• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    The present invention relates to a method of testing a radio communication device to test a gateway of a gateway park. This method is characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a step of transmission by said radio device to be tested of a request request message requesting from any radio communication device of a gateway of said park receiving said message a response in the form of a response message, - a step of receiving any possible response message and - a diagnostic step diagnosing a good operation of said radiocommunication device when receiving at least one response message.
    公开号:FR3032074A1
    申请号:FR1550589
    申请日:2015-01-27
    公开日:2016-07-29
    发明作者:Jean-Philippe Jaulin；Nicolas Dangy-Caye
    申请人:Sagemcom Broadband SAS；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    [0001] The present invention relates to a method of testing a radio communication device to test a gateway of a gateway park. In the present patent application, a gateway (English gateway) designates a device that links at least two distinct networks, one of extended nature WAN (Wide Area Network), the other of local nature type LAN (Local Area Network) or WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network). The interface of a gateway with the WAN WAN may be of type xDSL (for example ADSL). The interface with the local area network LAN considered in the present invention is wireless (WLAN), for example of the Wi-Fi type and is provided by what is called, in the present description, a radiocommunication device. The test of a radiocommunication device of a gateway which incorporates it makes it possible to determine the functional validity of this latter and can be realized, either at the end of the production of this gateway, or during its use by a user to diagnose a particular fault. Generally, it requires the implementation of external means to the gateway to test to achieve it, what a user does not usually. Especially in the case of many radio devices that can be integrated into a gateway (Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Bluetooth, Zigbee, DECT, etc.), such a test is always difficult. Indeed, the connection between one of these radiocommunication devices of the gateway in question and a remote device, generally a test device, implements several interfaces: - Within the gateway itself, an interface between the processor main communication manager for the considered gateway and the radio frequency transceiver component which is in charge of the communication as well as a physical interface between this RF component and at least one antenna (RF component and antennas together form the radio communication device to be tested ). This physical interface may consist of a large number of passive components (filters, adaptation components, etc.), as well as active components (amplifiers). - An interface consisting of the air medium serving as a support for the propagation of radio frequency waves between the gateway itself and the remote device. - Within the remote device, a physical interface between its or its antennas and a radio frequency component in charge of the communication and an interface between this RF component and the main processor managing the communication for the remote device.
    [0002] In addition, the establishment of a communication between the gateway to be tested and a remote device requires the implementation of radiocommunication protocols specific to each of the technologies used by the radiocommunication devices. Depending on the technology used, it may be necessary to implement keys (WEP, WPA, etc. in the case of the WiFi standard, PIN code in the case of the Bluetooth standard, etc.), rights-protected type of protection. access or list of allowed MAC addresses, or other. The main controller of a gateway, in that it establishes a logical dialogue with the RF transceiver component and it is able to know the state of the interface between them. The diagnosis of the radiocommunication device as a whole (RF component + antennas) therefore amounts to diagnosing the operation of the RF component as well as that of its interface with the antenna or antennas of the gateway. Several known methods are now used to diagnose a radiocommunication device. According to a particular method, the separate test of the transmission chain and the reception chain is carried out by means of one or more external test devices. This type of test is widely used during manufacturing or troubleshooting, and requires the use of specialized equipment.
    [0003] To check the operation of the transmission system, the gateway to be tested is placed in a so-called "transmission test" mode in which its radiocommunication device transmits a particular and known test signal. A remote analyzer-type measuring device then receives the test signal normally transmitted by the gateway, the analysis and gives the characteristics. The difference between the result obtained and the expected result can inform the technician about the behavior of the transmission chain. In the same way, to check the operation of the reception chain, a generator-type remote measuring device transmits to the radio communication device of the gateway a particular and known test signal. The gateway is placed in a mode called "reception test" in which its radiocommunication device returns a signal reflecting the signal it receives. The difference between the result obtained and the expected result can inform the technician about the behavior of the reception chain.
