Communication network and protocol which can efficiently maintain transmission across a disrupted network

US 6,912,196 B1
Filed: 05/15/2000
Issued: 06/28/2005
Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2000
Status: Expired due to Term

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1. A communication system, comprising:

at least two transmission channels; and

a receiving module connected to the transmission channels and having a loop-back conductor which operably connects the two transmission channels and returns a packet containing error bits if one or more of the transmission channels downstream of the receiving module is disturbed, wherein the error bits comprise an error value set by the receiving module if the receiving module fails to receive a null pattern for a length of time exceeding that which is used to send a packet.

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Abstract

A packet architecture, communication system, and method are provided for determining the location at which a network is disrupted, disabled, and/or severed. The packet can contain control bits and error identification bits which note the location at which disturbance exists, and informs the originating module to take alternative path if necessary. The alternative path can be applied to either re-sending the existing packet or sending future packets between certain modules connected to the network, wherein the network preferably includes one or more ring topologies interconnected with one another between termination devices. The termination devices allow communication across subnets which form an intranet or across a global system, or internet. Although redundant transmission channels are used, each transmission channel preferably does not send redundant packets, nor are the transmission channels dedicated as uni-directional. Instead, each of the redundant transmission channels can send dissimilar packets in a bi-directional fashion.

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18 Claims

1. A communication system, comprising:
- at least two transmission channels; and
  
  a receiving module connected to the transmission channels and having a loop-back conductor which operably connects the two transmission channels and returns a packet containing error bits if one or more of the transmission channels downstream of the receiving module is disturbed, wherein the error bits comprise an error value set by the receiving module if the receiving module fails to receive a null pattern for a length of time exceeding that which is used to send a packet.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
- - 2. The communication system as recited in claim 1, wherein the two transmission channels comprise a pair of optical fibers, copper conductors or wireless communication channels.
  - 3. The communication system as recited in claim 2, further comprising an originating module connected to the transmission path and adapted to originate the packet destined for a destination module also connected to the transmission path immediately downstream of the receiving module.
  - 4. The communication system as recited in claim 3, wherein the error bits comprise an acknowledge value set by the originating module whenever the error bits returned from the receiving module indicate the transmission path is severed, and wherein the acknowledge value is used to instruct the originating module to access an alternative transmission channel.
  - 5. The communication systems as recited in claim 1, wherein the loop-back conductor is selectively configured directly between ports of the receiving module, said ports comprising registers configured to apply the error bits having values dependant on whether the transmission path downstream of the receiving module is disturbed.
  - 6. The communication system as recited in claim 1, wherein the error bits indicate if at least one of the communication channels is occupied such that an alternate communication channel should be selected for transmission.

7. A method for transmitting packets across a transmission path, comprising:
- forwarding a packet from an originating module that is destined for a destination module;
  
  receiving the packet at a receiving module configured between the originating module and the destination module, wherein said receiving comprises snooping the packet for absence of a null pattern beyond a pre-determined length of time and thereafter performing said returning step; and
  
  returning the packet containing error bits to the originating module from the receiving module if the transmission path is disturbed between the receiving module and the destination module.
- View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
- - 8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein said returning comprises looping back the packet containing the error bits form one transmission channel to another transmission channel.
  - 9. The method as recited in claim 7, further comprising receiving the returned packet by the originating module and acknowledging the value of the error bits in order for the originating module to either drop the packet or re-send the packet in an opposite direction across the transmission path.

10. A communication system, comprising:
- at least two transmission channels; and
  
  a receiving module connected to the transmission channels and having a loop-back conductor which operably connects the two transmission channels and returns a packet containing error bits if one or more of the transmission channels downstream of the receiving module is disturbed, wherein the error bits comprise a unique identification number assigned to the receiving module to note the receiving module was the last of a plurality of modules that received the packet destined for a destination module dissimilar from and located downstream of the receiving module.
- View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
- - 11. The communication system as recited in claim 10;
    - wherein the two transmission channels comprise a pair of optical fibers, copper conductors or wireless communication channels.
  - 12. The communication system as recited in claim 11, further comprising an originating module connected to the transmission path and adapted to originate the packet destined for a destination module also connected to the transmission path immediately downstream of the receiving module.
  - 13. The communication system as recited in claim 12, wherein the error bits comprise an acknowledge value set by the originating module whenever the error bits returned from the receiving module indicate the transmission path is severed, and wherein the acknowledge value is used to instruct the originating module to access an alternative transmission channel.
  - 14. The communication system as recited in claim 10, wherein the loop-back conductor is selectively configured directly between ports of the receiving module, said ports comprising registers configured to apply the error bits having values dependant on whether the transmission path downstream of the receiving module is disturbed.
  - 15. The communication system as recited in claim 10, wherein the error bits indicate if at least one of the communication channels is occupied such that an alternate communication channel should be selected for transmission.

16. A method for transmitting packets across a transmission path, comprising:
- forwarding a packet from an originating module that is destined for a destination module;
  
  receiving the packet at a receiving module configured between the originating module and the destination module; and
  
  returning the packet containing error bits to the originating module from the receiving module if the transmission path is disturbed between the receiving module and the destination module, wherein said returning comprises setting the error bits indicating the receiving module was the last of a series of modules that fails to receive the null pattern.
- View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
- - 17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein said returning comprises looping back the packet containing the error bits from one transmission channel to another transmission channel.
  - 18. The method as recited in claim 16, further comprising receiving the returned packet by the originating module and acknowledging the value of the error bits in order for the originating module to either drop the packet or re-send the packet in an opposite direction across the transmission path.

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Current Assignee
RPX Corporation
Original Assignee
Dunti, LLC
Inventors
Mahalingaiah, Rupaka
Primary Examiner(s)
Pham, Chi
Assistant Examiner(s)
JONES, PRENELL P

Application Number

US09/571,027
Time in Patent Office

1,870 Days
Field of Search

370/452, 370/352, 370471-475, 370/355, 370/216, 370389-395, 370505-509, 370401-410, 370/436, 370/516, 348/14.12, 709/218, 375345-347, 375/267, 455/504, 455/272, 714/704
US Class Current

370/216
CPC Class Codes

H04L 12/437 Ring fault isolation or rec...

H04L 2012/421 Interconnected ring systems

Communication network and protocol which can efficiently maintain transmission across a disrupted network

First Claim

5 Assignments

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Accused Products

Abstract

48 Citations

18 Claims

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Communication network and protocol which can efficiently maintain transmission across a disrupted network

First Claim

5 Assignments

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Litigations

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Accused Products

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Abstract

48 Citations

18 Claims

Specification

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