PAM signal monitoring method and apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed are a PAM signal monitoring method and an apparatus, relating to the technical field of signals. In the method, after acquiring a plurality of sampling levels from a received PAM signal, a receiving end divides the plurality of sampling levels into a plurality of level intervals, and determines a quality indicator of each level interval. In this way, the PAM signal can be monitored at the granularity of level intervals, thus helping to improve the granularity of PAM signal monitoring. In addition, by acquiring the quality indicator of each level interval, each level interval on the PAM signal can be analyzed and evaluated, thus helping to improve the granularity of problem analysis and the accuracy of problem localization, and further helping to improve the accuracy and reliability of performance optimization.

Description

PAM signal monitoring method and device

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510485050.1, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on April 16, 2025, entitled "PAM Signal Monitoring Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0003] Pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) technology, which transmits information by changing the amplitude of pulses, is simple, intuitive, and easy to implement, and is widely used in information transmission. However, the quality of PAM signals is strongly correlated with the accuracy of the transmitted information. Therefore, how to monitor the quality indicators of PAM signals in order to optimize them has become an urgent technical problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a PAM signal monitoring method and apparatus, which helps to improve the accuracy of PAM signal monitoring.

[0005] In a first aspect, a PAM signal monitoring method is provided, applied to the receiver of a communication system. The method includes: receiving a PAM signal; sampling the PAM signal to obtain multiple sampling levels; determining the level interval to which each sampling level belongs among the multiple sampling levels to obtain multiple level intervals; and determining the quality index of each level interval based on the sampling level of each level interval among the multiple level intervals.

[0006] In the above scheme, after obtaining multiple sampling levels from the PAM signal, these levels are divided into multiple level intervals. Based on the sampling levels of each interval, a quality index is determined for each interval. This allows for PAM signal monitoring at the level interval level, improving the precision of PAM signal monitoring. Furthermore, by acquiring the quality index for each level interval, when a fault occurs in the communication system to which the receiver belongs, the quality index of each level interval can be analyzed and evaluated to obtain the signal level distribution within each interval. This helps improve the precision of fault analysis and the accuracy of fault location, thereby enhancing the accuracy and reliability of performance tuning for the communication system.

[0007] In one possible implementation, the PAM signal represents the data to be transmitted through N different symbols indicated by N reference levels, where N is a positive integer greater than 1, and the reference level is the theoretical value of the signal level of the PAM signal; the sampling level of a level interval corresponds to the same reference level, and the sampling level comes from the signal level of the PAM signal.

[0008] In this implementation, by dividing the sampling levels corresponding to the same reference level into the same level range, the PAM signal can be analyzed at the reference level granularity. This allows us to determine the problems in the PAM signal and the specific causes of those problems based on the distribution of each reference level, thereby helping to improve the diversity of PAM signal analysis methods.

[0009] In another possible implementation, determining the level interval to which each sample level belongs among multiple sample levels includes: determining the level interval to which each sample level belongs based on the relationship between each sample level and at least one decision threshold, wherein a decision threshold is used to indicate the critical value between two adjacent level intervals among the multiple level intervals.

[0010] In this implementation, the level range to which each sampled level belongs is determined based on a decision threshold, which is determined by the average of two adjacent reference levels. This allows the sampled level to be assigned to the reference level closest to it. This not only helps to group sampled levels corresponding to the same reference level into the same level range, but also contributes to the diversity of methods for determining the level range of the sampled level.

[0011] In another possible implementation, the PAM signal represents the data to be transmitted through N different symbols indicated by N reference levels, where N is a positive integer greater than 1, and the reference level is the theoretical value of the signal level of the PAM signal. The method also includes: determining a decision threshold based on two adjacent reference levels among the N reference levels.

[0012] In this implementation, the decision threshold is determined based on the reference level, which helps to make the decision threshold close to the critical value between different reference levels. In this way, when dividing the level interval to which the sampling level belongs based on the decision threshold, it helps to divide the sampling levels corresponding to the same reference level into the same level interval, so that the quality of each reference level of the PAM signal can be evaluated.

[0013] In another possible implementation, determining the level range to which each sample level belongs among multiple sample levels includes: performing PAM decoding on each sample level to obtain the symbol corresponding to each sample level; and determining the level range to which each sample level belongs based on the symbol corresponding to each sample level, wherein sample levels in a level range correspond to the same symbol.

[0014] In this implementation, by setting the level range to which the sampling level belongs based on the symbol corresponding to the sampling level, sampling levels corresponding to the same reference level can be divided into the same level range. This allows the quality of different reference levels to be evaluated separately, which helps to evaluate the PAM signal more comprehensively and accurately.

[0015] In another possible implementation, the quality metrics for each level interval include at least one of the following: signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for each level interval, eye height for each level interval, or level transition parameter (LTP) for each level interval.

[0016] In another possible implementation, the method further includes: in response to a received function enable command, enabling the receiver's level interval calculation function so that the receiver can support determining the quality index of each level interval.

[0017] In this implementation, the receiving end can be configured to enable the level division interval calculation function according to the function enable command. In this way, the level division interval calculation function of the receiving end can be enabled only when the receiving end needs to execute the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application. This not only helps to improve the convenience of managing the monitoring functions of each receiving end, but also helps to avoid the receiving end executing the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application when it is not necessary, thereby helping to avoid wasting the computing resources of the receiving end.

[0018] In another possible implementation, the method further includes: reporting target monitoring results, wherein the target monitoring results include quality indicators for a specified level range among multiple level ranges.

[0019] In this implementation, the receiving end is configured to report the target monitoring results of the PAM signal, which in turn can be reported to the management equipment of the communication network. This allows the management equipment to evaluate the transmission performance of the communication system based on the target monitoring results of the PAM signal.

[0020] In another possible implementation, the method further includes: reporting statistical data of target monitoring results, wherein the statistical data of target monitoring results includes at least one of the maximum, minimum or average values ​​of the quality index of a specified level range within a statistical period.

[0021] In this implementation, statistical data from target monitoring results helps to improve the diversity of reported data.

[0022] In another possible implementation, the multiple sampling levels are selected from multiple candidate sampling levels, which are obtained by the analog-to-digital converter included in the receiver sampling the PAM signal during analog-to-digital conversion.

[0023] In this implementation, the sampling level used to determine the quality index is obtained directly from the candidate sampling levels sampled by the analog-to-digital converter. This not only helps to make full use of the hardware resources of the receiver, but also helps to provide convenience and speed in obtaining the sampling level.

[0024] In another possible implementation, multiple sampling levels are derived from K signal levels of the PAM signal.

[0025] In this implementation, by sampling K signal levels per pair, multiple sampling levels are obtained. Thus, by setting a reasonable value for K, the number of signal levels sampled can be controlled, thereby helping to control the sampling time and, consequently, the time required to obtain monitoring results. Furthermore, setting a reasonable K value also helps ensure that sampling levels are collected from N different signal levels of the PAM signal, thus ensuring that the sampling levels cover all N different signal levels of the PAM signal and guaranteeing comprehensive sampling levels.

[0026] In another possible implementation, the multiple sampling levels are Q sampling levels.

[0027] In this implementation, the monitoring result is determined every Q sampling levels. By setting a reasonable Q value, the number of sampling levels used to determine the monitoring result can be controlled, which helps to ensure the time consumed in determining the monitoring result and the use of computing resources.

[0028] In another possible implementation, multiple sampling levels are derived from the PAM signal received within the first time period.

[0029] In this implementation, multiple sampling levels are obtained by sampling the PAM signals received in each first time period. By setting a reasonable duration for the first time period, the duration of sampling level acquisition can be effectively controlled, thereby helping to avoid excessive time consumption in determining the monitoring results.

[0030] In another possible implementation, the method further includes: disabling the level division interval calculation function of the receiving end in response to a received function disable command.

[0031] In this implementation, the receiving end can be configured to disable the level division interval calculation function according to the function shutdown command. In this way, the level division interval calculation function of the receiving end can be disabled when the receiving end does not need to execute the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application. This helps to avoid the receiving end executing the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application unnecessarily, and thus helps to avoid wasting the computing resources of the receiving end.

[0032] In another possible implementation, multiple sampling levels are obtained, including: acquiring multiple sampling levels in response to a received monitoring command.

[0033] In this implementation, by setting the receiving end to start executing the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application in response to the monitoring command, it is possible to start monitoring the PAM signal only when necessary, thereby helping to avoid wasting computing resources.

[0034] In another possible implementation, the method further includes: stopping the acquisition of multiple sampling levels in response to a received stop command.

[0035] In this implementation, by setting the receiving end to stop executing the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application in response to a stop command, it helps to control the statistical period of the monitoring results of the PAM signal collected by the receiving end. In this way, the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application can be executed when needed, thereby helping to avoid wasting computing resources.

[0036] In another possible implementation, reporting the target monitoring results includes: reporting the target monitoring results in response to the received first acquisition command.

[0037] In this implementation, by setting the receiving end to return the target monitoring result in response to the first acquisition command, the receiving end can report the target monitoring result only when the target device needs it. That is, the target monitoring result is reported when the target device sends the first acquisition command to the receiving end, which helps to increase the necessity of reporting the target monitoring result.

[0038] In another possible implementation, reporting the target monitoring results includes: the receiving end reporting the target monitoring results according to the target configuration items. The target configuration items are used to indicate the specified level range included in the target monitoring results.

[0039] In this implementation, by setting the receiving end to actively report the specified target monitoring results according to the reporting content determined by the target configuration items, it not only helps to improve the diversity and convenience of reporting the specified monitoring results, but also helps to reduce the number of communications to obtain the specified monitoring results from the receiving end, thereby helping to reduce the communication resources occupied by obtaining the specified monitoring results.

[0040] In another possible implementation, the statistical data of the target monitoring results is reported, including: in response to the received second acquisition instruction, reporting the statistical data of the target monitoring results.

[0041] In this implementation, the receiving end is configured to report the target monitoring results of the PAM signal, which in turn can be reported to the management equipment of the communication network. This allows the management equipment to evaluate the transmission performance of the communication system based on the target monitoring results of the PAM signal.

[0042] In another possible implementation, the statistical data of the target monitoring results is reported, including: the receiving end reports the statistical data of the target monitoring results according to the target configuration items.

[0043] In another possible implementation, the method further includes: in response to a received third acquisition instruction, reporting the target monitoring results and statistical data of the target monitoring results.

[0044] In another possible implementation, the method further includes: in response to the received target instruction, enabling the receiver to determine the quality index of each level interval, and acquiring multiple sampling levels.

[0045] In another possible implementation, the target monitoring results include: a specified quality index within a specified level range.

[0046] In this implementation, specific quality indicators can be reported by setting them, so that the data required by the management device can be reported according to actual needs. This helps to avoid reporting data that the management device does not need temporarily, thus reducing the amount of data reported and thus reducing the network resources occupied.

[0047] In another possible implementation, the statistical data of the target monitoring results include at least one of the maximum, minimum or average values ​​of a specified quality indicator within a specified level range during the statistical period.

[0048] In another possible implementation, the target monitoring results also include: the PAM signal transmitted on the specified link.

[0049] In this implementation, by setting the monitoring results of PAM signals transmitted on a specified link to be reported, the data required by the management device can be reported according to actual needs. This helps to avoid reporting data that the management device does not need temporarily, thus reducing the amount of data reported and consequently reducing the network resources occupied.

[0050] Secondly, a PAM signal monitoring device is provided, comprising: functional units for performing any of the methods provided in the first aspect, wherein the actions performed by each functional unit are implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. For example, the PAM signal monitoring device may include: a receiving module, a sampling module, an interval module, and an index module; the receiving module is used to receive PAM signals; the sampling module is used to sample the PAM signals to obtain multiple sampling levels; the interval module is used to determine the level interval to which each sampling level belongs among the multiple sampling levels, thus obtaining multiple level intervals; and the index module is used to determine the quality index of each level interval based on the sampling level of each level interval among the multiple level intervals.

[0051] Thirdly, a processor is provided that can be used to execute any of the methods provided in the first aspect above.

[0052] Fourthly, a chip is provided, comprising: a processor and a power supply circuit; the power supply circuit can be used to supply power to the chip; the processor can be used to execute any of the methods provided in the first aspect above.

[0053] Fifthly, an optical module is provided, comprising: a receiver and a processor, wherein the receiver is used to receive a PAM signal, and the processor is used to perform any of the methods provided in the first aspect on the PAM signal received by the receiver.

[0054] In a sixth aspect, a communication setup is provided, comprising: an optical module and a printed circuit board as described in the fifth aspect, wherein the optical module is electrically connected to the printed circuit board.

