U.S. patent application number 17/177504 was filed with the patent office on 2021-07-01 for disturbance detection for transport links.
The applicant listed for this patent is Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ). Invention is credited to Stefan Hakansson, Jonas Hansryd, Mohamed Mustafa, Patrik Olesen, Martin Sjodin.
Application Number | 20210204150 17/177504 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005447819 |
Filed Date | 2021-07-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210204150 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sjodin; Martin ; et
al. |
July 1, 2021 |
Disturbance Detection for Transport Links
Abstract
The method comprises sampling transport data received on the
transport link to determine properties of the transport link. The
method comprises detecting the disturbance of the transport link
based on the determined properties of the transport link. The
method comprises, responsive to the detecting the disturbance,
determining, based on the sampled received transport data, the
cause of the disturbance. The method further comprises, responsive
to detecting the disturbance, refraining from transmitting an
indication of the disturbance or transmitting the indication of the
disturbance with an instruction for resolving the disturbance.
Inventors: |
Sjodin; Martin; (Goteborg,
SE) ; Hakansson; Stefan; (Hisings Backa, SE) ;
Hansryd; Jonas; (Goteborg, SE) ; Olesen; Patrik;
(Floda, SE) ; Mustafa; Mohamed; (Goteborg,
SE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) |
Stockholm |
|
SE |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005447819 |
Appl. No.: |
17/177504 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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16017325 |
Jun 25, 2018 |
10932144 |
|
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17177504 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 24/04 20130101;
H04W 24/10 20130101; H04W 24/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04W 24/04 20060101
H04W024/04 |
Claims
1. An operations controller for receiving a disturbance of a
transport link, the operations controller comprising: a processor;
and memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the
processor whereby the operations controller is configured to:
monitor the transport link; and receive an indication of the
disturbance on the transport link and an instruction for resolving
the disturbance, wherein the instruction for resolving the
disturbance is based on a cause of the disturbance determined from
sampled transport data received on the transport link.
2. The operations controller of claim 1, wherein the instructions
executable by the processor further configures the operations
controller to adjust operation of the transport link responsive to
the indication of the disturbance.
3. The operations controller of claim 1, wherein the instructions
executable by the processor further configures the operations
controller to refrain from transmitting an indication by
suppressing a warning indication of a declined performance for
transport data transmitted on the transport link.
4. The operations controller of claim 1, wherein the instructions
executable by the processor further configures the operations
controller to receive the transport data and sample a subset of the
transport data at predetermined intervals.
5. The operations controller of claim 1, wherein the cause of the
disturbance is caused by liquids or solids in the path of the
transport link.
6. The operations controller of claim 1, wherein the cause of the
disturbance is malfunction of equipment at an endpoint of the
transport link, and wherein the instructions executable by the
processor further configures the operations controller to transmit
the instruction that is related to the malfunction of the
equipment.
7. The operations controller of claim 1, wherein the cause of the
disturbance is movement of the transmitter or receiver at an
endpoint of the transport link, and wherein the instructions
executable by the processor further configures the operations
controller to transmit the instruction that is related to
correcting the movement of the transmitter or receiver.
8. The operations controller of claim 1, wherein the cause of the
disturbance is a temporary obstacle in the path of the transport
link, and wherein the instructions executable by the processor
further configures the operations controller to selectively
determine whether to refrain from sending the indication or
transmit the indication with an instruction related to increasing
the transmission power of an end point of the transport link.
9. The operations controller of claim 1, wherein the instructions
executable by the processor further configures the operations
controller to detect the disturbance of the transport link by
comparing the properties of the received transport data to classes
of learned channel conditions.
10. The operations controller of claim 9, wherein the instructions
executable by the processor further configures the operations
controller to sample transport data received on the transport link
and form a vector of channel conditions to determine properties of
the transport link.
11. The operations controller of claim 10 wherein to detect the
disturbance, the instructions executable by the processor further
configures the operations controller to classify the vector as a
particular channel condition.
