TWI638548B - Broadband subscriber lines malfunction testing system - Google Patents

Abstract

A broadband loop obstacle detection system, which can determine whether the switch to be tested is a first type switch or a second type switch after receiving the test packet sent by the test end, and successively perform corresponding subsequent tests on the test switch to find The reason for the actual failure. The foregoing first type of switch may be a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) switch, and the foregoing second type of switch may be a Session Initiation Protocol Voice Gateway (SVG) switch. In this way, the efficiency and accuracy of obstacle detection can be improved.

Description

Broadband loop obstacle detection system

The present invention relates to a broadband loop obstacle detection system, and in particular to a broadband loop obstacle detection system applied to a PSTN switch or an SVG switch.

In the traditional telecommunication network mode, telecom operators build different networks for different services, such as voice networks, PHS networks, and broadband service networks, that is, "a service, a network." In this pattern, different networks coexist independently, which makes the operation and maintenance costs and management costs remain high. When the voice network introduces the Next Generation Network (NGN), the voice service of the telecom operators will face both the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and the NGN. In this case, if the two networks cannot be merged and managed as soon as possible, the telecom operators will play a passive role in the development of the network.

NGN is based on the concept of separation of call control and bearer control, and separation of service and control. Softswitch is the core technology. It separates the call control and user access functions of traditional switches. Among them, user voice is transmitted on the bearer network by using VoIP packets, and the bearer network resources are comprehensively utilized, which is in line with the development trend of future IP. Therefore, the convergence of PSTN and NGN is actually the evolution of PSTN to NGN.

The establishment and provision of a call path is achieved by interconnecting a Session Initiation Protocol Voice Gateway (SVG) device with an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) device of the core network. In order to change without changing the customer's original phone number and service functions. However, the original test was only for the traditional single voice network. When the test unit performs NGN inspection, the following problems usually occur:

1. Manually determine the user's attribute category: manually input the user number through the query interface provided by the relevant query system, and find and filter the required information after knowing the return result. This method is more difficult to perform when a large number of obstacles occur, in addition to possible input errors or incorrect interpretation. In addition to judging difficulties, testers are even difficult to ensure their accuracy, so that subsequent operations such as extraction, testing, and analysis of obstacle circuits cannot be completed correctly, and the relative efficiency of detection is very low.

2. The two types of switch user loops are different from the device control hardware: the newer SVG user loop test adopts the SIP proprietary communication protocol and test command, which cannot be originally determined by the Broadband Testing Operation System (BTOS) communication protocol. The PSTN switch user loop captures the test server control of the control device, and the control server must be separately set for the user loop capture control device of the SVG switch device, resulting in wasted equipment purchase and maintenance costs.

3. Since the test server and user test interface of PSTN and NGN SVG belong to different test servers, the existing test environment cannot integrate the test, which causes the tester to use different test platforms for testing, which consumes labor and equipment costs.

4. Since the user circuit control device hardware cannot be integrated, it is necessary to build individual test hardware such as a matrix transfer module (Relay Matrix, RM) and a test module (TM), which cannot be shared. Equipment purchase and maintenance costs are wasted.

It can be seen that there are still many shortcomings in the above-mentioned methods of use, which is not a good design, but needs to be improved.

The object of the present invention is to provide a broadband loop obstacle detection system, which can automatically continue detection with a corresponding testing mechanism after determining that the switch to be tested is a PSTN switch or an SVG switch, to find out the actual obstacle reason. This ensures the accuracy and efficiency of the entire inspection process. Moreover, the invention can also integrate the test platform and the back-end server by means of software, achieve unified testing, reduce the cost of purchasing and maintaining the server and the test platform, and shorten the obstacle repair time, thereby improving the efficiency. In addition, the invention can also make the RM and the test equipment such as the TM hardware compatible and compatible, so as to reduce the equipment purchase and maintenance cost.

