Abstract: A system and method for determining an optimal backbone for a robotic relay network are provided. A robotic relay network comprising a plurality of nodes including a base station node, one or more mobile relay nodes, and one or more user nodes is provided. A signal strength value for each pair-wise communication link between each of the nodes is identified. A weight function is applied to each communication link value to determine a communication link weight. An optimal backbone tree is determined from the communication link weights.

Abstract: A communications system and method for testing components of an aircraft via Ethernet. The communications system may comprise one or more Ethernet links having software and hardware controls for timing, buffering, and messaging, and a dedicated Ethernet line. The Ethernet links may be configured to communicably link sections of a central communication system of the aircraft, each section being part of a separate aircraft component. The Ethernet links may also communicably link the sections with various databases over the Ethernet line. The databases may comprise loadable software, archived testing data, configuration data, and/or diagnostic data. Any of the central communication system sections and the databases may be located at geographically distant locations from each other, such as at separate production sites. The communications system may allow the aircraft components to test each other, or essentially for the aircraft to test itself prior to its components being physically joined together.

Abstract: A method for troubleshooting a set top box is disclosed and can include receiving a trouble ticket from a set top box and initiating a self test at the set top box. The method can also include receiving test results from the set top box and analyzing the test results to isolate a problem.

Abstract: A method of implementing a scaleable architecture for a communications system considers the requirements of a particular communications transmission process that is dividable into individual transmission tasks. A computational complexity for each of said N individual transmission tasks respectively, said computational complexity being based on a number of instructions per second (MIPs) required by a computational circuit to perform each of said N individual transmission tasks; a number of gates and/or transistors required to implement each of individual transmission task using a hardware based or software based computing circuit, etc. After determining an effective number of MIPs achievable by such circuits, the N tasks are allocated in a gate efficient manner for a final design architecture, or for a working implementation in the field. A system constructed in this fashion is highly gate efficient and cost effective, so that a multiport system can be put on single SOC integrated circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for transmitting keepalive information, a terminal, and a network device. The method includes: transmitting, by a terminal, first information to a network device, where the first information is used to instruct the network device to determine keepalive information to be received; the terminal transmits keepalive information to the network device, where the network device is configured to optimize the keepalive information. With the present invention, signaling loads are reduced.

Abstract: A system having an acquisition device for acquiring test and measurement data and providing such data to a computer system for display of such data. For each input data signal, the acquisition device has two differential receivers of opposite polarity each having an output coupled to the input of different ones of two pairs of registers, resulting in four registers sampling the input data signal periodically at four different times in accordance with two clocking signals of different phase (phase shifted 90°) to provide a sampling rate four times the rate of the clocking signals. The resulting sample data is stored in memory of the acquisition device along with downsampled data representing a compressed, low resolution, version of the sample data which records toggling in the sample data notwithstanding such downsampling. The computer system can request readout of stored sample data and/or downsampled data during or after acquisition of sample data and downsampled data.

Abstract: A method of testing a relay set which includes mapping a relay set to an undirected graph indicative of a topology of the relay set and includes vertices indicative of channels of the relay set and edges extending between corresponding vertices indicative of relays. Values based on a characteristic of a relay of the relay set that corresponds to the respective edge of the undirected graph are stored. A plurality of candidate test paths for a relay-to-test that each connects a first input/output (I/O) channel and a second I/O channel, and includes the relay-to-test are identified. A total value for the edges of the candidate test paths is determined for each of the candidate test paths. The total values are compared to one another and a test path is determined for the relay-to-test based on the comparison.

Abstract: A wired network connection establishing method includes the steps of: configuring two network devices to exchange connection capacity information with each other through first and second twisted pair cables of a network cable, the connection capacity information including at least a first connection mode using four of the twisted pair cables, a second connection mode using three of the twisted pair cables, and a third connection mode using two of the twisted pair cables; configuring the two network devices to detect a number of the twisted pair cables in the network cable capable of supporting a normal connection; and configuring the two network devices to determine which one of the first, second, and third connection modes is to be used for establishing a connection based on the number of the twisted pair cables capable of supporting a normal connection.

