Telecommunications Probable Cause Fields for Alarm Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

The rapid advancement in telecommunications systems outpaces the ability of standard procedures to keep pace with new network events, leading to imprecise or inaccurate mapping of new events to existing probable cause codes, resulting in loss of valuable information and requiring radical overhauls of network management systems.

Innovation Solution

A method and notation for generating and processing telecommunications network alarm indication messages using first and second predetermined probable cause codes, allowing for more precise communication of network events by separating conditions and attributes, enabling accurate reporting and processing of new events without extensive system overhauls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a standardised set of probable cause codes is maintained to ensure interoperability, then equipment and software from multiple vendors can work together, but the system cannot keep pace with rapid technological advancement and new network events

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinteroperabilityVSAvoidresponse to new events
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The probable cause code is segmented into multiple hierarchical fields (first field for primary cause, second field for specific condition, third field for additional details). This segmentation allows the system to maintain a standardized structure for interoperability while providing sufficient granularity to represent new network events without requiring complete code revisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If new probable cause codes are added to standards specifications to report new network events, then reporting accuracy improves, but the procedures of standards bodies cannot keep up with the rapid rate of technological advancement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereporting accuracyVSAvoidtime to update standards
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes a predefined hierarchical structure for probable cause codes with multiple fields that can accommodate new events. This preliminary framework allows vendors to immediately map new network events to appropriate code combinations without waiting for standards updates, while still maintaining standardized formatting for future interoperability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If vendors map new network events to existing probable cause codes, then interoperability is maintained, but information accuracy is lost due to imprecise or inaccurate mapping

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinteroperabilityVSAvoidinformation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing different levels of specificity in different fields of the probable cause code. The first field captures the primary cause category, the second field provides specific condition details, and the third field adds further qualification. This allows vendors to report new events with high local precision while maintaining the overall standardized structure for interoperability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS7363548B2Probable cause fields in telecommunications network alarm indication messages
Publication Date: 2008.04.22 CIENA CORP

AI summary

Data for inclusion in a probable cause field of a telecommunications network alarm indication message is structured to comprise first and second delimited data elements respectively indicating first and second predetermined (ie standardized) probable cause codes, the first and second predetermined probable cause codes relating to one or more characteristics of an event occurring or having occurred in a telecommunications network. Methods, apparatus and computer programs for generating and for processing such data is provided as well as signals representing such data.