    [0004] This type of test makes it possible to characterize the transmission and reception chains independently while disregarding the communication protocol implemented. It is well suited for troubleshooting, but because of the need to use complex external hardware, it can not be used for field diagnostic purposes in a non-technical user. Another method is a method of diagnosing the transmission chain by means of a radio field detector. This basic method, widely known to those skilled in the art, consists in measuring the field emitted by a transmission chain by means of a radio-frequency field detector connected to a measurement antenna. This type of measurement gives good information on the level of signal actually transmitted by the antenna, and therefore on the good condition of the entire transmission chain. Nevertheless, this method does not make it possible to characterize the performance of the reception chain. Another method is a diagnosis of the reception chain by means of a test signal generator. Such a method is described in particular in US-A-8280442 and consists in evaluating the effects of a particular signal injected into the reception chain, and thus to characterize its performance. This method also does not allow to characterize the performance of the transmission chain. In addition, the latter methods require the use of components whose sole function is to provide this diagnosis, which therefore induces an additional cost in the equipment. The object of the present invention is to provide a method of diagnosing a radio communication device of a gateway which solves the problems posed by the diagnostic methods of the prior art which have just been briefly described.
    [0005] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a method of testing a radio communication device of a gateway to be tested of a gateway park. It is characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a step of transmission by said radiocommunication device of said gateway to be tested of a response request message requesting from any radio communication device of a gateway of said park neighbor who has received said message, a response in the form of a response message, - a step of receiving any possible response message and 3032074 4 - a diagnostic step diagnosing a good operation of said radio device of the gateway to be tested in case of reception of at least one reply message. According to an advantageous characteristic, said response request message 5 requires that only neighboring gateways having particular communication characteristics respond to it. According to an advantageous characteristic, said diagnostic step diagnoses a possible malfunction of said radio communication device of the gateway to be tested in the event of absence of reception of a response message.
    [0006] According to an advantageous characteristic, said gateway to be tested is linked to a management system of said gateway park, said method then being characterized in that it comprises: a transmission step, implemented by said gateway to be tested, of a control message to said management system, and 15 - an activation step, implemented by said management system upon receipt of said control message, of at least one radiocommunication device of a gateway adjacent to said park which is estimated to be at a geographical distance from said gateway to be tested less than a predetermined distance, if such a gateway exists.
    [0007] According to an advantageous characteristic, said transmission step is implemented in the event of the absence of reception of a response message at the diagnostic step, said transmitting step, said receiving step and said diagnostic step being again implemented by said radio device of the gateway to be tested on receipt of an acknowledgment message that the activation step has been implemented. According to an advantageous characteristic, said method also comprises: a transmission step, implemented by said management system in the case where no gateway of said park is at an estimated geographical distance from said gateway to be tested less than a predetermined distance, a warning message to said gateway to be tested, and - a step of implementation by said gateway to test on receipt of said warning message, diagnosing a possible malfunction of the radio device of said gateway to be tested.
    [0008] According to an advantageous characteristic, said diagnostically diagnosed diagnostic step is a good operation of said radio communication device of the gateway to be tested if at least one response message is received, or a possible malfunction of said device of 5. radio communication of the gateway to be tested in case of absence of reception of a response message. According to an advantageous characteristic, said activation step comprises: a step of selecting a gateway of said gateway park if the geographical distance which separates it from said gateway to be tested is less than a predetermined distance, a verification step; that the selected gateway is inactive and if it is - an activation step of said selected gateway. and if it is not: a step of transmitting to said gateway to be tested a warning message which, upon reception, implements a diagnostic step diagnosing a possible malfunction of the radiocommunication device of the gateway; to test. According to an advantageous characteristic, said method comprises a verification step, implemented by said management system upon receipt of said control message, that at least one gateway is located at a distance less than a predetermined distance from said gateway to be tested, and, if this is not the case, a step of transmitting to said gateway to be tested a warning message which, upon reception, implements a diagnostic step diagnosing a possible malfunction of the radiocommunication device of the gateway to test. According to an advantageous characteristic, said method comprises a step of deactivating the gateway or gateways that have been activated by said management system during the implementation of the activation step. According to an advantageous characteristic, said transmission step is implemented under the impulse of a triggering step, itself implemented by said gateway arbitrarily, periodically or following an event. According to an advantageous characteristic, said method comprises a step, implemented by said management system, to request said gateway to implement said triggering step.