Abstract: In a network wherein a data plane for communicating user data, and a control plane for managing data forwarders are configured of different media, the path teardown of the data plane which is forwarding the data is prevented when a fault has occurred in only the control plane. When the GMPLS controller of the control plane has detected refresh timeout with respect to an adjacent node (101 in FIG. 1), it checks whether or not a transmission equipment corresponding to a faulty controller has a fault (102), and it maintains a path state (103) in a case where the fault is limited to the control plane. Thus, the exchange of refresh messages with the adjacent node is continued without cleaning up the resources of the transmission equipment (104 through 107).

Abstract: A network device includes a storage unit configured to store an IP address assigned to the network device as an address to be sent to a plurality of domain name servers in which an address-domain mapping relationship between the IP address and a domain name of the network device is to be registered, a server searching unit configured to search for an in-operation domain name server among the plurality of domain name servers, the in-operation domain name server being a domain name server that is currently operating, a software holding unit configured to hold a plurality of unique communication program modules, each corresponding to one of the plurality of domain name servers, and an address notifying unit configured to notify the in-operation domain name server of the IP address through a corresponding one of the communication program modules to register the address-domain mapping relationship in the in-operation domain name server.

Abstract: An enhanced-range beacon signal transmitted from a wireless terminal in a frequency band used by the wireless OFDM communications system for OFDM communications. The beacon may be received at each of a plurality of base stations of the wireless OFDM communications system. A location of the wireless terminal may be determined responsive to reception of the beacon signal at the plurality of base stations. In some embodiments, the beacon signal includes a narrowband beacon signal, which may be centered at a frequency offset with respect to a set of subcarriers used in the wireless OFDM communications system, for example, between adjacent subcarriers of the wireless OFDM system and/or in a guard band of the OFDM frequency band.

Abstract: A system and method for wireless communications with codebook adaptation with low feedback overhead are provided. A method for controller operations includes receiving a first channel information from a communications device, estimating channel statistics based on the first channel information, adapting a codebook using the channel statistics, and receiving a second channel information from the communications device. The method also includes constructing a precoding matrix from the second channel information and the adapted codebook, and transmitting information precoded by the precoding matrix to the communications device.

Abstract: A method and system monitor a communications network, e.g., a controller area network (CAN), and more specifically, an in-vehicle communications network, by maintaining a count of each type of error code and a histogram of all network messages seen by each of the controllers during a measurement period; and by determining a bus health index of the communication bus based upon a percentage of a given type of error to the total count of all errors during a measurement period. An individual controller or controller area network bus segment can be indicated as having a communications problem as a result of the health index.

Abstract: A signal detection circuit for an Ethernet physical layer transceiver (PHY) device includes a first capacitor AC coupling a signal on the first receive terminal of the Ethernet PHY device to a first node; a second capacitor AC coupling a signal on the second receive terminal to a second node; re-biasing resistors for re-biasing the AC-coupled signals on the first and second nodes; first and second gain stages for amplifying the AC coupled signals; and a peak detect circuit. The peak detect circuit includes first and second diodes receiving the amplified signals from the gain stages to charge a peak detect capacitor. The signal detection circuit includes a comparator for comparing the voltage on the peak detect capacitor to a reference voltage and providing an output signal being indicative of the presence or absence of a signal on the first and second receive terminals of the Ethernet PHY device.

Abstract: A method of performance testing for software applications can include storing, in a network accessible location, options corresponding to functions for use in performance test cases and sending to a computer system an electronic document specifying at least one of the plurality of options. The computer system can be remotely located from the network accessible location. The method further can include receiving, from the computer system, input selecting at least one option from the electronic document and automatically generating a performance test case using functions corresponding to the selected option(s). The options can be selected through a Web-based shopping cart and/or system interface thereby easing the process of test case generation.

Abstract: A network device includes a route selection module configured to select an alternate next hop to use in forwarding network traffic to a destination in the event a primary next hop becomes unavailable, wherein a path to the destination device associated with the alternate next hop does not send packets through the network device. The route selection module computes optimal distances from neighboring devices to the network device, wherein a number of Shortest Path First (SPF) computations required for computing the optimal distances is independent of the number of neighboring devices in the network, identifies as candidate alternate next hops those neighboring devices having distances to the destination that are less than the sum of the optimal distance from the neighboring device to the network device and the optimal distance from the network device to the destination, and selects the alternate next hop from among the stored candidates.