[0055] In a seventh aspect, a network device is provided, including a processor, a memory, and a computer program / instructions stored in the memory; the processor executes the computer program / instructions to cause the network device to implement any of the methods provided in the first aspect above.

[0056] Eighthly, a radio frequency transceiver is provided, comprising: a receiver and a processor, the receiver being configured to receive a PAM signal, and the processor being configured to perform any of the methods provided in the first aspect on the PAM signal received by the receiver.

[0057] A ninth aspect provides a deserializer, comprising: a receiver and a processor, the receiver being configured to receive a PAM signal, and the processor being configured to perform any of the methods provided in the first aspect on the PAM signal received by the receiver.

[0058] In a tenth aspect, a serial deserializer is provided, comprising: a serializer and a deserializer connected together, wherein the serializer is used to send a PAM signal to the deserializer, and the deserializer is used to perform any of the methods provided in the first aspect on the PAM signal.

[0059] Eleventhly, a communication system is provided, comprising: a transmitter and a receiver, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a PAM signal to the receiver, and the receiver is configured to perform any of the methods provided in the first aspect on the PAM signal.

[0060] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising a computer program / instructions that, when executed by a computing device, implement any of the methods provided in the first aspect above.

[0061] In a thirteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program / instructions are stored, which, when executed by a computing device, implement any of the methods provided in the first aspect above.

[0062] The technical effects of any of the implementation methods in aspects two through thirteen can be seen in the technical effects of different implementation methods in aspect one above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0063] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in this application;

[0064] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a PAM4 signal provided in this application;

[0065] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an optical fiber communication network provided in this application;

[0066] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a fiber optic communication network provided in this application;

[0067] Figure 5 is a flowchart of a PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application;

[0068] Figure 6 is one of the schematic diagrams of a PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application;

[0069] Figure 7 is a second schematic diagram of a PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application;

[0070] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram (3) of a PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application;

[0071] Figure 9 is a fourth schematic diagram of a PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application;

[0072] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of an eye diagram provided in this application;

[0073] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a PAM signal monitoring device provided in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0074] The technical solution provided in this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0075] To facilitate a clear description of the technical solutions of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used in the embodiments of this application to distinguish identical or similar items with substantially the same function and effect. Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or execution order, and that "first" and "second" are not necessarily different. Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is being used as an example, illustration, or explanation. Any embodiment or design scheme described as "exemplary" or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Specifically, the use of terms such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner for ease of understanding.

[0076] In this application, "and / or" is merely a way of describing the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. A and B can be singular or plural.

[0077] In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" means two or more. "At least one" or similar expressions mean any combination of these items, including any combination of single or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0078] With the increasingly widespread application of information technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing, data traffic is experiencing explosive growth. In data transmission, compared to on-off keying (OOK) signal modulation techniques, pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) technology, which can transmit information by changing the amplitude of pulses, is widely used due to its simplicity, intuitiveness, and ease of implementation. However, the quality of PAM signals is strongly correlated with the accuracy of the transmitted information. Therefore, how to monitor the quality indicators of PAM signals to optimize them has become a pressing technical problem.

[0079] In view of this, this application provides a PAM signal monitoring method applied to the receiving end of a communication system. After obtaining multiple sampling levels from the PAM signal, these sampling levels are divided into multiple level intervals. Based on the sampling levels of each level interval, a quality index is determined for each level interval. This allows for PAM signal monitoring at the level interval level, thereby improving the precision of PAM signal monitoring. Furthermore, by acquiring the quality index of each level interval, when a fault occurs in the communication system to which the receiving end belongs, the quality index of each level interval can be analyzed and evaluated to obtain the signal level distribution of each level interval. This helps improve the precision of fault analysis and the accuracy of fault location, and consequently, improves the accuracy and reliability of performance tuning for the communication system.

[0080] It should be noted that the various implementation methods of the above-mentioned PAM signal monitoring method will be described in detail in the embodiment shown in Figure 5, and will not be elaborated here.

[0081] Next, the system architecture involved in the technical solution provided in this application will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0082] This application provides a communication system that applies the above-described PAM signal monitoring method. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system includes a transmitter (TX) and a receiver (RX). The transmitter is used to send PAM signals to the receiver, and the receiver is used to receive PAM signals. The receiver then uses the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application to perform level-division interval monitoring (hereinafter referred to as interval monitoring) on ​​the received PAM signals.

[0083] It should be noted that the sending end in this application can also be called the sending node, and the receiving end can also be called the receiving node.

[0084] For example, the PAM signal in this application can be a PAM2 signal, a PAM3 signal, a PAM4 signal, a PAM8 signal, etc. Among them, the modulation order of the PAM2 signal is 1, the modulation order of the PAM4 signal is 2, and the modulation order of the PAM8 signal is 3.

[0085] It should be noted that this application does not limit the modulation order of the PAM signal; the above examples are merely illustrative. The following description uses the PMA4 signal as an example to illustrate this application.

[0086] PAM4 is a binary encoding method that uses four different reference levels to represent binary data. For example, a PAM4 signal uses four different symbols indicated by the four reference levels to represent the data to be transmitted. As shown in Figure 2, the four reference levels are reference level 1, reference level 2, reference level 3, and reference level 4, respectively. Reference level 1 indicates symbol 00, reference level 2 indicates symbol 01, reference level 3 indicates symbol 10, and reference level 4 indicates symbol 11. One symbol period (i.e., one reference level) of a PAM4 signal can transmit 2 bits of information.

[0087] During PAM signal transmission, each PAM signal level corresponds to a reference level. The sign of the reference level indicates the data to be transmitted. The reference level can be considered the theoretical value of the signal level. For example, reference level 1 can be -3, reference level 2 can be -1, reference level 3 can be +1, and reference level 4 can be +3.

[0088] It should be noted that this application does not impose any restrictions on the value of the reference level; the above is merely an illustrative example.

[0089] This application provides a communication network. The communication network includes at least one communication system (as shown in Figure 1). Each communication system in the at least one communication system can use the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application to monitor the transmitted PAM signal in intervals, thereby obtaining the quality indicators for each level interval.

[0090] Optionally, the communication network in this application can be an optical fiber communication network, a wireless communication network, a cable communication network, etc. Among them, the optical fiber communication network uses optical fiber as the transmission medium and transmits information using optical signals. The wireless communication network uses a wireless network for information transmission. The cable communication network uses cable as the transmission medium for information transmission.

[0091] It should be noted that this application does not limit the type of communication network; the above is merely an illustrative example. The following description uses fiber optic communication networking as an example to illustrate this application.

[0092] Example 1, as shown in Figure 3, illustrates an optical fiber communication network comprising a first network device, a second network device, a first optical module, and a second optical module. The first optical module is deployed on the first network device, and the second optical module is deployed on the second network device. The first optical module includes optical modules A1, ..., AN. The second optical module includes optical modules B1, ..., BN. N is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0093] It should be noted that this application does not limit the number of optical modules deployed on either the first or second network device. At least one optical module may be deployed on both the first and second network devices. The first and second optical modules shown in Figure 3, each comprising N optical modules, are illustrative examples.

[0094] For example, the first optical module and the second optical module can be connected via optical fiber, and PAM signals can be transmitted between the first optical module and the second optical module via optical fiber. For instance, optical module A1 and optical module B1 are connected via optical fiber, and PAM signals can be transmitted between optical module A1 and optical module B1 via optical fiber.

[0095] Alternatively, network devices may be optical transmission devices, optical access devices, optical switching devices, optical amplification devices, switches, routers, gateway devices, network interface cards (NICs), etc.

[0096] It should be noted that this application does not limit the form factor of the network device; the above is merely an illustrative example.

[0097] Optionally, the first optical module can be a linear photonic optics (LPO) optical module, a co-packaged optics (CPO) optical module, etc.

[0098] It should be noted that this application does not limit the form of the first optical module; the above is merely an illustrative example. Furthermore, for details regarding the second optical module, please refer to the description of the first optical module; further elaboration will not be repeated here.

[0099] Optionally, the fiber optic communication network may also include a management device. This management device is connected to each network device. That is, the management device is connected to a first network device and also to a second network device.

[0100] For example, management devices can be used to manage and monitor the software, hardware, and platform of network devices. For instance, by monitoring network devices, management devices can perform debugging, maintenance, and optimization to ensure the normal operation of the network devices.

[0101] For example, the receiving end of each communication system in an optical fiber communication network can monitor the transmitted PAM signal in intervals according to the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application, thereby obtaining the quality index of each level interval. The management device can perform performance optimization on each communication system based on at least one quality index of each level interval, thereby achieving optimization of the transmitted PAM signal.

[0102] Example 2: The fiber optic communication network includes a first network device, a second network device, a first communication device, and a second communication device. The first communication device is deployed on the first network device and includes a first optical module and a first printed circuit board, which are electrically connected. The second communication device is deployed on the second network device and includes a second optical module and a second printed circuit board, which are electrically connected.

[0103] For example, the first communication device and the second communication device may also be referred to as a single board of integrated optical components (i.e., optical modules).

[0104] It should be noted that this application does not limit the system architecture of fiber optic communication networks; the above is merely an illustrative example. The following description uses the fiber optic communication network in Example 1 above as an example to illustrate the various communication systems within the fiber optic communication network.

[0105] Example 1a, as shown in Figure 4(a), includes a fiber optic communication network comprising a communication system a, where the transmitting end of communication system a is a first network device and the receiving end of communication system a is a first optical module. The first optical module uses the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application to perform level-division interval monitoring of the PAM signal from the first network device. For example, when the first network device sends a PAM signal to optical module A1, optical module A1 uses the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application to perform level-division interval monitoring of the PAM signal from the first network device.

[0106] It should be noted that for the relevant descriptions of optical modules A2, ..., and AN, please refer to the description of optical module A1, which will not be repeated here.

[0107] Example 1b, as shown in Figure 4(b), illustrates an optical fiber communication network comprising a communication system b. The transmitting end of communication system b is a first optical module, and the receiving end of communication system b is a second optical module. The second optical module can use the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application to perform level-division interval monitoring of the PAM signal from the first optical module. For example, when optical module A1 sends a PAM signal to optical module B1, optical module B1 uses the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application to perform level-division interval monitoring of the PAM signal from optical module A1.

[0108] It should be noted that for the relevant explanations of optical modules B2, ..., and BN, please refer to the explanation of optical module B1, which will not be repeated here.

[0109] Example 1c, as shown in Figure 4(c), illustrates an optical fiber communication network comprising a communication system c. The transmitting end of the communication system c is a second optical module, and the receiving end of the communication system c is a second network device. The second network device can use the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application to perform level-division interval monitoring of the PAM signal from the second optical module. For example, when optical module B1 sends a PAM signal to the second network device, the second network device uses the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application to perform level-division interval monitoring of the PAM signal from optical module B1.

[0110] It should be noted that for the relevant explanations of optical modules B2, ..., and BN, please refer to the explanation of optical module B1, which will not be repeated here.

[0111] It should be noted that the system architecture shown in Figures 1 to 4 does not constitute a limitation on the system architecture for implementing the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application.

[0112] It should be noted that the system architecture and application scenarios described in this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new application scenarios, the technical solutions provided in this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0113] For ease of understanding, the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application will be described exemplarily below with reference to the above system architecture and accompanying drawings.

[0114] Figure 5 is a flowchart of a PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application. Exemplarily, the PAM signal monitoring method may include steps 501-504. Herein, "step" in this application can be abbreviated as "S", and will not be described further hereafter.

[0115] For example, a user sends a request to a second network device via an electronic device, requesting the acquisition of target data. In response to the received request, the second network device sends an acquisition instruction to a first network device, instructing the acquisition of the target data. Based on the received acquisition instruction, the first network device performs Pulse Amplitude Modulation (PAM) encoding on the target data to map the bit information of the target data to a voltage level, obtaining PAM signal 1. The bit information of the target data is a digital signal, while PAM signal 1 can be an electrical or analog signal.

[0116] The first network device sends PAM signal 1 to the first optical module. The first optical module performs analog-to-digital conversion, digital signal preprocessing, or digital signal pre-compensation on the received PAM signal 1 to obtain PAM signal 1a, where PAM signal 1a is an electrical signal or a data signal. The first optical module performs digital-to-analog conversion on PAM signal 1a to obtain PAM signal 1b, where PAM signal 1b is an electrical signal or an analog signal. The first optical module performs optical modulation on PAM signal 1b to convert the electrical signal into an optical signal to obtain PAM signal 2, where PAM signal 2 is an optical signal or an analog signal.

