TW201424344A - Fault monitoring method for CATV structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A fault monitoring method for CATV structure is disclosed to allow for monitoring fault status of traditional CATV in time. The main technique of the method is to provide a plurality of data terminators send a plurality reporting parameters to a management apparatus via a plurality of reporting nodes. A head apparatus gets the reporting parameters from the management apparatus. The head apparatus determines at least one fault location based on the terminator that never reporting the reporting parameters, and then transforms the fault location to a monitoring web. Thus, CATV content provider is able to control the fault status in time via the monitoring web to enhance the fault repairing efficiency.

Description

Fault monitoring method for cable television architecture

The present invention relates to a fault monitoring method, and more particularly to a fault monitoring method for a cable television architecture.

According to the invention patent application of the "Cable TV (CATV) transmission line monitoring device, method and program" of the Republic of China Public Publication No. 200808037, it discloses a conventional fault monitoring method for a cable television architecture, the steps of which include: The measured values detected by the cable television data machine are collected by the CATV transmission line of the tree structure; the measured values collected by each predetermined time interval are used to calculate an average value; when the measured value is collected, the fault determination threshold value is compared with the collected The threshold value is used to determine whether there is a fault and the result of the determination is stored in a fault information; and the fault information of the CATV transmission line is estimated by the fault information. In this way, most cable television data machines are simultaneously polled, and their measured values are detected as the basis for estimating the fault.

However, the conventional monitoring method for the fault monitoring method of the cable television architecture is too complicated to monitor the location of the fault of the transmission node in real time.

In summary, the conventional fault monitoring method for cable TV architecture has the problem of “over-complex monitoring method”. In actual use, it has different limitations and shortcomings. It is inconvenient, and further improvement is needed. Practicality.

The object of the present invention is to improve the above disadvantages to provide a fault monitoring method for a cable television architecture, which can instantly monitor the cable television architecture. Whether the transmission node is faulty to reduce the time to repair the fault.

The present invention is used for a fault monitoring method for a cable television architecture. The cable television architecture includes a management device, a plurality of reporting nodes, a plurality of data terminals, and a head end device. The management device and the plurality of reporting nodes are interconnected to form a network. a structure, each reporting node is connected to at least one data terminal, and the head end device is connected to the management device, and the fault monitoring method comprises the following steps: each data terminal periodically returns a plurality of reward parameters to the management device via the reward node; The end device obtains the reward parameter from the management device; and the head end device determines at least one fault location according to the data terminal that does not return the reward parameter, and converts the fault location into a content of the monitoring webpage.

The reward parameter includes a device number of the data terminal.

The device number is the network card number.

The reward parameter includes a plurality of alert types, and the head end device performs statistical analysis on the plurality of alert types, and displays the statistical analysis result in the monitoring webpage.

The alert type includes a signal noise ratio, a one-bit error rate, and a variance value.

If the number of times the data terminal abnormally accesses the network is incremented by 1, the variation value is incremented by one.

If the number of consecutive times that the data terminal cannot return the data normally reaches a warning number, the variation value is incremented by one.

Wherein, if the number of times the transmission power adjusted by the cable data machine is greater than 3 dB is incremented by 1, the variation value is incremented by one.

The head end device determines the fault location of the data terminal according to the plurality of reward parameters, and displays the fault location on an electronic map.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more <RTIgt;

The "Head Apparatus" as used throughout the present invention refers to a device for providing service content such as video or data in a cable television network, including: a cable television signal transmitter ( CATV transmitters, routers, optical protection switches (OPS), servers (Servers), combinations thereof, and the like are understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains.

The "management apparatus" as used throughout the present invention refers to a device for transferring service content such as video or data in a cable television network, such as a hub or cable modem terminal system ( Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS), etc., can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains.

The term "data terminator" as used throughout the present invention refers to a device for receiving service content such as data in a cable television network, such as a cable data machine, etc., which has the technical field of the present invention. Usually the knowledge person can understand.

The term "Video Terminator" as used throughout the text of the present invention refers to a device for receiving video service content in a cable television network, such as a cable television receiver (STB), etc., which belongs to the present invention. Those with ordinary knowledge in the field can understand.

The "connection" as used throughout the text of the present invention means that in a cable television network, the head end device, the management device, the data terminal and the video terminal are connected by a communication medium for transmitting video or data data, etc. The service content can be understood by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains.

"Communication Media" as used throughout the text of the present invention refers to a medium for transmitting service content such as data in a cable television system, such as an optical fiber, a coaxial cable, or a hybrid fiber. Coaxial cable (HFC) and the like, but not limited thereto, can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains.

