JP3064448B2 - Line setting method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a line setting method for a line connection device in multiplex communication, and more particularly to a remote operation service for a plurality of line connection devices capable of arbitrarily setting a line connection using a space switch and a time switch. It relates to a line setting method operated from a center.

Generally, in a dedicated line service provided and managed by a telecommunications company by a telecommunications carrier, a plurality of line connection devices constitute a network. From a remote operation service center (OPS, hereinafter referred to as an “operation center”) that manages a combination of a space switch and a time switch via a communication line, and performs line connection according to this data.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to perform line connection by such remote control, a database relating to the physical connection status of line equipment is stored in an operation center, and line setting data is transmitted to each line connection device based on this database. ing. However, the database may not always match the actual line connection status at the site. In this case, if the line setting is executed, the line setting is not correctly performed, and a failure such as erroneous disconnection or erroneous connection may occur.

When such a failure occurs, the line connection is returned to the state before the failure based on the data before the failure and the failure is recovered, and the line connection state is investigated in each station equipped with each line connection device. Thus, the actual physical connection status is grasped, and the database is modified so as to match the actual physical connection status.

[0005] Even if the above-mentioned fault does not occur, if the newly established line is not connected despite the line setting, the operation center instructs a loopback setting for each line relay section, thereby causing an erroneous connection. Was being investigated.

[0006]

However, it takes a lot of work to check the line connection state in each station when the above-mentioned conventional failure occurs or to check for an incorrect connection when the line is not connected. There was a problem.

In addition to this problem, in the conventional line setting method, it is not known whether there is a problem in the line setting until the line connection is actually executed. It was inherently impossible to prevent the occurrence of a serious obstacle in advance.

[0008] The root of such a problem is that the database does not exactly match the physical connection status of the line equipment. However, the operation center automatically and remotely controls information on the physical connection of the line equipment at the site. Collect,
Previously, there was no technique to modify the database.

Further, although there is no erroneous disconnection or erroneous connection due to the execution of the line setting, or no disconnection of the line, a part of the line may have deteriorated in communication quality. It is necessary to confirm, but the amount of work of this confirmation work is large, and the burden on the maintenance person is large.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a line setting method for preventing erroneous disconnection or connection of a line due to an erroneous line setting in advance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a line setting method for resolving a mismatch between a physical connection state of line equipment and a database of an operation center.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a line setting method which reduces the amount of work for confirming the opening when a new line is connected.

[0013]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, as shown in FIG. 1, a time switch 101 for exchanging time slots in multiplex communication.
And a line setting method for a plurality of line connection devices 1, 2, and 3 including space switches 102 and 103.

According to this line setting method, when the line connection device receives the line setting information 4 which is an instruction to set a new line, it checks the possibility of setting a new line, and then checks the possibility of setting a new line. Execute new line settings.

In addition, the following is investigated as a possibility of the line setting. That is, the actual connection state of the line and the line setting information 4 are collated for each line connection device for which a new line setting is to be executed.

It is checked for each line connection device for which a new line setting is to be executed whether or not the time slot specified by the line setting information 4 is in use. A line setting command area and a line setting parameter area are set in a time slot for investigating the possibility of a new line setting, and one of the line connection devices in which the new line setting is to be executed is set. And transmitting an identification code of a new line to be set by using the line setting command area and the line setting parameter area, and the other one of the line connection devices is transmitted. The line identification code and the line setting information 4 are collated.

[0017] One of the line connection devices is connected to one of the line connection devices by the loopback function of the line connection device for returning a signal transmitted from the other one to the other one. The communication quality of the communication path between them is measured.

After checking the possibility of the line setting as described above, a new line setting is executed.

[0019]

When the line connection devices 1, 2, and 3 receive the line setting information 4 from the operation center 5, which is an instruction to set a new line, the control unit 105 operates to set a new line. And if it is determined that there is no problem with setting the line, the new line setting is executed. Therefore, erroneous disconnection or connection of the line due to an erroneous line setting can be prevented in advance.

The following is performed as an investigation of the possibility of the line setting. That is, the actual connection state of the line and the line setting information 4 are collated for each line connection device for which a new line setting is to be executed. In particular, check in advance whether the line equipment whose line setting is instructed by the line setting information 4 is installed, and if not, check the operation center 5
To make the maintenance person confirm the line accommodation status and correct the database 501.