[0117] The first optical module sends PAM signal 2 to the second optical module. The second optical module demodulates the received PAM signal 2 to convert the optical signal into an electrical signal, resulting in PAM signal 2a, which is both an electrical and analog signal. The second optical module then performs analog-to-digital conversion, digital signal preprocessing, or digital signal pre-compensation on PAM signal 2a to obtain PAM signal 2b, which is both an electrical and digital signal. Finally, the second optical module performs digital-to-analog conversion on PAM signal 2b to obtain PAM signal 3, which is both an electrical and analog signal.

[0118] The second optical module sends PAM signal 3 to the second network device. The second network device performs analog-to-digital conversion on the received PAM signal 3 to obtain PAM signal 3a, which is both an electrical and digital signal. The second network device parses PAM signal 3a to obtain the bit information of the target data and sends the bit information of the target data to the user's electronic device to transmit the bit information of the target data to the user.

[0119] Optionally, the PAM signal monitoring method (e.g., S501-S503, etc.) provided in this application can be executed by the receiving end. Alternatively, it can be executed by the receiving end's digital signal processor, analog-to-digital processor, central processing unit, chip, or chip system. The digital signal processor is used to perform operations such as digital signal preprocessing and digital signal pre-compensation.

[0120] It should be noted that this application does not limit the specific entity that executes the PAM signal provided in this application; the above is merely an illustrative example.

[0121] S501: The receiver receives PAM signals.

[0122] PAM (Pulse Amplification) is a signal modulation technique used to encode information (also known as data) into pulse signals, and to represent different information using different amplitudes of these pulse signals. The pulse signal obtained through PAM encoding is called a PAM signal. In other words, a PAM signal refers to a signal obtained through PAM encoding.

[0123] For example, after the transmitting end sends a PAM signal to the receiving end, the receiving end receives the PAM signal. For instance, referring to Figure 4(a), the receiving end is a first optical module, which receives PAM signal 1 from a first network device. Referring to Figure 4(b), the receiving end is a second optical module, which receives PAM signal 2 from the first optical module. Referring to Figure 4(c), the receiving end is a second network device, which receives PAM signal 3 from a second optical module.

[0124] S502: The receiver samples the PAM signal to obtain multiple sampling levels.

[0125] For example, after receiving a PAM signal, the receiving end samples the PAM signal to obtain multiple sample levels. For instance, the PAM signal received by the receiving end includes multiple signal levels, and the receiving end samples these multiple signal levels to obtain multiple sample levels.

[0126] Example 2a, referring to Figure 4(a), the first network device (transmitter) of communication system a sends PAM signal 1 to the first optical module (receiver) of communication system a. After receiving PAM signal 1, the first optical module acquires multiple sampling levels a from PAM signal 1.

[0127] For example, the first network device and the first optical module can be connected via a cable or gold fingers. That is, the first network device can transmit PAM signal 1 to the first optical module via a cable or gold fingers. The first optical module includes a first analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a first digital signal processor (DSP). The ADC performs analog-to-digital conversion operations, and its input signal is an electrical signal transmitted via a cable or gold fingers. The DSP performs digital signal preprocessing, digital signal pre-compensation, and other operations.

[0128] In this example, by setting the first optical module as a receiver, the PAM signal transmitted between the first network device and the first optical module can be acquired. Thus, the monitoring result of the PAM signal transmitted between the first network device and the first optical module can be obtained through the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application. In this way, the performance of the first network device and the first optical module can be optimized based on the monitoring result of the PAM signal transmitted between the first network device and the first optical module, thereby helping to improve the quality of the PAM signal transmitted between the first network device and the first optical module.

[0129] Example 2b, referring to Figure 4(b), the first optical module (transmitter) of communication system b sends PAM signal 2 to the second optical module (receiver) of communication system b. After receiving PAM signal 2, the second optical module acquires multiple sampling levels b from PAM signal 2.

[0130] For example, the first optical module and the second optical module are connected via optical fiber. That is, the first optical module can transmit PAM signal 2 to the second optical module via optical fiber. The second optical module includes a second analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a photodetector. The photodetector performs optical modulation to convert the optical signal into an electrical signal. The second ADC performs analog-to-digital conversion, and its input signal is the electrical signal obtained by the photodetector. For example, as shown in Figure 6, after the second optical module receives PAM signal 2, the photodetector (not shown in Figure 6) demodulates PAM signal 2, converting the optical signal into an electrical signal to obtain PAM signal 2a. Then, the second optical module inputs PAM signal 2a into the second ADC, which performs analog-to-digital conversion to convert the analog signal into a digital signal. The digital signal is then input into a second digital signal processor (DSP), which performs digital signal preprocessing or digital signal pre-compensation to obtain PAM signal 2b. Finally, the digital-to-analog converter (not shown in Figure 6) on the second optical module performs digital-to-analog conversion on PAM signal 2b to obtain PAM signal 3. Then, the second optical module sends PAM signal 3 to the second network device.

[0131] In this example, by setting the second optical module as the receiving end, the PAM signal transmitted between the first and second optical modules can be obtained. Thus, the monitoring result of the PAM signal transmitted between the first and second optical modules can be obtained through the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application. In this way, the performance of the first and second optical modules can be optimized based on the monitoring result of the PAM signal transmitted between the first and second optical modules, thereby helping to improve the quality of the PAM signal transmitted between the first and second optical modules.

[0132] For further explanation of other relevant details in Example 2b, please refer to the explanation of Example 2a above, which will not be repeated here.

[0133] Example 2c, referring to (c) in Figure 4, the second optical module (transmitter) of communication system c sends PAM signal 3 to the second network device (receiver) of communication system b. After receiving PAM signal 3, the second network device acquires multiple sampling levels from PAM signal 3.

[0134] In this example, by setting the second network device as the receiving end, the PAM signal transmitted between the second optical module and the second network device can be obtained. Thus, the monitoring result of the PAM signal transmitted between the second optical module and the second network device can be obtained through the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application. In this way, the performance of the second optical module and the second network device can be optimized based on the monitoring result of the PAM signal transmitted between the second optical module and the second network device, thereby helping to improve the quality of the PAM signal transmitted between the second optical module and the second network device.

[0135] It should be noted that other relevant explanations for Example 2c can be found in the explanations of Examples 2a and 2b above, and will not be repeated here.

[0136] In this application, the sources of multiple sampling levels include various cases, which are exemplified below through cases 1 and 2.

[0137] Case 1: Multiple sampling levels are selected from multiple candidate sampling levels. These candidate sampling levels are obtained by the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) at the receiving end sampling the PAM signal during analog-to-digital conversion.

[0138] For example, during the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) operation at the receiving end, the PAM signal is sampled to obtain multiple candidate sampling levels, and analog-to-digital conversion is performed using these multiple candidate sampling levels. Based on this, the receiving end can obtain multiple sampling levels from the multiple candidate sampling levels. For example, the ADC obtains R candidate sampling levels from the PAM signal, and the receiving end obtains Q sampling levels from the levels of the R sampling points. In one example, Q equals R, meaning all candidate sampling levels obtained by the ADC are used as sampling levels to determine the quality index. In another example, Q is less than R, meaning Q out of the R candidate sampling levels are used as sampling levels to determine the quality index. The following example, where Q equals R, illustrates this application.

[0139] In this case, the sampling level used to determine the quality index is obtained directly from the candidate sampling levels sampled by the analog-to-digital converter. This not only helps to make full use of the hardware resources of the receiver, but also helps to provide convenience and speed in obtaining the sampling level.

[0140] Scenario 2: The receiver includes a signal sampling device. Multiple sampling levels are obtained by the sampling device sampling the PAM signal. In this case, acquiring multiple sampling levels through a separate sampling device helps to increase the diversity of methods for obtaining sampling levels.

[0141] It should be noted that this application does not limit the source of multiple sampling levels; the above is merely an illustrative example. The following description uses case 1 as an example to illustrate this application.

[0142] In this application, the range of multiple sampling levels includes various cases, which are exemplified below through cases a to c.

[0143] Case a: Multiple sampling levels come from K signal levels of the PAM signal.

[0144] For example, as shown in Figure 7, the receiver samples K signal levels (i.e., signal level 1, ..., signal level K) of the PAM signal to obtain multiple sample levels. Specifically, each of the K signal levels is sampled at least once to obtain at least one sample level from each signal level, thus obtaining multiple sample levels. In other words, the receiver can obtain multiple sample levels by sampling each pair of K signal levels.

[0145] In this scenario, by setting sampling to K signal levels per pair, multiple sampling levels are obtained. Thus, by setting a reasonable value for K, the number of signal levels sampled can be controlled, thereby helping to control the sampling time and, consequently, the time required to obtain monitoring results. Furthermore, setting a reasonable K value also helps ensure that sampling levels are collected from N different signal levels of the PAM signal, ensuring that the sampling levels cover all N different signal levels of the PAM signal, and thus guaranteeing the comprehensiveness of the sampling levels.

[0146] Case b, where multiple sampling levels are Q sampling levels.

[0147] For example, the receiver samples the PAM signal to obtain Q sample levels. That is, the receiver samples the PAM signal for each pair of signals to obtain Q sample levels, thus obtaining multiple sample levels.

[0148] In this case, by setting the monitoring result to be determined every Q sampling levels, the number of sampling levels used to determine the monitoring result can be controlled by setting a reasonable Q value, which helps to ensure the time consumed in determining the monitoring result and the use of computing resources.

[0149] It should be noted that other relevant explanations for situation b can be found in the explanation of situation a above, and will not be repeated here.

[0150] Case c: Multiple sampling levels are derived from PAM signals received within the first time period.

[0151] For example, the receiving end samples the PAM signal received within a first time period to obtain multiple sampling levels. For instance, the receiving end samples the PAM signal received within F minutes to obtain multiple sampling levels. In other words, the receiving end determines the monitoring result based on the multiple sampling levels obtained each time it samples the PAM signal within the first time period.

[0152] It should be noted that this application does not impose any limitation on the specific duration of the first time period; the above is merely an illustrative example. The specific duration of the first time period can be dynamically set according to the actual scenario.

[0153] In this scenario, by setting the sampling of each pair of PAM signals received in the first time period, multiple sampling levels can be obtained. By setting a reasonable duration for the first time period, the duration of sampling level acquisition can be effectively controlled, thereby helping to avoid excessive time consumption in determining the monitoring results.

[0154] For example, other relevant explanations of case c can be found in the explanations of cases a and b above, and will not be repeated here.

[0155] S503: The receiving end determines the level range to which each sampling level belongs among multiple sampling levels, thus obtaining multiple level ranges.

[0156] For example, after acquiring multiple sampling levels, the receiving end determines the level range to which each sampling level belongs. For instance, as shown in Figure 5, the receiving end determines that sampling level a belongs to level range 1, sampling level b belongs to level range 2, sampling level c belongs to level range 3, and sampling level d belongs to level range 4.

[0157] In this application, the PAM signal represents the data to be transmitted through N different symbols indicated by N reference levels, where N is a positive integer greater than 1, and the reference levels are the theoretical values ​​of the PAM signal level. The sampling level is derived from the PAM signal level.

[0158] Optionally, the level range to which each sampling level belongs can be determined, including various implementation methods. The following describes methods 1 and 2.

[0159] In Method 1, the receiving end divides the sampled levels corresponding to the same reference level into the same level interval, thus obtaining multiple level intervals. In other words, the sampled levels of a level interval correspond to the same reference level.

[0160] In this implementation, by dividing the sampling levels corresponding to the same reference level into the same level range, the PAM signal can be analyzed at the reference level granularity. This allows us to determine the problems in the PAM signal and the specific causes of those problems based on the distribution of each reference level, thereby helping to improve the diversity of PAM signal analysis methods.

[0161] Optionally, S503 includes multiple implementation methods, which will be introduced below through methods A to C.

[0162] Method A determines the level range to which each sample level belongs based on the sign corresponding to each sample level among multiple sample levels. The following sections, S1-S2, will provide an illustrative example of this method.

[0163] S1: The receiver performs PAM decoding on each sample level to obtain the symbol corresponding to each sample level.

[0164] For example, after the receiving end acquires multiple sampling levels, it performs PAM decoding on each sampling level to obtain the symbol corresponding to each sampling level. For instance, the symbol corresponding to each sampling level of the PAM4 signal can be any one of 00, 01, 10, or 11.

[0165] S2: Determine the level range to which each sample level belongs based on the symbol corresponding to each sample level. Sample levels within a level range correspond to the same symbol.

