 in the following points. Difference 1: A packet forwarding unit 30 that forwards (mirrores) communication packets is provided. Difference 2: The packet transfer unit 30 and the PHY unit 28 corresponding to the measurement-only UNI port 23A are electrically connected.

[0068] The packet forwarding unit 30 is interposed between the ONU functional unit 25 and the HGW functional unit 26, and performs mirroring on the following two types of communication packets as a process for extracting communication packets transmitted and received between the ONU functional unit 25 and the HGW functional unit 26 outside the device. Downstream transfer packet: Downstream packet flowing from the ONU function unit 25 to the HGW function unit 26 Upstream transfer packet: Upstream packet flowing from the HGW function unit 26 to the ONU function unit 25

[0069] That is, the packet forwarding unit 30 outputs downstream packets input from the ONU function unit 25 to both the HGW function unit 26 and the dedicated PHY unit 28 . Furthermore, the packet transfer unit 30 outputs upstream packets input from the HGU function unit 26 to both the ONU function unit 25 and the dedicated PHY unit 28. Therefore, the above two types of communication packets always flow through the UNI port 23A dedicated for measurement.

[0070] In this way, in the HGU2 of the modified example shown in FIG. 7, the UNI port 23A is used as a communication port dedicated to measuring communication quality, so there is no need to switch the operation mode. However, since the measurement-only UNI port 23A cannot send or receive user data, communication is not possible even if a user terminal 4 is connected. Therefore, it is preferable to seal the measurement-only UNI port 23A so that it cannot be used by users.

[0071] [Modification of the communication quality measurement method] Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for measuring communication quality for the HGU 2 (Fig. 7) according to the modified example. The flowchart in Fig. 8 shows a procedure for manual measurement carried out by, for example, an operator of a telecommunications carrier. As shown in FIG. 8, the worker first connects the quality measuring device 6 to the UNI ports 23B to 23D in normal operation (step ST21).

[0072] Next, the worker measures the communication quality of at least one of the downstream packets and the upstream packets using the quality measuring device 6 (step ST21: first measurement). The communication quality includes, for example, the packet loss rate of communication packets, jitter (fluctuation), transmission delay, etc. The measurement results are recorded in, for example, the quality measuring device 6. Next, the worker connects the quality measuring instrument 6 to the dedicated UNI port 23A (step ST23).

[0073] Next, the worker measures the communication quality of at least one of the upstream packets and the downstream packets using the quality measuring device 6 (step ST24: second measurement). The second measurement (step ST24) is performed in the same communication direction (uplink or downlink) and for the same type of communication quality as in the first measurement (step ST22). The measurement result is recorded in the quality measurer 6, for example.

[0074] Next, the worker evaluates the measurement results (step ST25). This evaluation includes the task of determining whether the problem lies in the ONU function unit 25 or the HGW function unit 26 by comparing the results of the first measurement with the results of the second measurement.

[0075] (When using downstream packet measurement results) For example, if the threshold for determining whether the packet loss rate is appropriate is 0.1%, and the measurement result is as follows, it can be determined that a malfunction has occurred in the HGW function unit 25. Packet loss rate for downstream packets in the first measurement: 0.20% Packet loss rate for downstream packets in the second measurement: 0.01%

[0076] The reason is that if the measurement result of the second measurement on the downstream forwarding packets is good but the measurement result of the first measurement on the downstream packets in normal operation is bad, it can be assumed that there is a problem with the HGW function unit 25.

[0077] (When using the measurement results of upstream packets) For example, if the threshold for determining whether the packet loss rate is appropriate is 0.1%, and the measurement result is as follows, it can be determined that a problem has occurred in the ONU function unit 25. Packet loss rate for upstream packets in the first measurement: 0.20% Packet loss rate for upstream packets in the second measurement: 0.01%

[0078] The reason is that if the result of the second measurement on the upstream transfer packets is good but the result of the first measurement on the upstream packets in normal operation is bad, it can be assumed that there is a problem with the ONU function unit 25. In the flowchart of FIG. 8, steps ST23 to ST24 may be performed first, and steps ST21 to ST22 may be performed later.

