Communication methods and related apparatuses

Abstract

Disclosed in the embodiments of the present application are communication methods. A method is applied to a first communication apparatus, wherein the first communication apparatus is connected to a second communication apparatus by means of a network cable. The method comprises: when a first wire pair in a network cable is faulty, determining a first transmission rate on the basis of a second wire pair, wherein the second wire pair comprises a non-faulty wire pair in the network cable; sending a first signal on the basis of the first transmission rate; and receiving a second signal, wherein the second signal is used for indicating whether the first transmission rate is available. The non-faulty wire pair in the network cable is used to determine an available transmission rate between communication apparatuses and establish a link, thereby improving the reliability of the link, and reducing the operation and maintenance difficulty of a single-network-port device.

Description

A communication method and related apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411480980.X, filed on October 22, 2024, entitled "A Communication Method and Related Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and related apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] In the development of network communication technology, the deployment of network devices and the quality of their connections with terminal devices affect the stability of network services. Typically, the connection between these devices relies on a single Ethernet cable (EC).

[0004] However, various quality issues often arise during the deployment and use of network cables, such as open circuits, short circuits, or poor contact in the twisted pairs (TPs) within the cable. For high-speed network interfaces conforming to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.3 standard (10Gbps, 5Gbps, 2.5Gbps, and 1Gbps), all four wire pairs in the network cable must be in good condition to ensure a successful connection. If any wire pair fails, these high-speed interfaces will be unable to connect. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and related apparatus to solve the problem of a sharp drop in speed or inability to establish a link after a network cable failure in the standard negotiation process, thereby improving link reliability.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a first communication device, which is connected to a second communication device via a network cable. The method includes:

[0007] In the event of a failure in the first pair of wires in the network cable, a first transmission rate is determined based on the second pair of wires, which includes pairs of wires in the network cable that are not faulty; a first signal is transmitted based on the first transmission rate; and a second signal is received, which indicates whether the first transmission rate is available.

[0008] In this application, the first communication device may be a network device, a terminal device, or a network port physical layer chip of a network device or a terminal device. The second communication device may be a network device, a terminal device, or a network port physical layer chip of a network device or a terminal device.

[0009] In this application, the network cable refers to an RJ-45 interface network cable used for Ethernet. The network cable includes four wire pairs, which can usually be named wire pair 1, wire pair 2, wire pair 3, and wire pair 4. The network cable supports high-speed network ports such as 10GBASE-T (10Gbps), 5GBASE-T (5Gbps), 2.5GBASE-T (2.5Gbps), and 1000BASE-T (1Gbps).

[0010] In this application, a first communication device and a second communication device connected via a network cable exchange their capability information during the auto-negotiation (AN) phase, including information such as the link speed and duplex mode supported by both parties. After determining the maximum transmission rate supported by both parties (e.g., the first communication device supports a transmission rate of 10Gbps, and the second communication device supports a transmission rate of 5Gbps, so the final determined maximum transmission rate is 5Gbps) and duplex mode, and after a channel training process, the two communication devices establish a network connection based on the transmission rate determined by the channel training.

[0011] Using the above method, in the channel training process, if there are faulty network cables, a new transmission rate, namely the first transmission rate, can be determined using the remaining unfaulty wire pairs. Channel training is then performed based on the first transmission rate to determine whether the first transmission rate is usable.

[0012] In one alternative implementation, a second signal indicates that the first transmission rate is available, and the first communication device and the second communication device establish a link based on the first transmission rate.

[0013] In one alternative implementation, the first faulty wire pair is one wire pair in the network cable, and the second faultless wire pair is the remaining three wire pairs.

[0014] In one alternative implementation, the first faulty wire pair consists of two wire pairs in the network cable, and the second faultless wire pair consists of the remaining two wire pairs.

[0015] The above method effectively addresses the problem of link failure caused by network cable faults, enhancing link stability. By utilizing undamaged wire pairs in the network cable to complete the auto-negotiation and channel training process, successful connection establishment is ensured, thereby reducing the complexity of single-port device maintenance.

[0016] In one alternative implementation, before determining the first transmission rate based on the second wire pair, the method further includes:

[0017] A first threshold is determined, which is the maximum transmission rate between the first communication device and the second communication device, and the first transmission rate is less than the first threshold.

[0018] In one alternative implementation, determining the first threshold includes:

[0019] Send the first fast link pulse (FLP) signal;

[0020] Receive the second FLP signal;

[0021] The first threshold is determined based on the first FLP signal and the second FLP signal.

[0022] In this application, the first communication device and the second communication device determine a first threshold through self-negotiation. The first threshold is the maximum transmission rate that both the first and second communication devices can support after self-negotiation. In addition, the self-negotiation also determines the duplex mode (full-duplex or half-duplex) that both can support.