    [0009] The present invention also relates to a gateway of a park of gateways managed by a management system of said park, said gateway comprising at least one radiocommunication device. Said gateway, according to the invention, is characterized in that it comprises: means for controlling said radiocommunication device so that it transmits a request request message requesting from any radiocommunication device of a neighboring gateway of said park receiving said message, a response in the form of a response message, 10 - means for receiving any possible response message and - diagnostic means diagnosing a good operation of said radiocommunication device in case of reception of at least a response message by said radio communication device. According to an advantageous characteristic, said gateway comprises: means for transmitting a control message to said managing system so that it activates at least one radiocommunication device of a gateway next to said park which is estimated to be at a geographical distance of said lower gateway at a predetermined distance, if such a gateway exists, and - means for receiving a message of acknowledgment of activation by said management system of a new remote gateway and control of a new one issuing a control message, a new reception and a new diagnosis. The present invention also relates to a management system of a gateway park which is characterized in that it comprises: - means for receiving a control message transmitted from a requesting gateway, - activation means for upon receipt of a control message by said receiving means, activating at least one radio communication device of a gateway of said park which is estimated to be at a geographical distance from said requesting gateway less than a predetermined distance, if such gateway exists, - means for transmitting to said requesting gateway an acknowledgment message that the radiocommunication device of said other gateway has been activated.
    [0010] The present invention also relates to a computer program loaded into a memory of a control unit of a gateway comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor of said control unit, implement a test method as just described. The present invention finally relates to storage means which are characterized in that they store a computer program comprising instructions for implementing, when loaded into a memory of a control unit of a gateway and it is executed by a processor of said control unit, a method as just described. The characteristics of the invention mentioned below, as well as others, will emerge more clearly on reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, said description being given in relation to the attached drawings, among which: FIG. . 1 is a block diagram of a communication system which includes a fleet of gateways, at least one of which is in accordance with the present invention, and a management system of said gateway park, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a test method according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment of a test method according to the present invention, FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a third embodiment of a test method according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a gateway and a management system 25 according to the present invention, connected to each other via a network. It is shown in FIG. 1 a park of N gateways 101 to 10N which are connected, via a same communication network 30, to a management system 20 of the park of bridges in question. The management system 20 may consist of a single server or, on the contrary, of a plurality of servers designed to communicate with each other via a single network or a plurality of networks that may include the communication network 30. The gateway 10j has been enlarged to show the constituents of any gateway of interest to the present invention. Thus, each gateway 10 comprises a control unit 11 provided for, in particular, control an interface 12, for example of the type 3032074 8 xDSL wired, on optical fibers or other, with the network 30 and at least one radiocommunication device 13. The radiocommunication device 13 is for example of the Wi-Fi type. It will be recalled here that the Wi-Fi standard relates to a set of communication protocols governed by the ISO / EIC 8802/11 (IEEE 802.11) standards. This radiocommunication device 13 allows the gateway 10 concerned to communicate with at least one device 40, for example a computer as shown, also provided with such a radiocommunication device (not shown).
    [0011] At the same time as it can communicate with a device 40, a gateway 10 transmits beacon signals enabling a device 40 to synchronize on said gateway 10 and also to register with this gateway 10. The range of the signals beacon can be quite high (of the order of a hundred meters) so that the same equipment 40 or the same gateway can receive 15 beacon signals of neighboring gateways, for example in urban areas or at the same address can be dozens of bridges. Here, the term "neighboring gateways" of a given equipment 40 or gateway 10, gateways that are capable of receiving signals, including beacon signals, said equipment or said gateway and whose signals, including signals 20 beacon, they are likely to emit are received by said equipment or by said gateway. For example, in FIG. 1, the gateway 10i receives the signals transmitted by the gateway 101 (arrow A). They are therefore close to each other, within the meaning of the present invention. The gateway 10i is capable of receiving the signals transmitted by the gateway 10i, but not being activated, it does not actually receive them. Similarly, it is capable of transmitting signals to the gateway 10i which would then receive them, but does not transmit them, not being activated. This situation is illustrated by arrows B. Despite this situation, the gateways 10i and 10i are considered to be close to each other within the meaning of this patent. On the other hand, the gateway 10i does not receive the signals transmitted by the gateway 1ON and vice versa. They are not close to each other. A particular embodiment of a test method according to the present invention is now described in connection with FIG. 2.
    [0012] This test method comprises a step E1 of transmission by the radiocommunication device 13 of the gateway 10 to be tested of a request request message requesting from any radio communication device 13 of a remote gateway of said park receiving said message. a response in the form of a response message. The neighboring gateways which will respond to this message are those which are present in the coverage area of the radio communication device 13 of the gateway 10 to be tested and which, moreover, have their radiocommunication device which is active, ie to say that it works. It is therefore the active neighboring gateways of the gateway 10 to be tested.