[0166] For example, after the receiving end obtains the symbol corresponding to each sampling level, it determines the level interval to which each sampling level belongs, thereby dividing sampling levels corresponding to the same symbol into the same level interval. For instance, if the symbol corresponding to sampling level 1 is 00, sampling level 1 is determined to belong to level interval I1 (level interval 1). If the symbol corresponding to sampling level 1 is 01, sampling level 1 is determined to belong to level interval I2 (level interval 2). If the symbol corresponding to sampling level 1 is 10, sampling level 1 is determined to belong to level interval I3 (level interval 3). If the symbol corresponding to sampling level 1 is 11, sampling level 1 is determined to belong to level interval I4 (level interval 4).

[0167] In this method, by setting the level range to which the sampling level belongs based on the symbol corresponding to the sampling level, sampling levels corresponding to the same reference level can be divided into the same level range. This allows the quality of different reference levels to be evaluated separately, which helps to evaluate the PAM signal more comprehensively and accurately.

[0168] Method B determines the level interval to which each sampled level belongs based on at least one decision threshold. A decision threshold indicates the critical value between two adjacent level intervals among multiple level intervals.

[0169] For example, the receiving end determines the level interval to which each sample level belongs based on the relationship between each sample level and at least one decision threshold. Specifically, the sample levels within a level interval have the same relationship with at least one decision threshold. For instance, the receiving end assigns sample levels that have the same relationship (i.e., the same characteristics) with at least one decision threshold to the same level interval.

[0170] The following provides an illustrative description of how to obtain at least one decision threshold.

[0171] In one example, the receiver may obtain at least one decision threshold provided by the user. For instance, the receiver may receive first configuration information from the user, which includes at least one decision threshold.

[0172] It should be noted that this application does not restrict the method by which the user sends the first configuration information to the receiving end. For example, the user can send the first configuration information directly to the receiving end through an electronic device. Alternatively, if the receiving end is a network device, the user can send the first configuration information to a management device through an electronic device, and the management device can then send the received first configuration information to the receiving end. Or, if the receiving end is an optical module, the user can send the first configuration information to a management device through an electronic device, and the management device can then send the received first configuration information to a network device, which in turn sends the received first configuration information to the optical module.

[0173] In another example, the receiver can determine at least one decision threshold based on N reference levels of the PAM signal.

[0174] For example, the receiver can determine a decision threshold based on the average value of adjacent reference levels.

[0175] In one example, the receiver can acquire N reference levels provided by the user. For instance, the receiver receives second configuration information from the user, which includes N reference levels. In another example, after receiving a PAM signal, the receiver determines the N reference levels of the PAM signal. For example, the receiver can determine each reference level based on the statistical distribution of each signal level of the PAM signal. For instance, the receiver can determine each reference level based on the histogram of the PAM signal.

[0176] It should be noted that this application does not limit the method of obtaining the reference level; the above is merely an illustrative example. Furthermore, for other relevant explanations regarding the second configuration information, please refer to the explanation of the first configuration information, which will not be repeated here.

[0177] For example, the PAM signal is a PAM4 signal, which includes four reference levels. Referring to Figure 2, the four reference levels of PAM4 are, in order, reference level 1, reference level 2, reference level 3, and reference level 4, where reference level 1 < reference level 2 < reference level 3 < reference level 4. Reference level 1 is V1, reference level 2 is V2, reference level 3 is V3, and reference level 4 is V4. Where V1... <V2<V3<V4。

[0178] For example, the decision threshold satisfies the following relationship (1):

[0179] Among them, T i Used to characterize the i-th decision threshold. V i Used to characterize the i-th reference level, where i is a positive integer. The first reference level is V1, the second reference level is V2, the third reference level is V3, and the fourth reference level is V4.

[0180] For example, when i equals 0, T1 = (V1 + V2) / 2. For instance, if V1 equals -3 and V2 equals -1, then T1 equals -2. When i equals 1, T2 = (V2 + V3) / 2. For instance, if V3 equals 1, then T2 equals 0. When i equals 2, T3 = (V3 + V4) / 2. For instance, if V4 equals 3, then T3 equals 2. T1 is used to characterize the decision threshold between reference level 1 and reference level 2, T2 is used to characterize the decision threshold between reference level 2 and reference level 3, and T3 is used to characterize the decision threshold between reference level 3 and reference level 4.

[0181] For example, the positions of T1, T2, and T3 in the eye diagram of the PAM signal are shown in Figure 8.

[0182] In this approach, the decision threshold is determined based on the reference level, which helps to make the decision threshold close to the critical value between different reference levels. Thus, when dividing the level interval to which the sampling level belongs based on the decision threshold, it helps to divide the sampling levels corresponding to the same reference level into the same level interval, so that the quality of each reference level of the PAM signal can be evaluated.

[0183] For example, multiple sampling levels include sampling level 1. The receiving end can determine the signal level to which sampling level 1 belongs based on the relationship between sampling level 1 and at least one decision threshold. For example, when sampling level 1 is less than or equal to T1, sampling level 1 belongs to level interval I1. For example, level interval I1 is (-∞, -2). When sampling level 1 is greater than T1 and less than or equal to T2, sampling level 1 belongs to level interval I2. For example, level interval I2 is (-2, 0). When sampling level 1 is greater than T2 and less than or equal to T3, sampling level 1 belongs to level interval I3. For example, level interval I3 is (0, 2). When sampling level 1 is greater than T3 and less than or equal to T3, sampling level 1 belongs to level interval I4. For example, level interval I3 is (2, +∞).

[0184] For example, the positions of I1, I2, I3, and I4 in the eye diagram of the PAM signal are shown in Figure 8.

[0185] It should be noted that this application does not limit the method of determining the level interval to which each sampling level belongs based on at least one decision threshold; the above is merely an illustrative example. For instance, if sampling level 1 is less than T1, sampling level 1 belongs to level interval I1, and based on this, level interval I1 is (-∞, -2). If sampling level 1 is greater than or equal to T1 and less than T2, sampling level 1 belongs to level interval I2. Based on this, level interval I2 is [-2, 0). The explanations of level intervals I3 and I4 can be found in the explanations of level intervals I2 and I3, and will not be repeated here.

[0186] In this method, the level range to which each sampled level belongs is determined based on a decision threshold, which is determined by the average of two adjacent reference levels. This allows the sampled level to be assigned to the reference level closest to it. This not only helps to group sampled levels corresponding to the same reference level into the same level range, but also contributes to the diversity of methods for determining the level range of the sampled level.

[0187] It should be noted that this application does not limit the method of determining the level range to which each sampling level belongs; the above is merely an illustrative example.

[0188] Method C determines the level range to which each sample level belongs based on the histogram of multiple sample levels. The following examples, using methods S3 and S4, illustrate this approach.

[0189] S3: The receiving end determines a histogram of multiple sampling levels. The histogram includes multiple histogram rectangles, comprising a first histogram and a second histogram. The first histogram indicates the location of the reference level. The second histogram includes every histogram except the first histogram.

[0190] For example, a histogram of multiple sampling levels is shown in Figure 9. The horizontal axis of the histogram indicates the sampling level, and the vertical axis indicates the number of sampling levels included in each rectangular block. That is, the height of a rectangular block indicates the number of sampling levels it contains. The first rectangular matrix includes first rectangular block 1 (referred to as rectangle 1) belonging to V1, first rectangular block 2 (referred to as rectangle 2) belonging to V2, first rectangular block 3 (referred to as rectangle 3) belonging to V3, and first rectangular block 4 (referred to as rectangle 4) belonging to V4. The number of sampling levels indicated by first rectangular block 1 is P1, the number of sampling levels indicated by first rectangular block 2 is P2, the number of sampling levels indicated by first rectangular block 3 is P3, and the number of sampling levels indicated by first rectangular block 4 is P4.

[0191] S4: The receiving end determines the level range to which each sampling level belongs based on the difference between the height of the first rectangular rectangle and the height of the second rectangular rectangle.

[0192] For example, if the difference between the height of the W second rectangular rectangles and the height of the first rectangular rectangle is less than or equal to the difference threshold, the sampling levels indicated by the W second rectangular rectangles are divided into the same level interval, thereby obtaining multiple level intervals.

[0193] For example, the second rectangular shape includes a second rectangular rectangle 1a (referred to as rectangle 1a) and a second rectangular rectangle 1b (referred to as rectangle 1b). The difference between the height of rectangle 1a and the height of rectangle 1 is less than or equal to a difference threshold, and the difference between the height of rectangle 1b and the height of rectangle 1 is less than or equal to a difference threshold. Therefore, the sampling level indicated by rectangle 1a and the sampling level indicated by rectangle 1b are divided into the same level interval 1 (i.e., I1). Based on the same principle, the sampling level indicated by rectangle 2a and the sampling level indicated by rectangle 2b are divided into the same level interval 2 (i.e., I2), the sampling level indicated by rectangle 3a and the sampling level indicated by rectangle 3b are divided into the same level interval 3 (i.e., I3), and the sampling level indicated by rectangle 4a and the sampling level indicated by rectangle 4b are divided into the same level interval 4 (i.e., I4).

[0194] It should be noted that this application does not impose any restrictions on the specific value of the difference threshold. For example, the specific value of the difference threshold can be dynamically set according to the specific application scenario.

[0195] In this approach, determining the level range to which each sampling level belongs based on the histogram not only helps to group sampling levels that are close to the same reference level into the same level range, but also helps to increase the diversity of ways to divide level ranges.

[0196] Method 2: The receiving end determines the level range to which each sample level belongs based on the magnitude relationship between each sample level and N reference levels.

[0197] For example, a reference level is the threshold between two adjacent level intervals. For instance, the four reference levels for a PAM4 signal are V1, V2, V3, and V4. When sampled level 1 is less than or equal to V1, sampled level 1 belongs to level interval I1. When sampled level 1 is greater than V1 and less than or equal to V2, sampled level 1 belongs to level interval I2. When sampled level 1 is greater than V2 and less than or equal to V3, sampled level 1 belongs to level interval I3. When sampled level 1 is greater than V3 and less than or equal to V4, sampled level 1 belongs to level interval I4. When sampled level 1 is greater than V4, sampled level 1 belongs to level interval I5.

[0198] In this approach, a reference level is used as the threshold for dividing the level intervals, which helps to increase the diversity of ways to divide the level intervals.

[0199] It should be noted that this application does not limit the method of dividing the sampling level into level intervals; the above is merely an illustrative example.

[0200] S504: The receiver determines the quality index of each level interval based on the sampling level of each level interval among multiple level intervals.

[0201] For example, after determining the sampling level of each level interval, the receiving end determines the quality index of each level interval based on the sampling level, thereby obtaining the monitoring result of the PAM signal. The monitoring result of the PAM signal includes the quality index of each level interval. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the receiving end determines the quality index 1 for level interval 1, the quality index 1 for level interval 2, the quality index 1 for level interval 3, and the quality index 1 for level interval 4.

[0202] In one example, the receiving end is a first optical module. The monitoring result 'a' of the PAM signal obtained by the first optical module can be used to indicate the signal quality between the first network device and the first optical module. That is, monitoring result 'a' can be used to evaluate the signal transmission performance between the first network device and the first optical module, and to optimize the signal transmission performance between the first network device and the first optical module.

[0203] In another example, the receiver is a second optical module. The monitoring result b of the PAM signal obtained by the second optical module can be used to indicate the signal quality between the first and second optical modules. That is, the monitoring result b can be used to evaluate the signal transmission performance between the first and second optical modules, and to optimize the signal transmission performance between the first and second optical modules.

[0204] In another example, the receiving end is a second network device. The monitoring result 'c' of the PAM signal obtained by the second network device can be used to indicate the quality between the second network device and the second optical module. That is, the monitoring result 'c' can be used to evaluate the signal transmission performance between the second network device and the second optical module, and to optimize the signal transmission performance between the second network device and the second optical module.

[0205] Optionally, the quality metrics for each level interval include at least one of the following: signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for each level interval, eye height for each level interval, or level transition parameter (LTP) for each level interval. Eye height measures the opening of the eye diagram along the vertical axis. The level transition parameter measures the noise intensity near the decision threshold.

[0206] The following is an exemplary description of the process for determining the signal-to-noise ratio for each level range.

[0207] In this application, the receiving end can determine the signal-to-noise ratio of each level interval based on the average power of the PAM signal and the average noise power of each level interval.

[0208] For example, the signal-to-noise ratio of each level interval satisfies the following relationship (2):

[0209] Among them, SNR i P is used to characterize the signal-to-noise ratio of the i-th level interval, where i is a positive integer. sig Used to characterize the average power of a PAM signal. i Used to characterize the average noise power of the i-th level interval.

[0210] In this application, the receiving end can determine the average noise power of each level interval based on the sampling level of each level interval, the number of sampling levels in each level interval, and each reference level.

[0211] For example, the number of sampled levels in level interval I1 is N1, the number of sampled levels in level interval I2 is N2, the number of sampled levels in level interval I3 is N3, and the number of sampled levels in level interval I4 is N3.