It is checked for each line connection device for which a new line setting is to be executed whether or not the time slot specified by the line setting information 4 is in use. If in use,
Since no new line connection is to be made, the operation center 5 is notified to that effect. This allows the maintenance person to avoid erroneous disconnection and correct the database 501.

In a time slot, a line setting command area and a line setting parameter area are set for investigating the possibility of a new line setting, and a line connection device in which a new line setting is to be executed is set. From one to the other, an identification code of a new line to be set is transmitted using a line setting command area and a line setting parameter area, and the other one of the line connection apparatuses is transmitted. Collates the transmitted line identification code with the line setting information 4 transmitted from the operation center 5 in advance. If they do not match, the operation center is notified to that effect and the database 501 is corrected.

[0023] One of the line connection devices is connected to one of the line connection devices by the loopback function of the line connection device for returning a signal transmitted from the other one to the other one. The communication quality of the communication path between them is measured. As a result, a relay section with deteriorated line quality can be automatically identified, and the amount of work for confirming the opening when a new line is connected can be reduced.

After checking the possibility of the line setting as described above, a new line setting is executed.

[0025]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a line connection device to which the line setting method of the present invention is applied. In the figure,
A portion surrounded by a two-dot chain line is a line connection device. In this line connection device, the control unit 21 monitors the state of the line connection device, and performs a line setting process and a line test process in accordance with an instruction from the operation center 20. Follow the steps in Line connection control memory 22 connected to control unit 21
Stores the line setting information sent from the control unit 21, the register 23 temporarily stores the mounting state of the interface boards 30, 31, 32, and 33 read by the control unit 21, and the backup memory 24 stores Line connection control memory 2
2 is always stored and the same information is preserved even when a power failure of the line connection device occurs.

The time switch 25 replaces a time slot, which is an information transmission unit in multiplex communication, on the time axis, and the space switches 26 and 27 connect the time slot to a predetermined communication destination. When the line setting information is stored in the line connection control memory 22 according to the instruction of the control unit 21, the time switch 25 is stored based on the data.
Then, the space switches 26 and 27 are operated, whereby the time slots are exchanged, and a line corresponding to the line setting information is set.

The multiplexing / demultiplexing units 28 and 29 are controlled by the control unit 21 to extract (separate) individual time slots from the signals multiplexed on the time axis and multiplex the individual time slots on the time axis. is there. Interface board 3
Reference numerals 0, 31, 32, and 33 are provided for each line connection device of the connection partner, and convert signals multiplexed by the multiplexing / demultiplexing units 28 and 29 into optical communication signals or the like or vice versa.
The line test circuit 34 generates a test signal pattern,
While transmitting to the line connection device of the connection partner via the separation units 28 and 29, the test signal pattern returned from the line connection device of the connection partner is received, and the bit error rate is counted.
This is for measuring the communication quality of the communication path with the line connection device of the connection partner.

Further, a line setting reservation memory 35 is connected to the control unit 21. The line setting information input from the operation center 20 does not immediately go to the line connection control memory 22, but is temporarily stored in the line setting reservation memory 35. Is done. This prevents line connection from being executed immediately based on the new line setting information that has been input.

The operation center 20 is connected to each line connection device located at a remote place, and remotely manages a network such as a line setting processing request and a line test instruction. That is, various instructions such as a connection collation instruction and a line opening instruction are sent from the operation center 20 to the line connection device.
Various reports, such as a line use status report, a line connection verification error notification, a line opening report, and a line connection test error notification, are sent. The operation center 20 has a database therein, and the database includes the operation center 20.
The line connection status of all the line connection devices connected to is recorded.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a state in which a plurality of line connection devices 41, 42, 43, and 44 having the configuration shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows an example in which four line connection devices are configured, but of course, the number of line connection devices is not limited to this.

A plurality of line connection devices 41, 42, 43, 4
Numerals 4 are connected to each other by a communication cable such as optical communication to mainly transmit user information, and are also connected to the operation center 20 by a control communication path. The operation center 20 includes a plurality of line connection devices 41, 4
A database 201 is provided for recording the line connection status of the multiplexed signals in 2, 43 and 44.

The line setting information supplied from the operation center 20 to the line connection device is distributed for each line setting management ID. The contents include the number of used time slots, the used time slot position, the receiving system number, and the transmission system number. These are a system number, a reception handling number, a transmission handling number, and the like. With this information, the line setting position can be specified. The line setting management ID is a line identification code uniquely assigned to a line to be newly set, and the same line identification code is supplied to a line connection device relating to the line to be newly set.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a time slot for one user transmitted and received between the line connection devices.
The time slot for one user is composed of a management area 51 and a user signal area 52. The management area 51 is further divided into at least nine areas A to I. The line setting management ID, the number of used time slots, the transmitting side accommodation system number, the transmitting side handling number, the used time slot number, the station ID, and the rack number are described. User signal area 5
An area 2 is used by the line subscriber for information transmission.