Abstract: A modulated optical system with anti-clipping reduces or corrects clipping that might occur in the laser as a result of negative spikes or peaks in a multichannel RF signal. The system generally detects an envelope of the RF signal to generate an anti-clipping signal that follows at least a portion of the envelope and prevents one or more negative peaks from causing clipping by adjusting a bias current in response to the anti-clipping signal. The system may also reduce cross modulation by clamping the anti-clipping signal at an anti-clipping limit during lower power periods of the RF signal.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for selectively providing access to a network node for testing and verification associated with a testing classification and requests are received from a network component to initiate a call via the net-work node. If it is determined that with the testing classification, service is provided via the network node.

Abstract: Techniques to test performance of terminals and access points in CDMA data (e.g., cdma2000) systems. A framework of protocols and messages is provided to support systematic performance testing of terminals and to ensure interface compatibility. The framework comprises a Forward Test Application Protocol (FTAP) for testing forward channels and a Reverse Test Application Protocol (RTAP) for testing reverse channels. Techniques are also provided to (1) test different types of channels (e.g., traffic channels as well as auxiliary channels), (2) test bursty data transmissions, (3) support “persistence” testing (i.e., continued testing over connection and disconnection), (4) force the settings of certain auxiliary channels (e.g., so that the error rate of the channels may be determined), and (5) collect, log, and report various statistics that may be used to derive performance metrics such as throughput and packet error rate.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide remote performance monitoring and testing to a cell site in a cellular communications network. The systems and methods include a network management center having remote monitoring and testing capabilities utilizing an intelligent customer service unit that traps and makes available alarm information on the transport link.

Abstract: A test controller operable to test a video access device can include a first port coupled to particular test equipment and a second port coupled to video access devices. Each video access device can include a wideband link and a test port. The particular test equipment and each of the video access devices can be remotely located as compared to one another. The test controller can include a processor that is operable to send a command to connect the test port of a first particular video access device of the video access devices to its corresponding wideband link, and establish connectivity between the test equipment and a second particular video access device of the video access devices. The test controller can be part of a system that includes methods used to test video access devices.

Abstract: A system is provided for network outage assessment. An outage tool retrieves a scheduled site list from a network management interface for a data network. The scheduled site list specifies sites associated with the network management interface that are scheduled to be active and sites that are scheduled to be inactive. The outage tool retrieves communication site lists from gateways associated with the network management interface. Each of the communication site lists is associated with a corresponding gateway and specifies sites that are in communication with the corresponding gateway. The outage tool identifies sites that are listed as the sites associated that are scheduled to be active and absent from the sites that are in communication with the corresponding gateway as a list of outage sites. The outage tool outputs outage site data based on the list of outage sites to the user interface to enable a management action.

Abstract: A method of routing a voice call from a local media gateway to a terminating media gateway comprises determining IP network connectivity between the local media gateway and terminating media gateway and generating monitoring results, updating network resource status according to the monitoring results, generating a plurality of routes between the local media gateway and the terminating media gateway in response to the updated network resource status, determining a best route from the plurality of routes, and routing the voice call using the best route.

Abstract: A digital subscriber link data network incorporates a throughput test server (TTS) to provide fault identification, isolation, and verification of DSL service availability and data rates. An asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) terminal unit-remote (ATU-R) is connected to an ADSL terminal unit-central office (ATU-C) over a conventional copper loop or equivalent. Data connectivity via a packet switch provides access to high speed data networks, TTS connectivity and interfaces to service providers (SPS). Upon receiving a test request, a technician routes a customer to the TTS. The customer uses a web browser to access the TTS and download executable testing software, e.g., a JAVA applet. The applet causes test messages to be sent to and received from the TTS and computes upstream and downstream data rates that is displayed to the customer together with whether the measured data rates are consistent with a specified class of service.

