JP2006135831A - Communication device and loopback test method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a loopback test to be implemented without mounting a CPU. <P>SOLUTION: An LED unit 105 is turned off and a transition is made to a test mode by turning on a SWITCH unit 106 provided in a LAN device 100, and the communication protocol 301 of a loopback test startup request is transmitted to a main apparatus 200. The main apparatus 200 reads loopback test startup response information from the received communication protocol 301, and transmits loopback test data 303. After finishing the transmission of the loopback test data, the main apparatus 200 adds test result information to the communication protocol 302 of a loopback test termination request for transmission to the LAN device 100. The LAN device 100 reads the loopback test termination request information as well as test result information from the received communication protocol 302, dissolves the loop construction of a transmit/receive circuit part 101, and displays the test result on the LED unit 105. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication apparatus and a loopback test method having a function of testing a communication line state in wired and wireless digital data communication systems.

  FIG. 5 shows a configuration of a communication system having a function of testing a conventional communication line state. Here, main apparatus 500 is connected to LAN apparatus 506 via modem 505 to constitute a communication system. The main apparatus 500 includes a line correspondence unit 504, a line switching unit 503, a line control unit 502, and a processor control unit 501 provided corresponding to the communication line 508.

  The line corresponding unit 504 has a built-in modem and has an electrical termination function for the communication line 508. The processor control unit 501 is connected to a PC (personal computer) 507 and performs overall communication control management, for example, control such as distributing packets to a target line based on the header information. The line control unit 502 performs communication protocol control corresponding to the communication line. The line switching unit 503 performs connection switching between the line corresponding unit 504 and the line control unit 502.

  In such a conventional communication system, when performing a communication line state test, the operator sets the processor control unit 501 from the PC 507 to the test mode. Then, a series of test data is transmitted from the processor control unit 501 to the loop of the test target line, the looped data is received, and the transmission data and the received data are compared, so that the loop loop is normal / abnormal. Is diagnosed.

  For example, when the processor control unit 501 performs a loop test of the loop-back loop (1) up to the line-corresponding unit 504, it issues a command for instructing the loop (1) loop-back test to the line control unit 502. Then, the line control unit 502 uses the control line to control the line corresponding unit 504 so that the line is returned for the test target line. As a result, the line corresponding unit 504 operates to return the data received from the line switching unit 503 side to the line switching unit 503 side without transmitting the data received from the line switching unit 503 side to the communication line 508 side.

  Next, based on a command from the PC 507, the processor control unit 501 sends a predetermined test data pattern through the route of the line control unit 502, the line switching unit 503, and the line corresponding unit 504. This test data pattern is returned by the line corresponding unit 504 and traced back on the same route and received by the processor control unit 501. The processor control unit 501 compares the received test data pattern with the original test data pattern at the time of transmission to determine whether there is an abnormality in the route between the processor control unit 501 and the line corresponding unit 504. test.

  Similarly, when the processor control unit 501 performs a loop test of the loop (2) up to the modem 505 including the communication line 508, the processor control unit 501 issues a command for instructing the loop (2) loop test to the line control unit 502. Then, the same operation as described above is performed, but this time, a loop is formed by the modem 505 instead of the line corresponding unit 504, and the test data pattern transmitted from the processor control unit 501 is the line control unit 502, the line switching unit 503, The route reaches the modem 505 via the route of the line corresponding unit 504 and the communication line 508, and is turned back here to return to the processor control unit 501 by following the same route in reverse. As a result, the processor control unit 501 can check normality / abnormality of the route.

As described above, conventionally, the operator has specified whether the return route is the route (1) of the line corresponding unit 504 or the route (2) of the modem 505, or an instruction for isolating the failure location when a failure occurs. This is performed by giving a necessary command from the PC 507 to the processor control unit 501 (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-6-276270

  Thus, conventionally, when testing the communication line status, the operator activates the loopback test via the PC from the main unit equipped with the CPU placed in the main station equipment, and the confirmation of the test result is also the same. Performed on the device side.

