Network Path Estimation Using Geodata and Self-Announcing Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cable network maintenance relies on manual processes, leading to inaccurate data, misdiagnosis of issues, excessive maintenance costs, and prolonged deployment times, especially as communication traffic increases and new services are deployed, making it difficult to manage and monitor extensive broadband communication systems effectively.
Innovation Solution
An automated network management and monitoring system that uses geographical data and network topology information to detect, isolate, and display faults on a graphical interface, reducing the need for manual analysis and enabling proactive maintenance by scaling across large networks, thereby improving availability and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual processes are used to track terminal devices and network information, then device complexity is reduced, but data accuracy deteriorates and maintenance efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically collects network topology information from network elements themselves through self-announcement mechanisms. Network elements publish their own identification, location, and status information without requiring manual data entry, enabling the system to self-update and maintain accurate data automatically
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical processes (technicians physically tracking and recording network element locations) with automated electronic information collection and processing systems. The system uses electronic signals and data communication to automatically gather and update network topology information
2Productivity
If manual technician analysis is used to locate network issues, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity deteriorates and response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors network element status and automatically provides feedback information to technicians through a graphical interface. When faults occur, the system automatically identifies affected elements, determines their locations, and presents this information to technicians, enabling rapid response without manual analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary automatic analysis of network issues before technician intervention. It pre-identifies fault locations, pre-determines affected network elements, and pre-prepares diagnostic information, so that when technicians arrive, the work has already been significantly advanced
3Reliability
If conventional monitoring systems are used, then device complexity is low, but reliability deteriorates due to inaccurate data and misdiagnosis
Solution Approach 1:
Network elements automatically provide accurate real-time information about their status, location, and performance metrics. This self-reported data eliminates the inaccuracies associated with manual tracking and ensures the monitoring system always has current, reliable information for decision-making
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces error-prone manual data collection and analysis with automated electronic monitoring systems that continuously gather and process network information, eliminating human errors in data entry, interpretation, and diagnosis
4Loss of time
If manual data entry into customer management databases is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but loss of time increases during new deployments and service expansions
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically collects and stores network topology information in advance during network element installation and configuration. This preliminary automatic data collection eliminates the need for manual data entry during later deployment activities, service expansions, or troubleshooting operations
Solution Approach 2:
Network elements automatically announce their presence, location, and configuration information to the monitoring system during installation. This self-registration process eliminates manual data entry requirements and ensures the database is continuously updated with accurate information
Data Source
AI summary
A method of mapping a network path in which a geographic path of cables of a network between a geographic location of a network component and a geographic location of a terminal network element is estimated electronically using walking directions data from a geodata services provider. A geographically accurate street map is populated with the geographic location of the network component, the geographic location of the terminal network element, and the estimated geographic path. The map is capable of being displayed with the use of geospatial software. A signal processing electronic device for populating a display of an interactive graphical user interface with network path mapping information and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer program instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the above referenced operations are also provided.