    [0013] For example, in the case of a Wi-Fi type radio communication device, this step E1 consists in implementing an active scanning procedure and thus transmitting on a broadcasting channel a so-called management frame. "probe request" associated with suitable parameters. Such a method is especially used by Wi-Fi devices looking for a gateway on which to pair. Stage E1 is generally performed on all the available channels for operating the radiocommunication device 13 concerned. For example, in the case of a Wi-Fi type device of the 2.4 GHz ISM band, step E1 is performed on each of the 13 channels.
    [0014] According to an alternative embodiment, said response request message is such that only neighboring gateways having particular communication characteristics respond to it. These communication characteristics may be the particular channel (s) used for sending said response request message, especially if the characteristics of the neighboring gateways are known. For example, also, the response request message sent in step E1 refers to one or more particular gateways known to be adjacent to the gateway to be tested because, for example, they have already, in the past, responded to such a message transmitted by the radiocommunication device 13 of the gateway 10 to be tested. For example, in the case of a Wi-Fi type radio communication device, this message is an "probe request" management frame specifying the network name SSID and / or the channel of each potentially reachable gateway. Any gateways that will receive the response request message, such as an "probe request" management frame in the case of a Wi-Fi system, if any, will respond by issuing in turn a response message which, in the case of a Wi-Fi type system, may for example be a management frame called "probe response". A step E2 is a step of receiving the response message or messages sent by at least one remote gateway requested by the response request message sent to step E1. More precisely, in order to make the diagnosis more reliable and to lessen the error. the effect of possible communication errors related to various external causes, the step E2 performs an analysis of each of the channels concerned for a predetermined time t long enough to allow the gateways requested by the response request message issued by the device of radiocommunication 13 time to answer them.
    [0015] A step E3 is a diagnostic step which consists in making a diagnosis of the radiocommunication device 13 of the gateway 10 to be tested. If, in step E2, the radiocommunication device 13 of the gateway 10 to be tested has received a response message from at least one neighboring gateway and the fact that both its transmitter and its receiver have participated in the execution steps El 15 and E2 is that this radiocommunication device 13 is fully operational. Step E3 then diagnoses a good operation of said radiocommunication device 13 (case A). The transmission E1, reception E2 and diagnostic E3 steps can be repeated a number of K times (as is the case in Fig. 2) so as to avoid a false diagnosis which could be the consequence of a communication error related to different external causes. For this purpose, the method comprises, for example, a step E4 of initializing a counter to the value 0, a step E5 of incrementing said counter each time the steps E1, E2 and E3 are executed and a step E6 of verifying the value of said counter compared to a maximum number of 25 K of executions. Whether the steps E4 and E5 allowing reiteration are implemented or not, in the absence of reception of a response message, in this first embodiment, step E3 diagnoses a possible malfunction of the radiocommunication device 13 of the gateway 10 to be tested so that the bridge 10 to be tested 30 must be returned to the workshop for repair (case B). Nevertheless, a failure to receive a response message (for example at the expiration of time t) is not necessarily caused by a malfunction of the radiocommunication device 13 of the gateway 10 to be tested. In general, the absence of response from a radio communication device 13 of a remote gateway may be caused by one of the following situations. At least one of the components of the radiocommunication device 13 of the gateway 10 to be tested is out of order, rendering inoperative any communication.
    [0016] The gateway 10 to be tested must then be repaired, and thus be returned to the workshop. Another cause may be the fact that no remote gateway is actually close enough to the radiocommunication device 13 of the gateway 10 to be tested for either receiving the response request message transmitted by said radiocommunication device. 13 of the gateway 10 to be tested, or, on the other hand, allow this radiocommunication device 13 to receive the response message that any remote gateway would still have sent. In this case, no diagnosis is possible because any new execution of steps E1 and E2 will result in a new absence of response. The gateway 10 to be tested will also have to be returned to the workshop for a more detailed analysis.