FIG. 5 shows how the time slots configured as described above flow in the line connection device. In the figure, a switch unit 55 is a time switch 25 and a space switch 2 shown in FIG.
6 and the space switch 27, the separation unit 56 corresponds to the separation unit in the multiplexing / demultiplexing unit 28 in FIG. 2, and the multiplexing unit 57 corresponds to the multiplexing unit in the multiplexing / demultiplexing unit 29 in FIG. And interface boards 58a to 58c are interface boards 3 of FIG.
0 and 31, and the interface boards 59a to 59c correspond to the interface boards 32 and 33 in FIG.

In this line connection device, when a line is opened according to certain line setting information, for example, the handling number n and the time slot number m of the multiplexed signal input from the interface board 58a of the receiving system number 1
Are transmitted as a time slot of the handling number 1 and the time slot number 2 from the interface board 59c of the transmission system number q via the separation unit 56, the switch unit 55, and the multiplexing unit 57.

Next, the operation of the line connection device and the operation center configured as described above will be described for four functions. (1) Line Setting Reservation Function First, in response to a request for a new line setting, the operation center 20 creates line setting information based on the database 201 in which the connection state of the line equipment should be accurately described. Here, as an example of the line setting request, FIG.
Assume that the line connecting device 41 and the line connecting device 43 are terminal stations, and a line connecting the line connecting device 41, the line connecting device 42, and the line connecting device 43 is to be newly set. Hereinafter, description will be made based on an example of the line setting request.

The operation center 20 sends the line setting information to the related line connection devices, that is, the line connection devices 41, 42, and 43 via the control communication line (broken line shown in FIG. 3). .

Line connection device 4 that has received the line setting information
1, the line connection device 42 and the line connection device 43 store the line setting information in each line setting reservation memory 35. It is not stored in the line connection control memory 22. When stored in the line connection control memory 22, the time switch 25 and the space switches 26 and 27 are immediately activated according to the line setting information. To memorize.

(2) Line Use Status Reporting Function In each of the line connection devices 41, 42, and 43, the line setting information stored in the line setting reservation memory 35 and the interface setting stored in the register 23 in advance. The connection states of the boards 30, 31, 32, 33 and the like are compared. That is, it is confirmed whether or not the connection (mounting) of the interface board or the like relating to the line specified in the line setting information is actually performed. As a result, if no connection is established, a new line connection is impossible. Therefore, the line setting is stopped, and it is determined that there is an inconsistency between the database 201 and the line setting management ID. Report the system number. The operation center 20 corrects the database 201 to match the actual connection state.

The line connection device 41 and the line connection device 4
2. In the line connection device 43, each of the multiplexing / demultiplexing units 28 and 29
To check whether the time slot specified by the line setting information is in use. That is, the area A of the management area 51 of the time slot specified by the line setting information is checked, and the in-service (02: this time slot is being provided to the user) or the out-service (01: this time slot is originally intended for the user) Provided, but the service is temporarily stopped), this time slot cannot be used newly, and therefore it is impossible to set up a line. Since it is determined that there is a mismatch with the entity, the operation center 20 is notified together with the line setting management ID that the designated time slot is already being used by the user. The operation center 20 corrects the database 201 based on the notification.

As a result, the maintenance person can confirm the line in use in advance, prevent erroneous disconnection of the user line in use, and match the database 201 with the actual connection state.

(3) Automatic Verification Function of Line Connection The operation center 20 transmits line setting information to each of the line connection devices 41, 42, and 43 and then transmits a connection verification instruction.

Upon receiving this connection collation instruction, each of the line connection devices 41, 42, and 43 sets C, C in the management area 51 in the time slot designated by the line setting information according to the line setting information.
In the D, E, F, and G areas, respectively, a line setting management ID,
The number of used time slots, the number of the accommodating system on the transmitting side, the number of the handling side on the transmitting side, and the number of the used time slot are set, and a line setting collation request command (01) is set in the B area and transmitted to the opposite station.

The time slot management area 51 is independent of the user signal area 52, and the use of this management area 51 does not hinder the transmission of information of the line subscriber. Validation of setting information can be performed.