Abstract: A multi-path simulation system (100) includes a signal generator (10) generating a signal, a power divider (24) connected to the signal generator for dividing the signal into N attenuated sub-signals, N delay lines (26) connected to the power divider delaying the N attenuated sub-signals to simulate the delays resulting from the transmission of the signal in the N paths, P switches (28) connected to the delay lines selecting the attenuated sub-signals delayed by the delay lines, thereby generating selected signals, and a signal combiner (29) connected to the switches combining the selected signals into a single signal. The delay lines are respectively represented by transmission lines disposed on a printed circuit board. A length of the transmission line controls a distance of transmission of the signal. Wherein N is an integer greater than one, and P is an integer equal to or greater than one.

Abstract: A method of creating a graphical display illustrating throughput of data across a protocol layer. A first graphical indication is displayed which illustrates of the number of data units received, by a protocol layer, for each of a plurality of transmission intervals. A second graphical indication is displayed which illustrated the number of data units output by the protocol layer for each of a plurality of transmission intervals.

Abstract: A network element is configured to function as a first virtual element and a second virtual element. A first monitoring packet is sent to the first virtual element via a label switched path. A second monitoring packet is sent to the second virtual element via an internet protocol path that includes at least a portion of the internet. A first condition of the network element is determined based on a response to the first monitoring packet. A second condition of the network element is determined based on a response to the second monitoring packet.

Abstract: A method and system to identify an overload state in a remote network device within a communications network in which a local network device can send at least one message to the remote network device. The method comprises detecting at least one message transmission timeout for the message sent from the local network device to the remote network device, the message transmission timeout corresponding to a retransmission of the message from the local network device to the remote network device. The number of message transmission timeouts for the message or several messages is counted, with the method further comprising comparing the number of message transmission timeouts to a predetermined timeout threshold so that an overload state for the remote network device can be inferred when the number of message transmission timeouts exceeds the predetermined timeout threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for discovering a path MTU in a data communication network, wherein a path MTU option header is included in a signal message or first data packet and thus a MTU suitable for a routing path can be determined. A network apparatus for discovering a path MTU maximum transmission unit (MTU) in a data communication network, including a MTU-comparing unit MTU-comparer detecting a path MTU recorded on a predetermined packet transferred over a routing path between a source node and a destination node and comparing the detected path MTU with an internal MTU stored in the MTU-comparing unit MTU-comparer; and an event-processing unit event-processor updating the path MTU recorded on the predetermined packet to contain the internal MTU if the detected path MTU is larger than the internal MTU.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a method for dynamically troubleshooting voice quality. The method comprises generating a request to intercept a predetermined data stream on a network, acquiring a replicated copy of the intercepted data stream responsive to the request and analyzing the replicated copy of the intercepted data stream.

Abstract: An isochronous back channel is configured between a transmitting device and a receiving device. The isochronous back channel provides retransmission and flow control information from the receiving device to the transmitting device related to a stream of isochronous data packets transmitted from the transmitting device to the receiving device. An isochronous back channel packet for indicating a retransmission or flow control function to perform is configured and transmitted from the receiving device to the transmitting device over the isochronous back channel. A transmitting plug is configured on the receiving device and a receiving plug is configured on the transmitting device for implementing the isochronous back channel. The isochronous back channel packet includes a control instruction that instructs the transmitting device to either reset, stop or resume transmission of the stream of isochronous data packets being transmitted from the transmitting device to the receiving device.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the rate regulation of radio link probing in a communication network comprising at least a receiver terminal and at least one transmitter terminal, characterized by the steps, at the level of the receiver terminal, of: determining the amount of data sent by each transmitter terminal to the receiver terminal through respective radio links, when a probing of a link is to be made, probing the link corresponding to the transmitter terminal having sent the greatest amount of data.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments provide a method that can comprise establishing a tunnel between a monitor and at least one router; sending a message to join a multicast transmission; and/or transmitting a packet via the tunnel to a router. The packet can comprise a source address of the network monitor and a destination address comprising a multicast address.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus and processes for generating simulated network test traffic from a stored test traffic definition. A network test system or a user may select arbitrary ways to group flows of test traffic into streams, and to modify these streams before and during transmission of the test traffic by network test equipment.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems are presented for determining an appropriate transport protocol for supporting Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) communication, which may involve repeatedly sending SIP requests from a first device destined for a second device using at least one transport protocol, attempting to receive responses to the SIP requests at the first device from the second device, based on results of attempting to receive responses to the SIP requests, updating a data record associated with the first device, the data record containing an entry for the second device, the entry for the second device including at least one indication of operability with the at least one transport protocol, and selecting one of the at least one transport protocol, based on the entry for the second device in the data record, as a selected transport protocol for establishing a desired SIP communication between the first device and the second device.