    [0017] Another cause may relate to one or more remote gateways which are nevertheless geographically close enough to the radiocommunication device 13 of the gateway 10 to be tested to receive the response request message and to respond to it, and for which, because they are in a state where no dialogue is possible with the radio communication device 13 of the gateway to be tested, the radiocommunication device 13 of the gateway 10 has not received a reply at its step E2. Subsequently, these remote gateways are said, on the one hand, neighboring and, on the other hand, not activated. The particular state of these remote gateways can be the consequence of various situations: gateway not powered, hidden wireless network instance (hidden SSID), use of a MAC address filtering, type of modulations not implemented, etc.). In FIG. 3, there is shown a second embodiment of the present invention which makes it possible to make a diagnosis in possible situations of the latter type where the radiocommunication device 13 of the gateway 10 to be tested does not receive a response from remote gateways then that they are sufficiently geographically close to the gateway 10 to be tested for this to be so. This embodiment, as will be seen later, takes advantage of the fact that the manager of a gateway park, knows the architecture of its network, and particularly the geographical location of each of the footbridges of its park. Indeed, each of these gateways is connected to a physical termination of the identified network (the end being in the subscriber's premises). For example a copper line type xDSL, or an arrival of optical fiber, or a coaxial cable. This physical termination has been installed by the fleet manager, or by one of his representatives at a particular geographical address, and generally corresponds to the subscription of a subscription. During the establishment of the link between a gateway 10 and the park management system 20, information is exchanged between them, including an identification of the subscriber and the gateway 10. The park management system 20 can also know simply identification of the physical termination of the network which allowed the establishment of this link. This information commonly available for a park management system allows him to simply establish a geographical distribution map of the footbridges of his park. The test method according to this second embodiment comprises steps which are implemented by the gateway 10 of which a radiocommunication device 13 is to be tested (these steps are under a box 10 representing this gateway 10) and steps which are implemented by a remote system under the control of a manager of a park of gateways (these steps are under a box 20 representing said remote system, said management system of the park). The gateway 10 and the management system 20 are in communication with each other via the network 30.
    [0018] The test method according to this second embodiment comprises E1, E2 reception and E3 diagnostic steps identical to those of the test method according to the first embodiment. In addition, these steps can be repeated a number of times K (dotted around the letter K in Fig. 3). In the same way as in the first embodiment, it follows from the implementation of these 25 steps, a diagnosis in step E3 is a proper operation of the radiocommunication device 13 of the gateway 10 to test (case A) if at least one response to the response request message transmitted by its radiocommunication device 13 has been provided by at least one remote gateway, or a lack of response to this message.
    [0019] It comprises a step El0 for transmitting a control message to the management system 20, for example via the ADSL interface of the gateway 10 to be tested and the network 30 or any other interface except that involving the communication device. radiocommunication 13 to be tested, implemented in the event of a diagnosis of no response being received in step E3. This control message is a message intended for the management system 20 to activate at least one radiocommunication device of at least one neighboring gateway whose estimated distance to the gateway concerned is less than a predetermined distance. For example, such a message is a management control message of type TR-069.
    [0020] The method also comprises a step El 1, implemented by the management system 20 upon receipt of a control message transmitted by a gateway, in this case the gateway 10 to be tested, for activation of a radiocommunication device at least one gateway of said park which is estimated to be at a geographical distance from the relevant gateway less than a predetermined distance. Step El 1 may include an estimation step E110, based on the postal address of the physical termination to which the gateway 10 to be tested is connected and that of the physical terminals on which the gateways managed by the gateway park manager and the estimated distance that separates said requesting gateway 10 from each gateway of said park. It also includes a selection step El 1 1 gateways for which this distance is less than a predetermined distance. This predetermined distance is, for example, an estimated distance from the useful range of a wireless network (a few hundred meters for a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network) beyond which it would be unreasonable to expect any communication. Moreover, for the same postal address, a selection can be made in the same way for example by appreciating the distance between two buildings, or between two floors. It can result from step El 1 1 that no gateway is selected. In this case, the diagnosis can not be refined and the gateway 10 to be tested will then have to be returned to the workshop for a more detailed analysis. A step E12 implemented by the management system 20 transmits a warning message to the gateway to be tested 10 to warn it of the situation which, upon receipt, implements a diagnostic step E13 diagnosing a possible malfunction of the device 30 radiocommunication of said gateway (case B). It can result from step El 1 1 that at least one gateway has been selected. Step El 1 also includes an actual activation step E112 of a radio communication device 13 of the gateway (s) selected in step E111.
    [0021] The activation step E112 consists in activating the or at least one of the radiocommunication devices 13 of a selected gateway so that it is compatible with the radiocommunication device 13 of the gateway 10 to be tested and that it may be able to respond to a response request message from gateway 10 to be tested, in particular by ensuring that at least one radiocommunication network instance present on this radiocommunication device 13 shares the same protocols, modulations, communication channels, identifiers, etc. the radiocommunication device 13 of the gateway 10 to be tested. A step E14, implemented by the management system 20, transmits an acknowledgment message to the requesting gateway 10 to warn that new neighboring gateways have been activated. On receipt of an acknowledgment message from the management system 20, the transmission E1, reception E2 and diagnostic E3 are again implemented by the gateway 10 to be tested.