Referring to FIG. 1 , it is a system architecture diagram of a preferred embodiment of a fault monitoring method for a cable television architecture according to the present invention. The cable television architecture includes a management device, a plurality of reward nodes 2, and a plurality of The data terminal 3 and a head end device 4, the management device 1 and the plurality of return nodes 2 are connected to each other to form a network structure, such as a ring network structure and a tree network structure. Or other network structures, the ring and tree structure are well understood by those skilled in the art and will not be described here. In this embodiment, only the management device 1 and the plurality of return nodes 2 are interconnected to form a ring network structure as an embodiment (as shown in FIG. 1), but not limited thereto. In addition, each of the reporting nodes 2 is connected to at least one data terminal 3, and when each of the reporting nodes 2 is connected to the plurality of data terminals 3, the reporting node 2 and the data terminal 3 can be connected into a tree network structure (Tree network structure). ). In addition, the head end device 4 is connected to the management device 1, and the head end device 4 can execute a computer program for performing the cable television architecture. Related steps of the fault monitoring method.

The management device 1 can select a device with data and signal processing functions, such as a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS). The management device 1 can obtain the operating parameters of the data terminal 3, such as the network card number (MAC), the address and the connection status, and the information about the data terminal 3 via the respective reporting nodes 2, as a determination of whether each data terminal 3 can The basis for normal communication. At the same time, the operational parameters are available to the server 43 of the headend device 4 as a content of a monitoring web. In this embodiment, the management device 1 can be connected to an optical switch (for example, an Optical Switch) 12 and a receiver (for example, Receiver) 13 by a controller (CMTS) 11, and the optical switch 12 and the receiver. The first monitor 14 is connected to a first monitor (for example: OPS) 14 and a second monitor (for example, OPS) 15 for connecting a cable monitor 41 of the head end device 4, The cable monitor 41 can be connected to the server 43 through a router 42 for providing information (such as the operating parameters, etc.) required by the server 43 to execute the computer program. The second monitor 15 is used by the second monitor 15 To connect the reward node 2, but not limited to this.

The reward node 2 selects a device having a signal processing function, such as an optical transceiver or an amplifier, for processing a data signal. The plurality of reporting nodes 2 and the management device 1 are connected to each other to form a node ring, and each of the reporting nodes 2 is connected to at least one data terminal 3 for obtaining the operating parameters of the data terminal 3 and transmitting to the node Management device 1. In this embodiment, the plurality of reward nodes 2 are interconnected with the second monitor 15 of the management device 1. A Node Ring R is formed as an implementation aspect, but is not limited thereto.

The data terminal 3 selects a device having a data processing function, such as a cable modem (Mable Modem), etc., for modulating and de-modulating data signals, wherein the data terminal 3 It has operating parameters such as network card number (MAC), address and connection status. In this embodiment, a plurality of data terminals 3 and a node tree T are connected to the node 2 as an implementation manner, but not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 2, it is an operational flowchart of a preferred embodiment of the fault monitoring method for the cable television architecture of the present invention, wherein the monitoring method includes a setting step S1, a collecting step S2, and a determining step S3. , respectively, as follows:

In the setting step S1, each data terminal 3 periodically returns a plurality of reward parameters to the management device 1 via the reward node 2. In detail, each data terminal 3 can periodically return a plurality of reward parameters to the management device 1 via the reward node 2; or, the management device 1 periodically transmits a reporting request via the reward node 2 to The data terminal 3 causes each data terminal 3 to return its respective reward parameter to the management device 1 via the reward node 2, and the reward parameter includes: the device number of each data terminal 3 (eg, MAC, etc.), and the type of alert (eg, : SNR, BER, FLAP, etc.) and the time of occurrence (eg, the time when each data terminal 3 returns the warning parameter). The SNR is the ratio of the signal transmission and the noise of each data terminal 3, and the BER is the bit error rate of the packet sent and received by each data terminal 3, and the FLAP is the variation value of each data terminal 3, and the variation value and the data The number of times the terminal 3 abnormally accesses the network (Ins), the number of times the data cannot be returned normally (Miss), or the number of times the transmission power adjusted by the cable modem is greater than 3 dB (P-Adj) is positively correlated, for example: The value of the Ins or P-Adj is incremented by 1, or the number of consecutive occurrences of the Miss value reaches a warning number (for example, 6 consecutive times), the FLAP value is incremented by 1, and the management device 1 can set the FLAP value. The zeroing period (for example, zero return every day) is used for subsequent fault monitoring processes, such as fault assessment or abnormal warning, but not limited to this.

For example, if any data terminal 3 (such as the data terminal 3b shown in FIG. 1) fails, the failed data terminal 3b and its downstream data terminals 3c, 3d, ... will not be able to transmit their corresponding The warning parameter is sent to the management device 1; or, if any communication medium (such as the upstream communication medium U shown in FIG. 1) fails, the data terminal 3 downstream of the fault (such as the data shown in FIG. 1) The terminal 3a~3e, ...) will not be able to transmit its corresponding alert parameter to the management device 1.