Next, when the opposite station monitors the area B of the management area 51 in the transmitted time slot and finds the line setting collation request command (01) in it,
The information written in the management area 51 of the time slot is read. The opposite station collates the read information with the line setting information received in advance from the operation center 20, and compares the line setting management IDs with each other.
Check that the receiving line and the line for which the line setting is specified match the time slot position. If they do not match, the opposing station sends a line setting management ID and a line setting verification request command (0
It sends the receiving system number of the opposite station that received 1), its handling number, time slot number, and the system number, handling number, and time slot number described in the line setting information.

The operation center 20 matches the database 201 with the actual connection status of the line connection device, compares the line setting information with the actual physical connection state of the line equipment, and supports correct line setting.

As described above, even if the line setting is not actually executed (even if the physical connection is not actually executed), the abnormality of the line connection is determined.

The operation center 20 waits for the collation results from the line connection devices 41, 42 and 43, and if all are normal, sends a line opening instruction to the terminal station of the line connection device reserved for line setting.

(4) Automatic Line Opening Function The operation center 20 shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 in which only the line connection devices 41, 42, and 43 relating to the line to be newly set are extracted and described.
This will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the line connection device 41, which is the terminal of the line to be newly set by the line setting information, receives a line opening instruction from the operation center 20, the line connection device 41 In the C, D, E, F, and G areas of the management area 51 in the time slot, the line setting management ID, the number of used time slots, the transmitting side accommodation system number, the transmitting side handling number, and the used time slot number are set. , B, a receiving side return request command (02) is set, and this time slot is sent to the line connection device 42 which is the opposite station.

When receiving the time slot in which the receiving side return request command (02) is described, the line connection device 42 operates the return circuit in the interface board on the reception side to transmit the signal received from the line connection device 41 to the line. A loopback is performed on the receiving side of the connection device 42 (loopback function). At the same time, the line connection device 42 sets the receiving side return response response (03) in the area B of the time slot management area 51, and sends this time slot to the line connection device 41.

When the line connection device 41 receives the reception side return response (03), it puts the test signal of the line test circuit 34 on the user signal area 52 of the time slot (as described above, this time slot is already used. It is confirmed that the user signal area 5
2 can be used), and transmits to the line connection device 42. The transmitted test signal is looped back at the receiving side of the line connection device 42 and returns to the line connection device 41, where the line test circuit 34
, The line quality is automatically measured, and whether or not the line quality is such that the communication service can be provided to the user is automatically determined by comparison with a specified value. This test result is reported to the operation center 20.

If the line quality is within the specified value, as shown in FIG. 7, the line connection device 41, which is the terminal station, sends the transmission side return request command (04) to the B area of the management area 51 in the time slot. The time slot is set, and this time slot is sent to the line connection device 42 which is the opposite station.

Upon receiving the transmission side return request command (04), the line connection device 42 operates the switch unit 55 corresponding to the time switch 25 and the space switches 26 and 27 so that the path specified by the line setting information is established. Then, the line setting (line opening) in the line connection device 42 is executed, and the return circuit in the interface board on the transmission side of the line connection device 42 is operated to connect the signal received from the line connection device 41 to the line connection. The transmission side of the device 42 causes a return (return function). At the same time, the line connection device 42 sets the transmission side return response response (05) in the B area of the time slot management area 51, and sends this time slot to the line connection device 41.

Upon receiving the transmission side return response (05), the line connection device 41 places the test signal of the line test circuit 34 in the user signal area 52 of the time slot,
It is transmitted to the line connection device 42. The transmitted test signal is looped back at the transmission side of the line connection device 42 and returns to the line connection device 41, and the line quality is automatically measured by the line test circuit 34 and a line capable of providing a communication service to the user. Whether or not the quality is determined automatically by comparison with a specified value. This test result is reported to the operation center 20.

If the line quality is out of the specified value, the line connection device 41 places N in the B area of the time slot management area 51.
Set an OP request command (12: no operation command),
This time slot is sent to the line connection device 42. Upon receiving the NOP request command, the line connection device 42 cancels the previously set transmission side loopback. Then, the line connection device 42 sets the B in the management area 51 of the time slot.
A NOP response (13: no operation response) is set in the area and the station I is set in the H and I areas, respectively.
D, a frame number is set, and this time slot is sent to the line connection device 41.

In response to this, the line connection device 41 sends the station ID and the frame number sent together with the line setting management ID and the NOP response (13) to the operation center 20 as the line connection test abnormality notification, and the system for which the line setting is reserved. Number, handling number and time slot number.
From this report, the maintenance person can know which part of the line has deteriorated communication quality.

