File Check Module for DSL Data Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Dynamic Line Management (DLM) systems in telecommunications access networks face challenges in identifying and addressing missing data, which can lead to incorrect decision-making due to incomplete information, particularly in large networks with extensive data aggregation and complex line management requirements.

Innovation Solution

A file check module is introduced within the network to receive and compare data from the management module with a line status database, identifying missing data and allowing for its re-request, and providing a web-interface for remote access to comparison results, ensuring data integrity and accuracy for optimal line management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If data collection is performed in large access networks with extensive data aggregation, then the system can manage millions of broadband connections, but missing data cannot be identified and leads to incorrect decision-making

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of broadband connections managedVSAvoiddata completeness for decision-making
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system sends expected data requests to data collectors and receives actual data responses. A comparison module then compares the expected data with received data to identify missing information, creating a closed-loop feedback system that ensures data completeness despite managing millions of connections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a comparator module as an intermediary between the data collection system and the decision-making system. This comparator acts as a mediator that checks data completeness by comparing expected data with received data, preventing incorrect decisions caused by missing information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If all available performance data is collected for processing by the DLM system, then better line management decisions can be made, but the amount of data to be collected and processed becomes very large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality of line management decisionsVSAvoiddata collection and processing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data collection and processing system into distinct modular components: data collectors at individual aggregation devices, a central management module, and a comparator module. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific tasks independently, making the overall system more manageable despite the large volume of data

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary actions by generating expected data requests before actual data collection. The system determines what data should be collected in advance, creates comparison criteria, and prepares the framework for data validation before the actual data arrives, streamlining the processing of large data volumes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the system operates without verifying data completeness, then the system is simpler to operate, but missing data leads to incorrect DLM decisions and suboptimal line performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of system operationVSAvoidaccuracy of line performance data
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically verifying its own data completeness. The comparator module autonomously compares expected data with received data and identifies missing information without requiring external intervention, maintaining simplicity of operation while ensuring measurement precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2553871B1Performance data collection for the DSL lines in an access network
Publication Date: 2018.06.20 BRITISH TELECOM PLC
  • EP2553871B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2553871B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2553871B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A telecommunications access network includes a plurality of telecommunications lines (1), a plurality of aggregation devices (51-54), a plurality of data collector modules (71-73) and a line provisioning and de-provisioning system (90), wherein each line is connected between customer premises equipment (11-13,21-23,31-33,41-43) and a line aggregation device (51- 54). The access network is operable to provide data connections through at least a first sub-set of the lines (1) to a core network whereby network services may be provided over the network to the customer premises equipment. The access network further includes a management module (80) for managing at least a second sub-set of the lines (1) within the access network, the management module (80) being operable to receive aggregated data from a plurality of data collector modules, each data collector module (71-73) being operable to receive data from a plurality of the line aggregation devices. The network further comprises a file check module having a line status database (106) for storing information about the lines which are managed by the management module including the identity of the line aggregation device to which each line is connected and means for receiving information from the line provisioning and de-provisioning system and means for using the information received from the line-provisioning and de-provisioning system to maintain the file check module's database current. The file check module further comprises means (104) for receiving received data information from the management module specifying what data it has received and means (102,200) for comparing the received data information with data from the database (106) to generate comparison data, and output means (102, 200) for outputting the generated comparison data.