[0212] For example, the average noise power in each level interval satisfies the following relationship (3):

[0213] Among them, V i Used to characterize the i-th reference level, N i The number of sampled levels used to characterize the i-th level interval. S ij Used to characterize the j-th sampling level belonging to the i-th level interval, where j is a positive integer.

[0214] In one example, the receiver can obtain the average power of the PAM signal provided by the user. For instance, the receiver receives third configuration information from the user, which includes the average power of the PAM signal.

[0215] It should be noted that the relevant explanations for the third configuration information can be found in the explanations for the first configuration information mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0216] In another example, the receiver can determine the average power of the PAM signal based on N reference levels of the PAM signal. For example, the average power of the PAM signal satisfies the following relationship (4):

[0217] For example, when the PAM signal is a PAM4 signal, N equals 4, then P sig = (V1×V1+V2×V2+V3×V3+V4×V4) / 4.

[0218] It should be noted that this application does not limit the method of determining the signal-to-noise ratio; the above is merely an illustrative example.

[0219] The following is an exemplary description of the process for determining the eye height for each level range.

[0220] In this application, the receiver can determine the eye height corresponding to each level interval based on the average noise power of each level interval and N reference levels.

[0221] For example, the eye height corresponding to each level interval satisfies the following relationship (5):

[0222] Among them, h i Used to characterize the eye height corresponding to the i-th level interval, where i is a positive integer.

[0223] For example, h1 = (V2 - V1) / (n1 + n2). h2 = (V3 – V2) / (n3 + n2). h3 = (V4 – V3) / (n4 + n3).

[0224] It should be noted that this application does not limit the method of determining the eye height corresponding to each level interval; the above is merely an illustrative example.

[0225] The process of determining the level transition parameters for each level range will be described below through S5-S7.

[0226] S5: The receiving end determines the first quantity value of the sampled levels included in the third histogram rectangle of each level interval. The first histogram rectangle includes the histogram rectangle containing the reference level.

[0227] In Example 5a, the third histogram rectangle for each level interval is the histogram rectangle (i.e., the first histogram rectangle) to which the reference level for each level interval belongs. The reference level for each level interval can be considered as the reference level used to determine each level interval. Alternatively, the third histogram rectangle for each level interval is the first histogram rectangle that determines each level interval.

[0228] For example, as shown in Figure 9, the PAM4 signal includes four level intervals defined by a third rectangular rectangle: rectangle 1 for determining level interval 1, rectangle 2 for determining level interval 2, rectangle 3 for determining level interval 3, and rectangle 4 for determining level interval 4. Rectangle 1 includes a first quantity value 1 (P1), rectangle 2 includes a first quantity value 2 (P2), rectangle 3 includes a first quantity value 3 (P3), and rectangle 4 includes a first quantity value 4 (P4).

[0229] Example 5b: The third rectangular rectangle for each level interval includes the rectangular rectangle belonging to the reference level for each level interval, and the G rectangular rectangles closest to the rectangular rectangle belonging to the reference level. For example, if G equals 2, the third rectangular rectangles for each level interval are third rectangular rectangle 1, third rectangular rectangle 2, third rectangular rectangle 3, and third rectangular rectangle 4. Specifically, third rectangular rectangle 1 includes rectangles 1a, 1, and 1c; third rectangular rectangle 2 includes rectangles 2a, 2, and 2c; third rectangular rectangle 3 includes rectangles 3a, 3, and 3c; and third rectangular rectangle 4 includes rectangles 4a, 4, and 4c.

[0230] It should be noted that this application does not impose any restrictions on the specific value of G; the above is merely an illustrative example. For instance, the specific value of G can be dynamically set according to the specific application scenario.

[0231] It should be noted that this application does not limit the method of determining the third histogram rectangle; the above is merely an illustrative example.

[0232] S6: The receiving end determines a second quantity value of the sampling level included in the fourth rectangular rectangle between two adjacent first rectangular rectangles. The fourth rectangular rectangle includes the shortest rectangular rectangle between two adjacent first rectangular rectangles.

[0233] Example 6a: The fourth rectangular rectangle is the shortest rectangular rectangle between two adjacent first rectangular rectangles. For example, as shown in Figure 9, the shortest rectangular rectangle between rectangle 1 and rectangle 2 is rectangle 12, the shortest rectangular rectangle between rectangle 2 and rectangle 3 is rectangle 23, and the shortest rectangular rectangle between rectangle 3 and rectangle 4 is rectangle 34. Rectangle 12 includes a sampling level value of the second quantity value 12 (i.e., P). 12 The number of sampling levels included in rectangle 23 is the second quantity value 23 (i.e., P). 23 The number of sampling levels included in rectangle 34 is the second quantity value 34 (i.e., P). 34 ).

[0234] Example 6b: The fourth rectangular rectangle includes the shortest rectangular rectangle between two adjacent first rectangular rectangles and the S rectangular rectangles closest to the shortest rectangular rectangle. S and G can be equal, or unequal; this application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0235] It should be noted that the relevant explanations for Example 6b can be found in the explanations for Example 5b, and will not be repeated here.

[0236] S7: The receiving end determines the level conversion parameters for each level range based on the first quantity value and the second quantity value.

[0237] For example, the level transition parameters for each level interval satisfy the following relationship (6):

[0238] Among them, LTP i Level transition parameters used to characterize the i-th level interval. P i The number of sampled levels included in the third histogram rectangle used to characterize the i-th level interval (i.e., the first number of levels corresponding to the i-th level interval). P i+1 The number of sampled levels included in the third histogram rectangle used to characterize the (i+1)th level interval (i.e., the first number of levels corresponding to the (i+1)th level interval). Pij A second quantity value is used to indicate the sampling level included in the fourth histogram between the histograms belonging to the i-th reference level and the j-th reference level, where i is a positive integer and j = i + 1.

[0239] In the above embodiments, by determining the quality indicators for each level interval, it is possible to accurately and comprehensively assess the distribution of PAM signals, thereby facilitating more refined monitoring. This helps to accurately identify the specific fault scenario when a communication system failure occurs, enabling more detailed fault scenario analysis and rapid fault location. Consequently, it facilitates the optimization of transmission performance and communication network deployment for specific fault scenarios. Furthermore, accurate and comprehensive assessment of PAM signal distribution also contributes to more refined early warning and performance tuning.

[0240] For example, in some fault scenarios, such as malfunctions in analog-to-digital converters, digital-to-analog converters, excessive device nonlinearity, or excessive laser chirp, each signal level of the PAM signal will exhibit a different distribution. For instance, as shown in Figure 10, excessive nonlinearity can cause eye diagram distortion in the PAM signal. In such cases, determining the quality index of each level range helps to accurately identify the specific fault scenario, thereby enabling more refined fault scenario analysis and rapid fault location.

[0241] The above embodiments detail the process by which the receiving end determines the monitoring results of the PAM signal (i.e., the quality index of each level interval). The following provides exemplary descriptions of the storage and reporting operations performed by the receiving end after obtaining the monitoring results of the PAM signal.

[0242] Optionally, the PAM signal monitoring method may further include: storing the monitoring results of the PAM signal at the receiving end. The monitoring results include quality indicators for each level range.

[0243] For example, referring to Figure 6, the receiving end includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a data storage unit, which are connected via a communication bus. After determining the monitoring result of the PAM signal, the digital signal processor (DSP) at the receiving end sends the monitoring result of the PAM signal to the CPU. After receiving the monitoring result of the PAM signal, the CPU stores the monitoring result of the PAM signal in the data storage unit. For example, the monitoring result of the PAM signal can be recorded as a log entry and stored in the data storage unit at the receiving end.

[0244] For example, the data storage unit may include a non-volatile storage medium. This helps ensure the reliability of the monitoring results stored at the receiving end and avoids the loss of monitoring results.

[0245] For example, the transmitting and receiving ends of a communication system are connected via at least one link. This means the transmitting end can transmit PAM signals to the receiving end via any one of the at least one links. Based on this, the monitoring results of the PAM signals can also include the identification of the links transmitting the PAM signals. Therefore, when evaluating the transmission performance of the communication system using the monitoring results of the PAM signals, the analysis can be combined with the analysis of the links transmitting the PAM signals, thereby helping to improve the comprehensiveness and accuracy of signal transmission performance evaluation and subsequent signal transmission performance optimization.

[0246] In this embodiment, by setting the receiver to store the monitoring results of the PAM signal, the management device can directly obtain the monitoring results of the PAM signal when it needs to analyze them, thereby helping to avoid occupying the storage space of the management device.

[0247] Optionally, the PAM signal monitoring method may also include the following step S8. Through step S8, the receiving end can report the monitoring results.

[0248] S8: The receiving end reports the target monitoring results of the PAM signal. The reported target monitoring results include quality indicators for a specified level range across multiple level ranges.

[0249] Example 8a: The receiving end is an optical module (e.g., the first optical module, the second optical module, etc. shown in Figure 3). After determining the monitoring result of the PAM signal, the optical module can send the target monitoring result of the PAM signal to the network device, so that the target monitoring result of the PAM signal can be reported to the network device, and then the network device can report the target monitoring result obtained by the optical module to the management device of the communication network. For example, the central processing unit of the optical module reports the target monitoring result to the network device.

[0250] Example 8b: The receiving end is a network device (e.g., the first network device, the second network device, etc. shown in Figure 3). The network device can report the target monitoring results of the PAM signal to the management device of the communication network. For example, the target monitoring results reported by the first network device to the management device include the target monitoring results reported by the first optical module to the first network device. The target monitoring results reported by the second network device to the management device include the target monitoring results of the PAM signal determined by the second network device and / or the target monitoring results reported by the second optical module to the second network device.

[0251] In this embodiment, by configuring the receiving end to report the target monitoring results of the PAM signal, the target monitoring results of the PAM signal can be reported to the management equipment of the communication network. In this way, the management equipment of the communication network can evaluate the transmission performance of the communication system based on the target monitoring results of the PAM signal.

[0252] In this application, the receiving end of the communication system provides a first command interface, which is used to report quality indicators for a specified level range. For example, the receiving end stores relevant settings for the first command interface. The relevant settings for the first command interface are shown in Table 1.

[0253] Table 1

[0254] For example, the target device is used to receive target monitoring results from the PAM signal received from the receiving end. The target device may store relevant settings for the first command interface. The target device communicates with the receiving end through the first command interface provided by the receiving end to obtain the target monitoring results reported by the receiving end. For example, when the receiving end is an optical module, the target device can be a network device, a communication network management device, a user's electronic device, etc. Again, for example, when the receiving end is a network device, the target device can be a communication network management device, a user's electronic device, etc.

[0255] It should be noted that this application does not limit the type of target device that interacts with the receiving end through the first command interface; the above is merely an illustrative example.

[0256] Optionally, in conjunction with Table 1 above, S8 may include the following S8a. The receiving end can report the target monitoring results by executing S8a.

[0257] For example, multiple level ranges include target level ranges, and the quality index of each level range includes a target quality index. The following description uses target level ranges and target quality indices as examples to illustrate this application.

[0258] S8a: The receiving end responds to the received first acquisition command by reporting the target monitoring results. The first acquisition command instructs the acquisition of the target monitoring results.

[0259] For example, the target device can send a first acquisition command to the receiving end by calling the first command interface provided by the receiving end. The receiving end can then respond to the received first acquisition command through its central processing unit and report the target monitoring results.

[0260] In one example, the target device can send a first acquisition command to the receiving end according to a preset first cycle. This application does not impose a limit on the specific duration of the first cycle. For example, the specific duration of the first cycle can be dynamically set according to the actual scenario.

[0261] In another example, the target device may also send a first acquisition command to the receiving end upon detecting a preset first event. For example, if the target device is a management device or a network device, the first event could be the detection of a fault, etc. If the target device is a network device, the first event could be receiving a first acquisition command from a management device, etc.

[0262] For example, the first acquisition instruction is used to indicate a target level range. The receiving end, based on the first acquisition instruction indicating the target level range (i.e., the specified level range), reports the target monitoring results including the quality indicators of the target level range.

[0263] In Example 8a1, the first acquisition instruction is also used to indicate the target quality index. The receiving end indicates the target quality index (i.e., the specified quality index) based on the first acquisition instruction, and the reported target monitoring results include the target quality index for the target level range.

[0264] For example, if the first acquisition instruction does not specify a quality indicator, the receiving end reports each quality indicator in the target level range.

[0265] In this example, by setting the reporting of specific quality indicators, the system can report only the data required by the management device based on actual needs. This helps to avoid reporting data that the management device does not need temporarily, thus reducing the amount of data reported and consequently reducing the network resources used.

