DSL Transceiver Forensic Diagnostic Data Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
DSL transceivers experience inexplicable service interruptions during steady-state data transmission, posing a significant challenge for service providers, especially when providing video services, as existing diagnostic tools are inadequate in identifying the root cause of these interruptions.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of new diagnostic parameters and methods for collecting, storing, and reporting diagnostic data, such as Uncorrected DTU Seconds, Severely Uncorrected DTU Seconds, and other specific measurements, allows for a more comprehensive understanding of service interruptions by analyzing LOS, SEF, SNR, CRC, and FEC errors, enabling better troubleshooting and management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing diagnostic tools are used in DSL transceivers, then the system operation is simple, but the ability to identify root cause of service interruptions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the diagnostic capability into multiple specific measurement parameters (LOS, SEF, SNR, CRC, FEC errors) that can be independently measured and reported. This segmentation allows comprehensive diagnostics without requiring a complete redesign of the system, as each parameter can be implemented as a separate measurement function within the existing transceiver architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary diagnostic data collection and reporting mechanism that sits between the physical layer measurements and the service management system. This intermediary layer aggregates various error measurements (LOS, SEF, SNR, CRC, FEC) and presents them in a unified format, enabling comprehensive diagnostics without directly complicating the core transceiver operations.
2Loss of information
If comprehensive diagnostic data is collected during Showtime, then the understanding of service interruptions is improved, but the processing load and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the most relevant diagnostic parameters (LOS, SEF, SNR, CRC, FEC errors) from the total available data during Showtime operation. By selectively measuring and reporting only these specific error conditions rather than all possible parameters, the system maintains comprehensive diagnostic capability while limiting data volume to essential information needed for troubleshooting service interruptions.
3Ease of operation
If diagnostic parameters are measured and reported in real-time, then the troubleshooting capability is enhanced, but the communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic measurement and reporting of diagnostic parameters during Showtime operation, rather than continuous real-time monitoring. The transceiver collects diagnostic data at defined intervals or under specific triggering conditions (such as when service interruptions occur), then reports aggregated results. This periodic approach maintains effective troubleshooting capability while significantly reducing communication overhead compared to continuous real-time reporting.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is a need for a forensic diagnostic capability to facilitate a greater understanding of why xDSL transceivers are subject to otherwise inexplicable service interruptions during Showtime (steady state data transmission mode). In certain exemplary embodiments, diagnostic data from a previous Showtime is stored and then communicated to another transceiver and/or reported (or communicated) to a management entity. The stored diagnostic data can be used to determine why the service interruption occurred. In other embodiments, one or more portions diagnostic data from a last Showtime are stored. In additional embodiments, this diagnostic data is collected immediately prior to exiting Showtime and/or retraining (the "last" data collected prior to exiting Showtime and/or retraining). Alternatively, or in addition, the diagnostic data can be collected during a current Showtime using a sliding window that covers the most recently received signals and communicated to another transceiver and/or a management entity during the current Showtime.