In the collecting step S2, the head end device 4 obtains the reward parameter from the management device 1. In detail, the server 43 of the head end device 4 can periodically obtain the reward parameter from the management device 1, for example, obtaining the reward parameter from the management device 1 by using a remote login technology every 5 minutes, And record the update time of the return parameter. The reward parameter is used by the server 43 to perform subsequent fault monitoring operations in cooperation with the previously stored device data, such as: node number, transmission port, and processing of each data terminal 3. Process (such as: cable modem to adjust the transmit power, etc.), warning status (such as: Ins, Miss or P-Adi, etc.) and processing status (such as: pending or processed, etc.), but not This is limited to this.

In the determining step S3, the head end device 4 determines at least one fault location according to the data terminal 3 that has not returned the reward parameter, and converts the fault location into the content of the monitoring webpage. In detail, as shown in FIG. 1, wherein if the data terminal 3b fails, the server 43 of the head end device 4 cannot acquire the data terminal 3b and the downstream data terminals 3c, 3d, ... The parameter is reported, so that the occurrence position of the fault can be determined as the setting of the data terminal 3b. And so on, if the upstream communication medium U of the data terminals 3a~3e, ... fails, the server 43 of the headend device 4 cannot obtain the reward parameter to which the data terminals 3a~3e, ... belong, It can be determined that the occurrence position of the fault is the upstream communication medium U shared by the data terminals 3a to 3e, .... Therefore, the server 43 of the head end device 4 can determine the fault location according to the data terminal 3 that has not returned the reward parameter according to whether the data terminal 3 returns its reward parameter, and convert the fault location into the monitoring. The content of the web page.

The server 43 of the head end device 4 can also display the fault location on an electronic map, such as Google Map or the like (as shown in FIG. 3). For example, in the electronic map shown in FIG. 3, a light spot L is connected to a plurality of amplifiers A and E1 to E4, wherein the amplifiers E1 to E4 are obstacle amplifiers, and when the maintenance personnel see the amplifier E1~ After the E4 has an obstacle, you can click one of the amplifiers E1~E4. For example, click on the amplifier E2 to view information about the cable modem connected to the amplifier E2, such as the device number and device location.

At the same time, the server 43 of the head end device 4 can also combine the electronic map with technologies such as electronic navigation (eg, GPS, etc.) to locate the fault location. The mobile communication device (such as a smart phone or tablet) carried by the maintenance personnel is sent to the cable TV system to quickly dispatch personnel to the fault location for repair.

In addition, the fault monitoring method for the cable television architecture of the present invention may further include an analyzing step S4, wherein the head end device 4 performs statistical analysis on the number of warning types of the reward parameter, and displays the statistics in the monitoring webpage. Analysis results. In detail, when the head end device 4 can obtain the return parameters returned by the data terminals 3, it can only be known that the data terminal 3 that returns the return parameters and the communication medium through which the return parameters pass are not completely Damage, however, at this time, the communication capabilities of the data terminals 3 with the communication medium may be weak. Therefore, the server 43 of the head end device 4 can perform statistical analysis on the alert type, for example, according to the cable data card network card number, address and connection status returned by each data terminal 3, and cooperate with the previously stored Equipment data (such as: node number, port number, processing, warning status, and processing status of each data terminal 3), performing statistical analysis operations such as signal noise ratio, bit error rate, and variation value, and performing monitoring The statistical analysis results are displayed on the webpage, for example, signal noise ratio, bit error rate, and statistical analysis chart/table of variation values, but are not limited thereto. Moreover, the statistical analysis result can be stored in the server 43 for the relevant personnel as the basis for controlling the degree of deterioration of the network.

For example, in the electronic map shown in FIG. 3, the light spot L is connected to a plurality of amplifiers A and E1 to E4, wherein the communication medium B has a communication level of the first level, and the communication medium G has a communication level of the second level. The level of the communication medium is well understood by those skilled in the art and will not be described here. Therefore, the maintenance personnel can know the communication level of each communication medium from the figure. Avoid situations such as poor communication or interruption.

In addition, the server 43 of the head end device 4 can also preset a plurality of warning points (such as warning threshold values of each type of warning, etc.), when each warning type exceeds or falls below the alarm point, for example, : The signal noise ratio is too low, the bit error rate is too high, the variation value is too high, the number of off-line users is too high, or the number of on-line users is too low, etc., the servo of the head end device 4 The device 43 can specifically note or issue a warning message to remind the relevant personnel to monitor the values of the types of warnings to avoid communication or interruption.

