Systems for managing power from a power source, access networks,methods for controlling a line-powered network element of an access network, methods for provisioning a service in a telecommunications network and computer readable mediums

A system for managing power from a power source, an access network, a method for controlling network components for powering a line of a network, a method for providing a service in a remote communication network, and a computer readable Media

The present invention relates to remote communication. In particular, it relates to the power in the network components that are managed by the line.

The remote communication network transmits signals between user devices at different locations. A telematics network typically includes a number of switching elements that provide selectable routing of signals between network elements. In addition, the teleconferencing network includes communication media such as twisted pairs, fiber optic cables, coaxial cables, or similar devices that transmit the signals between switches. Furthermore, some telematics networks include access networks.

For the purposes of this specification, the term "access network" means a portion of a remote communication network such as the public switched telephone network that allows the user's device or device to connect to a core network. For example, an access network is located within the cable equipment and equipment typically located in a central office or external equipment room, which provides services directly to users in a service area. The access network provides an interface between the user service endpoint and the communication network providing the given service. An access network typically contains many network elements. A network component is a device or device in an access network that provides the service interfaces for the provided remote communication service. A network element can be a single device or can be spread across multiple devices.

Access to the network has many traditional forms. For example, the digital loop carrier is an early form of access network. The conventional digital loop carrier transmits signals to the user equipment and transmits signals from the user equipment by means of two network elements. At the core network end, a central office is provided. The central office is connected to the remote endpoint via a high speed digital link, such as a number of T1 lines or other suitable high speed digital transmission media. The remote end of the digital loop carrier is typically connected to the user via a conventional twisted pair.

A remote terminal of a digital loop carrier is typically placed deep within the customer service area. The remote terminal typically has line cards and other electronic circuitry that requires power for proper operation. In some applications, the remote terminal is powered in a regional manner. Unfortunately, in order to prevent errors in remote terminals due to power loss in the area, a local battery device is typically used. The use of a local battery device adds cost and complicates the maintainability of the remote terminal due to the external mounting operating conditions that are specified for a wide range of temperature ranges.

In some networks, the remote terminal feeds power through a line from the central office. This is called line feed or line power and can be done by using an AC or a DC source. Therefore, if the local power source fails, the remote terminal is powered because the power source of a spare battery is typically used to pass through the line, so the remote terminal is still operating. This allows the remote terminal to provide important functions such as the Plain Old-fashioned Telephone Service, even during a power failure.

As time has changed, the different service systems offered over long-distance communication networks have changed. Initially, these long-distance communication networks were designed to carry narrow-band voice communication data. Recently, these network systems have been modified to provide broadband services. These broadband services include services such as digital subscriber loop services. As time progresses, other broadband services will also be offered. These new services are often accompanied by increased power requirements.

The services provided have changed, however the way in which the power to the remote terminals has been provided has not changed. The different service systems offered today are not at the same foothold. Unlike the simple old-fashioned telephone service of the important line, today's data service is typically not considered a necessity. Moreover, even among other broadband services, there is a spectrum of variables that affect the service level desired by a given user and the service that the user wants to pay. Despite these changes in service delivery, the manner in which power is provided to the access device has not changed to keep pace with the progress of the service.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for improvements in the manner in which power is provided to a network element in an access network.

Embodiments of the present invention solve the problem by providing power to a network element in an access network. In particular, embodiments of the present invention provide power management for line powered network components. Power management is accomplished by a power manager that provides a power controller associated with the network component based on a monitored power condition, at least one power used to control operation of the network component condition. When the power system is lost or degraded, the power controller takes appropriate action, such as reducing power consumption, shutting down the service, and ensuring compliance with a service level agreement for a particular service provided on the network element.

In particular, one embodiment of the present invention provides a system for managing power used by a power source for network elements powered by at least one line in an access network. The system includes a power manager that establishes at least one power condition for the at least one network element. Furthermore, the system provides a power controller that responds to the power manager. The power controller and the power manager are in communication with one another to manage operation of the at least one network element in accordance with the at least one power condition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the following detailed description, reference should be made to the claims The embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is understood that other embodiments can be used and logically and mechanically, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Both electrical and electrical changes can be implemented.