[0023] In one alternative implementation, determining the first transmission rate based on the second wire pair includes:

[0024] The first transmission rate is determined based on the ratio of the number of the second wire pair to the total number of wire pairs in the network cable, and a first threshold.

[0025] In one alternative implementation, when the second wire pair comprises at least two wire pairs, the first transmission rate is half of the first threshold.

[0026] For example, the first threshold is 10Gbps, and the network cable includes 4 wire pairs. For instance, if one wire pair fails, and the remaining 3 wire pairs are not faulty, the first transmission rate is 75% of 10Gbps, or 7.5Gbps; or, only 2 wire pairs can be used for transmission, in which case the first transmission rate is 50% of 10Gbps, or 5Gbps; or, for example, if 2 wire pairs fail, and the remaining 2 wire pairs are not faulty, the first transmission rate is 50% of 10Gbps, or 5Gbps.

[0027] In one alternative implementation, the method further includes:

[0028] The failure of the first wire pair is determined based on cable testing and / or signal-to-noise ratio decision.

[0029] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which is a first communication device. The first communication device and a second communication device are connected via a network cable. The device includes:

[0030] A processing unit is configured to determine a first transmission rate based on a second pair of wires in the network cable in the event of a failure in a first pair of wires, the second pair of wires including pairs of wires in the network cable that are not at fault.

[0031] A transceiver unit, used to transmit a first signal based on a first transmission rate;

[0032] The transceiver unit is also used to receive a second signal, which indicates whether the first transmission rate is available.

[0033] In one alternative implementation, the processing unit is also used for:

[0034] A first threshold is determined, which is the maximum transmission rate between the first communication device and the second communication device, and the first transmission rate is less than the first threshold.

[0035] In one alternative implementation, the transceiver unit is specifically used for:

[0036] Send the first fast link pulse (FLP) signal;

[0037] Receive the second FLP signal;

[0038] The first threshold is determined based on the first FLP signal and the second FLP signal.

[0039] In one alternative implementation, the processing unit is specifically used for:

[0040] The first transmission rate is determined based on the ratio of the number of the second wire pair to the total number of wire pairs in the network cable, and a first threshold.

[0041] In one alternative implementation, when the second wire pair comprises at least two wire pairs, the first transmission rate is half of the first threshold.

[0042] In one alternative implementation, the processing unit is also used for:

[0043] The failure of the first wire pair is determined based on cable testing and / or signal-to-noise ratio decision.

[0044] A third aspect of this application provides a communication device including a processor. The processor is configured to call and execute a computer program stored in a memory, causing the processor to implement the method described in the first aspect or any of the implementations of the first aspect.

[0045] Optionally, the communication device also includes a transceiver; the processor is also used to control the transceiver to send and receive signals.

[0046] Optionally, the communication device includes a memory in which a computer program is stored.

[0047] The communication device mentioned in the third aspect can be a device or a chip (system) in a device.

[0048] The fourth aspect of this application provides a circuit system including a processing circuit configured to perform the method of any implementation of the first aspect described above.

[0049] The fifth aspect of this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of any implementation of the first aspect described above.

[0050] The sixth aspect of this application provides a computer program product that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any implementation of the first aspect described above.

[0051] A seventh aspect of this application provides a chip device including a processor for calling a program stored in a memory, such that the processor executes the first aspect or any implementation thereof.

[0052] Optionally, the memory may be located inside or outside the chip device.

[0053] The technical effects of the second to seventh aspects of this application can be understood in conjunction with the technical effects of the first aspect and any implementation thereof. Attached Figure Description

[0054] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0055] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of an application architecture;

[0056] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of a connection between a network device and a terminal device;

[0057] Figure 1C is a schematic diagram of the connection between devices in a home access scenario;

[0058] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the network cable and wire pairs of the RJ45 interface;

[0059] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0060] Figure 4 is another flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0061] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0062] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the logical structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0063] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0064] The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” etc. (if present) in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a particular order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that embodiments of the application described herein can be implemented, for example, in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms “comprising” and “having,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0065] The terms “substantially,” “about,” and similar terms used herein are used as approximations rather than as terms of degree, and are intended to take into account the inherent biases of measurements or calculations known to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the use of “may” in describing embodiments of the invention refers to “one or more possible embodiments.” The terms “use,” “using,” and “used” used herein are to be considered synonymous with the terms “utilize,” “utilizing,” and “utilized,” respectively. Additionally, the term “exemplary” is intended to refer to an instance or illustration.

[0066] First, the scenarios involved in the embodiments of this application will be introduced.

[0067] As shown in Figure 1A, network device 1, network device 2, network device 3, terminal device 1, terminal device 2, terminal device 3, terminal device 4, and terminal device 5 form a communication system. In this communication system, network devices and terminal devices are connected via network cables, and network devices can be connected to other network devices via network cables (not shown in the figure).

