# US 2017/0288950 A1 · Communication link monitoring and failover > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0288950 A1 - Document ID: US20170288950A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/084,089 - Filed: 2016-03-29 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-29 - Assignees: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. - Applicants: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. - Inventors: Scott M. Manson; Brian R. Clark; Angelo D'Aversa; Sreenivas Dingari - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170288950A1 ## CPC - H04L 41/0668: by dynamic selection of recovery network elements, e.g. replacement by the most appropriate element after failure - H04L 43/0811: by checking connectivity - H04L 43/0817: by checking functioning - H04L 45/22: {Alternate routing} - H04L 45/28: using route fault recovery - H04L 45/42: Centralised routing - Y04S 40/00: Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - Y04S: SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS ## Abstract The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for detection of a failed communication link and rerouting network traffic around the failure. One embodiment of a system consistent with the present disclosure may comprise a communication subsystem in communication with the data network and configured to transmit information to a recipient. The system may also include a confirmatory signal subsystem configured to generate a confirmatory signal. The confirmatory signal may be inserted into a stream of data to be transmitted to the recipient through a first communication path. Upon detection of a disruption in the confirmatory signal, a failover subsystem configured to reroute the stream of network data to be transmitted to the recipient through a second communication path. The second communication path may comprise one or more physical connections in the network that are distinct from the first communication path. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system configured to monitor a first communication path in a data network, comprising: a communication subsystem in communication with the data network and configured to transmit information to a recipient; a confirmatory signal subsystem configured: to generate a confirmatory signal; to insert the confirmatory signal into a continuous stream of data to be transmitted to the recipient through a first communication path in the data network; and to detect a disruption in the confirmatory signal; a failover subsystem configured to reroute the stream of network data to be transmitted to the recipient through a second communication path in response to the disruption; wherein the second communication path comprises at least one physical connection in the network that is distinct from the first communication path; and wherein the first communication path is established and continuously operating prior to the disruption. ### Claim 2 A system configured to monitor a first communication path in a data network, comprising: a communication subsystem in communication with the data network and configured to transmit information to a recipient; a confirmatory signal subsystem configured: to generate a confirmatory signal; to insert the confirmatory signal into a stream of data to be transmitted to the recipient through a first communication path in the data network; and to detect a disruption in the confirmatory signal; a failover subsystem configured to reroute the stream of network data to be transmitted to the recipient through a second communication path in response to the disruption; an analog contact interface configured to receive an analog signal from the recipient via the analog contact interface; wherein the signal comprises a representation of the disruption. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the confirmatory signal comprises a transmission inserted into the data stream according to an established schedule. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the confirmatory signal subsystem is further configured to receive an acknowledgement from the recipient. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the disruption comprises a failure to receive the acknowledgement. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the communication interface comprises a first communication port in communication with the first communication path and a second communication port in communication with the second communication path. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the first communication port and the second communication port are each in communication with a distinct segment of the network, and the network comprises a ring architecture. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a traffic routing subsystem configured to dynamically establish the second communication path based on conditions in the network. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising: a threshold monitoring subsystem configured to compare the stream of network data transmitted via the first communication path to at least one threshold; wherein the failover subsystem is further configured to reroute the stream of network data to be transmitted to the recipient through the second communication when the data transmitted via the first communication path falls below the least one threshold. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein each physical connection comprised by the first communication path is distinct from each physical connection comprised by the second communication path. ### Claim 11 A method for monitoring a first communication path in a data network, comprising: generating a confirmatory signal; inserting the confirmatory signal into a continuous stream of data to be transmitted to a recipient via the first communication path; transmitting the confirmatory signal and the stream of network data via the first communication path; detecting a disruption in the confirmatory signal; and rerouting the stream of network data to be transmitted to the recipient through a second communication path in response to the disruption, the second communication path comprising at least one physical connection in the network that is distinct from the first communication path; wherein the first communication path is established and continuously operating prior to the disruption. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein detecting the disruption comprises receiving a signal from the recipient via an analog contact interface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein detecting the disruption comprises failing to receive the confirmatory signal according to an established schedule. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising receiving an acknowledgement from the recipient. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein detecting the disruption comprises failing to receive the acknowledgement. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising: using a first communication port to communicate via the first communication path; and using a second communication port to communicate via the second communication path. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the first communication port and the second communication port each communicate with a distinct segment of the network, and the network comprises a ring architecture. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising dynamically establishing the second communication path based on conditions in the network. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising: determining that the stream of network data transmitted via the first communication path fails to satisfy at least one threshold; and rerouting the stream of network data through the second communication path. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein each physical connection comprised by the first communication path is distinct from each physical connection comprised by the second communication path. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the confirmatory signal provides confirmation of continuing operation of the first communication path. ### Claim 22 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the signal comprises an analog signal.