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US 5,422,876 AGranted
Out-of-band loopback control scheme
AssigneeSouthwestern Bell Technology Resources, Inc.
InventorAndy Turudic
Life of this patent
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AssigneeSouthwestern Bell Technology Resources, Inc.
InventorAndy Turudic
Estimating the term…
A communications method and a network for carrying out the method are provided. The network includes a loopback command system and a first link station connected to a communications link. The link traverses several loopback-capable devices as it extends from the first link station to a second link station remote from the first link station. The loopback command system controls the loopback-capable devices to cause them to loopback. In order to command a loopback of a particular loopback-capable device, the first link station generates an initial loopback value and forwards the same over the link to a downstream loopback-capable device located along the link. Each loopback-capable device receives a loopback value from an upstream device, and compares if the received value is equal to a predetermined value. If the loopback value is equal to the predetermined value, the device is placed into a loopback state. Otherwise, the loopback value is modified by the device, and the modified loopback value is forwarded to the next downstream device located along the link. The loopback value may be represented by a digital bit word, or by the position of a particular bit within a bit stream of the link.
A loopback command system for use in a communications network, the communications network having a first link station connected to a serial digital bit stream communications link, wherein the link traverses several devices as it extends from a first location, at the first link station, to a second location, and further wherein the loopback command system causes a loopback to occur at one or more of the several devices, said loopback command system comprising:
A loopback control method for use in a communications network, the communications network having a first link station connected to a serial digital bit stream communications link, wherein the link traverses several devices as it extends from a first location, at the first link station, to a second location, and further wherein the loopback control method causes a loopback to occur at one or more of the several devices, said method comprising:
Apparatus for placement along a transmission link, said apparatus being capable of entering a loopback state upon receipt of a loopback command signal which comprises a loopback value, said apparatus comprising:
Apparatus for placement along a transmission link, said apparatus being capable of entering a loopback state upon receipt of a loopback command signal which comprises a loopback value equal to a predetermined value, said apparatus comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.