[0266] In Example 8a2, the first acquisition command is also used to indicate a target link, which is used to indicate the link in the communication system that transmits PAM signals. The receiving end, based on the first acquisition command indicating the target link (i.e., the specified link), reports the target monitoring results, including quality indicators for the target level range of the PAM signal transmitted on the target link.

[0267] For example, if the first acquisition instruction does not specify a link, the receiver reports the quality index of the target level range of the PAM signal transmitted on each link between the transmitter and the receiver.

[0268] In this example, by setting the monitoring results of PAM signals transmitted on a specified link, the system can report the data required by the management device according to actual needs. This helps to avoid reporting data that the management device does not need temporarily, thus reducing the amount of data reported and consequently reducing the network resources occupied.

[0269] It should be noted that Examples 8a1 and 8a2 above can be used in combination, or they can be used alone; this application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0270] For example, the first acquisition instruction includes the command index shown in Table 1. The command index is used to indicate the target level range, target command index, target link, etc. After receiving the first acquisition instruction, the receiving end parses the first acquisition instruction to obtain the command index carried by the first acquisition instruction. Then, the receiving end returns the target monitoring result indicated by the command index. For example, if the command index is K, the target monitoring result returned by the receiving end includes the quality index 2 (i.e., the target quality index) of the level range 1 (i.e., the target level range) of the PAM signal transmitted by link 1 (i.e., the target link).

[0271] It should be noted that this application does not limit the method by which the first acquisition command indicates the target level range, target link, and target quality index. The above-described method of indicating the target level range, target link, and target quality index through command index is merely an illustrative example. For instance, the first acquisition command could also indicate the target level range by the identifier of the target level range, the target link by the identifier of the target link, and the target quality index by the identifier of the target quality index.

[0272] For example, when a target device needs to obtain target monitoring results of a PAM signal from a receiver, it can first send a query request to the receiver. This query request inquires whether the receiver supports the level division interval calculation function. In response to the query request, the receiver returns a query result to the target device, indicating whether the optical module supports the level division interval calculation function. For instance, the target device can send a query request to the receiver by calling a first command interface provided by the receiver. For example, the receiver's central processing unit receives the query request from the target device and returns the query result to the target device.

[0273] For example, if the receiving end supports the level division interval calculation function, the query result returned by the receiving end includes "1". Based on the second row and third column of Table 1, if the query result includes "1", the management device determines that the receiving end supports the level division interval calculation function. If the receiving end does not support the level division interval calculation function, the query result returned by the receiving end includes "0". Based on the second row and third column of Table 1, if the query result includes "0", the management device determines that the receiving end does not support the level division interval calculation function. For example, if the receiving end supports the level division interval calculation function, the target device sends a first acquisition command to the receiving end. If the receiving end does not support the level division interval calculation function, the target device does not send a first acquisition command to the receiving end.

[0274] The function supporting level interval calculation indicates that the receiving end can use the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application to determine the quality index of each level interval of the PAM signal. The function not supporting level interval calculation indicates that the receiving end cannot use the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application to determine the quality index of each level interval of the PAM signal.

[0275] In the above embodiments, by setting the receiving end to return the target monitoring result in response to the first acquisition command, the receiving end can report the target monitoring result only when the target device needs it. That is, the target monitoring result is reported when the target device sends the first acquisition command to the receiving end, which helps to increase the necessity of reporting the target monitoring result.

[0276] In this application, the receiving end of the communication system also provides a second command interface, which is used to actively report the target monitoring results.

[0277] For example, the receiving end stores the relevant settings for receiving the second command. The relevant settings for the second command interface are shown in Table 2:

[0278] Table 2

[0279] It should be noted that the relevant descriptions of the second command interface can be found in the descriptions of the first command interface mentioned above, and will not be repeated here. Additionally, the relevant descriptions of Table 2 can be found in the descriptions of Table 1 mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0280] Optionally, in conjunction with Table 2 above, S8 may include the following S8b. The receiving end can proactively report the target monitoring results by executing S8b.

[0281] S8b: The receiving end reports the target monitoring results according to the target configuration items. The target configuration items indicate that the target monitoring results include quality indicators for a specified level range.

[0282] For example, the target configuration item includes a level range configuration item, which is used to indicate the quality index of the target monitoring results including the target level range (i.e., the specified level range).

[0283] Example 8b1 further includes a quality indicator configuration item, which indicates that the target monitoring results include target quality indicators (i.e., specified quality indicators). Based on this, the target monitoring results include target quality indicators for the target level range.

[0284] Example 8b2 further includes a link configuration item, which indicates that the target monitoring results include quality metrics of the PAM signals transmitted on the target link (i.e., the specified link). Based on this, the target monitoring results include quality metrics of the target level range of the PAM signals transmitted on the target link.

[0285] It should be noted that Examples 8b1 and 8b2 above can be used in combination, or they can be used alone; this application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0286] For example, the receiving end stores target configuration items. When the receiving end needs to report monitoring results, it retrieves the target configuration items and reports the target monitoring results according to the content indicated by the target configuration items. For example, if the link configuration item indicates link 1, the level interval configuration item indicates level interval 1, and the quality index configuration item indicates quality index 2, then the target monitoring results include the quality index 2 (i.e., the target quality index) of the level interval 1 (i.e., the target level interval) of the PAM signal transmitted by link 1 (i.e., the target link).

[0287] In one example, after executing S504, the receiving end reports the target monitoring results according to the target configuration items. In another example, the receiving end reports the target monitoring results according to the target configuration items in a preset second cycle. This application does not impose a limit on the specific duration of the second cycle. For example, the specific duration of the second cycle can be dynamically set according to the actual scenario.

[0288] It should be noted that this application does not impose any restrictions on the events that trigger the receiver to execute S8b; the above is merely an illustrative example.

[0289] It should be noted that other related explanations for S8b can be found in the explanations for S8a above, and will not be repeated here.

[0290] In the above embodiments, by setting the receiving end to actively report the specified target monitoring results according to the reporting content determined by the target configuration item, it not only helps to improve the diversity and convenience of reporting the specified monitoring results, but also helps to reduce the number of communications to obtain the specified monitoring results from the receiving end, thereby helping to reduce the communication resources occupied by obtaining the specified monitoring results.

[0291] Optionally, in conjunction with Table 2 above, the PAM signal monitoring method may further include the following S9. Through S9, the receiver can set target configuration items to specify a link, a level range, a quality index, etc.

[0292] S9: In response to the received first setting instruction, the receiving end sets the target configuration item to indicate that the target monitoring results include quality indicators for a specified level range.

[0293] For example, the first setting instruction is used to indicate a target level range. Based on this, the receiving end sets the level range configuration item to indicate the target level range, so that the target configuration item can indicate the quality index of the target monitoring result including the target level range.

[0294] In Example 9a, the first setting instruction is also used to indicate the target quality index. Based on this, the receiving end sets the quality index configuration item to indicate the target quality index, so that the target configuration item can indicate the target quality index including the target level range in the target monitoring results.

[0295] In Example 9b, the first setting instruction is also used to indicate the target link. Based on this, the receiver sets the link configuration item to indicate the target link, so that the target configuration item can indicate the quality index of the target monitoring results, including the target level range of the PAM signal transmitted by the target link.

[0296] It should be noted that Examples 9a and 9b above can be used in combination or individually, and this application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0297] For example, when the target device requires the receiving end to automatically report specified target monitoring results, the target device sends a first setting command to the receiving end through the second command interface provided by the receiving end. The receiving end (e.g., the receiving end's central processing unit) responds to the received first setting command by setting a target configuration item indicating that the target monitoring results include a quality indicator for a specified level range. For example, the first setting command includes command index "1" and includes an identifier for link 1. Referring to Table 2, command index "1" indicates a link configuration item, and the receiving end sets the link configuration item to indicate link 1. As another example, the first setting command includes command index "2" and includes an identifier for level range 1. Referring to Table 2, command index "2" indicates a level range configuration item, and the receiving end sets the level range configuration item to indicate level range 1. Yet another example, the first setting command includes command index "3" and includes quality indicator 2. Referring to Table 3, command index "3" indicates a quality indicator configuration item, and the receiving end sets the quality indicator configuration item to indicate quality indicator 2.

[0298] It should be noted that other related explanations for S9 can be found in the explanations for S8 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0299] In the above embodiments, by setting the receiving end to configure the content included in the target monitoring results through the first setting instruction, the content included in the target monitoring results automatically reported by the receiving end can be specified in advance. This not only helps to ensure that the receiving end can report the specified monitoring results, but also helps to improve the diversity of ways for the receiving end to report the specified monitoring results.

[0300] In this application, the receiving end of the communication system also provides a third command interface, which is used to enable or disable the level division interval calculation function. For example, the receiving end stores the relevant settings of the third command interface, as shown in Table 3.

[0301] Table 3

[0302] It should be noted that the relevant descriptions of the third command interface can be found in the descriptions of the first command interface mentioned above, and will not be repeated here. Additionally, the relevant descriptions of Table 3 can be found in the descriptions of Tables 1 and 2 mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0303] Optionally, in conjunction with Table 3 above, the PAM signal monitoring method may further include the following S10. By executing S10, the receiving end of the communication system can enable the receiver's level division interval calculation function, thereby allowing the receiver to support the level division interval calculation function.

[0304] S10: In response to the received function enable command, the receiving end enables the level division interval calculation function, so that the receiving end can support the determination of the quality index of each level interval. The function enable command is used to instruct the activation of the level division interval calculation function.

[0305] For example, when the target device determines that the receiving end needs to determine the quality indicators of each level, the target device sends a function enable command to the receiving end through the third command interface provided by the receiving end, instructing the receiving end to enable the level division calculation function, thereby enabling the receiving end to support the determination of the quality indicators of each level interval. The receiving end (e.g., the receiving end's central processing unit) responds to the function enable command by enabling its own level division interval calculation function, thus enabling the receiving end to support the determination of the quality indicators of each level interval. For example, when the target device detects that the temperature, power consumption, number of tasks, etc., of the communication system meet preset conditions, the target device determines that the receiving end needs to determine the quality indicators of each level. As another example, the target device can determine the quality indicators of each level that the receiving end needs to determine according to a preset third cycle. For example, the function enable command may include "1", as shown in Table 3, where "1" indicates the activation of the level division interval calculation function.

[0306] In this embodiment, by configuring the receiving end to enable the level division interval calculation function according to the function activation command, the level division interval calculation function of the receiving end can be enabled only when the receiving end needs to execute the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application. This not only helps improve the convenience of managing the monitoring functions of each receiving end, but also helps to avoid the receiving end executing the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application unnecessarily, thereby helping to avoid wasting the receiving end's computing resources. Optionally, in conjunction with Table 3 above, the PAM signal monitoring method may also include the following S11. Wherein, by executing S11, the receiving end of the communication system can disable the level division interval calculation function of the receiving end, thereby making the receiving end not support the level division interval calculation function.

[0307] S11: In response to the received function disable command, the receiving end disables the level division interval calculation function. The function disable command is used to instruct the disabling of the level division interval calculation function.

[0308] For example, when the target device determines that it does not need the receiver to determine the quality indicators of each level, the target device sends a function disable command to the receiver through a third command interface provided by the receiver, instructing the receiver to disable the level division calculation function. In response to the received function disable command, the receiver (e.g., the receiver's central processing unit) disables its level division interval calculation function, so that the receiver no longer determines the quality indicators of each level interval. For example, the function disable command may include "0", as shown in Table 3, where "0" indicates disabling the level division interval calculation function.

[0309] In this embodiment, by setting the receiving end to disable the level division interval calculation function according to the function shutdown command, the level division interval calculation function of the receiving end can be disabled when the receiving end does not need to execute the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application. This helps to avoid the receiving end executing the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application unnecessarily, and thus helps to avoid wasting the computing resources of the receiving end.

[0310] In this application, the receiving end of the communication system provides a fourth command interface, which is used to trigger the start of the level division interval calculation operation, stop the execution of the level division interval calculation operation, etc.

[0311] For example, the receiving end stores the relevant settings for the fourth command interface. The relevant settings for the fourth command interface are shown in Table 4.

[0312] Table 4

[0313] It should be noted that the relevant descriptions of the fourth command interface can be found in the descriptions of the first command interface mentioned above, and will not be repeated here. Additionally, the relevant descriptions of Table 4 can be found in the descriptions of Tables 1 to 3 mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0314] For example, when a communication system triggers an alarm, such as an alarm for abnormal optical power, it is necessary to obtain the monitoring results of the PAM signal transmitted by the communication system in order to analyze the alarm through the monitoring results.