Embodiments of the present invention provide for the management of network elements powered by lines in an access network. Many embodiments are described below. In summary, different embodiments manage the operation of the line power network components based on selectable power conditions, such as available power, power headroom, service priority, or service levels of different users. Terms of the agreement. In general, a power manager establishes the power conditions of the managed network element and the services provided on the managed network element. A power controller is in communication with the power manager and uses the power condition to control the operation of the network element based on the monitored state of the network element. For example, when the power system disappears or the quality is degraded, for example, when the component of the network component is placed in the low power mode, the function is disabled, or the service system is selectively turned off, the network component This operation is selectively adjusted.

The power-based management of network elements provides many of the advantages of this operation of accessing the network. First, the managed power system creates a higher efficiency that allows for overall power savings. This conversion is a cost savings. Moreover, high power efficiency allows a network component to be in a larger range of customer service areas. When the power headroom is designed in a power-managed access network, the service interval can also be scheduled or delayed during the extended period. In addition, the power management system can ensure that priority services are maintained during component failures or computer equipment failures, for example, by shutting down a controlled component based on the priority of the service and the timeout event. Finally, the power management at the network element allows for the flexibility of differentiated services. For example, when a power failure results in a switch to a battery backup power source, a selected data service system having an intermediate priority level can be provided to operate during a selected period.

Many embodiments are described in the different paragraphs below. Paragraph I provides an overview of the management of line-powered network components in an access network. Paragraph II describes a number of specific embodiments that display different options regarding the location of the power source, the location of the power controller, and the form of the access network being managed. Finally, paragraph III describes the overall management of network elements in an access network. In this embodiment, network components from different vendors are managed according to a consistent mechanism through different component management systems.

Introduction

1 is a block diagram indicating an embodiment of system 100 for managing power in a line powered network component 102. The network component 102 is a network component disposed in an access network of a remote communication network. The terms network element and access network are defined as above. Network element 102 is typically located deep within the access network. In one embodiment, the network component 102 includes a copper feeder remote terminal. In other embodiments, the network component 102 includes a fiber feeder remote terminal, such as a fiber to the curb (FTTC), a fiber to the node (FTTN), and a fiber to the home ( Fiber to the home, FTTH) access network.

Advantageously, operation of network element 102 is managed in response to at least one power condition in response to a change in power conditions at network element 102 to allow even when the power system transmitted to network element 102 drops. The services selected were maintained at certain levels. This ability to manage the operation of a network element based on power conditions allows the service provider to have the ability to comply with service level agreements (SLAs) in the face of reduced power.

Power manager 104 and power controller 106 manage network element 102. In one embodiment, power controller 106 is disposed with network element 102. In other embodiments, power controller 106 is not disposed with network element 102. Even when power controller 106 is not placed with network element 102, the power switching functionality described below is done at network element 102 based on input from power controller 106. This applies to each of the embodiments described below, in which the functionality of the power controller is not set with the managed network element.

In one embodiment, the power manager 104 provides the power controller 106 with the at least one power condition to manage the network element 102 based on the input 105. In one embodiment, the input 105 is provided to the power manager 104 as part of the stream via a service provided by the network element 102, such as a pass through the network element 102 to provide a The user's new digital subscriber loop service. Advantageously, a predictable service capable of providing service assurance is generated via a flow system that provides power conditions that are connected to the conditions of service provision. In other embodiments, input 105 is provided to power manager 104 via, for example, a graphical user interface to establish power conditions for a service being offered. In yet another embodiment, input 105 is received upstream by network element 102. In this case, input 105 is triggered by an event such as the setting of the network element in the access network or the assertion at network element 102.

Power source 108 provides power to network element 102 via a power conducting medium 110. In one embodiment, the power conducting medium 110 is also used to carry communications signals to the network element 102. In one embodiment, the power conducting medium 110 includes a single communication link. In other embodiments, the power conducting medium 110 includes a plurality of communication links. Advantageously, the use of a plurality of lines to transfer power to a power managed network component provides a robust power transfer interface with high usability. For example, the use of a plurality of lines allows a system to be designed with sufficient headroom to maintain service despite power losses through any given line.

The network component 102 provides communication services to a number of users via the subscriber wiring 112. For example, in one embodiment, network element 102 provides a Plain Old-fashioned Telephone Service, a digital subscriber loop service, or other suitable communication service to the subscriber via subscriber line 112.

