Communication system

Abstract

One aspect of the present invention is a communication system comprising a control unit that executes operation control processing for controlling power interruption of each of a plurality of transfer devices in a transfer system provided with the transfer devices. In the operation control processing, the communication system: executes, on each of the transfer devices, period determination processing, which is processing for determining which of a plurality of types of pre-defined periods the transfer device to be determined belongs to, said periods following a time when the transfer device to be determined was used for the first time after being manufactured; and executes power interruption processing for executing power interruption of the transfer device having the lowest probability of failure on the basis of at least the probability of failure of each of the transfer devices in the period determined by the period determination processing.

Description

communication systems

[0001] The present invention relates to communication systems.

[0002] In recent years, the demand for communication has been increasing.

[0003] Marika Yamazaki, “Sensor optimization for failure prediction - collection of high-quality data based on causal relationships”, Systems / Control / Information, vol. 65, No. 4, pp. 126-131 (2021)

[0004] In communications, a redundant configuration may be adopted by providing multiple transfer devices. Such a redundant configuration increases the power consumption of the entire communications device. Therefore, power consumption of the entire device may be reduced by turning off the power to one of the transfer devices that make up the redundant configuration.

[0005] However, it is difficult to check the normality of a transfer device that is powered off. As a result, for example, if all of the transfer devices in operation have failed and the transfer device that is powered off needs to be restarted, if all of the transfer devices to be restarted have also failed during the power outage, transfer will become impossible because all of the transfer devices that make up the redundant configuration have failed. This causes problems in communication.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for reducing the probability of occurrence of communication failures.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a communication system comprising a control unit that executes an operation control process to control the power-off of each of the transfer devices in a transfer system having a plurality of transfer devices, wherein the operation control process executes a period determination process for each of the transfer devices, which is a process for determining to which of a plurality of predefined periods since the transfer device to be determined belongs after it is first used after manufacture, and executes a power-off process that executes a power-off process to shut down the transfer device with the lowest probability of failure based at least on the probability of failure of each of the transfer devices during the period determined by the period determination process.

[0008] The present invention makes it possible to reduce the probability of occurrence of communication failures.

[0009] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a transfer system according to an embodiment; a diagram showing a first example of a more specific implementation of the transfer system according to an embodiment; a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a management device according to an embodiment; a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the transfer system according to an embodiment; a diagram showing a second example of implementation of a transfer system according to a modified example as a transfer system; and a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a distribution device according to a modified example.

[0010] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a transfer system 100 according to an embodiment. The transfer system 100 transfers signals. The signals are, for example, optical signals.

[0011] The transfer system 100 includes a plurality of transfer devices 1, a distribution element 21, and a management control unit 31 including a processor 91 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or an NPU (Neural Network Processing Unit) connected by a bus, and a memory 92. The transfer devices 1 are transfer devices that transmit propagated signals to their destinations.

[0012] The distribution element 21, under the control of the management control unit 31, distributes the propagated signal to one of the plurality of transfer devices 1. The distribution element 21 is, for example, a layer 2 switch.

[0013] <Regarding Allocation> The management control unit 31 executes, for example, an allocation control process. The allocation control process includes an allocation destination determination process and an allocation element control process. The allocation destination determination process is a process of determining to which of multiple transfer devices 1 a signal propagated to the allocation element 21 should be allocated, in accordance with predetermined rules regarding allocation. The predetermined rules regarding allocation include a rule (hereinafter referred to as the "basic rule") that, when only one transfer device 1 of the multiple transfer devices 1 is in operation, the signal is allocated to that operating transfer device 1.

[0014] The predetermined rules for distribution may include, for example, rules according to the numerical value representing the destination address when two or more of the multiple transfer devices 1 are in operation and the signal includes a destination address.

[0015] The rule according to the numerical value representing the destination address may be, for example, a rule that, based on the remainder of the result of dividing the numerical value representing the destination address by the total number of operating transfer devices 1, the transfer device 1 that is previously associated with each remainder is set as the allocation destination. The predetermined rule regarding allocation may be, for example, a rule that distributes the load on the transfer devices 1.

[0016] Alternatively, the predetermined rule for allocation may be any well-known rule for signal allocation in a communication system with redundancy.

[0017] The distribution element control process is a process of controlling the operation of the distribution element 21 to propagate a signal to the distribution destination determined in the distribution destination determination process.

[0018] <Regarding Operation Control of Transfer Device 1> The management control unit 31 executes, for example, an operation control process. The operation control process is a process for controlling power-off of each transfer device 1. In the operation control process, a process for restarting a transfer device whose power has been turned off may be executed.