  In addition, since the conventional line status confirmation test assumes test activation and status confirmation via a PC or the like, an operator needs to exist on the main device side. In addition, when starting a test from a LAN device connected to the main device, it is also necessary to install a CPU, resulting in an increase in device cost and mounting area.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a communication device and a loopback test method that can perform a connection test without mounting a CPU.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide a communication device and a return test method capable of making a return test start request and confirming a test result on the communication device side.

  The present invention relates to a communication device that communicates with an opposite device connected via a communication line, the line state management means for managing the state of the communication line by transmitting and receiving a communication protocol, and the communication line A loop test starting means for starting a loop test, a loop circuit configuration forming means for connecting a reception line and a transmission line in the loop test, a loop test result confirming means for checking the result of the loop test, and the loop test. And a loopback test end means for terminating and separating the reception line and the transmission line.

  According to the above configuration, starting a loopback test from a communication device, transmitting / receiving a communication protocol to / from the opposing main device, making loop circuit formation, loopback test state transition, test result confirmation, and transition to a normal communication state Thus, the connection state can be easily confirmed. As a result, the selectivity of system construction can be expanded and maintenance and operation can be improved.

  In the present invention, the line state management means sequentially transmits and receives the loopback test start request information, loopback test start response information, loopback test end request information, and loopback test end response information added to the communication protocol. I do.

  According to the above configuration, the connection state between the opposing main device and the communication device can be automatically tested by transmitting and receiving various types of information added to the communication protocol, so that easy system management is possible.

  In the present invention, the loopback test starting means transitions from the normal mode to the loopback test mode, adds a loopback test startup request information to the communication protocol, transmits the switch to the main device, and activates the loopback test. It has.

  According to the above configuration, even in a communication device that does not have a CPU, the loop test can be started only by adding a switch circuit, so that the device area and device cost can be reduced.

  In the present invention, the loop circuit configuration forming means connects the reception line and the transmission line based on the loopback test start request information added to the communication protocol transmitted from the main device.

  According to the above configuration, the reception line and the transmission line are connected based on the loopback test start request information transmitted from the main apparatus, and the loopback test data is automatically transferred to the main apparatus side without flowing out to the network (network) side. Therefore, communication quality can be maintained without leaking erroneous information during the test.

  In the present invention, the loop test result confirmation means includes means for displaying a test result based on the loop test end request information and test result information added to the communication protocol transmitted from the main device.

  According to the above configuration, it has means for displaying the test result transmitted from the main device, and it is possible to confirm the return test result even in a communication device not equipped with a CPU, thereby reducing the device area and device cost. Can do.

  In the present invention, the loopback test end means switches from the loopback test mode to the normal mode by switching the switch.

  According to the above configuration, the switching from the loopback test mode to the normal mode can be performed only by switching the switch circuit, so that simple mode switching is possible without risk of malfunction.

  The loopback test method of the present invention is a loopback test method for testing a line state between a communication apparatus connected via a communication line and a main apparatus facing the communication apparatus, and the communication apparatus performs a loopback test on the main apparatus. Return test start request step for requesting start, and the main device transmits a return test start request to the communication device in response to the return test start request, the communication device based on the return test start request, A folded circuit forming step for forming a folded circuit configuration, a folded test start response step for transmitting a folded test start response to the main device in response to the folded test start request, and the main device, In response to a loopback test start response, a loopback test data transmission / reception step of testing the line state by transmitting / receiving loopback test data to / from the communication device, and the main device After the loop test data transmission / reception process is completed, a loop test end request is transmitted to the communication device, and the communication device reads the test result information from the loop test end request and displays the test result information. And a loop test end process in which the communication device transitions from the loop test mode to the normal mode after the loop test result confirmation process.

  According to the above configuration, even if the communication device does not have a CPU, it is possible to request the main device to start the loopback test by installing only one changeover switch. In addition, since the test result can be confirmed, it is possible to carry out a line state confirmation test even in a situation where there is no operator on the main apparatus side. As a result, the selectivity of system construction can be expanded, and maintenance and operation can be improved.