[0068] In one possible implementation, as shown in Figure 1B, the network device and the terminal device are connected via a single network cable. This connection method not only simplifies the network layout but also improves data transmission efficiency. The network device can be, for example, a switch or a passive optical network (PON) modem, while the terminal device can be, for example, a laptop, desktop computer, or network printer.

[0069] In one possible implementation, as shown in Figure 1C, in a home access scenario, optical fiber serves as the medium for high-speed data transmission and is used to access the Internet. After accessing the Internet via optical fiber, the PON device becomes a bridge connecting the Internet and terminal devices within the home. The PON device connects to terminal devices such as routers, computers, and televisions via network cables, enabling various functions such as browsing web pages, watching online videos, and conducting remote work.

[0070] The following explanations of some terms used in the embodiments of this application are provided to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0071] (1) Network devices: These can be network devices in a wired network, serving as the infrastructure for network interconnection, and capable of connecting to other network devices or terminal devices via network cables. Examples include switches, optical modems, routers, network interface cards (NICs), and hubs.

[0072] (2) Terminal equipment: This can be a network device in a wired network, used to interact directly with the user or for specific functions. Examples include access points (APs), cameras, printers, personal computers (PCs), tablets, and televisions.

[0073] (3) Network cable: A network cable is a composite cable. Depending on the network standard, it is divided into Category 5, Category 5e, Category 6, Category 6a, Category 7, and Category 8 network cables. As shown in Figure 2, a network cable using a standard registered jack (RJ45 connector, also known as a crystal head) consists of four twisted pairs (TPs). Each TP is a cable formed by two insulated metal wires twisted together. For example, the four TPs can be defined as TP 1, TP 2, TP 3, and TP 4 in sequence.

[0074] It should be understood that in practical applications, the four line pairs may also be defined as line pair 0, line pair 1, line pair 2 and line pair 3, or as line pair A, line pair B, line pair C and line pair D. The specific definition is not limited here.

[0075] High-speed Ethernet interfaces under the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.3 standard, including 10GBASE-T (10Gbps), 5GBASE-T (5Gbps), 2.5GBASE-T (2.5Gbps), and 1000BASE-T (1Gbps), all require all four pairs of wires in the network cable to be in a fault-free state before a connection can be established between devices. However, for 10BASE-T (10Mbps) and 100BASE-TX (100Mbps) technologies with communication speeds below 1Gbps, only the first two pairs of wires are required to operate, namely pair 1 and pair 2.

[0076] (4) Auto Negotiation (AN): The main function of auto negotiation is for the devices at both ends of a shared link to automatically select and configure operating parameters through information exchange, thereby enabling the transmission capacity to reach the maximum value supported by both devices. The basic mechanism for implementing auto negotiation is to encapsulate information (such as master / slave relationship, duplex mode, operating rate, and flow control information) within a fast link pulse (FLP) signal or a normal link pulse (NLP) signal for transmission. Once negotiation is successful and channel training is completed, the devices at both ends of the link are locked to the same duplex mode and operating rate.

[0077] Specifically, when a port with self-negotiation capability lacks a link connection, it will continuously send FLP signals. The FLP signal contains information about the communication device's connectivity capabilities, such as supported data rates, duplex capabilities, and flow control. The encoding method in the FLP signal relies on pulse position encoding to carry data. An FLP burst contains 33 pulse positions, with 17 odd-numbered pulses for clock signals and 16 even-numbered pulses for data. A single FLP burst can transmit 16 bits of data.

[0078] During the self-negotiation process, both ends receive the other's FLP signal and decode the information within it to determine the other's connectivity capabilities. Each end selects the best connection method (Link) based on its own and the other's maximum connectivity capabilities. For example, if both sides support both 1G and 10G, the connection will be set to 10G; if both sides support both full-duplex and half-duplex, the connection will be set to full-duplex. Once the connection is established, the FLP signal stops being transmitted. It will only be transmitted again if the link is interrupted or a self-negotiation Restart command is received.

[0079] Based on the results of the auto-negotiation, the device will configure the corresponding data transmission parameters, such as frame format and data packet size, and allocate resources such as memory and cache as needed to support data transmission.

[0080] (5) Channel Training: After auto-negotiation is complete, the device begins sending training sequence data packets. These packets contain specific patterns or sequences used to test link performance and adjust transmission parameters. The receiving device receives these training sequences and analyzes them. By analyzing the transmission quality of the training sequences, the receiving end can evaluate the link performance and determine whether transmission parameters need to be adjusted.