    [0022] In the present embodiment, the newly implemented diagnostic step (denoted E3 'in Fig. 3), if it finds that the radiocommunication device 13 has received a response message from at least one neighboring gateway , diagnoses a good operation of said radio communication device to be tested (case A) and if, on the other hand, if it does not, it notices a lack of reception of a response, it diagnoses a possible malfunction of the radiocommunication device (case B) ). A step E15, implemented by the management system 20, consists in deactivating the gateways that the management system 20 had activated during the implementation of the activation step El 1. The step E15 can be implementation automatically after the expiration of a preset time or under request of the gateway 10 to be tested following the implementation of step E'3. In FIG. 4, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the second embodiment of the present invention. The test method according to this variant embodiment comprises transmission steps E1, reception E2 and diagnosis E3 identical to the previous mode. In the same way as in the first embodiment, it follows from the implementation of these steps, either a diagnosis of a correct operation of the radiocommunication device 13 of the gateway 10 to be tested (case A), or an absence response to the response request message transmitted by the radiocommunication device 13 of the gateway 10 to be tested. It also comprises a step El0 of transmitting a control message to the management system 20 implemented in the event of diagnosis of a lack of response in step E3. According to this variant embodiment, an iterative process is set up as long as the diagnostic step E3 detects a lack of reception of a response. For this purpose, unlike the second embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4, the step E3 newly implemented after an iteration is identical to the step E3 implemented at the first iteration. According to this variant embodiment, the selection step El 1 1 consists in selecting the remote gateway of said gateway 10 to be tested, which is, in the increasing order of distances to the gateway 10 to be tested, just after the gateway previously selected. (in a previous iteration). The first gateway 15 selected at the first iteration is the one that is closest to the gateway to be tested 10. A step E113 verifies that the distance separating the gateway selected in step El 1 1 from the gateway 10 to be tested is less than at a predetermined distance D. This predetermined distance D is, for example, an estimated distance from the useful range of a wireless network beyond which it would be unreasonable to expect any communication. If this is not the case, it is because there is no neighboring gateway other than those which have already been the subject of an attempt to communicate by steps E1 and E2 (as will be seen by the following). In this case, the diagnosis can not be refined because the theoretical maximum coverage area of the gateway 10 to be tested has been reached. The gateway 10 to be tested will then have to be returned to the workshop for a more detailed analysis. A step E12 implemented by the remote system 20 transmits a message to the gateway to be tested 10 to warn it of the situation which, upon receipt, diagnoses case B (step E13).
    [0023] If so, a step E114 is to check whether the selected gateway has a radiocommunication device 13 already activated. If it is, it has already been the subject of an attempt to communicate corresponding to the implementation of steps E1 to E3 which has remained unanswered. In this case, step El 1 1 is again implemented to select one or more new neighboring gateways.
    [0024] If it is not, step E112 is implemented by the remote system 20 to activate a radiocommunication device 13 of the selected gateway. It then proceeds to the step E14 of transmitting an acknowledgment message and a new iteration is started upon reception by the gateway 10 to be tested of this acknowledgment message. Step E15 deactivating gateways that the remote system had previously activated can be implemented, in this embodiment, on receipt of the request just before step El 1. Or, again, in the manner explained for the second embodiment.
    [0025] According to one or the other embodiment according to FIGS. 3 or 4, in the acknowledgment message transmitted in step E14, may be information relating to at least one of the characteristics relating to the newly selected and activated neighbor gateway. This information may relate to the number of the channel used by this selected gateway, or the SSID identification of the network 15 that it forms, its MAC address, etc. The execution of the step El which follows the execution of the step Ell can then be targeted to the networks corresponding to this or these characteristics, the step El requiring a response on the corresponding channel, for example the network of corresponding identification, by the corresponding MAC address gateway, etc.
    [0026] In either embodiment, the test method of the invention may comprise a verification step E20, implemented by the management system 20, that at least one activable neighbor gateway is located at a location. reasonable distance from the gateway 10 to be tested. If this is the case, step E20 leads to step E1. In the opposite case, step E20 leads to step E12.