The invention provides a broadband loop obstacle detection system, which comprises a user category judgment module, a multiplex test processing module, a user loop capture module, a matrix handover control module, a test equipment management and result analysis module, a device, The situation setting and monitoring graphical user interface (GUI) module, external system interface and user judgment module and error handling and monitoring return module. The user category judging module interprets a test packet sent by the plurality of test initiator devices and connects to an external information system to obtain user data of a user loop of the switch to be tested, and performs user loop capture and result analysis, and Correspondingly, a test result is returned to the test initiator device, wherein the test packet of each test initiator device is composed of a tester inputting a user number of a user circuit of the switch to be tested and a test command, and each test packet corresponds to a test. The channel, and the test result indicates that the switch to be tested is a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) switch or a Session Initiation Protocol Voice Gateway (SVG) switch. The multiplex test processing module performs a subsequent test on the test state of the test channel corresponding to each test initiator device until the final test state of the test channel is completed. The user loop capture module sends a packet to the PSTN switch end user circuit test repeater (LTT) or the SVG switch end management switch card (MSC) to retrieve the user loop according to the test result, and Reply to the result. The matrix handover control module uses an electrical matrix to form a loop between the user loop captured by the user loop capture module and a test device, and releases the user loop capture module after the test is completed. The loop between the user loop and the test equipment is completed. The test equipment management and result analysis module performs resource allocation and management according to one of the exclusive test equipments corresponding to the telephone number of the user circuit of the switch to be tested, and analyzes the test value of the return of the exclusive test equipment, and accordingly represents Measure an actual cause of the failure of the switch. The equipment, situation setting and GUI module are used in the test environment of the broadband loop obstacle detection system as the human-machine interface for equipment and situation setting. The external system interface and the user judgment module are in the test environment of the broadband loop obstacle detection system, and serve as a channel between the external information system and the queryed external information system before each test. The error handling and monitoring return module is in the test environment of the broadband loop obstacle detection system. After each test, the results and related obstacles are recorded, and the monitoring package is periodically returned to the device, the situation setting and monitoring GUI. Modules to enable equipment, situation setting and monitoring GUI modules to monitor test execution and record results.

The above described features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description.

Please refer to FIG. 1 , which is a schematic diagram of a broadband loop obstacle detection system and a cooperative operation device thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention. The broadband loop obstacle detection system 100 of the present invention is, for example, a BTOS inspection system server, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As shown in FIG. 1, the broadband loop obstacle detection system 100 includes a user category determination module 21, a multiplex test processing module 22, a user loop capture module 23, a matrix handover control module 24, test equipment management, and result analysis. The module 25, the device, the situation setting and monitoring GUI module 26, the external system interface and user determination module 27, and the error processing and monitoring report module 28.

First, each test initiator device 1 can read the test packet TP composed of the user number of the user circuit of the switch 1a to be tested and a test command input by a tester, and send it to the BTOS inspection system server. In various embodiments, the test initiator device 1 can be a measurement station (Opation, Op), a customer service system (Call Center), or a specific test device operated by an inspector. The test initiator device 1 can transmit commands and results to the broadband loop obstacle detection system 100 using TCP/IP in a communication protocol such as the Automatic Reply for Telephone Information System (ARTIS), but the present invention is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, each test initiator device 1 is configured by a control computer to send a specific packet corresponding to the obstacle route to the broadband loop obstacle detection system 100 when it is known that the switch 1a to be tested has an obstacle route. And after receiving the corresponding return result packet, the latest obstacle reason of the user circuit of the switch 1a to be tested is interpreted to determine the obstacle of the user circuit of the switch 1a to be tested, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The user category determining module 21 interprets the test packets of each test initiator device 1 and connects to an external information system 31 (for example, an electronization Trouble Reporting Information System (eTRIS) to obtain a user circuit of the switch 1a to be tested. User data, and user loop capture and result analysis, and correspondingly return a test result to the test initiator device 1, wherein the test packet TP of each test initiator device 1 corresponds to a test channel, and the test result indicates that The test switch 1a is a PSTN switch or an SVG switch. In short, the user category determining module 21 can determine that the switch to be tested is a PSTN switch or an SVG switch.

The multiplex test processing module 22 performs a subsequent test on the test state of the test channel corresponding to each test initiator device 1 until the final test state of the test channel is completed. In an embodiment, the multiplex test processing module 22 separately establishes a dedicated test channel for different tests performed at the same time, classifies and performs different test processes according to the test characteristics. For example, the foregoing subsequent test may include following at least one of a user number, a test command, a test status, a test device number, a capture device number, a power transfer matrix contact point number, and a user category of each test channel. The test states of the test channels are respectively processed separately, and different test commands are used to enter different states after the process is completed, until all tests of the test channel are completed, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The user loop capture module 23 sends a packet to the PSTN switch end user loop LTT or SVG switch end MSC according to the test result to retrieve the user loop and reply the result. In one embodiment, the packets sent by the user loop capture module 23 in accordance with the test results can be used to control the user loop capture device 32 to retrieve the correct user loop, assign and periodically query the device status.