[0081] Based on the analysis results, the receiving device sends a feedback signal to the transmitting device, indicating whether the transmission parameters need adjustment. These parameters may include signal amplitude, phase, timing, etc. After receiving the feedback signal, the transmitting device adjusts its transmission parameters according to the instructions and retransmits the training sequence to verify the adjustment effect. This process may iterate multiple times until optimal transmission performance is achieved. By continuously sending training sequences, receiving feedback, and adjusting parameters, the device can gradually optimize its transmission performance, achieving stable and efficient data transmission.

[0082] The link training protocol defines how devices exchange training sequences and feedback signals. These protocols ensure that devices can correctly understand each other's requests to adjust transmission parameters and make corresponding adjustments accordingly.

[0083] Channel training plays a crucial role in various Ethernet application scenarios. For example, in high-speed Ethernet connections deployed within data centers, channel training ensures stable connections and efficient data transmission between devices. Furthermore, in Ethernet applications requiring long-distance transmission, channel training helps devices adapt to link attenuation and interference, thereby achieving reliable data transmission.

[0084] While the IEEE 802.3 standard's 100BASE-TX and 10BASE-Te interfaces can establish a connection using only two wire pairs, this results in a transmission rate dropping to 100Mbps, only one-hundredth of the maximum rate of 10Gbps. As Wi-Fi technology evolved to the 7th and even 8th generations, 2.5GBASE-T became the mainstream speed standard, and the 100Mbps transmission rate was no longer sufficient to meet the backhaul requirements of service traffic.

[0085] Furthermore, if line pair 1 and / or line pair 2 fails, even a 100Mbps connection cannot be established, which will completely interrupt the information channel between the terminal and the access device, resulting in business losses and a significant increase in maintenance difficulty.

[0086] Based on this, this application provides a communication method. Please refer to Figure 3, which is a flowchart of the communication method provided in this application, specifically including the following steps 301-303.

[0087] Figure 3 illustrates the method using a first communication device and other communication devices (such as a second communication device) as examples of the execution subjects of the interaction, but this application does not limit the execution subjects of the interaction. For example, the communication device can be a communication equipment (such as a terminal device or a network device), or a chip (such as a network port physical layer (PHY) chip), chip system, processor, logic module, or software in the communication equipment.

[0088] Specifically, the network port physical layer chip is a key component of the first layer—the physical layer—in a computer network, primarily responsible for handling physical transmission and signal conversion between the computer and the network. It can convert digital signals into analog signals suitable for transmission over physical media (such as optical fibers, copper cables, etc.), and convert received analog signals back into digital signals.

[0089] When a device needs to send data externally, the Media Access Control (MAC) layer transmits data to the PHY chip through a specific interface (such as MII / RGMII / SGMII). After receiving the data from the MAC, the PHY chip converts the parallel data into a serial stream and encodes it. The encoded data then undergoes a digital-to-analog (D / A) converter to become an analog signal, which is then transmitted out through a physical medium (such as a network cable).

[0090] When receiving data from an external device, the PHY chip first converts the received analog signal into a digital signal using an analog-to-digital (A / D) converter. Then, the PHY chip decodes the digital signal to obtain the raw data. The decoded data is then transmitted to the MAC (Machine Interface) via an interface for further processing.

[0091] The PHY chip supports different transmission rates, such as 10Mbps, 100Mbps, 1000Mbps (gigabit), and even higher.

[0092] For example, in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 3 shown below, if steps 301 to 303 are performed by a communication device (network device or terminal device), it can be understood as the first communication device and the second communication device sending and receiving information; if steps 301 to 303 are performed by the network port physical layer chip in the communication device, in step 302 "sending a first signal based on a first transmission rate", it can be understood as the network port physical layer chip in the first communication device sending a first signal to the network port physical layer chip in the second communication device; in step 303 "receiving a second signal", it can be understood as the network port physical layer chip in the second communication device sending a second signal to the network port physical layer chip in the first communication device, and the first communication device receiving the second signal.

[0093] As an example, the first communication device can be a network device, and the second communication device can be a terminal device.

[0094] As another example, the first communication device can be a terminal device, and the second communication device can be a network device.

[0095] As another example, the first communication device can be a network device, and the second communication device can be another network device.

[0096] In this application, the first communication device and the second communication device are connected by a network cable. Both the first and second communication devices have network ports, and the physical layer chip of the network port is connected to the network cable through an RJ45 interface.

[0097] 301. In the event of a failure in the first pair of wires in a network cable, a first transmission rate is determined based on a second pair of wires, the second pair including the non-faulty pairs in the network cable.

[0098] Specifically, the failure of the first wire pair in the connected network cable is determined by cable test and / or signal noise ratio (SNR), and then the transmission rate with the second communication device is determined based on the remaining unfailed second wire pair.

[0099] In one possible implementation, the first communication device and the second communication device determine a first threshold through self-negotiation. The first threshold is the maximum transmission rate that both communication devices can support after self-negotiation. Furthermore, the self-negotiation also determines the duplex mode (full-duplex or half-duplex) that both devices can support.