12. The operations controller of claim 9, wherein the classes of
learned channel conditions are based on a sampling of received
transport data on other transport links.
13. The operations controller of claim 12, wherein the instructions
executable by the processor further configures the operations
controller to select the other transport links based on their
proximity to the transport link or proximity to an environmental
feature.
14. The operations controller of claim 12, wherein the classes of
learned channel conditions are based on sampling of other received
transport data received on the transport link.
15. The operations controller of claim 1, wherein the properties of
the transport link include an attenuation of the transport
link.
16. The operations controller of claim 15, wherein the properties
of the transport link further include a quality of a received
signal associated with the received transport data on the transport
link.
17. The operations controller of claim 16, wherein the instructions
executable by the processor further configures the operations
controller to sample one or more of a received power, a
transmission power, and a mean square error (MSE) associated with
the received transport data.
18. A method of receiving a disturbance of a transport link, the
method comprising: monitoring or controlling the transport link;
and receiving an indication of the disturbance on the transport
link and an instruction for resolving the disturbance, wherein the
instruction for resolving the disturbance is based on a cause of
the disturbance determined from sampled transport data received on
the transport link.
19. The method of claim 17, further comprising, responsive to the
indication of the disturbance, adjusting the operation of the
transport link.
20. A disturbance detection apparatus for detecting a disturbance
of a transport link: the method comprising: a processor; and
memory, the memory containing instructions executable by the
processor whereby the disturbance detection apparatus is configured
to: sample transport data received on the transport link to
determine properties of the transport link; detect the disturbance
of the transport link based on the determined properties of the
transport link; and responsive to detecting the disturbance:
determine, based on the sampled transport data, the cause of the
disturbance; and refrain from transmitting an indication of the
disturbance or an instruction for resolving the disturbance.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 16/017,325, filed 25 Jun. 2018, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to detection of
disturbance on a transport link, and more particularly, to the
detection of disturbance to a microwave transport link.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Microwave transmission is used for communication in a wide
variety of applications, including satellite transmission, backbone
carriers for cellular networks, long-distance communication,
short-range indoor communication, etc. A microwave link in a
communication system is a beam of radio waves in the microwave
frequency range used to transmit video, audio or other data between
two locations. Microwaves have short wavelength that allows
direction of communication in narrow beams. However, microwave
transmission is limited in that it is line-of-sight communication
unable to pass around obstacles, e.g. hills or mountains. For
instance, antenna equipment used for long-distance microwave
transmission is installed in elevated locations and must have a
pathway that is free of obstacles. Consequently environmental
factors can affect the performance of microwave links. For
instance, microwave links are sensitive to rain, or water in the
atmosphere, pollen, solar flares, sand storms, etc. Microwave links
are also sensitive to equipment changes such as a swaying sender or
receiver. Operators at Network Operations Centers (NOC) monitor the
performance of microwave links and receive warnings if performance
declines whether or not the cause of the declining performance is
an obstacle that the operators can control.
SUMMARY
[0004] One or more embodiments herein are useful for improving the
maintenance and operation of transport links (e.g., microwave
transport links). In particular, in one or more embodiments a
disturbance of a transport link is detected. An operator monitoring
the performance of a transport link (e.g., at a Network Operations
Center) is informed of an obstacle in the path of the transport
link in order to change the operation of the transport link or fix
equipment associated with the transport link.
[0005] Embodiments herein include a method of detecting a
disturbance of a transport link. The method comprises sampling
transport data received on the transport link to determine
properties of the transport link (e.g., a received power or
attenuation of the link carrying the transport data). The method
comprises detecting the disturbance (e.g., a heavy rain or swaying
equipment) of the transport link based on the determined properties
of the transport link. The method comprises responsive to the
detecting the disturbance determining, based on the sampled
received transport data, the cause of the disturbance. The method
further comprises refraining from transmitting an indication of the
disturbance (e.g., suppressing a warning message of the
disturbance). Alternatively, the method comprises transmitting the
indication of the disturbance with an instruction for resolving the
disturbance (e.g., to stabilize the equipment).
