Communication Device Tester Integrating Protocol Conversion and Delay Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Testing complex communication systems, such as those in electric power systems, requires specialized and expensive equipment, making it difficult and costly to simulate conditions like propagation delay and network congestion, necessitating multiple test devices and expertise.
Innovation Solution
A Communication Device Tester (CDT) system that redirects, replicates, and modifies data traffic, using protocol conversion, delay simulation, and data corruption to test communication devices and networks, allowing for economical and robust testing across various industrial applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If specialized test equipment is used to simulate complex communication conditions, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple specialized test functions (protocol conversion, delay simulation, data corruption, traffic generation) into a single integrated communication device tester. This consolidation maintains comprehensive testing capabilities while reducing the number of separate test systems needed, thereby lowering complexity and cost without sacrificing measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The test device is designed with multi-functionality to perform various testing operations including protocol conversion between different communication standards, simulation of network delays, introduction of data errors, and generation of test traffic. This universal approach allows one device to replace multiple specialized test equipment, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive testing accuracy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized test devices are deployed to cover all testing scenarios, then adaptability and comprehensiveness are improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication device tester incorporates multiple testing capabilities within a single system, including support for different communication protocols, various test scenarios (delay, congestion, errors), and multiple operating modes. This multi-functional design provides comprehensive testing coverage without requiring deployment of multiple specialized devices, thereby reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The test device features programmable and configurable functionality that can be dynamically adjusted to match different testing requirements. The system can be programmed to adapt to various communication protocols and test scenarios, providing high versatility through software configuration rather than requiring hardware changes or multiple fixed-function devices.
3Measurement precision
If physical cables are used to simulate propagation delay, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to physical setup requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of using physical cables to simulate propagation delay with an electronic/software-based delay simulation mechanism. The test device can programmatically introduce controlled delays in data transmission without requiring physical cable installations, thereby maintaining delay measurement accuracy while significantly improving setup convenience and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of propagation delay parameters through software configuration rather than requiring physical changes to cable lengths. This enables precise control of delay values for different test scenarios without the constraints of physical cable installations, improving both measurement accuracy and operational ease.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for testing communication systems. In one embodiment, a communication device tester may include a traffic disciplining subsystem to generate a first stream of data packets satisfying a metric and may communicate the first stream of data packets to a test device in a first test scenario. A delay subsystem may generate a variable delay in a second stream of data packets and communicate the second stream of data packets to the test device in a second test scenario. A data corruption subsystem may corrupt a third stream of data packets and communicate the third stream of data packets to the test device in a third test scenario. A test subsystem may determine whether the test device satisfies at least one criterion of each of the first test scenario, the second test scenario, and the third test scenario.