[0100] In one possible implementation, after self-negotiation, the physical coding sublayer (PCS) mapping of both physical layers is adapted for channel training to determine whether the transmission rate of the first threshold meets the current channel environment. However, due to a failure in the first wire pair in the network cable, the initial channel training fails. Then, the failure of the first wire pair is confirmed through cable testing and / or SNR determination. A new transmission rate is re-determined using the remaining unfailed wire pairs, and channel training continues.

[0101] In one possible implementation, the first transmission rate is determined based on the ratio of the number of the second wire pairs to the total number of wire pairs in the network cable, and the first threshold.

[0102] For example, the first threshold is 10Gbps, and the network cable includes 4 wire pairs. For instance, if one wire pair fails, and the remaining 3 wire pairs are not faulty, the first transmission rate is 75% of 10Gbps, or 7.5Gbps; or, only 2 wire pairs can be used for transmission, in which case the first transmission rate is 50% of 10Gbps, or 5Gbps; or, for example, if 2 wire pairs fail, and the remaining 2 wire pairs are not faulty, the first transmission rate is 50% of 10Gbps, or 5Gbps.

[0103] In one possible implementation, the adjusted transmission rate for the remaining fault-free lines can be calculated using AI algorithms such as reinforcement learning. For example, this can be achieved by monitoring network conditions (such as bandwidth, latency, and packet loss rate of the remaining fault-free line pairs) and dynamically adjusting the transmission rate based on these conditions.

[0104] 302. Send a first signal based on a first transmission rate.

[0105] For example, the first communication device transmits a first signal through the remaining unfaulty second wire pair according to a first transmission rate; correspondingly, the second communication device estimates channel attributes (such as channel gain, phase offset, etc.) based on the received first signal, and detects the bit error rate and related indicators of the channel in real time, such as signal-to-noise ratio, received signal strength indication (RSSI), etc.

[0106] 303. Receive a second signal, which indicates whether the first transmission rate is available.

[0107] After detecting the first signal, the second communication device determines whether the signal exceeds a threshold value for establishing a connection based on indicators such as signal-to-noise ratio and signal strength. If the indicators exceed the threshold value, the first and second communication devices establish a network connection based on the first transmission rate and begin transmitting data. Channel training is an iterative process. The communication devices continuously adjust parameters based on the results of each training iteration until a predetermined communication quality indicator is reached or the maximum number of iterations is reached.

[0108] In one possible implementation, the second signal indicates that the first transmission rate is unavailable. The first communication device can then reconfigure a new transmission rate and retrain the channel. For example, the first threshold could be 10Gbps, and the first transmission rate could be half of that threshold, i.e., 5Gbps. After channel training fails, the speed can be reduced sequentially to 2.5Gbps and then to 1Gbps for retraining.

[0109] It is understandable that the self-negotiation and channel training processes are interactive processes between two devices connected by a network cable. One end acts as the sender (i.e., the first communication device) to send the signal to be detected, while the other end acts as the receiver (i.e., the second communication device) to adapt to the sender's settings, detects the signal received through the network cable, and returns the detection result. The network device can act as the sender and the terminal device as the receiver; alternatively, the terminal device can act as the sender and the network device as the receiver. The specific configuration is not limited here.

[0110] The communication method described in this application can effectively address connection establishment failures caused by network cable faults. Even when a wire pair in the network cable is abnormal, the link remains unbroken (down), and the transmission rate can be maintained at half or more of the original rate. By utilizing the undamaged wire pairs in the network cable to complete the auto-negotiation and channel training process, the successful establishment of the connection is ensured, improving communication reliability and reducing the complexity of maintaining single-port devices.

[0111] Specifically, the self-negotiation process allows the first and second communication devices to quickly identify and utilize available, undamaged wire pairs at the outset of connection establishment. Through negotiation, both parties can agree on and select the optimal transmission rate and communication mode to suit the current network environment and wire pair status. This step significantly improves connection stability and compatibility.

[0112] Channel training is a more refined process that further adjusts and optimizes the signal transmission parameters within the network cable. Through precise channel estimation and compensation techniques, channel training can significantly reduce signal distortion and noise interference, thereby improving the quality of the received signal and bit error rate performance. Even with damaged cable pairs, channel training can help the system find the optimal transmission path, ensuring the accuracy and efficiency of data transmission.

[0113] Please refer to Figure 4, which is a flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiment of this application, specifically including the following steps 401-407.

[0114] 401. The first communication device and the second communication device detected the access of the peer device.

[0115] Specifically, the network cable connects to the network ports of the first and second communication devices via its RJ45 connectors (commonly known as crystal heads). This triggers internal physical contact switches or sensors, detecting the connection. The communication equipment periodically checks the network connection status.