The main features of the preferred embodiment of the fault monitoring method for the cable television architecture of the present invention are as follows: First, each data terminal 3 periodically returns the plurality of reward parameters via the reward node 2 to The management device 1, the reward parameter is: a device number (such as a MAC, etc.) of each data terminal 3, a warning type (such as SNR, BER, or FLAP, etc.), an occurrence time, and the like; and then, the head end device 4 Obtaining the reward parameter from the management device 1; then, the head end device 4 determines the fault location according to the data terminal 3 that has not returned the reward parameter, and converts the fault location into the content of the monitoring webpage; The headend device 4 can perform statistical analysis on the number of warning types of the reward parameter, and display the statistical analysis result in the monitoring webpage.

Therefore, the network administrator of the cable television system can control the working status of all the data terminals 3 and the communication medium in real time by the monitoring webpage; and when the data terminal 3 or the communication medium fails, the network management personnel can immediately transmit the fault location. Regularly browse the monitoring webpage to maintenance personnel or maintenance personnel to shorten the troubleshooting time and improve the fault repair time. Effectively, reduce the amount of customer complaints from cable TV subscribers to cable TV systems. Moreover, according to the result of statistical analysis of the reward parameter according to the type of warning, it can be alerted whether the data communication status is abnormal, and the relevant personnel are used as a reference for monitoring the fault state of the equipment and the degree of network degradation.

The preferred embodiment of the fault monitoring method for the cable television architecture of the present invention can instantly know the fault locations of all communication media and terminal devices, thereby achieving the functions of "instant control system working state" and "improving fault repair time". .

While the invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments described above, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The technical scope of the invention is protected, and therefore the scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

1‧‧‧Management device

11‧‧‧ Controller

12‧‧‧Light exchanger

13‧‧‧ Receiver

14‧‧‧First monitor

15‧‧‧Second monitor

16‧‧‧Transmitter

17‧‧‧Optical Receiver

18‧‧‧Differentiator

19‧‧‧ Third monitor

2‧‧‧Return node

3,3a~3e‧‧‧data terminal

4‧‧‧ head device

41‧‧‧ Cable Monitor

42‧‧‧ router

43‧‧‧Server

44‧‧‧Video transmitter

A‧‧‧Amplifier

B, G‧‧‧ communication media

E1~E4‧‧Amplifier

L‧‧‧ spot

R‧‧‧ node ring

T‧‧‧ node tree

U‧‧‧ upstream communication medium

S1‧‧‧Setting steps

S2‧‧‧Collection steps

S3‧‧‧ judgment steps

S4‧‧‧ Analysis steps

FIG. 1 is a system architecture diagram of a preferred embodiment of a fault monitoring method for a cable television architecture of the present invention.

2 is a flow chart of a preferred embodiment of a fault monitoring method for a cable television architecture of the present invention.

Figure 3: Schematic diagram of the fault location of the preferred embodiment of the present invention displayed on an electronic map.

S1‧‧‧Setting steps

S2‧‧‧Collection steps

S3‧‧‧ judgment steps

S4‧‧‧ Analysis steps

Claims (9)

A fault monitoring method for a cable television architecture, the cable television architecture includes a management device, a plurality of reward nodes, a plurality of data terminals, and a head end device, wherein the management device and the plurality of return nodes are interconnected to form a network structure Each of the reporting nodes is connected to the at least one data terminal, and the head end device is connected to the management device. The fault monitoring method includes the following steps: each data terminal periodically returns a plurality of reward parameters to the management device via the reward node; The device obtains the reward parameter from the management device; and the head end device determines at least one fault location according to the data terminal that does not return the reward parameter, and converts the fault location into a content of the monitoring webpage. The fault monitoring method for a cable television architecture according to claim 1, wherein the reward parameter includes a device number of the data terminal. The fault monitoring method for the cable television architecture described in claim 2, wherein the device number is a network card number. The fault monitoring method for a cable television architecture according to claim 1, wherein the reward parameter includes a plurality of alert types, and the head end device performs statistical analysis on the plurality of alert types, and is in the monitoring webpage. The statistical analysis result is displayed. The fault monitoring method for a cable television architecture as described in claim 4, wherein the alert type includes a signal noise ratio, a bit element Error rate and a variation value. The fault monitoring method for a cable television architecture according to claim 5, wherein the mutation value is incremented by one if the number of times the data terminal abnormally accesses the network is incremented by one. The fault monitoring method for the cable television architecture described in claim 5, wherein if the data terminal cannot return the data consecutively for a number of warnings, the variation value is incremented by one. The fault monitoring method for a cable television architecture according to claim 5, wherein the variation value is incremented by one if the number of times the transmission power adjusted by the cable data machine is greater than 3 dB is incremented by one. The fault monitoring method for a cable television architecture according to claim 1, wherein the head end device determines a fault location of the data terminal according to the reward parameter, and displays the fault location on an electronic map.