In operation, the power manager 104 manages the operation of the network element 102 based at least in part on the power conditions of a power control hierarchy. The power manager provides power conditions to the power controller 106 to manage the operation of the network element 102. When a line power system fails or the quality drops, the power controller 106 performs one of a number of power saving options. First, if the system has sufficient power headroom built in, the power controller is able to maintain all services. If the system is not built with sufficient power headroom, the power controller 106 can reduce service performance by implementing different power saving functions for the offered service. For example, the power controller 106 implements a power saving function that includes the following items and is not limited to: turning off (or reducing power consumption) the network side physical interface, the client side physical interface, the area network, ringing Supply, limit the power in the Analog Front End (AFE) device, enter the low power mode of the processor, and limit the central processing unit of the built-in functions (such as asynchronous transfer mode switching, packet switching) and other digital devices. If the power saving function is not sufficient, the power controller starts with the service with the lowest priority service and selectively shuts down the service. For example, in one embodiment, the plain old telephone service has the highest priority, while the other services are first shut down so that the service of the important line can continue to operate.

In another embodiment, the power controller 106 is powered by a service level agreement based on the services provided at the network element 102. For example, a selected service may be provided to stay for a selected period after the power failure results in switching to a battery backup at power source 108. Similarly, other service level agreements can be monitored and maintained through the power controller 106 and appropriate power conditions. Other embodiments

Figures 2 through 5 show a number of embodiments of the power management organization to which the above-described reference to Figure 1 is applied. In each of these embodiments, many power controllers and many power supplies are shown. For example, Figure 2 shows two power supplies; one is in the access network and the other is outside the access network. In a typical embodiment, although it is possible to use a plurality of power sources, a power source is provided at one of the two identifiable locations. Furthermore, Figure 2 shows the power controller on each of the network elements in the access network, and a power controller outside the access network. In a typical embodiment, the power controller is located on one of the network elements, or in a plurality of modules distributed over a plurality of network elements, or the power controller is located in the access device. Outside the network. However, as described above, even when the power controller is not located above the managed network component, the power switching function is performed on the network component under the control of the power controller.

Finally, Figures 2 through 5 show the use of power management for line-powered network components in different access networks. It should be understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited by the illustrated access network, but is intended to cover any suitable access network architecture as is currently known or later developed. These drawings are described below in order.

2 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a system labeled 200 for managing power in a line power network component 202 in an access network 204. In this embodiment, power manager 206 manages network element 202 in accordance with at least one power condition via one or more power controllers 208, 210 and 212. In this embodiment, the access network 204 includes two network elements; network elements 202 and 203. Network element 202 is comprised of a line powered network element. In one embodiment, network element 202 is a remote terminal and network element 203 is a central office terminal in a digital subscriber loop system. Network element 202 provides an interface to a user device, such as a digital subscriber loop, and network element 203 provides an interface to a network, such as a data network such as the Internet.

In one embodiment, power manager 206 is an example of a power management application executing on one of an Element Management System (EMS). The power management application includes machine readable instructions stored on a machine readable medium for execution on the processor to implement a method of the power manager 206. For the purposes of this specification, a component management system is a management of a plurality of network elements in an access network having one or more access networks and such as a central office terminal, a remote terminal, and the like. The function of the system. The function of a component management system includes: provision of functions, state performance monitoring, warning of important functions, generation of reports, charts and many other functions. The human interface for component management system 212 typically includes a graphical user interface. In one embodiment, the component management system 212 provides an example of a plurality of power managers 206. Each of these examples is in the form of the same or different power management functions.

The power manager 206 establishes at least one power condition to control the services provided by the network element 202. In one embodiment, database 214 is coupled to component management system 212 and power manager 206. The database 214 stores information about the available power conditions for the network elements used to manage the line power. When a service is provided, the power manager 206 selects at least one power condition from the database 214. In one embodiment, the selected at least one power condition in the database 214 is combined with the service provided on the network element 202.

Power manager 206 communicates with one or more power controllers 208, 210 and 211 via a management interface. The management interface is implemented in any known or later developed management interface, such as the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) or other suitable management interface.

In one embodiment, the power controller's function and power controller 210 resides on the network element 202. Therefore, the power controller 210 is directly provided by the communication interface of the power manager 206 through the management interface. The information provided is stored in a repository 224 that is integrated with the power controller 210. Furthermore, the power controller 210 directly transmits the warning information of the status to the power manager 206 through the management interface. The power controller 210 also controls the operation of the network element 202 based on at least one of the power conditions provided in the database 224.