[0116] 402. The first communication device and the second communication device determine that the first wire pair in the network cable has failed.

[0117] After detecting the access of the peer device, both parties enter a self-negotiation state. One of the communication devices (the first communication device in Figure 4) first confirms that the peer communication device (the second communication device in Figure 4) has successfully entered the self-negotiation state.

[0118] In one possible implementation, before the two parties in the self-negotiation exchange information, the four wire pairs in the network cable are checked sequentially to determine whether a fault has occurred and to identify which specific wire pair has failed.

[0119] Optionally, each wire pair in the network cable may be determined to be faulty by cable testing and / or signal-to-noise ratio determination.

[0120] For example, if one wire pair in a network cable fails while the remaining three wire pairs are not faulty, the test results are shown in Table 1 below:

[0121] Table 1

[0122] Among them, wire pair 1 was faulty, while wire pairs 2, 3 and 4 were not faulty. The ratio of the wire pairs that were not faulty to all wire pairs was 75%.

[0123] For example, if two pairs of wires in a network cable fail, while the remaining two pairs are not faulty, the test results are shown in Table 2 below:

[0124] Table 2

[0125] Among them, wire pair 1 and wire pair 3 were faulty, while wire pair 2 and wire pair 4 were not faulty. The ratio of the wire pairs that were not faulty to all wire pairs was 50%.

[0126] 403. The first communication device sends a first FLP signal to the second communication device; correspondingly, the second communication device receives the first FLP signal.

[0127] Specifically, after determining which wire pairs are not faulty, both parties send a first FLP signal through the remaining faulty wire pairs. The first FLP signal carries negotiation information regarding the first communication device's supported transmission speed, duplex mode, flow control, etc.

[0128] 404. The second communication device sends a second FLP signal to the first communication device; correspondingly, the first communication device receives the second FLP signal.

[0129] Correspondingly, the second communication device also transmits a second FLP signal through the remaining undamaged wire pairs. The second FLP signal carries negotiation information regarding the second communication device's supported transmission speed, duplex mode, flow control, etc.

[0130] Based on the first FLP signal and the second FLP signal, a first threshold is determined, which is the maximum transmission rate supported by both devices.

[0131] 405. The first communication device determines the first transmission rate.

[0132] Specifically, the first communication device determines the first transmission rate based on the ratio of the number of fault-free pairs to the total number of pairs in the network cable, i.e., the proportion of fault-free pairs, and the first threshold.

[0133] For example, if three wire pairs are not faulty, the proportion of faulty wire pairs is 75%. When the first threshold is 10Gbps, the first transmission rate is determined to be 7.5Gbps. For example, if wire pair 1 fails and cannot transmit data, the remaining wire pairs 2, 3, and 4 continue to perform data transmission tasks and conduct channel training to ensure that they can carry data and maintain the stability and quality of communication.

[0134] Optionally, if all three wire pairs are functioning correctly, two of the better-quality wire pairs are selected for data transmission. In this case, the proportion of fault-free wire pairs is 50%. If the first threshold is 10Gbps, the first transmission rate is determined to be 5Gbps. For example, if wire pair 1 fails and cannot transmit data, while wire pair 2, although not completely failed, has poor transmission quality, then the remaining fault-free and relatively high-quality wire pairs 3 and 4 are selected to continue the data transmission task.

[0135] For example, if two wire pairs are not faulty, the proportion of faulty wire pairs is 50%, and the first transmission rate is determined to be 5Gbps when the first threshold is 10Gbps.

[0136] In one possible implementation, an adjustment factor is also determined during the auto-negotiation phase to account for network cable failures, and the first transmission rate needs to be further adjusted based on this adjustment factor.

[0137] In one possible implementation, the adjusted transmission rate corresponding to the percentage of remaining fault-free wire pairs can be calculated using AI algorithms such as reinforcement learning.

[0138] In another possible implementation, the first communication device does not detect whether the network cable is faulty before auto-negotiation. Instead, it directly determines the first threshold by alternately sending FLP signals through wire pairs 1 and 2 in the network cable. If wire pairs 3 and / or 4 are faulty at this time, the faulty wire pairs in the network cable will not be detected during the auto-negotiation phase (i.e., the process from steps 403 to 404). The faulty wire pairs are then determined after entering the channel training phase.

[0139] For example, prior to channel training, each wire pair in the network cable is sequentially determined to be faulty through cable testing and / or signal-to-noise ratio decision.

[0140] 406. The first communication device sends a first signal to the second communication device; correspondingly, the second communication device receives the first signal.

[0141] Similar to step 302 in Figure 3 above, the first communication device uses the remaining, fault-free second wire pair to transmit the first signal at the first transmission rate. Upon receiving this signal, the second communication device monitors the channel's bit error rate and other key indicators, such as the signal-to-noise ratio and received signal strength.

