Abstract: A method and system for reporting the status of a digital transmission line element, such as a regenerative repeater or a network interface unit, to a remote location. The line element is interconnected to a digital transmission line and receives a data stream via the transmission line from the remote location. The data stream follows predetermined coding rules. In a loopback mode, the line element loops back the data stream via the transmission line to the sending end. The line element includes a detector and an error generator. The detector senses a status query signal in the data stream and responsively enables the error generator to then selectively introduce error message into the data stream being looped back along the transmission line. The error message may then be detected at a remote location to a provide information regarding the line element, such as its location or operating mode.

Abstract: An improved system for allowing a digital transmission line element, such as a regenerative repeater or a network interface unit, to communicate with a remote location. The line element is interconnected to a digital transmission line, which receives an incoming data stream. The data stream follows predetermined coding rules. The line element includes a detector and an error generator. The detector senses when a status inquiry is made and responsively enables the error generator to then selectively introduce an error message into an outgoing data stream along the digital transmission line. The error message may then be detected at a remote location to a provide information regarding the line element, such as its location or operating mode.

Abstract: An improved system for allowing a digital transmission line element, such as a regenerative repeater or a network interface unit, to communicate with a remote location. The line element is interconnected to a digital transmission line, which receives an incoming data stream. The data stream follows predetermined coding rules. The line element includes a detector and an error generator. The detector senses when a status inquiry is made and responsively enables the error generator to then selectively introduce an error message into an outgoing data stream along the digital transmission line. The error message may then be detected at a remote location to a provide information regarding the line element, such as its location or operating mode.

Abstract: An improved system for allowing a digital transmission line element, such as a regenerative repeater, to communicate with a remote location. The line element is interconnected to a digital transmission line, which receives an incoming data stream. The data stream follows predetermined coding rules. The line element includes a detector and an error generator. The detector senses when a status inquiry is made and responsively enables the error generator to then selectively introduce errors into the data stream along the digital transmission line. The errors may then be detected at a remote location to a provide information regarding the line element, such as its location or operating mode.