In an embodiment, the user loop capture module 23 can include a PSTN switch user capture unit and an NGN SVG switch user capture unit, which respectively perform a handshake signal transmission with the user loop capture device 32. To capture the user loop of the switch 1a to be tested. Specifically, when the foregoing test result indicates that the switch 1 to be tested is a PSTN switch, the user loop capture module 23 can perform a handshake signal transmission with the user loop capture device 32 through a PSTN switch user capture unit. Taking the user loop of the switch 1a to be tested; and when the foregoing test result indicates that the switch 1 to be tested is an SVG switch, the user loop capture module 23 can perform the user loop capture device 32 through the NGN SVG switch user capture unit. The handshake signal is transmitted to capture the user loop of the switch 1a to be tested, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, the matrix handover control module 24 uses a power matrix to form a loop between the user loop captured by the user loop capture module and a test device to overlap, and releases the user loop after the test is completed. The loop between the user loop and the test equipment captured by the module 23 is captured to complete the disconnection. In short, the matrix handover control module 24 is used to control the power matrix to bridge the user loop and the test equipment to the test channel. The aforementioned test device is, for example, TM or RM, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, when the switch 1a to be tested is a PSTN switch, it can be connected to a designated RM handover point by using the communication format of the BTOS to connect with the corresponding test equipment. On the other hand, when the switch 1a to be tested is an SVG switch, it can be connected to a designated RM handover point by using a SIP communication format to connect with the corresponding test device, but is not limited thereto.

The test device management and result analysis module 25 performs resource allocation and management according to one of the exclusive test devices corresponding to the telephone number of the user circuit of the switch 1a to be tested, and analyzes the test value of the return of the exclusive test device, and correspondingly Indicated as an actual cause of failure of the switch 1a to be tested. In short, the test equipment management and results analysis module 25 can be used to control the test equipment, analyze the correct test results, assign and periodically query the equipment status. In an embodiment, the test equipment management and result analysis module 25 can analyze the plurality of test parameter values that the test device responds, and summarize and analyze the actual fault cause. The foregoing test parameter values include, for example, a user circuit A line to ground DC voltage, a user circuit B line to ground DC voltage, a user circuit AB line DC voltage, a user circuit A line to ground AC voltage, a user circuit B line to ground AC voltage, User circuit AB line DC voltage, user circuit A line ground resistance, user circuit B line ground resistance, user circuit AB line resistance, user circuit A line to ground capacitance, user circuit B line to ground capacitance and user circuit AB Line capacitance, etc., but is not limited to this.

The device, the situation setting and the GUI module 26 are in the test environment of the broadband circuit obstacle detection system 100, and serve as a human-machine interface for device and situation setting. In an embodiment, the device, the situation setting and monitoring GUI module 26 receives a specific monitoring packet through the TCP, wherein the specific monitoring packet includes the test host, the test card board, the database, and the related test initiator device 1 Check the software status. The device, situation setting and monitoring GUI module 26 filters and analyzes the data in the specific monitoring packet according to the condition and state level set by the user, and displays the analyzed result in a GUI manner to strengthen the manager's All kinds of line test equipment state control ability and immediate software and hardware scheduling.

The external system interface and user determination module 27 is in the test environment of the broadband loop obstacle detection system 100, and serves as a channel between the external information system 31 and the queryed external information system 31 before each test. In an embodiment, the external system interface and the user judgment module 27 are connected to the external information system 31 by using an Extensible Markup Language (XML) format, and the switch to be tested is obtained by the returned XML content. Related information.

The error handling and monitoring reward module 28 is in the test environment of the broadband loop obstacle detection system 100, and records the results and related obstacles after each test, and regularly reports back to the device and the situation setting with a monitoring packet. The GUI module 26 is monitored to enable the device, settings, and monitoring GUI module 26 to monitor test execution and record results. In short, the error handling and monitoring reward module 28 is used for subsequent processing of untestable states and analyzes the cause of failure and the periodic reward status.