    [0027] The implementation of this step E20 makes it possible to accelerate the processing of the test method of the invention because it avoids the implementation which would be unnecessary of the step Ell, which consumes computing resources, in the where the gateway 10 to be tested is in an area where there is no other gateway it. Other alternative methods to that which has been in the selection step El 11 are possible to select one or more neighboring gateways most likely to communicate with a given gateway to test. The method of the present invention may thus comprise a step E30, implemented by any gateway according to the invention, for triggering the step of transmitting a control message El0.
    [0028] This step E30 can be triggered arbitrarily, periodically, or following any event, for example, the first installation of a gateway. The management system 20 may also include a step E40 requesting implementation of the triggering step E30.
    [0029] The references of the gateways adjacent to the gateway 10 to be tested, such as the remote gateways selected in the step E111, are stored in a database (not shown) in relation to any gateway 10 which transmitted, by its step E10, a This has the consequence of allowing the management system 20 of the gateway park to know the actual end-of-coverage grid of its network, as well as that of its competitors, and to exploit this information. in particular for the implementation of the selection step E111 during the course of the test process of the present invention. The present invention also relates to a gateway 10 of a fleet of gateways managed by a management system 20 of said park which is provided to implement a test method according to the present invention. Such a gateway is now described in relation to FIG. 5. It comprises an interface 12 with the network 30 as well as at least one radiocommunication device 13. It also comprises a control unit 11, which comprises, with respect to the present invention, control means 111 of said radiocommunication 13 for it to send a response request message requesting from any radio communication device of a gateway next to said park receiving said message a response in the form of a response message, means 112 for receiving any possible message of response and diagnostic means 113 diagnosing a good operation of said radio communication device 13 upon receipt of at least one response message by said radio communication device 13. In an advantageous mode, it further comprises means 114 for transmitting a control message to said management system 20 for activating at least one radiocommunication device of a pass adjacent to said park which is estimated to be at a geographical distance from said lower gateway at a predetermined distance, if such a gateway exists, and means 115 for receiving a message of acknowledgment of the activation of a new gateway remote control operated by said management system 20 triggering the control of a new transmission of a control message, a new reception and a new diagnosis.
    [0030] In FIG. 5 is also shown a management system 20 according to the present invention. It comprises means 210 for receiving a control message transmitted from a requesting gateway, activation means 211 for, on receipt of a control message by said reception means 210, activating at least one communication device. radiocommunication of a gateway of said park which is estimated to be at a geographical distance from said requesting gateway less than a predetermined distance, if such a gateway exists, and means 212 for transmitting to said requesting gateway an acknowledgment message that the radiocommunication device of said other gateway has been activated.
    [0031] According to an embodiment of the control unit 11 of a gateway 10 according to the invention (see the gateway 10j, in Fig. 1), it comprises a processor 11P and a memory 11M intended to store a program comprising instructions that may be executed by the processor 11P and for temporarily storing data used during the execution of said instructions. It further comprises an interface 112 for controlling the interface 12 to the network 30 and at least one interface 113 for controlling at least one radiocommunication device 13 (in general, several interfaces 113 and several radiocommunication devices 13 may be provided) . Among the programs stored in the memory 11M is a program 20 whose instructions, when executed by the processor 11P, implement the steps of a test method according to the present invention. This program also constitutes the means 111 to 113, possibly the means 114 and 115, of FIG. 5. The present invention also relates to storage means 14, such as a memory card, a CD or DVD disk, or even a server accessible via the network 30 which are provided for storing a computer program comprising instructions for implement, when it is loaded into a memory 11M of a control unit 11 of a gateway 10 and is executed by a processor 11P of said control unit 10, the steps of a test method according to the present invention. 30
    权利要求:
    Claims (17)
    [0001]
    CLAIMS1) A method for testing a radiocommunication device (13) of a gateway (10) to be tested of a gateway park, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - a step (E1) of transmission by said radio communication device (13) of said gateway (10) to be tested for a response request message requesting from any radiocommunication device of a gateway of said neighboring park which has received said message, a response in the form of a response message, - a step (E2) of receiving any possible response message and - a diagnostic step (E3) diagnosing a good operation of said radio communication device (13) of the gateway (10) to be tested in case of reception at least one response message.
    [0002]
    2) A test method according to claim 1, characterized in that said response request message requires that only neighboring gateways having particular communication characteristics respond to it.
    [0003]
    3) A test method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said diagnostic step (E3) a possible malfunction of said radio communication device (13) of the gateway (10) to be tested in case of absence of reception of an answer message.