[0079] Furthermore, depending on the function of the quality measuring device 6, it may be possible to narrow down the user terminals 4 where communication problems occur based on the MAC addresses contained in the communication packets.

[0080] [Other Modifications] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes all modifications within the scope of equivalents to the configurations described in the claims.

[0081] In the HGU (FIGS. 2 and 3) according to the above-described embodiment, by switching the operation mode, one UNI port 23A can be used for both user communication and measurement of communication quality. Therefore, only one UNI port 23A and its corresponding PHY unit 28 may be provided. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1 OLT (Optical Line Terminal) 2 HGU (Home Gateway Unit, communication device) 3. Fiber optic lines 4. User terminal 5 DIP switches 6 Quality measuring instruments 20 Case 21 PON side transmitter / receiver 22 Signal processing section 23 UNI Port 23A RJ-45 connector (multipurpose port or dedicated port) 23B RJ-45 connector (normal port) 23C Wireless LAN communication port (normal port) 23D RJ-45 connector (normal port) 24 Control unit (signal acquisition unit) 25 ONU function unit 26 HGW function unit 27 L2 Switch 28 PHY section 30 Packet forwarding unit (signal acquisition unit) 31 Optical Fiber 32 Optical Coupler 33 Optical Fiber 45 Signal Processing Section 100 Optical communication system (PON system)

Claims

1. an ONU function unit that performs PON communication with the OLT; an HGW function unit that performs routing based on an IP address; one or more UNI ports, a signal acquisition unit that executes a process for extracting communication packets transmitted and received between the ONU function unit and the HGW function unit to the outside of the device; The signal acquisition unit a control unit capable of switching the communication device to one of a plurality of operation modes; The plurality of operation modes include: A communication device comprising a first and a second mode: First mode: an operation mode in which both the ONU function unit and the HGW function unit are operating Second mode: An operation mode in which the ONU function unit operates and the HGW function unit does not operate.

2. The control unit In the first mode, the ONU function unit is connected to the HGW function unit; 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein in the second mode, the ONU function unit is connected to a PHY unit corresponding to a predetermined UNI port.

3. The control unit Switching the operation mode in response to a predetermined control command; The predetermined control command is 3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the command is at least one of a command using a switch provided in the communication device, a command using a control command from the LAN side, and a command using a control packet from the PON side.

4. the UNI ports are plural, the plurality of UNI ports include a normal port not for measuring communication quality and a dedicated port for measuring communication quality; The signal acquisition unit 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the packet forwarding unit forwards downstream packets that are input to the ONU functional unit but not input to the HGW functional unit to a PHY unit corresponding to the dedicated port, and forwards upstream packets that are input to the HGW functional unit but not input to the ONU functional unit to the PHY unit.

5. The ONU function unit and the HGW function unit are included in one SoC, The SoC includes: The communication device according to claim 1 , further comprising a CPU that controls the ONU function unit and the HGW function unit.

6. A method for measuring communication quality performed on a communication device having an ONU function unit and an HGW function unit, the communication device is a communication device that can switch between a plurality of operation modes; The plurality of operation modes include the following first and second modes: The measurement method includes: a first step of measuring communication quality of downstream packets by a quality measuring device connected to a predetermined UNI port of the communication device operating in the first mode; a second step of measuring the communication quality of the downstream packets by the quality measuring device connected to the UNI port of the communication device operating in the second mode. First mode: an operation mode in which both the ONU function unit and the HGW function unit are operating Second mode: An operation mode in which the ONU function unit operates and the HGW function unit does not operate.

7. A method for measuring communication quality performed on a communication device having an ONU function unit and an HGW function unit, the UNI port of the communication device includes a normal port not for measuring communication quality and a dedicated port for measuring communication quality; The measurement method includes: a first step of measuring packet communication quality of at least one of downstream packets and upstream packets input to the ONU function unit and the HGW function unit by a quality measuring device connected to the normal port; a second step of measuring the communication quality of at least one of downstream packets that are input to the ONU functional unit but not input to the HGW functional unit, and upstream packets that are input to the HGW functional unit but not input to the ONU functional unit, using a quality measuring device connected to the dedicated port.

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