In this way, when the tester (such as the customer service system, the measurement station or the external line repair personnel) accepts the user circuit obstacle report, the present invention can test each obstacle user circuit as a user circuit obstacle judgment and whether to send it for repair. Based on this, and to complete the diagnosis, repair and completion of the obstacle user circuit. The tester can not only use the agent computer for testing, but also accept the test through voice guidance. The invention can accurately and efficiently determine that the switch to be tested is a PSTN switch or an SVG switch, and subsequently adopt different communication protocols and test devices for different user loop types, and measure obstacle parameters such as manual test or digital meter automatic test. After the completion of the application, the obstacle repair work will continue.

The following two application scenarios of the present invention are listed as illustrations, but are not to be construed as limiting the embodiments of the present invention.

Application Situation (1): When a customer service system receives a customer complaint, it can use the automatic voice method to handle the customer complaint. After the customer enters the telephone number (hereinafter referred to as the number to be tested), the customer service system will send the message to the entity. The Physical Layer Testing Panel (PLTP) performs automatic testing of obstacles. The PLTP system first determines whether it is SVG, and if so, finds the measurement station where the number to be tested (irregularly scattered) is located according to the routing table and sends the test command to the corresponding BTOS inspection system server (for example, 1 broadband loop obstacle detection system 100). The BTOS inspection system server initiates different test procedures according to the instruction category sent by PLTP, and sends the instructions to the SVG physical line element management interface (EMI), and the EMI obtains users from related information systems (such as eTRIS). In the physical storage location, the EMI obtains a busy state from the management switch card MSC of the SVG switch to which the user entity is accommodated. If it is idle, EMI will send the number to be tested to the MSC to retrieve the user loop, and return the captured result to the BTOS inspection system server. The BTOS inspection system server starts the TM test equipment to test the line according to the requirements, and returns the test result after judging the obstacle.

Application situation (2): The repair personnel can input the number to be tested via the voice system/measurement station seat, and the BTOS inspection system server (for example, the broadband circuit obstacle detection system 100 of FIG. 1) is tested according to the inspection personnel. The number is sent to the relevant information system (such as eTRIS) to determine the user category of the corresponding switch to be tested. In the case of a PSTN switch, a three-in-one command is sent to the LTTM to retrieve the user loop, and if it is an SVG switch, it is sent to the EMI in a three-in-one command, and different test procedures are initiated according to the instruction category. The EMI obtains the user entity storage location from the related information system (for example, eTRIS), and the EMI obtains the busy state from the MSC of the SVG switch to which the user entity is accommodated. If it is idle, EMI will send the number to be tested to the MSC to retrieve the user loop, and return the captured result to the BTOS inspection system server. The BTOS inspection system server starts the TM test equipment to test the line according to the requirements. After the obstacle is judged, the worker will report or report according to the test result.

In summary, the broadband loop obstacle detection system provided by the present invention automatically filters the number to be tested input by the tester, and then filters and obtains the required information. In this way, in addition to avoiding human input errors or incorrect interpretation, it is easier to handle when a large number of obstacles occur. In this case, since the tester does not need manual judgment, the accuracy can be ensured, and the subsequent work such as the acquisition, testing, and analysis of the user circuit in which the obstacle occurs can be correctly completed, and the obstacle detection efficiency is improved.

Secondly, the wideband loop obstacle detection system of the present invention can use two switch user loops to capture devices to control different hardware environments, so that after installing a newer SVG switch, the relevant user loop capture device control server can Integration with the test server of the user circuit capture control device of the PSTN switch. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately set the control server for the user loop capture control device of the SVG switch, thereby reducing equipment purchase and maintenance costs.

In addition, the wideband loop obstacle detection system of the present invention can integrate the test environment, so that the tester can test the user loop of the PSTN switch and the user loop of the SVG switch using a single test platform, thereby reducing labor costs and equipment costs.

Furthermore, when there is a newly built SVG user loop capture control device, the broadband loop obstacle detection system of the present invention can integrate the original PSTN switch user loop to control hardware such as RM, thereby eliminating the need to purchase new tests individually. Hardware. Thereby, waste of equipment purchase and maintenance costs can be avoided.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention, and any one of ordinary skill in the art can make some changes and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

100‧‧‧Broadband loop obstacle detection system

1‧‧‧Test initiator equipment

1a‧‧‧Switches to be tested

21‧‧‧User category judgment module

22‧‧‧Multiplex test processing module

23‧‧‧User loop capture module

24‧‧‧Matrix handover control module

25‧‧‧Test equipment management and results analysis module

26‧‧‧Device, situation setting and monitoring GUI module

27‧‧‧External System Interface and User Judgment Module

28‧‧‧Error Handling and Monitoring Return Module

31‧‧‧External Information System

32‧‧‧Users pick up equipment

33‧‧‧Test equipment

1 is a schematic diagram of a broadband loop obstacle detection system and a cooperative operation device thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (10)