  According to the present invention, even for a communication device not equipped with a CPU, it is only necessary to mount one changeover switch circuit, and using the display means provided in the communication device, a loopback test that is a confirmation test of the communication line state Can be activated and the test results can be confirmed. As a result, the selectivity of system construction can be expanded and maintenance and operation can be improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a LAN device 100 according to an embodiment of a communication device of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the LAN device 100 according to the present embodiment includes a transmission / reception circuit unit 101, a control LSI unit 102, an LED unit 105 (loopback test result confirmation unit), and a SWITCH unit 106 (loopback test activation unit, loopback). Test end means). The control LSI unit 102 includes a communication protocol control function unit 103 (line state management unit) and a line test function unit 104 (loop circuit configuration forming unit).

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the main apparatus 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the main device 200 according to the present embodiment includes a transmission / reception circuit unit 201, a control LSI unit 202 having a communication protocol control function unit 203, and a CPU unit 204.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining a loopback test method in the LAN device 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, a communication protocol 301 transmitted from the own device (LAN device) 100 to the main device 200, a communication protocol 302 transmitted from the main device 200 to the own device 100, and loopback test data 303, A loopback test is performed.

  The transmission / reception circuit unit 101 of the own device 100 serves as an interface between the own device 100 and the main device 200, and usually transmits and receives data or a communication protocol.

  The communication protocol control function unit 103 (line state management means) reads valid information from the communication protocol 302 received by the transmission / reception circuit unit 101, and performs line control, test result display (LED display), and communication protocol 301 based on the information. Is generated. Also, valid information is added to the generated communication protocol 301 and transferred to the transmission / reception circuit unit 101.

  When the line test function unit 104 (loop circuit configuration forming unit) reads the loopback test start request information from the communication protocol 302, the line test function unit 104 connects the reception circuit and the transmission circuit of the transmission / reception circuit unit 101 to form a loop circuit. Transition to loopback test mode.

  By switching the SWITCH section 106 (turnback test start means, loopback test end means) from OFF to ON, the LED section 105 (turnback test result confirmation means) of the device 100 displays the test result from the LINK state display mode (normal mode). Switch to mode (wrap test mode). Further, the communication protocol control function unit 103 is urged to generate and transmit a communication protocol 301 for requesting a loopback test activation. Further, the LED unit 105 can be switched to the normal LINK state display mode by switching the SWITCH unit 106 from ON to OFF.

  The control LSI unit 202 of the main apparatus 200 includes a communication protocol control function unit 203 and generates and analyzes the loopback test data 303.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the loopback test method by the LAN device 100 of this embodiment. The folding test method of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, the switch unit 106 (changeover switch) in the LAN device 100 is controlled to be turned on to turn off the LED unit 105 and shift to the loopback test mode. 301 is transmitted (steps 400 and 401).

  The main device 200 reads the loopback test activation request information from the received communication protocol 301 and transmits the loopback test start request communication protocol 302 to the LAN device 100 (step 402).

  The LAN device 100 reads the loopback test start request information from the received communication protocol 302, configures the transmission / reception circuit unit 101 of the LAN device 100 as a loop circuit, and then transmits the loopback test start response communication protocol 301 to the main device 200. (Steps 403 and 404).

  The main device 200 reads the return test start response information from the received communication protocol 301 and transmits the return test data 303. After transmission of the loopback data is completed, the test result information is added to the communication protocol 302 of the loopback test end request and transmitted to the LAN device 100 (steps 405 and 406).

  The LAN device 100 reads the loopback test end request information and the test result information from the received communication protocol 302, cancels the loop configuration of the transmission / reception circuit unit 101, displays the test result on the LED unit 105, and sends it to the main device 200. The communication protocol 301 of the return test end response is transmitted (steps 407 and 408).

  After confirming the test result with the LED unit 105 of the LAN device 100, the SWITCH unit 106 is controlled to be OFF, thereby causing the LED unit 105 to transition to the normal LINK LED display mode and completing the loopback test.