[0315] Optionally, referring to Table 4, the PAM signal monitoring method may further include the following step S12. By executing S12, the receiving end of the communication system can trigger the execution of the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application, thereby obtaining the monitoring result of the PAM signal.

[0316] S12: The receiving end responds to the received monitoring command and acquires multiple sampling levels. The monitoring command is used to indicate the monitoring results of the PAM signal.

[0317] For example, when the target device detects an alarm event triggered by the communication system, the target device sends a monitoring command to the receiving end through the fourth command interface provided by the receiving end, instructing the receiving end to acquire the monitoring results of the PAM signal. The receiving end (e.g., the receiving end's central processing unit) responds to the received monitoring command, acquires multiple sampling levels, and executes steps S503-S504. For example, the receiving end's central processing unit, in response to the acquisition command, sends a monitoring command to the digital signal processor, which, in response to the monitoring command, acquires multiple sampling levels from multiple candidate sampling levels. For example, the monitoring command includes a "1", where "1" indicates the start of acquiring the monitoring results of the PAM signal (i.e., triggering calculation).

[0318] For example, the monitoring command is also used to indicate a clearing state, whereby the clearing state indicates the deletion of stored historical data. Based on this, the receiving end responds to the monitoring command and deletes the historical data stored on the receiving end. For example, historical data may include historical monitoring results and statistical data of those results. The relevant explanation of the statistical data will be provided in subsequent embodiments and will not be detailed here. In the above embodiments, by setting the receiving end to start executing the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application in response to the monitoring command, it is helpful to start monitoring the PAM signal only when necessary, thereby helping to avoid wasting computing resources.

[0319] Optionally, the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application further includes: the receiving end, in response to a received target command, activating the function of determining the quality index of each level interval and acquiring multiple sampling levels. This helps to improve the efficiency of triggering the execution of the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application.

[0320] It should be noted that the description of this embodiment can be referred to the description of S10 and S12 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0321] Optionally, referring to Table 4, the PAM signal monitoring method may further include the following S13. The receiving end of the communication system can trigger the cessation of the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application by executing S13.

[0322] S13: In response to the received stop command, the receiving end stops acquiring multiple sampling levels. The stop command indicates that the acquisition of PAM signal monitoring results should be stopped.

[0323] For example, when the target device determines that it needs to stop acquiring PAM signal monitoring results, the target device sends a stop command to the receiver through the fourth command interface provided by the receiver, instructing the receiver to stop acquiring PAM signal monitoring results. For example, the management device can determine that it needs to stop acquiring PAM signal monitoring results after a preset time after sending the acquisition command. In response to the received stop command, the receiver (e.g., the receiver's central processing unit) sends a stop command to the digital signal processor, which, in response to the stop command, stops acquiring multiple sampling levels. For example, the stop command includes "2", where "2" indicates that the acquisition of PAM signal monitoring results should be stopped.

[0324] It should be noted that other related explanations for S13 can be found in the explanations for S12 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0325] In this embodiment, by setting the receiving end to stop executing the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application in response to a stop command, it helps to control the statistical period of the monitoring results of the PAM signal collected by the receiving end. In this way, the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application can be executed when needed, thereby helping to avoid wasting computing resources.

[0326] The above embodiments describe one way to stop the acquisition of PAM signal monitoring results at the receiving end. In another implementation, the receiving end can automatically stop acquiring multiple sampling levels when the duration of acquiring PAM signal monitoring results (i.e., executing S502-S504) is the target duration, thereby automatically stopping the acquisition of PAM signal monitoring results. This helps to improve the diversity of methods for stopping the acquisition of PAM signal monitoring results.

[0327] Optionally, referring to Table 4, the PAM signal monitoring method may further include the following S14. The receiving end of the communication system can trigger the clearing of stored historical data by executing S14. The historical data includes historical monitoring results and statistical data of those results.

[0328] S14: In response to the received reset command, the receiving end deletes the historical data stored at the receiving end. The reset command is used to instruct the deletion of historical data.

[0329] When the target device determines that it needs to clear the historical data stored at the receiving end, it sends a reset command to the receiving end through the fourth command interface provided by the receiving end, instructing the receiving end to delete the historical data. The receiving end (e.g., the receiving end's central processing unit) responds to the received reset command by deleting the historical data stored at the receiving end. For example, the reset command may include a "0", which indicates that the deletion of historical data has begun.

[0330] In this embodiment, by setting the receiving end to delete historical data in response to a reset command, it helps to promptly remove useless historical data, thereby helping to avoid occupying the receiving end's storage space.

[0331] The above embodiments detail the scheme for the receiving end to report target monitoring results. Below, through S15, we will describe the scheme for the receiving end to report statistical data of the target monitoring results.

[0332] S15: The receiving end reports statistical data on the target monitoring results. This statistical data includes at least one of the maximum, minimum, or average values ​​of the quality index for a specified level range across multiple level ranges within a statistical period. The statistical period indicates the time interval between the start time of acquiring multiple sampling levels and the end time of stopping acquisition of multiple sampling levels.

[0333] Example 15a: The receiving end can report the maximum value of the quality index of the target level range within the statistical period. Example 15b: The receiving end can report the minimum value of the quality index of the target level range within the statistical period. Example 15c: The receiving end can report the average value of the quality index of the target level range within the statistical period. Examples 15a to 15c can be used in combination or individually; this application does not impose any restrictions on their use.

[0334] For example, when the target monitoring results include specified quality indicators, the statistical data of the target monitoring results include at least one of the maximum, minimum or average values ​​of the specified quality indicators within the statistical period.

[0335] In this embodiment, the statistical data of the target monitoring results helps to provide diversity in the data reported by the receiving end.

[0336] In this application, the receiving end of the communication system also provides a fifth command interface, which is used to report statistical data of target monitoring results. For example, the receiving end stores the fifth command interface. The relevant settings of the fifth command interface are shown in Table 5.

[0337] Table 5

[0338] It should be noted that the relevant descriptions of the fifth command interface can be found in the descriptions of the first command interface mentioned above, and will not be repeated here. Additionally, the relevant descriptions of Table 5 can be found in the descriptions of Tables 1 to 4 mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0339] Optionally, in conjunction with Table 5 above, S15 may include S15a. The receiving end of the communication system can report statistical data on the target monitoring results by executing S15a.

[0340] S15a: In response to the second acquisition command, the receiving end reports statistical data of the target monitoring results. The second acquisition command instructs the acquisition of statistical data of the target monitoring results.

[0341] For example, when a target device needs to obtain statistical data of the target monitoring results, the target device can send a second acquisition instruction to the receiving end through the fifth command interface provided by the receiving end, instructing the receiving end to report the statistical data of the target monitoring results. The receiving end (e.g., the receiving end's central processing unit) responds to the received second acquisition instruction and reports the statistical data of the target monitoring results. For example, the second acquisition instruction may include command index "0", based on row 2 of Table 5, indicating that the receiving end determines that the target device wants to obtain the maximum value of the quality indicator. As another example, the second acquisition instruction may include command index "1", based on row 3 of Table 5, indicating that the receiving end determines that the target device wants to obtain the minimum value of the quality indicator. Yet another example, the second acquisition instruction may include command index "2", based on row 4 of Table 5, indicating that the receiving end determines that the target device wants to obtain the average value of the quality indicator.

[0342] In one example, the second acquisition instruction can be used to indicate a statistical period. For instance, the second acquisition instruction may include the time when the target device sends a monitoring instruction and the time when it sends a stop instruction, wherein the time when the monitoring instruction is sent indicates the start time of the statistical period, and the time when the stop instruction is sent indicates the end time of the statistical period.

[0343] In another example, the second acquisition instruction can be used to indicate the start time of the statistical period. For instance, the second acquisition instruction may include the moment when the target device sends a monitoring instruction.

[0344] It should be noted that other related explanations for S15 can be found in the explanations for S8 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0345] In this embodiment, by setting the receiving end to collect statistical data on the monitoring results of the specified target according to the second acquisition instruction, it helps to improve the diversity of the types of monitoring results reported by the receiving end.

[0346] Optionally, the PAM signal monitoring method provided in this application further includes: the receiving end, in response to the received third acquisition command, reporting the target monitoring results and statistical data of the target monitoring results. This helps to improve the comprehensiveness and efficiency of the reported data.

[0347] For further explanation of this embodiment, please refer to the descriptions of S8 and S15 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0348] In the above embodiments, the first command interface provided by the receiving end of the communication system improves the convenience of interaction between the target device and the receiving end, thereby helping users to intuitively obtain monitoring results.

[0349] The foregoing mainly describes the solutions provided by the embodiments of this application from a methodological perspective. To achieve the above functions, the PAM signal monitoring device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, in conjunction with the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0350] This application embodiment can, based on the above method, exemplarily divide the PAM signal monitoring device into functional modules. For example, the PAM signal monitoring device may include functional modules corresponding to each functional division, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division; in actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0351] For example, Figure 11 shows a possible schematic diagram of the PAM signal monitoring device (i.e., PAM signal monitoring device 1100) involved in the above embodiments. The actions performed by the PAM signal monitoring device 1100 can be executed by the receiving end of the communication system or implemented by the receiving end through corresponding software. The PAM signal monitoring device 1100 may include: a receiving module 1101, a sampling module 1102, an interval module 1103, and an index module 1104. The receiving module 1101 is used to receive PAM signals. For example, as shown in S501 of Figure 5. The sampling module 1102 is used to sample the PAM signal to obtain multiple sampling levels. For example, as shown in S502 of Figure 5. The interval module 1103 is used to determine the level interval to which each sampling level belongs among the multiple sampling levels, to obtain multiple level intervals. For example, as shown in S503 of Figure 5. The index module 1104 is used to determine the quality index of each level interval based on the sampling level of each level interval among the multiple level intervals. For example, as shown in S504 of Figure 5.

[0352] Optionally, the PAM signal represents the data to be transmitted through N different symbols indicated by N reference levels, where N is a positive integer greater than 1, and the reference level is the theoretical value of the signal level of the PAM signal; the sampling level of a level interval corresponds to the same reference level, and the sampling level comes from the signal level of the PAM signal.

[0353] Optionally, the interval module 1103 is specifically used to: determine the level interval to which each sample level belongs based on the relationship between each sample level and at least one decision threshold, wherein a decision threshold is used to indicate the critical value between two adjacent level intervals among multiple level intervals.

[0354] Optionally, the interval module 1103 is also used to: determine a decision threshold based on two adjacent reference levels among N reference levels.

[0355] Optionally, the interval module 1103 is specifically used for: performing PAM decoding on each sample level to obtain the symbol corresponding to each sample level; and determining the level interval to which each sample level belongs based on the symbol corresponding to each sample level, wherein the sample levels in a level interval correspond to the same symbol.

[0356] Optionally, the interval module 1103 has a histogram for: determining a plurality of sampling levels, wherein the histogram includes a first rectangular rectangle and a second rectangular rectangle, the first rectangular rectangle being used to indicate the rectangular rectangle where the reference level is located, and the second rectangular rectangle including each rectangular rectangle on the histogram other than the first rectangular rectangle; and determining the level interval to which each sampling level belongs based on the difference between the height of the first rectangular rectangle and the height of the second rectangular rectangle.

[0357] Optionally, the quality metrics for each level interval include at least one of the following: signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for each level interval, eye height for each level interval, or level transition parameter (LTP) for each level interval.

[0358] Optionally, the PAM signal monitoring device 1100 further includes a management module 1105, which is used to: in response to a received function enable command, enable the function of the receiver to determine the quality index of each level interval, so that the receiver can support the determination of the quality index of each level interval.

[0359] Optionally, the PAM signal monitoring device 1100 further includes a reporting module 1106, which is used to: report target monitoring results,

[0360] The target monitoring results include quality indicators for a specified level range among multiple level ranges.

[0361] Optionally, the reporting module 1106 is also used to: report statistical data of the target monitoring results, wherein the statistical data of the target monitoring results includes at least one of the maximum, minimum or average values ​​of the quality index of a specified level range in multiple level ranges within the statistical period.

[0362] Optionally, the multiple sampling levels are selected from multiple candidate sampling levels, which are obtained by the analog-to-digital converter included in the receiving end sampling the PAM signal during analog-to-digital conversion.

[0363] Optionally, the multiple sampling levels are derived from K signal levels of the PAM signal.

[0364] Optionally, the multiple sampling levels are Q sampling levels.

[0365] Optionally, multiple sampling levels are derived from PAM signals received within the first time period.

[0366] Optionally, the management module 1105 is also configured to: in response to a received function shutdown command, disable the function of the receiving end to determine the quality index for each level interval.