[0006] In one or more embodiments, the refraining from transmitting
an indication comprises suppressing a warning indication of a
declined performance for transport data transmitted on the
transport link.
[0007] In one or more embodiments, the method further comprises
receiving the transport data and sampling a subset of the transport
data at predetermined intervals.
[0008] In one or more embodiments, the cause of the disturbance is
caused by liquids or solids in the path of the transport link.
[0009] In one or more embodiments, the cause of the disturbance is
malfunction of the equipment at an endpoint of the transport link,
and the method comprises transmitting the indication of the
disturbance with an instruction related to the malfunction of the
equipment.
[0010] In one or more embodiments, the cause of the disturbance is
movement of the transmitter or receiver at an endpoint of the
transport link, and the method comprises transmitting the
indication of the disturbance with an instruction related to
correcting the movement of the transmitter or receiver.
[0011] In one or more embodiments, the cause of the disturbance is
a temporary obstacle in the path of the transport link, and the
method comprises selectively determining whether to refrain from
sending the indication or transmit the indication with an
instruction related to increasing the transmission power of an end
point of the transport link.
[0012] In one or more embodiments, the detecting comprises
comparing the properties of the received transport data to classes
of learned channel conditions.
[0013] In one or more embodiments, the sampling comprises forming a
vector of channel conditions, and detecting the disturbance
comprises classifying the vector as a particular channel
condition.
[0014] In one or more embodiments, the classes of learned channel
conditions are based on sampling of received transport data on
other transport links. For instance, in one or more embodiments,
the other transport links are selected based on their proximity to
the transport link or proximity to an environmental feature.
[0015] In one or more embodiments, the classes of learned channel
conditions are based on sampling of other received transport data
received on the transport link.
[0016] In one or more embodiments, the properties of the transport
link include an attenuation of the transport link. In one or more
embodiments, the properties of the transport link further include a
quality of a received signal associated with the received transport
data on the transport link.
[0017] In one or more embodiments, the sampling comprises sampling
one or more of a received power, a transmission power, and a mean
square error (MSE) associated with the received transport data.
[0018] In one or more embodiments, the transport link is a
microwave transport link.
[0019] In one or more embodiments, the transport data is one or
more of audio and video data.
[0020] Embodiments herein include a method of receiving a detected
disturbance of a transport link. The method comprises monitoring or
controlling the transport link; and receiving an indication of the
disturbance on the transport link and an instruction for resolving
the disturbance. The instruction for resolving the disturbance is
based on a cause of the disturbance determined from sampled
properties of transport data received on the transport link.
[0021] In one or more embodiments, the method of receiving a
detected disturbance of the transport link further comprises
responsive to the indication of the disturbance, adjusting the
operation of the transport link.
[0022] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that
embodiments herein further include corresponding computer
programs.
[0023] A computer program comprises instructions which, when
executed on at least one processor of an apparatus, cause the
apparatus to carry out any of the respective processing described
above. A computer program in this regard can comprise one or more
code modules corresponding to the means or units described
above.
[0024] Embodiments further include a carrier containing such a
computer program. This carrier can comprise one of an electronic
signal, optical signal, radio signal, or computer readable storage
medium.
[0025] In this regard, embodiments herein also include a computer
program product stored on a non-transitory computer readable
(storage or recording) medium and comprising instructions that,
when executed by a processor of an apparatus, cause the apparatus
to perform as described above.
[0026] Embodiments further include a computer program product
comprising program code portions for performing the steps of any of
the embodiments herein when the computer program product is
executed by a computing device. This computer program product can
be stored on a computer readable recording medium.
