Fault analysis and monitoring applications using out-of-band based modules

A system for collecting physical layer data for a physical link, the system comprising

• a first communication module configured to emit a physical layer signal onto a first physical link for reception by a second communication module, the physical layer signal comprising a double modulated signal modulated with a high-speed data signal and an out-of-band data signal, the out-of-band data signal comprising diagnostic data of the first communication module;
• and
• means for receiving the physical layer signal, the means for receiving being coupled to the first physical link;
• means for extracting the out-of-band data signal from the physical layer signal, the means for extracting being coupled to the means for receiving;
• and
• means for extracting and analyzing the diagnostic data from the out-of-band data signal to identify one or more physical conditions of the first physical link, the means for extracting and analyzing being coupled to the means for extracting.