  As described above, according to the LAN device 100 and the loopback test method according to the present embodiment, the normal operation mode and the loopback test mode are switched by the SWITCH unit 106, the loopback test activation is requested to the main device 200, and the communication protocol control is performed. The function unit 103, the line test function unit 104, the LED unit 105, and the control LSI unit 202 of the main device 200 perform a loopback test and confirm the test result. As a result, a line state confirmation test that could only be performed from the main device 200 side on which the CPU is mounted can be performed by the LAN device 100 having a simple configuration alone, and maintenance and operation can be improved and an inexpensive system can be constructed.

  The communication device and the loopback test method of the present invention, even for a communication device not equipped with a CPU, can be used to check the state of the communication line using the display means provided in the communication device, only by mounting one changeover switch circuit. A communication device and a loopback test method having a function of starting a loopback test that is a test and confirming the test result, and having a function of testing a communication line state in a wired and wireless digital data communication system Useful as.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the LAN apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention The block diagram which shows the structure of the main apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention Schematic configuration diagram for explaining a loopback test method of a LAN device according to an embodiment of the present invention The flowchart figure which shows the operation | movement of the return | turnback test system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. Configuration diagram of a communication system having a function of testing the state of a conventional communication line

Explanation of symbols

100, 506 LAN device 101, 201 Transmission / reception circuit unit 102, 202 Control LSI unit 103, 203 Communication protocol control function unit 104 Line test function unit 105 LED unit 106 SWITCH unit 200,500 Main unit 204 CPU (processor)
205 Control / Monitoring Unit (PC)
301, 302 Communication protocol 303 Loopback test data 501 Processor control unit 502 Line control unit 503 Line switching unit 504 Line correspondence unit 505 Modem 507 Personal computer (PC)
508 communication line

Claims (7)

A communication device that communicates with an opposite device connected via a communication line,
Line state management means for managing the state of the communication line by transmitting and receiving a communication protocol;
A loopback test starting means for starting a loopback test in the communication line;
Loop circuit configuration forming means for connecting a reception line and a transmission line in the loopback test;
A folding test result confirmation means for confirming a result of the folding test;
A loopback test end means for ending the loopback test and separating the reception line and the transmission line;
A communication device comprising:   The line state management means performs the loopback test by sequentially transmitting / receiving loopback test start request information, loopback test start response information, loopback test end request information, and loopback test end response information added to the communication protocol. The communication apparatus according to 1.   The loopback test activation means includes a switch that shifts from a normal mode to a loopback test mode, adds a loopback test activation request information to the communication protocol, transmits the communication protocol to the main apparatus, and activates the loopback test. The communication apparatus according to 1.   3. The communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the loop circuit configuration forming unit connects the reception line and the transmission line based on the loopback test start request information added to the communication protocol transmitted from the main apparatus.   3. The loopback test result confirming means comprises display means for displaying a test result based on the loopback test end request information and test result information added to the communication protocol transmitted from the main device. Communication device.   The communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the loopback test end means shifts from the loopback test mode to the normal mode by switching the switch. A loopback test method for testing a line state between a communication apparatus connected via a communication line and a main apparatus facing the communication apparatus,
A return test activation request step in which the communication device requests the main device to start a return test;
The main device transmits a loopback test start request to the communication device in response to the loopback test activation request, and the communication device forms a loopback circuit configuration based on the loopback test start request; ,
In response to the loopback test start request, the communication device transmits a loopback test start response to the main device, a loopback test start response step,
A loop test data transmission / reception step in which the main device tests the line state by transmitting / receiving loop test data to / from the communication device in response to the loop test start response;
The main device transmits a loopback test end request to the communication device after the loopback test data transmission / reception process ends, and the communication device reads test result information from the loopback test end request and displays the test result information. A return test result confirmation process;
The communication device, after the return test result confirmation step, a return test end step of making a transition from the return test mode to the normal mode,
Folding test method including.

Images