Metallic Test Access Circuit for NGN Copper Connection Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods do not allow for appropriate testing of new copper connections during migrations from analog systems, such as PSTN to VoIP networks, as NGN elements lack metallic access circuitry, leading to difficulties in verifying copper connections and restoring the system in case of failures.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a metallic test access circuit to access telephone lines, activate corresponding NGN ports, and determine the operational status of copper connections based on voltage levels, enabling automated testing and minimization of service interruptions during line migrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual testing methods are used for copper connection verification during migration, then testing can be performed, but the process is time-consuming and requires manual repair and restoration in real time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-testing and self-restoration through automated procedures. The NGN element automatically tests copper connections using voltage level detection and can autonomously restore previous states through back-out procedures without requiring manual intervention for each test or repair operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical testing and repair operations are replaced with automated electronic testing methods. The system uses voltage level detection through metallic test access circuits to automatically verify copper connections and replaces manual restoration with automated back-out procedures that reconfigure network elements programmatically.
2Productivity
If automated testing is implemented, then testing efficiency improves, but NGN elements lack metallic access circuitry needed for traditional testing methods
Solution Approach 1:
The metallic test access circuit on the analog network element serves as an intermediary to test the copper connection to the NGN element. Instead of requiring the NGN element to have its own metallic access circuitry, the system uses the analog element's existing circuitry as a mediator to perform voltage level detection and verify copper connection integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The metallic test access circuit on the analog network element is used for multiple purposes: it tests both analog-to-analog connections and analog-to-NGN connections. The same circuit infrastructure supports traditional Board-to-Board testing and the new automated copper connection verification method, eliminating the need for separate testing infrastructure.
3Productivity
If migration is performed without automated back-out procedure, then migration can be completed, but restoring the system to previous state upon failure is difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes a back-out procedure in advance before the migration is completed. Configuration changes and provisioning updates are prepared beforehand, and the system can automatically revert to the previous state by applying pre-prepared restoration commands if the migration fails or copper connection verification fails, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual restoration.
4Reliability
If manual testing and repair methods are used, then system can be restored, but service interruptions are extended and manual intervention is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects copper connection failures and executes restoration procedures without requiring manual intervention. The automated back-out procedure restores the analog network element configuration and re-provisions the telephone line, minimizing service interruption duration while ensuring reliable system restoration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient verification of copper connections and streamlined migration processes with minimal service disruption, providing an automated back-out procedure in case of failures and reducing the need for manual repairs.
Implementation Method 1
determining whether a copper connection to the port of the NGN element is operating properly based on a voltage level received through the analog network element
Data Source
AI summary
Method, corresponding apparatus and system are provided for transparently testing replacement functionality and optionally migrating subscribers on analog phone lines, served, for example, by PSTN Class 5 elements, to Next Generation Network (NGN) elements when copper co-termination is leveraged. According to an exemplary method, a telephone line for a telephone number is accessed through a metallic test access circuit of an analog network element and it is determined if the telephone line is available to test. If the telephone line is available to test, a port of a Next Generation Network element corresponding to the telephone number is activated, and it is determined whether a copper connection to the port of the Next Generation Network element is operating properly based on a voltage level received through the analog network element.