[0142] 407. The second communication device sends a second signal to the first communication device; correspondingly, the first communication device receives the second signal.

[0143] Similar to step 303 in Figure 3 above, after detecting the first signal, the second communication device determines whether parameters such as signal-to-noise ratio and signal strength exceed the threshold values ​​required to establish a connection. If these parameters exceed the threshold values, the first and second communication devices will establish a network connection at the first transmission rate and begin data transmission. Channel training is a cyclical process; the communication devices will continuously adjust the parameters based on the results of each training iteration until a predetermined communication quality index is reached or the maximum number of iterations is reached.

[0144] Specifically, when the second signal indicates that the first communication rate is unavailable, the first communication device can reconfigure a new transmission rate and retrain the channel. For example, the first threshold could be 10Gbps, and the first transmission rate could be half of the first threshold, i.e., 5Gbps. After channel training fails, the speed can be reduced sequentially to 2.5Gbps and then to 1Gbps for retraining.

[0145] This application provides a solution to the problem of connection establishment failure caused by partial wire pair failure in a network cable. This application allows the link to remain open while maintaining a transmission rate no less than half of the original rate.

[0146] The methods provided in the embodiments of this application have been described in detail above. Next, the device for performing the above methods provided in the embodiments of this application will be described.

[0147] Please refer to Figure 5, which is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device 500 provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 5, this device is a first communication device, which is connected to a second communication device via a network cable. The device includes:

[0148] Processing unit 501 is configured to determine a first transmission rate based on a second pair of wires in the network cable in the event of a failure in the first pair of wires in the network cable, the second pair of wires including pairs of wires in the network cable that have not failed.

[0149] Transceiver unit 502 is used to transmit a first signal based on a first transmission rate;

[0150] The transceiver unit 502 is also used to receive a second signal, which is used to indicate whether the first transmission rate is available.

[0151] In one alternative implementation, processing unit 501 is further configured to:

[0152] A first threshold is determined, which is the maximum transmission rate between the first communication device and the second communication device, and the first transmission rate is less than the first threshold.

[0153] In one alternative implementation, the transceiver unit 502 is specifically used for:

[0154] Send the first fast link pulse (FLP) signal;

[0155] Receive the second FLP signal;

[0156] The first threshold is determined based on the first FLP signal and the second FLP signal.

[0157] In one alternative implementation, processing unit 501 is specifically used for:

[0158] The first transmission rate is determined based on the ratio of the number of the second wire pair to the total number of wire pairs in the network cable, and a first threshold.

[0159] In one alternative implementation, when the second wire pair comprises at least two wire pairs, the first transmission rate is half of the first threshold.

[0160] In one alternative implementation, processing unit 501 is further configured to:

[0161] The failure of the first wire pair is determined based on cable testing and / or signal-to-noise ratio decision.

[0162] Please refer to Figure 6, which is a schematic diagram of the logical structure of a communication device 600 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 600 can be a network device or a terminal device, or a component of a network device or terminal device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of a network device or terminal device. The communication device 600 may be equipped with the communication apparatus described in the corresponding embodiment of Figure 5, used to implement the functions of the communication device in the corresponding embodiment of Figure 3 or Figure 4. The communication device 600 includes: a memory 601, a processor 602, a communication interface 603, and a bus 604. The memory 601, processor 602, and communication interface 603 are interconnected via the bus 604.

[0163] The memory 601 can be a read-only memory (ROM), a static storage device, a dynamic storage device, or a random access memory (RAM). The memory 601 can store programs, and when the program stored in the memory 601 is executed by the processor 602, the processor 602 and the communication interface 603 are used to execute the above-described auto-negotiation method.

[0164] The processor 602 can be a central processing unit (CPU), microprocessor, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), graphics processing unit (GPU), digital signal processing (DSP), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof, used to execute relevant programs to implement one or more steps corresponding to the self-negotiation method in this application. The steps of the data processing method disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be executed by a compiler and an executor, wherein the compiler and executor can be executed by a hardware decoding processor, or by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules can reside in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory 601. The processor 602 reads information from memory 601 and, in conjunction with its hardware, executes the embodiments corresponding to the self-negotiation method in this application.

[0165] The communication interface 603 uses transceiver devices, such as, but not limited to, transceivers, to enable communication between the communication device 600 and other devices or communication networks.

[0166] Bus 604 enables the transmission of information between various components of communication device 600 (e.g., memory 601, processor 602, and communication interface 603). Bus 604 can be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, etc. Buses can be categorized as address buses, data buses, control buses, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is used in Figure 6, but this does not indicate that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0167] It should be noted that the information interaction and execution process between the modules / units in the communication device are based on the same concept as the method embodiment corresponding to any one of Figures 3 or 4 in this application. For details, please refer to the description in the method embodiment shown above in this application, which will not be repeated here.