[0027] Additional embodiments will now be described. At least some
of these embodiments can be described as applicable in certain
contexts for illustrative purposes, but the embodiments are
similarly applicable in other contexts not explicitly
described.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 is a system diagram for detecting a disturbance on a
transport link according to an embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a method of detecting a disturbance on a transport
link according to an embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a method of receiving a detected disturbance of a
transport link.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a system diagram for detecting a disturbance on a
transport link according to an embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a disturbance detection apparatus
according to an embodiment.
[0033] FIG. 6 is a diagram of an operations controller according to
an embodiment.
[0034] FIG. 7A is a diagram of a disturbance detection apparatus
according to an embodiment.
[0035] FIG. 7B is a diagram of an operations controller according
to an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] FIG. 1 depicts a system 100 for detecting a disturbance in a
transport link 106. Transmitter 102 and receiver 104 form two end
points for transport link 106 (e.g., a microwave transport link).
Transmitter 102 transmits transport data (e.g., audio or video
data) to receiver 104 over the transport link 106 that forms a
transmission path or link for the transport data.
[0037] A disturbance 108 interferes with the transport link and its
transmission of the transport data. In the system 100 of FIG. 1 the
disturbance is rain, but the disturbance could be any disturbance
which would interfere with the operation of the transport link 106
including temporary obstacles (e.g., equipment of a construction
site), environmental obstacles (e.g. pollen in the air), equipment
malfunction (e.g., transmitter stops transmitting), equipment
instability (e.g., swaying sender or receiver).
[0038] A disturbance detection apparatus 110 of system 100 is used
to detect disturbances on the transport link 106. The disturbance
detection apparatus 110 comprises a sampler 112 that samples
transport data received on the transport link 106 to determine
properties of the transport link. In FIG. 1, the disturbance
detection apparatus 110 samples received power. In one or more
embodiments, other information or properties of the received
transport data is sampled in addition to or instead of received
power. For example, the sampler 112 could sample attenuation, which
is the difference between a transmitted power and a received power
of the transport link 106. Additionally or alternatively, the
sampler is used to sample qualities of signals carrying the
transport data transmitted on the transport link (e.g., a mean
square error). In one or more embodiments, the disturbance
detection apparatus 110 is at an end point of the transport link
for sampler 112 to directly sample the transport data received at
the end point receiver 104. Alternatively, the sampler 112
coordinates with the receiver 104 or equipment at receiver 104 for
receiving samples of the transport data for determining properties
of the transport link 106.
[0039] The disturbance detection apparatus 110 includes a detector
114 for detecting a disturbance on the transport link 106. In the
example of FIG. 1, the detector detects that the received power is
reduced on the transport link 106. However, there could be many
causes of a reduced power on the transport link (e.g., other
disturbances described above). A determiner 116 is used to
determine the cause. In the example of FIG. 1, the determiner,
determines that rain is the cause of the disturbance.
[0040] In one or more embodiments, the disturbance detection
apparatus 110 refrains from transmitting an indication of the
disturbance. For example the determiner 116 determines that
disturbance 108 is a passing rain storm and no further adjustment
of the operation is needed. In this case the disturbance detection
apparatus 110 does not send indication of the disturbance (e.g., a
warning output). Alternatively, the disturbance detection apparatus
110 suppresses an indication of the disturbance.
[0041] In one or more embodiments, the disturbance detection
apparatus 110 transmits an indication of the disturbance with an
instruction for resolving the disturbance. For example, the
disturbance detection apparatus 110 includes an output 118 for
sending an indication of the disturbance (e.g., a warning or an
alarm) with an instruction for resolving the disturbance (e.g.,
increase the transmit power). This output 118 could include, for
instance, one or more interfaces or transmitters for sending the
indication and instruction.