In other embodiments, power controller 211 or 208 implements the functionality of the power controller with its associated databases 226 and 228, respectively. In yet another embodiment, the power controller functions include modules that extend between two or more of the power controllers 208, 210, and 211.

In one embodiment, power controllers 208, 210, and 211 are implemented as machine readable instructions stored on a machine readable medium and executed in a built-in processor.

Power is provided to network element 202 by one or more power sources 216,218. For example, when power source 216 is used, power is injected into one power conducting medium 220. The power is further transmitted to the network element 202 via the power conducting medium 222. In one embodiment, the power conducting medium 220 and the power conducting medium 222 also carry the communication and distribution data to the access network 204 and transmit the communication and circulation data from the access network. In one embodiment, each of the power conducting medium 220 and the power conducting medium 222 includes a plurality of communication lines. In other embodiments, the power is provided via a separate medium from the communication medium. In other embodiments, the power source is located within access network 204 as indicated by power source 218.

In operation, power manager 206 manages operation of network element 202 in accordance with at least one power condition. The power manager 206 selects and provides the at least one power condition to one or more of the power controllers 208, 210 and 211 based on the data in the database 214 to manage the operation of the network element 202.

In one embodiment, the power manager 206 establishes the at least one power condition as part of a "flow" supply for a service provided by the network element 202. The power manager 206 establishes the at least one power condition by explicit or implicit selection. Implicit selection is achieved by combining selected power conditions or a "power profile" and a form of service. Thus, when the service to be provided is selected, the power condition or power profile associated with the service is automatically circulated to the network element to which the service is provided. For example, the plain old telephone service is designed to inherit the service characteristics of important lines from a preset power profile. The power profile is established, for example, by the simple old-fashioned telephone service having the highest priority and thus being the service that was eventually abandoned when the power system was dropped or missed. When an easy old telephone service is provided, the power manager 206 transmits parameters for the power profile to the appropriate power controllers 208, 210 and/or 211. The power profiles are stored in the associated database, such as databases 228, 224 and/or 226, respectively. Alternatively, the explicit provisioning is accomplished by selectively combining a service and at least one electrical condition or power profile through, for example, a user of the component management system.

The power controller, such as provided by power controller 208, monitors the operation of network element 202. If the power system drops or fails, the power controller 208 detects and reports the power condition and performs any necessary adjustments to the operation of the network element 202 based on the current power condition. For example, in one embodiment, power controller 208 shuts down the service according to a priority mechanism until the appropriate power consumption is reached. Any appropriate priority mechanism can be used. For example, priority based on service form, port number, service level agreement, random, or other suitable mechanism. In other embodiments, the power controller 208 is tied to the network component 202 in a low power mode. The use of low power mode can also be implemented according to a priority mechanism.

3 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a system labeled 300 for managing power in a line power network component 302 in a ring network 304. In one embodiment, the ring network 304 includes a Synchronous Optical NETwork (SONET) or a Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) ring. In other embodiments, ring network 304 is any other suitable network. Network element 302 is managed in a manner similar to that described above with respect to network element 202 of FIG. In one embodiment, network element 2 and network element 4 are also line powered and can be managed in a manner similar to network element 302. Moreover, in one embodiment, the line power to the network elements is provided via a different power transmission medium than the communication medium. For example, the signal is communicated by circumventing the ring of the access network 304 using a fiber optic cable, wherein the power is distributed through a copper-based medium.

Figure 4 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a system labeled 400 for managing power in a line-powered network component 402 through a repeater 405 in the access network 404. . In this embodiment, in the access network 404, the one or more repeaters 405 transmit power and communication signals to the network component 402. Network element 402 is managed in a manner similar to that described above with respect to network element 202 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a system labeled 500 for managing power in a line-powered network component 502 of linear network 504. Network element 502 is managed in a manner similar to that described above with respect to network element 202 of FIG. In one embodiment, network element 1, network element 2, and network element 3 are also line powered and may be managed in a manner similar to network element 502.

Overall power management

Figure 6 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a system labeled 600 for managing overall power in a plurality of network elements in an access network 604. Access network 604 includes a plurality of network elements represented as network elements 602 and 603. Network elements 602 and 603 are used to communicate between a user and a network such as the Internet or a public switched telephone network. In one embodiment, the access network 604 provides services such as digital subscriber loops and plain old telephone services to users.