Abstract: A test controller for use in a telecommunication system is provided for inexpensively and quickly testing a telecommunication device. The test controller receives a test call from an originating terminal and allocates a voice path within the telecommunication device for the test call to establish a call connection for the test call between the originating terminal and a destination terminal via the allocated voice path and a packet-switched network.

Abstract: Live router migration is implemented by separating the logical features of a virtual router from its physical features. Tunnels are established between a source (physical) router and a destination (physical) router, allowing the control plane of the virtual router being migrated to send and receive messages from the destination router. The control plane information is then transferred to the destination router, which functions to clone the data plane at the destination router. Outgoing links from the destination router are then be established. The double appearance of the data plane at both the source and destination routers allows for the data plane information to be transferred asynchronously over to the destination router. Once all of the data plane information has been transferred, incoming data traffic links at the destination router can be established and the tunnels between the routers taken down.

Abstract: A network device may include logic configured to receive a problem report from a second network device, where the problem report includes event data, determine at least one of an action to perform or whether reconfiguration information is associated with the event data in the received problem report and add information to the received problem report to provide a reformatted problem report and transmit the reformatted problem report to a third network device when it is determined that reconfiguration information is not associated with the event data in the problem report.

Abstract: A repeater, useable for connecting switches in a data communication network, is provided in a distributed and/or modular fashion. The repeater includes a plurality of separate and distinct components or modules connected to or at least partially housed in, the various switches which the repeater modules couple. Preferably, the repeater autodetects and/or autoconfigures some or all aspects of repeater operations, such as detecting and/or configuring appropriate full/half-duplex mode operation or detecting and/or configuring in response to appropriate or approved cable-type connections. The distributed and/or modular repeater facilitates accommodating various switching or repeater needs as a network grows or contracts.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for distributed resource management for enhanced dedicated channel. One method of communication with at least one base station includes determining at least one short-term entity associated with the at least one base station and providing the at least one short-term entity to a radio network controller. Another method includes receiving at least one short-term entity associated with the at least one base station and allocating at least one long-term resource based upon the at least one short-term entity.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a method for establishing a wireless communication session between a base station unit and a mobile unit wherein a system controller determines which base station unit of multiple base station units is an optimal base station unit to establish the session. The method includes the system controller receiving commands from each of multiple BSUs that have received a request for wireless service from a mobile unit. The commands include information, such as a unique identifier for the sending BSU, signal strength information for the sending BSU, and channel availability for the sending BSU. The system controller directs the optimal BSU to respond to the request, and directs every other BSU to ignore the request. In at least one embodiment, Bluetooth commands are used.

Abstract: Improved network topology discovery techniques. For example, an automated method for discovering a topology of a network, having a plurality of nodes, includes the following steps. A first traceroute process is performed for a given source node and one or more destination nodes listed in a target list so as to discover one or more paths through one or more intermediate nodes between the given source node and the one or more destination nodes. The one or more intermediate nodes discovered during the first traceroute process are added to the target list. A second traceroute process is performed for the given source node and the one or more intermediate nodes discovered during the first traceroute process so as to discover one or more paths through one or more additional intermediate nodes between the given source node and the one or more intermediate nodes discovered during the first traceroute process.