[0042] In one or more embodiments the indication and instruction is
sent to an operations controller 120 that comprises an input 122
for receiving the indication of a disturbance and instruction for
resolving the instruction. For example, the input 122 includes one
or more interfaces or receivers for receiving the indication and
instruction. The operations controller 120 in one or more
embodiments includes an adjuster 124 for adjusting the operation of
the transport link 106. For example, the adjuster 124 can send an
instruction to the transmitter 120 to increase the transmit
power.
[0043] One or more embodiments include a method for detecting a
disturbance of a transport link (e.g., by a disturbance detection
apparatus or system). FIG. 2 shows an example method 200 for
detecting a disturbance of a transport link (e.g., transport link
106). The method 200 includes sampling the transport data received
on the transport link to determine properties of the transport link
106 (e.g., received power) (210). The method 200 includes detecting
the disturbance of the transport link based on the determined
properties of the transport link (220). The method 200 includes
responsive to the detecting the disturbance determining, based on
the sampled transport data, the cause of the disturbance (e.g.,
rain) (230). The method 200 comprises optional or alternative paths
responsive to detecting the disturbance (e.g., based on the cause
of the disturbance). One option is to refrain from transmitting an
indication of the disturbance (250). Another option is to transmit
an indication of the disturbance with an instruction for resolving
the disturbance (240).
[0044] For example, assume a very local, but heavy rain, reduces
the performance (or even causes outage) of a certain transport link
(or a small set of transport links in the same geographical area).
Without the detection apparatus 110, an operator of the transport
link (e.g., at a Network Operations Center (NOC)) would get alarms,
and not know the reason for the alarm. This might in turn make the
operator have the equipment (e.g., transmitter 102 and receiver
104) inspected on site and possibly replace the equipment causing a
lot of extra costs for no gain. One or more embodiments herein
introduce a method for detecting a disturbance of the transport
link and corresponding system or apparatus. In one or more
embodiments, the alarms are suppressed, or the operator informed
about the reason, which allows the operator to take the appropriate
action (e.g. increase transmission power to get good performance
even in the presence of rain).
[0045] In another example, a heavy rain or wind causes the mounting
of the transmitter 102 or receiver 104 to sway causing the
disturbance. In this case the instruction will inform the operator
to take appropriate action (e.g., mount the equipment on a more
stable pole) rather than e.g. replacing working equipment.
[0046] Accordingly, embodiments herein also include a method 300 of
receiving a detected disturbance of a transport link (e.g., to aid
in correcting for the disturbance 108 of transport link 106). The
method comprises monitoring (310) or controlling (320) the
transport link. In one or more embodiments, the monitoring or
controlling is continuous or on-going. The monitoring is, for
instance, monitoring for indications or instructions as described
herein. Additionally, or alternatively the controlling, for
instance, comprises controlling the operation of a transmitter or
receiver of a transport link (e.g., controlling the transmission
power of transmitter 102 of transport link 106 in FIG. 1). The
method comprises receiving an indication of the disturbance on the
transport link and an instruction for resolving the disturbance
(330). The instruction for resolving the disturbance is based on a
cause of the disturbance determined from sampled properties of
transport data received on the transport link.
[0047] Optionally, the method 300 comprises responsive to the
indication of the disturbance, adjusting the operation of the
transport link (340), e.g. by feeding an adjustment to a control of
the transport link. In one or more embodiments, the adjustment
could be automatic in response to the indication of the
disturbance. In alternative embodiments, the adjustment further
comprises waiting to adjust based on aggregating indications of
disturbances (e.g., using performance monitoring counters or PM
counters).
[0048] In one or more embodiments, the detection of a disturbance
comprises comparing the properties of received transport data to
classes of learned channel conditions. For example, the classes of
learned channel conditions can represent properties of channels
impacted by various disturbances (e.g., a channel impacted by rain,
pollen, construction equipment, etc.).
[0049] The classes of learned channel conditions in one embodiment
are based on a series of sampling performed at the primary
transport link and then sampled received transport data is compared
to past sampling on the primary link. Alternatively or
additionally, the classes of learned channel conditions are based
on properties of other secondary transport links as shown in FIG.
