Network Test Device Throttling Data Rate for Cost Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional network testing devices are complex and expensive, necessitating a need for less expensive solutions that maintain adequate network testing functionality while handling faster and increasingly complex communication networks.

Innovation Solution

A network test device that validates a link via a Media Access Controller (MAC) and throttles the data rate to a lower rate for subsequent testing, using a physical layer controller to simplify the required electronic components and reduce costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If high speed electronics are used for testing at increasing network bandwidths, then network testing capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork bandwidthVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the data rate based on link validation results. After validating a link at full speed, the system throttles the data rate to a lower rate for subsequent testing, allowing full-speed capability without permanently requiring full-speed components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operating parameter (data rate) from high to low after initial link validation. This allows the device to achieve high-speed testing capability when needed while operating at lower speeds during routine testing, reducing overall complexity requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If high speed electronics are used for testing at increasing network bandwidths, then network testing capability is improved, but device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork bandwidthVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the data rate based on link validation results. After validating a link at full speed, the system throttles the data rate to a lower rate for subsequent testing, allowing full-speed capability without permanently requiring full-speed components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operating parameter (data rate) from high to low after initial link validation. This allows the device to achieve high-speed testing capability when needed while operating at lower speeds during routine testing, reducing overall complexity requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional processing power is added to satisfy network testing needs, then network testing functionality is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork testing functionalityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the data rate based on link validation results. After validating a link at full speed, the system throttles the data rate to a lower rate for subsequent testing, allowing full-speed capability without permanently requiring full-speed components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operating parameter (data rate) from high to low after initial link validation. This allows the device to achieve high-speed testing capability when needed while operating at lower speeds during routine testing, reducing overall complexity requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2822223B1Systems and methods for low cost and low power network troubleshooting

Publication Date: 2016.10.05 AIRMAGNET INC

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AI summary

An apparatus for network testing receives data from a test network, validates, via a physical layer controller (PHY), a link to the test network based on the received data. A rate of the received data is throttled from the test network to a lower rate in response to a first condition. The received data is then processed at the lower rate via a media access controller (MAC).