Abstract: Provided are a method for measuring characteristics of a path between nodes by using active testing packets based on priority, i.e., an inter-node path characteristic measuring method, which can measure and provide characteristics of a generated node, when an inter-node data transmission path is generated based on Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) to provide a path with satisfactory transmission delay, jitter and packet loss that are required by a user, and to provide a computer-readable recording medium for recording a program that implement the method. The method includes the steps of: a) synchronizing system time of the nodes with a global standard time; b) forming each testing packet; c) registering frame sequence and the global standard time during transmission; and d) calculating transmission delay time, jitter and packet loss by using time stamp and packet sequence information of a frame received by the destination node and transmitting the result to the management system.

Abstract: An electrical idle detection circuit including a full wave rectifier and a first amplifier. The full wave rectifier is configured to receive differential input signals and provide a rectified output signal based on the differential input signals. The first amplifier is configured to receive a first input signal based on the rectified output signal and a second input signal based on a reference signal. The first amplifier is configured to provide an output signal that indicates the differential input signals are one of active and in electrical idle based on the first input signal and the second input signal.

Abstract: A network interface includes a physical layer (PHY) device and a medium access controller (MAC). The PHY device includes a cable-test module and a data processing module. The cable-test module selectively tests a cable connected to the PHY device and generates test data. The data processing module includes a first processor that processes the test data and that generates test results indicating a status of the cable. The MAC communicates with the PHY device and includes a second processor, wherein the PHY device selectively communicates the status to the second processor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide single or multi-port, flexible, cost-effective, built-in self-test capabilities for network communications equipment, such as for example switches, and programmably generate, and subsequently analyze, one or more sequences of test packets, wherein the test packets simulate at least two flows of traffic. Such test packets can have programmable headers, payloads, and duty cycle. A line card embodying the present invention may generate its own traffic pattern, which may be similar or identical, to traffic patterns observed on Internet backbones. These traffic patterns may contain a bimodal distribution of control packets interspersed with data packets wherein the control packets and data packets are relatively short and long respectively. A plurality of test packet generators/receivers can be deployed in a network communications device having a plurality of ports. In such a configuration, test generator/receiver is associated with each of the plurality of ports.

Abstract: A networking system is provided. The networking system may include a network diagnostic component. The network diagnostic component may perform any of a variety of network diagnostic functions. The network diagnostic component may include a diagnostic module. The network diagnostic component may also include at least one transceiver. The transceiver may receive a signal from a first node. The signal may form one or more network messages, for example. The transceiver may send the signal to a second node. The transceiver may send the signal to the diagnostic module, which may alter the signal. For example, the diagnostic module may digitally retime the signal, may alter the content of the messages themselves, and/or may alter the signal in other suitable ways. The transceiver may send the altered signal to the second node.

Abstract: A method in a data processing system for monitoring for errors on a network. Responsive to detecting a change in a state of the network, determine whether the change in state is a loss of a communications link to a remote data processing system. If the change in state is a loss of the communications link, determine whether the communications link was established for at least a first period of time to be considered an acceptable connection to the remote data processing system; and create a new serviceable event, if a second period of time passes without reestablishing the communications link to the selected data processing system. Repeat occurrences of identical outages are tracked and multiple detected instances of an outage for different partitions are counted as a single failure in the examples.

Abstract: A data routing method and system, the data routing method including: locating a destination node using a destination locating packet; establishing a preliminary route including anchor nodes based on a route where the destination locating packet is transmitted to the destination node; determining a link cost between neighbor nodes of each of the anchor nodes, and also between the anchor nodes and the neighbor nodes of each of the anchor nodes; generating minimum cost information with respect to a route consuming a minimum cost from the destination node to a source node using the link cost; and forming a data route from the destination node to the source node using the minimum cost information.

Abstract: A method of providing multiple test access for test equipment in a communication network is provided. The method comprises the step of coupling test apparatus to a first communication line via a first communication circuit in the test apparatus wherein the first communication line has a first quantity of equal bandwidth communication pathways that are dedicated for test access. The first communication line is coupled to a first cross connect apparatus. The test apparatus also has a second communication circuit that is coupled to the first communication circuit. The method further comprises the step of utilizing a second communication line having a second quantity of equal bandwidth communication pathways that are dedicated for test access. The second communication line is coupled between the first cross connect apparatus and a second cross connect apparatus. The second quantity is less than the first quantity.