4.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 4, the other secondary transport links 410A
and 4108 are selected based on factors to determine transport links
that would behavior similarly in the presence of a disturbance as
the primary transport link 420. For example, the secondary
transport links 410A and 4108 could be selected based on the
proximity to the primary transport link 420. Additionally or
alternatively, the transport links are selected based on their
proximity to an environmental feature (e.g., proximity to a
mountain or lake). As shown in FIG. 4, the secondary transport
links 410A and 410B are geographically close to primary transport
link 420 and have similar trees near the transport link.
[0051] One or more embodiments described herein are useful for
operation and maintenance of transport networks, and in a preferred
embodiment, for microwave links, e.g., the links in FIG. 4, used in
transport networks. Microwave frequencies range from 3 Gigahertz
(GHz) to 300 GHz, which is equivalent to wavelengths between 10 and
0.1 centimeters. Careful placement of the antennas allow for
several links to use the same frequency. This is due to the fact
that the microwave beams are extremely narrow and precisely
oriented, thus not interfering with other beams. Microwave
transmission is done using high frequency which in turn leads to a
high bandwidth. However, due to the high frequency transmission,
the signals have difficulties passing through mountains and other
terrains. Therefore, it is essential to place the antennas
strategically in order to avoid obstacles. Compared to lower radio
frequencies, signals in the microwave range suffer more from
attenuation caused by environmental obstacles (e.g., rain). This
becomes especially apparent at frequencies above 10 GHz. Terrain,
buildings and trees are obstacles that can cause attenuation, thus
the path between the transmitting and receiving antennas must
remain unobstructed. One or more embodiments are useful for
determining an obstruction and resolving the obstruction.
[0052] In one or more embodiments, time series data is taken from a
node of a microwave link and together with metadata (if used) form
a feature vector which is processed by a classifier to determine
the channel conditions/impairments that affect the link. For
instance, the classifier is a machine learning model that has been
trained beforehand using known data which represent the classes of
channel conditions/impairments the classifier should learn to
recognize. After the training has been completed the classifier can
be said to partition the feature vector space into one region per
channel condition/impairment. There is one output node per class,
representing the probability that a feature vector belongs to that
class. When a new feature vector is classified one then assumes
that it belongs to the class whose output node has the largest
value (i.e., highest probability).
[0053] In a preferred embodiment, link attenuation, i.e. the
difference between the transmitted and the received power of a link
is repeatedly sampled every predefined interval (e.g., every 10
seconds) over a fixed time duration (e.g., 6 hours) as input for
the classifier. In other words a subset of the transport data is
sampled at predefined intervals. As another example, received power
is sampled (e.g., in a case where the transmitted power is constant
during the time interval). A high accuracy in identifying the
predefined link behaviors for the network of microwave links is
used to train and test the classifier. Patterns can be recognized
such that the classifier can identify disturbance reasons such as
rain, construction site, multi-path propagation, swaying sender or
receiver. For instance, a particular disturbance can be associated
with a particular extent of decline in link attenuations (e.g., in
a certain threshold range), for a certain amount of time or for
certain periods of time that form a pattern. A transport link that
exhibits a similar pattern is then classified as experiencing (or
having a high probability of experiencing) a similar disturbance.
Thus, properties of the transport link as described herein can be
considered a pattern on the transport link.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 4, each microwave link endpoint of the
secondary transport links 410 is regularly and continuously sampled
for relevant link data (such as received power, transmit power, and
mean square error). The data is collected via a data collector 430
and stored in a persistent storage 440. One of ordinary skill in
the art will appreciate the persistent storage 440 could also be
separate from the data collector 430. A database of suitable kind
(such as MongoDb or InfluxDb) can be used to help administrating
the data, and help querying for data. The data in the persistent
storage 440 is then processed by a machine intelligence (MI)
developed pattern matcher that classifies each link (e.g., a MI
trained model 450), for each time period, as belonging to one or
more pre-defined classes (such as normal, disturbed by rain,
disturbed by multi path fading, disturbed by interference etc.).