[0367] Optionally, the sampling module 1102 is specifically used to: in response to a received monitoring command, acquire multiple sampling levels from multiple candidate sampling levels.

[0368] Optionally, the sampling module 1102 has the function of: stopping the acquisition of sampling levels from a plurality of candidate sampling levels in response to a received stop command.

[0369] Optionally, the reporting module 1106 is specifically used to: report the target monitoring results in response to the received first acquisition instruction.

[0370] Optionally, the reporting module 1106 is specifically used to: report the target monitoring results according to the target configuration items.

[0371] Optionally, the reporting module 1106 is specifically used to: report statistical data of the target monitoring results in response to the received second acquisition instruction.

[0372] Optionally, the reporting module 1106 is specifically used to: report statistical data of target monitoring results according to the target configuration items.

[0373] Optionally, the reporting module 1106 is specifically used to: in response to the received third acquisition instruction, report the target monitoring results and statistical data of the target monitoring results.

[0374] Optionally, the management module 1105 is also configured to: in response to the received target instruction, enable the function of the receiving end to determine the quality index of each level interval, and obtain multiple sampling levels from multiple candidate sampling levels.

[0375] Optionally, the target monitoring results include: specified quality indicators for a specified level range.

[0376] Optionally, the statistical data of the target monitoring results include at least one of the maximum, minimum or average values ​​of the specified quality index within the specified level range during the statistical period.

[0377] Optionally, the target monitoring results may also include: PAM signals transmitted via the specified link.

[0378] For a detailed description of the above-mentioned optional methods, please refer to the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be repeated here. Furthermore, the explanation of any of the PAM signal monitoring devices 1100 provided above, as well as the description of their beneficial effects, can be found in the corresponding method embodiments described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0379] In this application, the receiving module 1101, sampling module 1102, interval module 1103, indicator module 1104, management module 1105, and reporting module 1106 can all be implemented in software or in hardware. For example, the implementation of sampling module 1102 will be described below. Similarly, the implementation of receiving module 1101, interval module 1103, indicator module 1104, management module 1105, and reporting module 1106 can refer to the implementation of sampling module 1102.

[0380] As an example of a software functional unit, the sampling module 1102 may include code running on a computing instance. The computing instance may include at least one of a physical host (computing device), a virtual machine, or a container. Further, the aforementioned computing instance may be one or more. For example, the sampling module 1102 may include code running on multiple hosts / virtual machines / containers. It should be noted that the multiple hosts / virtual machines / containers used to run the code may be distributed in the same region or in different regions. Further, the multiple hosts / virtual machines / containers used to run the code may be distributed in the same availability zone (AZ) or in different AZs, each AZ including one or more geographically proximate data centers. Typically, a region may include multiple AZs.

[0381] Similarly, multiple hosts / virtual machines / containers used to run this code can be distributed within the same Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) or across multiple VPCs. Typically, a VPC is set up within a region. Communication between two VPCs within the same region, as well as between VPCs in different regions, requires a communication gateway to be set up within each VPC to enable interconnection between VPCs.

[0382] As an example of a hardware functional unit, the sampling module 1102 may include at least one computing device, such as a server. Alternatively, the sampling module 1102 may also be a device implemented using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD). The PLD may be implemented using a complex programmable logical device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), generic array logic (GAL), or any combination thereof.

[0383] The sampling module 1102 includes multiple computing devices that can be distributed in the same region or in different regions. Similarly, the sampling module 1102 can be distributed in the same Availability Zone (AZ) or in different AZs. Likewise, the sampling module 1102 can be distributed in the same Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) or in multiple VPCs. These multiple computing devices can be any combination of computing devices such as servers, ASICs, PLDs, CPLDs, FPGAs, and GALs.

[0384] It should be noted that, in other embodiments, the receiving module 1101 can be used to execute any step in the PAM signal monitoring method, the sampling module 1102 can be used to execute any step in the PAM signal monitoring method, the interval module 1103 can be used to execute any step in the PAM signal monitoring method, the index module 1104 can be used to execute any step in the PAM signal monitoring method, the management module 1105 can be used to execute any step in the PAM signal monitoring method, and the reporting module 1106 can be used to execute any step in the PAM signal monitoring method. The steps implemented by the receiving module 1101, sampling module 1102, interval module 1103, index module 1104, management module 1105, and reporting module 1106 can be specified as needed. By implementing different steps in the PAM signal monitoring method through the receiving module 1101, sampling module 1102, interval module 1103, index module 1104, management module 1105, and reporting module 1106, all functions of the PAM signal monitoring device can be realized.

[0385] This application also provides a processor that can be used to execute any of the methods provided in the first aspect above.

[0386] This application also provides a chip, including: a processor and a power supply circuit; the power supply circuit can be used to supply power to the chip; the processor can be used to perform the above-described methods.

[0387] This application also provides an optical module, including: a receiving module and a processing module, wherein the receiving module is used to receive PAM signals, and the processing module is used to perform the above-described method on the PAM signals received by the receiving module.

[0388] This application also provides a communication setup, including an optical module and a printed circuit board, as described in the fifth aspect; the optical module is electrically connected to the printed circuit board.

[0389] This application also provides a radio frequency transceiver, including: a receiver and a processor, wherein the receiver is used to receive a PAM signal, and the processor is used to perform the above-described method on the PAM signal received by the receiver.

[0390] This application also provides a deserializer, including: a receiver and a processor, wherein the receiver is used to receive a PAM signal, and the processor is used to perform the above method on the PAM signal received by the receiver.

[0391] This application also provides a serial deserializer, comprising: a serializer and a deserializer, the serializer and the deserializer being connected, the serializer being used to send a PAM signal to the deserializer, and the deserializer being used to perform the above method on the PAM signal.

[0392] This application also provides a network device, including a processor, a memory, and a computer program / instructions stored in the memory; the processor executes the computer program / instructions to enable the network device to implement the above-described method.

[0393] This application also provides a communication system, including: a transmitter and a receiver, wherein the transmitter is used to send a PAM signal to the receiver, and the receiver is used to perform the above method on the received PAM signal.

[0394] This application also provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes a computer program / instructions, which are software or program products capable of running on a computing device or stored on any usable medium. When the computer program / instructions are executed on at least one computing device, the at least one computing device can perform the methods described above.

[0395] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which can be any available medium capable of being stored by a computing device or a data storage device such as a data center containing one or more available media. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program / instructions that, when executed on at least one computing device, enable the at least one computing device to perform the described method.

[0396] For example, the available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, magnetic disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state drives (SSDs)).

[0397] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the protection scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) signals, characterized in that, Applied to the receiving end, the method includes: Receive PAM signals; The PAM signal is sampled to obtain multiple sampling levels; Determine the level range to which each of the multiple sampling levels belongs, thus obtaining multiple level ranges; The quality index of each level interval is determined based on the sampling level of each of the plurality of level intervals.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The PAM signal represents the data to be transmitted through N different symbols indicated by N reference levels, where N is a positive integer greater than 1, and the reference level is the theoretical value of the signal level of the PAM signal. Each sampling level in the aforementioned level range corresponds to the same reference level, and the sampling level is derived from the signal level of the PAM signal.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, Determining the level range to which each of the plurality of sample levels belongs includes: Based on the relationship between each sampling level and at least one decision threshold, the level interval to which each sampling level belongs is determined, wherein one of the decision thresholds is used to indicate the critical value between two adjacent level intervals among the plurality of level intervals.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: A decision threshold is determined based on two adjacent reference levels among the N reference levels.

5. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, Determining the level range to which each of the plurality of sample levels belongs includes: Perform PAM decoding on each sample level to obtain the symbol corresponding to each sample level; Based on the symbol corresponding to each sampling level, the level interval to which each sampling level belongs is determined, wherein the sampling levels of a level interval correspond to the same symbol.

6. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, Determining the level range to which each of the plurality of sample levels belongs includes: Determine a histogram of the plurality of sampling levels, wherein the histogram includes a first rectangular rectangle and a second rectangular rectangle, the first rectangular rectangle being used to indicate the rectangular rectangle where the reference level is located, and the second rectangular rectangle including each rectangular rectangle on the histogram other than the first rectangular rectangle; The level range to which each sampling level belongs is determined based on the difference between the height of the first histogram and the height of the second histogram rectangle.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The quality indicators for each level interval include at least one of the following: signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for each level interval, eye height for each level interval, or level transition parameter (LTP) for each level interval.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The method further includes: In response to the received function enable command, the level interval calculation function of the receiving end is enabled so that the receiving end can support the determination of the quality index of each level interval.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The method further includes: Report the target monitoring results, wherein the target monitoring results include the quality indicators of a specified level range among the plurality of level ranges; And / or, report statistical data of target monitoring results, wherein the statistical data of target monitoring results includes at least one of the maximum, minimum or average values ​​of the quality index of a specified level interval in the plurality of level intervals within the statistical period.

10. A PAM signal monitoring device, characterized in that, The PAM signal monitoring device, applied at the receiving end, includes: The receiving module is used to receive PAM signals; The sampling module is used to sample the PAM signal to obtain multiple sampling levels; The interval module is used to determine the level interval to which each of the multiple sampling levels belongs, thereby obtaining multiple level intervals; The index module is used to determine the quality index of each level interval based on the sampling level of each level interval among the plurality of level intervals.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that, The PAM signal represents the data to be transmitted through N different symbols indicated by N reference levels, where N is a positive integer greater than 1, and the reference level is the theoretical value of the signal level of the PAM signal. Each sampling level in the aforementioned level range corresponds to the same reference level, and the sampling level is derived from the signal level of the PAM signal.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that, The interval module is specifically used for: Based on the relationship between each sampling level and at least one decision threshold, the level interval to which each sampling level belongs is determined, wherein one of the decision thresholds is used to indicate the critical value between two adjacent level intervals among the plurality of level intervals.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that, The interval module is also used for: A decision threshold is determined based on two adjacent reference levels among the N reference levels.

14. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that, The interval module is specifically used for: Perform PAM decoding on each sample level to obtain the symbol corresponding to each sample level; Based on the symbol corresponding to each sampling level, the level interval to which each sampling level belongs is determined, wherein the sampling levels of a level interval correspond to the same symbol.

15. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that, The interval module has the following functions: Determine a histogram of the plurality of sampling levels, wherein the histogram includes a first rectangular rectangle and a second rectangular rectangle, the first rectangular rectangle being used to indicate the rectangular rectangle where the reference level is located, and the second rectangular rectangle including each rectangular rectangle on the histogram other than the first rectangular rectangle; The level range to which each sampling level belongs is determined based on the difference between the height of the first histogram and the height of the second histogram rectangle.

16. The apparatus according to any one of claims 10-15, characterized in that, The quality indicators for each level interval include at least one of the following: signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for each level interval, eye height for each level interval, or level transition parameter (LTP) for each level interval.

17. The apparatus according to any one of claims 10-15, characterized in that, The PAM signal monitoring device further includes a management module, which is used for: In response to the received function enable command, the level interval calculation function of the receiving end is enabled so that the receiving end can support the determination of the quality index of each level interval.

18. The apparatus according to any one of claims 10-17, characterized in that, The PAM signal monitoring device further includes a reporting module, which is used for: Report the target monitoring results, wherein the target monitoring results include the quality indicators of a specified level range among the plurality of level ranges; And / or, report statistical data of target monitoring results, wherein the statistical data of target monitoring results includes at least one of the maximum, minimum or average values ​​of the quality index of a specified level interval in the plurality of level intervals within the statistical period.

19. An optical module, characterized in that, include: A receiver and a processor, the receiver being configured to receive a PAM signal, and the processor being configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-9 on the PAM signal received by the receiver.

20. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The printed circuit board and the optical module as claimed in claim 19, wherein the optical module is electrically connected to the printed circuit board.

21. A radio frequency transceiver, characterized in that, include: A receiver and a processor, the receiver being configured to receive a PAM signal, and the processor being configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-9 on the PAM signal received by the receiver.

22. A deserializer, characterized in that, include: A receiver and a processor, the receiver being configured to receive a PAM signal, and the processor being configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-9 on the PAM signal received by the receiver.

23. A network device, characterized in that, include: Processor, memory, and computer programs / instructions stored in said memory; The processor executes the computer program / instructions to cause the network device to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-9.

24. A communication system, characterized in that, It includes a transmitter and a receiver, wherein the transmitter is used to transmit a PAM signal to the receiver, and the receiver is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-9 on the received PAM signal.

25. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program / instruction, which, when executed by a receiving end of a communication system, implements the method as described in any one of claims 1-9.

26. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program / instruction, and when the computer program / instruction is executed by the receiving end of the communication system, the receiving end of the communication system implements the method as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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