[0168] This application also provides a computer program product containing instructions. The computer program product may be a software or program product containing instructions, capable of running on a computing device or stored on any usable medium. When the computer program product is run on at least one computer device, it causes the at least one computer device to perform the method described in any of the embodiments shown in FIG3 or FIG4.

[0169] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computing device can store, or a data storage device such as a data center containing one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state drive). The computer-readable storage medium includes instructions that instruct a computing device to perform the methods described above for performing any of the embodiments shown in Figures 3 or 4.

[0170] The communication device provided in this application embodiment can specifically be a chip, which includes a processing unit and a communication unit. The processing unit can be, for example, a processor, and the communication unit can be, for example, an input / output interface, pins, or circuits. The processing unit can execute computer execution instructions stored in the storage unit to cause the chip to execute the method described in any of the embodiments shown in Figures 3 or 4 above. Optionally, the storage unit is a storage unit within the chip, such as a register or cache. The storage unit can also be a storage unit located outside the chip in the wireless access device, such as a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, such as random access memory (RAM).

[0171] It should also be noted that the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the modules can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs. In addition, in the device embodiment drawings provided in this application, the connection relationship between modules indicates that they have a communication connection, which can be implemented as one or more communication buses or signal lines.

[0172] Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the embodiments of this application can be implemented by means of software plus necessary general-purpose hardware, or by special-purpose hardware including dedicated integrated circuits, dedicated CPUs, dedicated memory, dedicated components, etc. Generally, any function performed by a computer program can be easily implemented by corresponding hardware, and the specific hardware structure used to implement the same function can be diverse, such as analog circuits, digital circuits, or dedicated circuits. However, for the embodiments of this application, software program implementation is more often a better implementation method. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the embodiments of this application, in essence or the part that contributes to the prior art, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a readable storage medium, such as a computer floppy disk, USB flash drive, mobile hard disk, ROM, RAM, magnetic disk, or optical disk, etc., and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, training equipment, or network device, etc.) to execute the methods described in the various embodiments of this application.

[0173] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product.

[0174] The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, training device, or data center to another website, computer, training device, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that a computer can store or a data storage device such as a training device or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., DVDs), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state drives (SSDs)).

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a first communication device, wherein the first communication device and a second communication device are connected via a network cable, and the method includes: In the event of a failure in the first pair of wires in the network cable, a first transmission rate is determined based on a second pair of wires, the second pair including the non-failed pairs of wires in the network cable; A first signal is transmitted based on the first transmission rate; A second signal is received, which indicates whether the first transmission rate is available.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before determining the first transmission rate based on the second wire pair, the method further includes: A first threshold is determined, which is the maximum transmission rate between the first communication device and the second communication device, and the first transmission rate is less than the first threshold.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, Determining the first threshold includes: Send the first fast link pulse (FLP) signal; Receive the second FLP signal; The first threshold is determined based on the first FLP signal and the second FLP signal.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The determination of the first transmission rate based on the second wire pair includes: The first transmission rate is determined based on the ratio of the number of the second wire pair to the total number of wire pairs in the network cable, and the first threshold.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, When the second wire pair comprises at least two wire pairs, the first transmission rate is half of the first threshold.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The method further includes: The fault in the first wire pair is determined based on cable testing and / or signal-to-noise ratio determination.

7. A communication device, characterized in that, The device is a first communication device, which is connected to a second communication device via a network cable. The device includes: A processing unit is configured to determine a first transmission rate based on a second pair of wires in the network cable, wherein the second pair of wires includes wires in the network cable that have not failed, in the event of a failure in a first pair of wires in the network cable. The transceiver unit is used to transmit a first signal based on the first transmission rate; The transceiver unit is also configured to receive a second signal, which indicates whether the first transmission rate is available.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that, The processing unit is further configured to: A first threshold is determined, which is the maximum transmission rate between the first communication device and the second communication device, and the first transmission rate is less than the first threshold.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The transceiver unit is specifically used for: Send the first fast link pulse (FLP) signal; Receive the second FLP signal; The first threshold is determined based on the first FLP signal and the second FLP signal.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The processing unit is specifically used for: The first transmission rate is determined based on the ratio of the number of the second wire pair to the total number of wire pairs in the network cable, and the first threshold.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that, When the second wire pair comprises at least two wire pairs, the first transmission rate is half of the first threshold.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 7-11, characterized in that, The processing unit is further configured to: The fault in the first wire pair is determined based on cable testing and / or signal-to-noise ratio determination.

13. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a processor, which is coupled to memory. The memory is used to store instructions; The processor is configured to execute instructions in the memory, causing the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

14. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

15. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product stores computer-readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

16. A chip, characterized in that, The chip includes a processor coupled to a memory, the chip being configured to read and execute instructions stored in the memory to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

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