This data is then used in combination with network alarms 460 to
determine whether an alarm is due to a problem in the actual
network or network equipment, or due to e.g. heavy rain.
[0055] For example as shown in FIG. 4, a filter 470 is used to
suppress or filter the alarms, such that only a single alarm or
indication of a disturbance 480 goes to an operations controller
120 as described herein. The operations controller 120 is, for
example, at a Network Operations Center.
[0056] The pattern matching processing is repeated regularly (such
as once every minute), but has access to a longer sequence (such as
one hour or six hours) of samples for the link being classified
stored in the persistent storage (which can also be used for manual
inspection if needed to determine the root cause of problems).
Machine learning algorithms provide solutions which are efficient
at analyzing and finding hidden data patterns. Machine learning can
be used to update the classifications. For instance neural
networks, deep neural network (DNN), or convolutional neural
networks (CNNs), an extension of neural networks are types of
machine learning. Classification tasks usually require knowledge
about the data in order for feature extraction by human experts.
CNNs have the advantage of extracting and learning features, thus
not requiring human experts. Time series classification approaches
include for example k-nearest neighbour (k-NN) where k is an
integer and multi-layer perceptron (MLP).
[0057] The normal tools and procedures for operation of transport
links includes use of alarms (and possibly PM Counters) that are
transferred to a "Network Operations Center" (NOC), where operators
look at them and determine if any service action is needed, and if
needed, what service action to perform. Current operation of
microwave links in transport networks does not use such detection
and classification of the reason(s) for disturbances for microwave
links as described herein. This means increased cost and
potentially increased outage for (some of) the link. Accordingly,
one or more embodiments herein can provide advantages including:
[0058] reduce load on personnel (and reduce the need for personnel)
in a Network Operation Center by not presenting alarms that are due
to reasons that are beyond the control of the operator; [0059]
improve the network performance by presenting the probable reason
with alarms, allowing the correct action to be taken; [0060] reduce
the cost of maintaining the transport link due to reducing the
number of site visits by technicians; and [0061] reduce the amount
of hardware returns by identifying that the reason for alarms has
nothing to do with any hardware fault. This can reduce costs not
only for the network owner but also for the equipment provider.
[0062] These advantages are only examples and other advantages will
be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art and in other
contexts beyond microwave transport links. For instance, the
transport link in one or more embodiments is used for other
transport links used to transport data (e.g., audio and video
data). For instance, the transport link in one or more embodiments
is used for non-line-of-sight transport (e.g., in band backhaul) or
is used for wired transport data (e.g., optical fibers).
[0063] Note that the apparatuses described above can perform the
methods herein and any other processing by implementing any
functional means, modules, units, or circuitry. In one embodiment,
for example, the apparatuses comprise respective circuits or
circuitry configured to perform the steps shown in the method
figures. The circuits or circuitry in this regard can comprise
circuits dedicated to performing certain functional processing
and/or one or more microprocessors in conjunction with memory. For
instance, the circuitry can include one or more microprocessor or
microcontrollers, as well as other digital hardware, which can
include digital signal processors (DSPs), special-purpose digital
logic, and the like. The processing circuitry can be configured to
execute program code stored in memory, which can include one or
several types of memory such as read-only memory (ROM),
random-access memory, cache memory, flash memory devices, optical
storage devices, etc. Program code stored in memory can include
program instructions for executing one or more telecommunications
and/or data communications protocols as well as instructions for
carrying out one or more of the techniques described herein, in
several embodiments. In embodiments that employ memory, the memory
stores program code that, when executed by the one or more
processors, carries out the techniques described herein.