A broadband loop obstacle detection system includes: a user category determination module that interprets a test packet sent by a plurality of test initiator devices and links an external information system to obtain a user loop of a switch to be tested User data, and performing user loop capture and result analysis, and correspondingly returning a test result to the test initiator devices, wherein the test packet of each test initiator device is input by one tester to be tested. The user number of the user circuit is composed of a test command, and each test packet corresponds to a test channel, and the test result indicates that the switch to be tested is a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) switch or a session initiation. a protocol initiation protocol voice gateway (SVG) switch; a multiplex test processing module, which performs a subsequent test on the test state of the test channel corresponding to each test initiator device until the test channel is completed Final test state; a user loop capture module, user loop According to the test result, a packet is sent to the PSTN switch end user circuit test repeater (LTT) or the SVG switch end management switch card (MSC) to retrieve the user loop and reply the result; The handover control module uses a power matrix to form a loop between the user loop captured by the user loop capture module and a test device, and releases the user loop capture module after the test is completed. The loop between the user loop and the test equipment is completed to complete the disconnection; a test equipment management and result analysis module, which is dedicated to one of the telephone number codes corresponding to the user loop of the switch to be tested The device performs resource allocation and management, and analyzes the test value returned by the dedicated test device, and accordingly represents an actual fault cause of the switch to be tested; a device, a situation setting and a monitoring graphical user interface (Graphical User Interface) , GUI) module, in the test environment of the BTOS inspection system server, as a human-machine interface set by the device and the situation; The external system interface and the user judgment module are in the test environment of the broadband loop obstacle detection system, and serve as a channel between the external information system and the queryed external information system before each test; The module is recorded in the test environment of the broadband circuit obstacle detection system, and records the results and related obstacles after each test, and returns to the device, the situation setting and the monitoring GUI mode periodically with a monitoring packet. Group, in order to make the equipment, situation setting and monitoring GUI module monitor test execution and record results. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the test initiator devices is configured by a control computer to send a specific packet corresponding to the obstacle route to the switch when the switch to be tested has an obstacle route. The broadband loop obstacle detection system, and after receiving the corresponding loopback result packet, interpret the latest obstacle reason of the user loop of the switch to be tested, and determine the obstacle of the user circuit of the switch to be tested. The system of claim 1, wherein the user category determining module queries a back-end network server according to a user number of the user circuit of the switch to be tested in the test packet and a test command to learn The user category of the switch to be tested is the PSTN switch or the SVG switch. The system of claim 1, wherein the subsequent test performed by the multiplex test processing module includes a user number, a test command, a test status, a test device number, a capture device number, and a power of the test channel. At least one of the 驿 handover matrix lap number and the user category is subsequently processed according to the test state of the test channel until all tests of the test channel are completed. The system of claim 1, wherein the user loop capture module comprises a PSTN switch user capture unit and an NGN SVG switch user capture unit, each of which is associated with a user loop capture device. Handshake is taken to capture the user loop of the switch to be tested. The system of claim 1, wherein the matrix handover control module uses the electrical matrix to physically connect the user loop of the tested switch to the test line of the test equipment, and provide the The eDonkey matrix communicates with the user loop capture module and the test equipment management and result analysis module for communication, control and data processing. The system of claim 1, wherein the test equipment management and result analysis module analyzes the plurality of test parameter values that the test device responds to and analyzes and analyzes the actual fault cause. The system of claim 1, wherein the device, the settings, and the monitoring GUI module receive a specific monitoring packet through a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), wherein the specific monitoring packet includes each of the Test the test host's test host, test card board, database and related check software status, the device, the situation setting and monitoring GUI module according to the user's specified conditions, status level, the data in the specific monitoring package Filter and analyze, and display the results after analysis in GUI mode. The system of claim 1, wherein the external system interface and the user judgment module are connected to the external information system by using an Extensible Markup Language (XML) format, and are sent back by The XML content gets the relevant information of the switch to be tested. The system of claim 1, wherein the error handling and monitoring report module analyzes the state of the dedicated test device and transmits the monitoring packet to the device, the situation setting and monitoring GUI module via TCP.