As a result of the line test, if the transmission side of the line connection device 42 is normal, if the line connection device 42
1 transmits a receiving side return request command and a transmission return request command to the line connection device 43 which is the next opposite station, and performs the same line test and line setting (line opening) as performed by the line connection device 42. ).

In this way, line setting (line opening)
Reaches the line connection device 43 which is the other terminal of the new line according to the line setting information, puts a line setting completion notification (08) in the B area of the time slot management area 51, and executes the line opening processing. It is transmitted to the line connection device 41 which is the terminal station. The line connection device 41 executes the line setting of its own station, releases the line test circuit 34, and reports the line opening to the operation center 20.

[0060]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the line connection device receives line setting information which is an instruction for setting a new line, the line connection device investigates the possibility of setting a new line, and thereafter, Before executing the line setting, the connection and use status of the specified line can be checked in advance on the line connection device side, and erroneous connection and disconnection can be prevented.

Further, as a check of the possibility of the line setting, the actual connection state of the line is checked against the line setting information, and it is checked whether the time slot designated by the line setting information is in use. The operation center transmits the line identification code of the new line to the line to be newly set, and compares the transmitted line identification code with the line setting information. It is possible to automatically know the connection status, thereby making it possible to correct the database to the actual line connection status, and to reduce the work of dispatching maintenance personnel to geographically distributed stations to check the current status.

Further, one of the line connection devices is connected to one of the other line connection devices by the loopback function of the line connection device for returning the signal transmitted from the other one to the other one. The communication quality of the communication path between the two is measured, and after the measurement of the communication quality, the new line is opened to the adjacent line connection device, and the new line is similarly opened to the adjacent line connection device in order. As new lines are extended, line connections can be executed automatically, and even relay sections with degraded line quality can be automatically identified, greatly reducing maintenance work and ensuring line settings. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a line connection device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a state in which a plurality of line connection devices are connected to an operation center.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a time slot.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing how a time slot flows in a line connection device.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating receiving side loopback.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating transmission-side loopback;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Line connection device 101 Time switch 102,103 Space switch 104 Line setting reservation memory 105 Control part 2 Line connection device 3 Line connection device 4 Line setting information 5 Operation center 501 Database

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-2-305139 (JP, A) JP-A-2-161837 (JP, A) JP-A-2-126760 (JP, A) 152406 (JP, A) IEICE Technical Report, IN 90-50 (1990-7-27), Yoshiyuki Yasuda et al., On connection-based tracing method using SDH frame structure and automatic collection method of network equipment data. Proposal, p. 31-36 (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04J 3/00-3/26 H04Q 11/04-11/04 H04L 12/24-12/26

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] A time switch (101) and a space switch (10) for exchanging time slots in multiplex communication.
In the line setting method for a plurality of line connection devices (1,2,3) including (2,103), when the line connection device receives line setting information (4) which is an instruction to set a new line, Line setting information (4)
Is temporarily stored in the line setting reservation memory (104), and based on the line setting information stored in the line setting reservation memory, an actual line connection is set for each of the line connection devices where the new line setting is to be executed. There line verification of the connection state line setting information (4), within the time slot, the possibility of the new line configuration
Line setting command area and line setting parameters
Data area, and the new line settings should be executed.
From one of the line connection devices to another.
Use the line setting command area and the line setting parameter area.
To send the identification code of the new line to be set.
The other one of the line connection devices transmits the
The received line identification code is compared with the line setting information (4).
A line setting method for investigating the possibility of the line setting. 2. A time switch (101) and a space switch (10) for exchanging time slots in multiplex communication.
In the line setting method for a plurality of line connection devices (1,2,3) including (2,103), when the line connection device receives line setting information (4) which is an instruction to set a new line, Line setting information (4)
Is temporarily stored in a line setting reservation memory (104) .Based on the line setting information stored in the line setting reservation memory, the line setting information is stored for each of the line connection devices where the new line setting is to be executed. (4) examine whether the time slot is in use for specified, within the time slot, the possibility of the new line configuration
Line setting command area and line setting parameters
Data area, and the new line settings should be executed.
From one of the line connection devices to another.
Use the line setting command area and the line setting parameter area.
To send the identification code of the new line to be set.
The other one of the line connection devices transmits the
The received line identification code is compared with the line setting information (4).
A line setting method for investigating the possibility of the line setting.