[0064] FIG. 5 for example, illustrates an example disturbance
detection apparatus 110 as described herein. As shown, the
disturbance detection apparatus 110 includes processing circuitry
530 and interface circuitry 520. The interface circuitry 520 (e.g.,
radio circuitry) is configured to transmit and/or receive
information to and/or from one or more other nodes, e.g., via any
communication technology. Such communication can occur via one or
more antennas 510 that are either internal or external to the
disturbance detection apparatus 110. For example, the interface
circuitry 520 is configured to receive sampled transport data and
output an indication of a disturbance and an instruction for
resolving the disturbance. The processing circuitry 530 is
configured to perform processing described above, such as by
executing instructions of a program 550 stored in memory 540. The
processing circuitry 530 in this regard can implement certain
functional means, units, or modules.
[0065] FIG. 6 for example, illustrates an example operations
controller 120 as described herein. As shown, the operations
controller 120 includes processing circuitry 630 and interface
circuitry 620. The interface circuitry 620 (e.g., radio circuitry)
is configured to transmit and/or receive information to and/or from
one or more other nodes, e.g., via any communication technology.
Such communication can occur via one or more antennas 610 that are
either internal or external to the operations controller 120. For
example, the interface circuitry 620 is configured to receive an
indication of a disturbance and an instruction for resolving the
disturbance and output an adjustment to a transport link. The
processing circuitry 630 is configured to perform processing
described above, such as by executing instructions of a program 650
stored in memory 640. The processing circuitry 630 in this regard
can implement certain functional means, units, or modules.
[0066] FIG. 7A illustrates a schematic block diagram of a
disturbance detection apparatus 110 according to still other
embodiments. As shown in FIG. 7A, the disturbance detection
apparatus 110 implements various functional means, units, or
modules, e.g., via the processing circuitry 530 in FIG. 5 and/or
via software code. These functional means, units, or modules, e.g.,
for implementing the method(s) herein, include for instance a
sampler unit 560 configured to sample received transport data to
determine properties of the transport link; a detector unit 570
configured to detect the disturbance of the transport link based on
the determined properties of the transport link; a determiner unit
580 configured to determine, based on the sampled transport data,
the cause of the disturbance.
[0067] FIG. 7B illustrates a schematic block diagram of an
operations controller 120 according to still other embodiments. As
shown in FIG. 7B, the operations controller 120 implements various
functional means, units, or modules, e.g., via the processing
circuitry 630 in FIG. 6 and/or via software code. These functional
means, units, or modules, e.g., for implementing the method(s)
herein, include for instance a transmit/receive unit 660 configured
to receive an indication of a disturbance on the transport link and
an instruction for resolving the disturbance and to output any
controls for controlling the operation of the transport link; a
control unit 680 configured to control the transport link; a
monitor unit 670 configured to monitor the transport link. In one
or more embodiments, the operations controller 120 comprises an
adjuster unit 690 configured to responsive to the indication of the
disturbance, adjust the operation of the transport link
[0068] The disturbance detection apparatus 110 is shown in FIGS. 1
and 5 as a single apparatus as an example. However, one of ordinary
skill in the art will appreciate that the components (e.g.,
components 112, 114, 116, and 118) of the disturbance detection
apparatus 110 could be distributed across different apparatus or
network nodes and could be connected via a local network or
reachable via a cellular network or internet network. Thus, the
disturbance detection apparatus 110 is in one or more embodiments
is a system for detecting a disturbance as described herein.
Further, a secure tunnel can be setup between the equipment at the
endpoint of the transport link for getting the sampled data to a
sampler or other analyzer in a secure manner that does not comprise
the security of the transport data.
[0069] Likewise the operations controller 120 is shown in FIGS. 1
and 6 as a single apparatus, as an example. However, one of
ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the components
(e.g., input 122 and adjuster 124) of the operations controller 120
could be distributed across different apparatus or network nodes
and could be connected via a local network or reachable via a
cellular network or internet network. Thus, the operations
controller 120 is in one or more embodiments a system for receiving
an indication of a disturbance as described herein.
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