[0019] <<Period Determination Process and Power Off Process>> In the operation control process, for example, a period determination process is executed for each transfer device 1. The period determination process is a process for determining the definition period to which the transfer device 1 to be determined belongs. There are multiple types of definition periods. All types of definition periods are within the period after the target to be determined is used for the first time after manufacture.

[0020] Therefore, the period determination process can be said to be a process for determining to which of a plurality of predefined periods the transfer device 1 to be determined belongs since the transfer device 1 to be determined was used for the first time after being manufactured. The predefined period is the period since the transfer device 1 to be determined was used for the first time after being manufactured.

[0021] The defined period is, for example, an early failure period. The early failure period is the period from when the transfer device 1 is first used after manufacture until the probability of failure becomes constant. In general, the probability of failure of a device is high for a certain period after it is first used after manufacture.

[0022] The defined period is, for example, the random failure period. The random failure period is a period after the early failure period during which the probability of failure is constant. The defined period is, for example, the wear-out failure period. The wear-out failure period is a period after the random failure period during which the probability of failure increases due to aging degradation caused by equipment wear.

[0023] Therefore, the probability of failure in the random failure period is lower than the probability of failure in the early failure period and the wear-out failure period. In this way, one of the multiple types of defined periods is, for example, the early failure period, another is, for example, the random failure period, and yet another of the defined periods is, for example, the wear-out failure period.

[0024] In the operation control process, for example, a power-off process is executed. The power-off process is a process of turning off the power of the transfer device 1 with the lowest probability of failure based at least on the probability of failure of each transfer device 1 during the period determined by the period determination process.

[0025] The failure probability in any of the early failure period, random failure period, and wear-out failure period can be investigated in advance by experiments, etc. Therefore, the failure probability in each of the early failure period, random failure period, and wear-out failure period is, for example, a predetermined failure probability. The failure probability in any of the early failure period, random failure period, and wear-out failure period may be updated according to the state of each transfer device 1 during operation of the transfer system 100.

[0026] <<<<Specific Example of Period Determination Processing and Power-Off Processing>>> A specific example of the period determination processing and power-off processing will be described. In the period determination processing, for example, it is determined whether the transfer device 1 to be determined belongs to an early failure period, an accidental failure period, or a wear-out failure period. Then, in the power-off processing, based on the failure probability of each transfer device 1 in the period determined by the period determination processing, power is turned off for the transfer device 1 with the lowest failure probability.

[0027] <> A more specific example of the period determination processing and power off processing will be described using an example in which the transfer system 100 includes two transfer devices 1. For example, assume that the period determination processing for each transfer device 1 determines that one of the two transfer devices 1 belongs to the accidental failure period, and the other of the two transfer devices 1 belongs to the initial failure period.

[0028] As described above, the probability of failure during the random failure period is lower than the probability of failure during the early failure period and the wear-out failure period. Therefore, when the power-off process is executed, the power of the transfer device 1 that is determined to belong to the random failure period out of the two transfer devices 1 is turned off.

[0029] <<Restart Process>> The operation control process includes, for example, restart process. The restart process is a process of restarting the transfer device 1 that has been powered off by the power-off process after a predetermined time has elapsed since the power-off was executed.

[0030] In the operation control process, other processes may be executed depending on the situation, such as when a failure occurs during restart, etc. Examples of such processes will be described later in the modified examples.

[0031] 2 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a more specific implementation of the transfer system 100 according to an embodiment as a transfer system 100a. The transfer system 100a may include, for example, a management device 3 including a management control unit 31.

[0032] 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the management device 3 according to an embodiment. The management device 3 includes a management control unit 11 and executes a program. By executing the program, the management device 3 functions as a device including a management control unit 31, an interface unit 32, and a storage unit 33.

[0033] More specifically, the processor 93 reads the program stored in the storage unit 33 and stores the read program in the memory 94. The processor 93 executes the program stored in the memory 94, causing the management device 3 to function as a device including the management control unit 31, the interface unit 32, and the storage unit 33.

[0034] The management control unit 31 controls the operation of each functional unit included in the management device 3. The management control unit 31 acquires, for example, information stored in the memory unit 33. Specifically, the process of acquiring information stored in the memory unit 33 is reading.

[0035] The interface unit 32 is configured to include a communication interface for connecting the management device 3 to an external device. The interface unit 32 communicates with the external device via wired or wireless communication. The external device is, for example, the distribution element 21. The external device is, for example, each transfer device 1.

