Interspersed Test Packet Error Assessment for Communication Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for assessing errors over communication links often monopolize the link, disabling other traffic and preventing accurate testing of ports or nodes, especially in high-speed serial links.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that create and send test packets interspersed with data packets at a rate that does not disable the communication link, allowing continuous processing and error checking without disrupting normal traffic, using a CPU, cache, cache controller, and memory modules to determine and send test packets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high volumes of test data are sent to assess errors, then error assessment capability is improved, but the link is monopolized and other traffic is disabled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by sending test packets at a controlled rate that provides sufficient error assessment data without monopolizing the link. Instead of sending continuous high-volume test data that would disable other traffic, the system sends test packets interspersed with user traffic at a rate that achieves measurement objectives while preserving link utilization for other purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic action by interspersing test packets periodically within the data stream rather than continuously. Test packets are sent at intervals mixed with user traffic, allowing error assessment to occur in a periodic manner that does not continuously block other communication on the link.
2Measurement precision
If the communication link is monopolized for testing, then error detection accuracy is improved, but normal data transfer is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data stream into user packets and test packets that are interspersed together. This segmentation allows the testing function to be divided into discrete test packets that can be injected without disrupting the continuous flow of user data, maintaining both error detection capability and normal data transfer reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Test packets serve as an intermediary mechanism that enables error assessment without directly interfering with user data transmission. By using dedicated test packets as mediators, the system can assess link errors while user traffic continues to flow independently, preventing disruption to normal data transfer.
3Measurement precision
If test packets are sent continuously, then error assessment completeness is improved, but the receiving node cannot continually process data packets
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses partial action by sending test packets at a rate sufficient for error assessment without exceeding the processing capacity of the receiving node. The test packet rate is controlled to be partial rather than continuous, ensuring that the receiving node can process both test and user packets without backlog or processing delays.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for assessing error over a communication link. The apparatus for assessing error is provided with a logic unit containing a plurality of modules configured to execute the necessary steps of creating one or more test packets, determining an amount of test packets to send over a communication link to a receiving node, sending a plurality of test packets over the communication link to a receiving node, interspersing test packets throughout a plurality of data packets such that the receiving node is able to continually process the data packets, and checking test packets received by the receiving node for errors.