System 600 uses overall power manager 606 to manage the operation of a number of line-powered network elements represented as network elements 602 and 603. Advantageously, system 600 manages the network elements 602 and 603 to implement an overall power management even if the network elements are produced by different manufacturers and managed by different component management systems. mechanism. Moreover, the overall power management system allows centralized management of the power consumption of a plurality of network elements in an access network even when the access network includes a different component management system.

Figure 6 shows the overall power management for a line-powered network component using an example. The example has two line-powered network components, each of which is managed by a different component. Controlled by the system. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, any number of line powered network components and any suitable number of component management systems can be utilized. Thus, embodiments having two component management systems and two line powered network components are presented by way of example and not by way of limitation.

In the illustrated embodiment, the overall power manager 606 communicates with the power managers 607 and 609 on the component management systems 612 and 613, respectively, through an appropriate management interface. The overall power manager 606 includes an example of an overall power management application executing on a processor of the network management system 614. The overall power manager 606 establishes power conditions for execution of services on the network elements 602 and 603 based on an overall view of the power demand of the network. Moreover, the overall power manager 606 receives status, warnings, and other information from network elements 602 and 603. These power conditions are established in a dominant or implicit manner as described above with reference to Figure 2. In one embodiment, the power profile is used in part to allow for the provision of the power condition as a condition for traffic to services on network elements 602 and 603.

Power managers 607 and 609 further manage the operation of network elements 602 and 603, respectively. Power managers 607 and 609 are an example of power management applications executing on the processors of component management systems 612 and 613. In this example, power manager 607 communicates power conditions with power controller 620 to control network element 602. Moreover, power manager 609 is in communication with power controller 622 to control network element 603.

Power source 608 is coupled to network elements 602 and 603 via common power conducting media such as communication lines 610 and 611, respectively. In other embodiments, power source 608 provides power to network elements 602 and 603 through a separate medium.

In operation, the overall power manager 606 manages the operation of the network elements 602 and 603 through the power managers 607 and 609 and the power controllers 620 and 622 in accordance with the provided power conditions. The power conditions are provided to power controllers 620 and 622 for service provided on network elements 602 and 603. These power conditions are provided in a dominant or implicit manner. Once provided, power controllers 620 and 622 monitor their associated network elements 602 and 603. When the power system fails or falls, the power controllers 620 and 622 turn off the service according to the provided power conditions, for example, according to the priority provided, and enter a low power mode or other suitable action according to the available power level. The operations of network elements 602 and 603 are managed separately.

<p>100 system</p><p>102Network components</p><p>104Power Manager</p><p>105Enter</p><p>106Power Controller</p><p>108Power supply</p><p>110Power transmission media</p><p>112User Wiring</p><p>200 system</p><p>202Network components</p><p>203Network components</p><p>204Access to the network</p><p>206Power Manager</p><p>208Power Controller</p><p>210Power Controller</p><p>211Power Controller</p><p>212Power Controller</p><p>214Database</p><p>216Power supply</p><p>218Power supply</p><p>220Power transmission media</p><p>222Power transmission media</p><p>224Database</p><p>226Database</p><p>228Database</p><p>300 system</p><p>302Network components</p><p>304Ring network</p><p>400 system</p><p>402Network components</p><p>404Access to the Internet</p><p>405Repeat</p><p>500 system</p><p>502Network components</p><p>504Linear network</p><p>600 system</p><p>602Network components</p><p>603Network components</p><p>604 access to the network</p><p>606 Overall Power Manager</p><p>607Power Manager</p><p>608Power supply</p><p>609Power Manager</p><p>610Communication line</p><p>611Communication line</p><p>612Component Management System</p><p>613Component Management System</p><p>614Network Management System</p><p>622Power Controller</p>

Figure 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a system for managing power in a line powered network component; Figure 2 is for managing a line supply in a star connection network A block diagram of another embodiment of a system of power in a network element; and FIG. 3 is another system for managing power in a line-powered network component of a ring network A block diagram of an embodiment; FIG. 4 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a system for managing power in a network component powered by a repeater; FIG. 5 is for A block diagram of another embodiment of a system for managing power in a line-powered network component of a ring network in a linear network; Figure 6 is for use in an access network A block diagram of another embodiment of a system for managing power in a plurality of network elements.