[0036] The storage unit 33 is configured using a computer-readable storage medium device (non-transitory computer-readable recording medium) such as a magnetic hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 33 stores various information related to the management device 3. The storage unit 33 stores, for example, various information generated by the operation of the management control unit 31. Since the storage unit 33 records the control executed by the management control unit 31, the storage unit 33 may store various information related to each transfer device 1, such as the time of power outage, the number of power outages, the timing of failures, the timing of restarts, and the operating time described below, for each transfer device 1.

[0037] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the transfer system 100 according to the embodiment. The management control unit 31 performs a period determination process for each transfer device 1 (step S101). Next, the management control unit 31 performs a power-off process (step S102).

[0038] The transfer system 100 or 100a configured in this manner executes operation control processing including power-off processing. In the operation control processing, a determination is made for each transfer device 1 as to which of the predefined periods it belongs to, and power-off of each transfer device 1 is controlled based at least on the probability of failure in the determined period.

[0039] This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the failure probability of only a specific transfer device 1. If the failure probability of a specific transfer device 1 is high, and that transfer device 1 is powered off, and all transfer devices 1 that are not powered off fail, even if the powered-off transfer device 1 is restarted, the failure probability of that transfer device 1 is high, so there are cases where it cannot be restarted. In this case, all transfer devices 1 will not operate, and communication will be disrupted.

[0040] Therefore, it can be said that the occurrence of such a situation can be suppressed by suppressing an increase in the probability of failure of only a specific transfer device 1. Therefore, the transfer system 100 or 100a can reduce the probability of occurrence of a malfunction in optical communication that occurs when all transfer devices 1 constituting a redundant configuration fail.

[0041] Furthermore, the management device 3 configured in this manner executes operation control processing, including power-off processing, thereby reducing the probability of optical communication problems occurring due to failures in all transfer devices constituting the redundant configuration.

[0042] (Modification) <<Another More Specific Example of Period Determination Processing and Power-Off Processing>> <<<Power-Off Processing Also Based on the Time of Power-Off>>> Another more specific example of the period determination processing and power-off processing will be described. As an example, a case will be described in which the transfer system 100 includes two transfer devices 1. It is assumed that the two transfer devices 1 were used for the first time after manufacture at the same time. Furthermore, it is assumed that one of the two transfer devices 1 (hereinafter referred to as "transfer device A") has an operating time of t / 4 hours (t is any positive real number) and has never been powered off in the past. Here, the operating time refers to the length of time that the device has not been powered off since it was first used after manufacture.

[0043] The other of the two transfer devices 1 (hereinafter referred to as "transfer device B") has experienced a power outage in the past, and its operating time is t / 4-a (where a is the length of time the power was out).

[0044] Furthermore, the time origin of the operating time is set to 0, the initial failure period is the period from 0 to t / 3, the random failure period is the period from t / 3 to 2t / 3, and the wear-out failure period is the period from 2t / 3 to t.

[0045] In this case, when the period determination process is executed, the period to which transfer device A belongs is determined to be the early failure period, and the period to which transfer device B belongs is also determined to be the early failure period. Because both belong to the early failure period, the probability of failure according to the period to which they belong is the same. However, there is a difference between transfer device A and transfer device B in the amount of time that they were previously powered off.

[0046] Therefore, for example, if the transfer device 1 has the characteristic that the longer the power is cut off, the higher the probability of failure, the power-off process will turn off the transfer device 1 that has been cut off for the shorter time among the transfer devices 1 that belong to the same period. This is because the power-off process is a process of cutting off power to the transfer device 1 with the lowest probability of failure, and the shorter the power-off time, the lower the probability of failure.

[0047] In this way, in the power-off process, the power is turned off for the transfer device 1 with the lowest probability of failure based not only on the probability of failure for the period to which the transfer device 1 belongs, but also on the time of past power outages.

[0048] <<<<Power Off Processing Based on the Number of Power Offs >>>> Furthermore, in the power off processing, the power may be turned off for the transfer device 1 with the lowest probability of failure based not only on the probability of failure for the period to which the transfer device 1 belongs, but also on the number of times power offs have occurred in the past. The more power offs there are, the more wear occurs on the transfer device 1, and therefore the higher the probability that the transfer device 1 will break down. Therefore, for transfer devices 1 that belong to the same period, the power is turned off for the transfer device 1 that has experienced fewer power offs in the past.

[0049] <<<<Example of Updating Failure Probability>>> Note that in the operation control process, if a failure occurs when restarting the transfer device 1 or while the transfer device 1 is in operation, a process is executed to update the failure rate for the failed transfer device 1. Specifically, the failure rate is updated based on data when a failure occurs when restarting the transfer device 1 or when a failure occurs while the transfer device 1 is in operation. For example, suppose there is a transfer device 1 with a probability of breaking down once within a predetermined unit time of B%. At this time, the failure rate is operated as B%. Suppose a failure occurs in the transfer device 1. In this case, the probability of breaking down once within the predetermined unit time is increased by a predetermined percentage, b%. As a result, the failure rate of the transfer device 1 after the failure is (B+b)%. This process is an example of a process for updating the failure rate.

[0050] 5 is a diagram illustrating a second example of the implementation of the transfer system 100 in a modified example as a transfer system 100b. The transfer system 100b may include, for example, a distribution device 2 including a distribution element 21 and a management control unit 31.

[0051] 6 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the distribution device 2 in the modified example. The distribution device 2 includes a management control unit 31 and executes a program. By executing the program, the distribution device 2 functions as a device including the management control unit 31, a distribution element 21, an interface unit 22, and a memory unit 23.

[0052] More specifically, the processor 91 reads out a program stored in the storage unit 23 and stores the read program in the memory 92. The processor 91 executes the program stored in the memory 92, causing the distribution device 2 to function as a device including a management control unit 31, a distribution element 21, an interface unit 22, and a storage unit 23.

[0053] The interface unit 22 includes a communication interface for connecting the distribution device 2 to an external device. The interface unit 22 communicates with the external device via a wired or wireless connection.

[0054] The storage unit 23 is configured using a computer-readable storage medium device (non-transitory computer-readable recording medium) such as a magnetic hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 23 stores various information related to the allocation device 2. The storage unit 23 stores, for example, various information generated by the operation of the management control unit 31. Since the storage unit 23 records the control executed by the management control unit 31, the storage unit 23 may store various information related to each transfer device 1, such as the time of power outage, the number of power outages, the timing of failures, the timing of restarts, and the operating time described below, for each transfer device 1.

[0055] The management control unit 31 may be implemented using a plurality of information processing devices connected to each other so as to be able to communicate via a network. In this case, each process performed by the management control unit 31 may be distributed among a plurality of information processing devices. For example, the transfer system 100a may further include the distribution device 2 illustrated in FIG. 6, in which the management control unit 31 (first control unit) of the management device 3 performs the operation control process, and the management control unit 31 (second control unit) of the distribution device 2 performs the distribution control process.

[0056] The transfer system 100, the transfer system 100a, and the transfer system 100b are all examples of communication systems.

[0057] In the power-off process, the power may be turned off to the transfer device 1 with the lowest probability of failure based not only on the probability of failure in the period to which the transfer device 1 belongs, but also on the operating time of the transfer device 1. The operating time is the operating time. Therefore, for example, in the power-off process, the power may be turned off to the transfer device 1 with the lowest probability of failure based not only on the probability of failure in the period to which the transfer device 1 belongs, but also on the time of past power-offs or the time of operation.

[0058] All or part of the functions of the transfer systems 100, 100a, and 100b may be realized using hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. The program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0059] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0060] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100, 100a, 100b...transfer system, 1...transfer device, 21...distribution element, 31...management control unit, 32...interface unit, 33...storage unit, 2...distribution device, 22...interface unit, 23...storage unit, 91...processor, 92...memory

Claims

1. A control unit that executes an operation control process for controlling the power-off of each of the transfer devices in a transfer system including a plurality of transfer devices, wherein in the operation control process, the operation control process includes: executing a period determination process for each of the transfer devices, which is a process of determining to which of a plurality of types of predefined periods the transfer device to be determined belongs after it is used for the first time after manufacture; and based on at least the probability of failure of each of the transfer devices in the period determined by the period determination process, executing a power-off process for executing the power-off of the transfer device with the lowest probability of failure. A communication system.

2. One of the plurality of types of periods is an initial failure period, which is a period from when the transfer device is used for the first time after manufacture until the probability of failure becomes constant. Another one of the periods is an accidental failure period, which is a period after the initial failure period and during which the probability of failure of the transfer device is constant. Still another one of the periods is a wear failure period, which is a period after the accidental failure period and during which the probability of failure of the transfer device increases due to aging deterioration caused by device wear. The communication system according to claim 1.

3. In the power-off process, the power-off of the transfer device with the lowest probability of failure is performed based not only on the probability of failure of the period to which the transfer device belongs, but also on the time of past power-off or the time of operation. The communication system according to claim 1.

4. In the power-off process, the power-off of the transfer device with the lowest probability of failure is performed based not only on the probability of failure of the period to which the transfer device belongs, but also on the number of times of past power-off. The communication system according to claim 1.

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