    [0004]
    4) Test method according to claim 1 or 2, said gateway (10) to be tested being linked to a management system (20) of said gateway park, characterized in that it comprises: a transmission step (E10), implemented by said gateway (10) to be tested, from a control message to said management system (20), - an activation step (El 1), implemented by said management system (20) upon receipt of said message control device, at least one radiocommunication device of a gateway adjacent said park which is estimated to be at a geographical distance from said gateway (10) to be tested less than a predetermined distance, if such a gateway exists. 3032074 20
    [0005]
    5) A test method according to claim 4, characterized in that said transmission step (E10) is implemented in case of absence of reception of a response message in step (E3), said step of transmission (E1), said receiving step (E2) and said diagnostic step (E3) being again implemented by said radio communication device (13) of the gateway (10) to be tested upon receipt of a message of acknowledgment that the activation step (E 1 1) has been implemented.
    [0006]
    6) test method according to claim 5, characterized in that it further comprises: - a step (E12) transmission, implemented by said management system (20) in the case where no gateway of said park is at an estimated geographical distance from said gateway (10) to be tested less than a predetermined distance, from a warning message to said gateway (10) to be tested, - a diagnostic step (E13), implemented by said gateway (10) to be tested 15 upon receipt of said warning message, diagnosing a possible malfunction of the radio communication device (13) of said gateway (10) to be tested.
    [0007]
    7) A test method according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that said diagnostic step (E'3) newly implemented diagnostic is a proper operation of said radiocommunication device (13) of the bridge (10) to test in case of reception of at least one response message, ie a possible malfunction of said radiocommunication device (13) of the gateway (10) to be tested in the event of absence of reception of a response message. 25
    [0008]
    8) Test method according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that said activation step (E11) comprises: - a step (E111) for selecting a gateway of said gateway park if the geographical distance separating it said gateway (10) to be tested is less than a predetermined distance, - a step of verifying that the selected gateway is idle and whether it is - an activation step (E112) of said selected gateway. and if it is not: 3032074 21 - a step (E12) for transmitting to said gateway to be tested a warning message which, upon reception, implements a diagnostic step (E13) diagnosing a possible malfunction the radiocommunication device of the gateway to be tested. 5
    [0009]
    9) A test method according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a step (E20) of verification, implemented by said management system (20) on receipt of said control message, that at least one gateway is located at a distance less than a predetermined distance from said gateway 10 (10) to be tested, and if this is not the case, a step (E12) of transmission to said gateway (10) to be tested of a warning message which, upon reception, implements a diagnostic step (E13) diagnosing a possible malfunction of the radiocommunication device (13) of the gateway (10) to be tested. 15
    [0010]
    10) A test method according to one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a step (E15) for deactivating the gateway or gateways that were activated by said management system (20) on the occasion of the setting implementation of the activation step (El 1). 20
    [0011]
    11) A test method according to claim 4, characterized in that said transmission step (E10) is implemented under the influence of a triggering step (E30), itself implemented by said gateway (10). ) arbitrarily, periodically or following an event. 25
    [0012]
    12) A test method according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises a step (E40), implemented by said management system (20), to request said gateway (10) to implement said triggering step (E30).
    [0013]
    13) Gateway (10) of a park of gateways managed by a management system 30 (20) of said park, said gateway (10) comprising at least one radiocommunication device (13), characterized in that it comprises: means (111) for controlling said radiocommunication device (13) to transmit a request request message requesting from any radio communication device of a gateway adjacent said park receiving said message, a response in the form of a response message, - means (112) for receiving any possible response message and - diagnostic means (113) diagnosing a good operation of said radio communication device (13) in case of reception of at least one message from response by said radio communication device (13).
    [0014]
    14) Gateway according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises: - means (114) for transmitting a control message to said management system 10 so that it activates at least one radiocommunication device of a neighboring gateway said park which is estimated to be at a geographical distance from said lower gateway at a predetermined distance, if such a gateway exists, and - means (115) for receiving an activation acknowledgment message by said management system ( 20) of a new remote gateway and control of a new transmission of a control message, a new reception and a new diagnosis.
    [0015]
    15) Management system (20) of a gateway park, characterized in that it comprises: - means (210) for receiving a control message transmitted from a requesting gateway, - means (211) activation method for receiving, upon receipt of a control message by said receiving means, activating at least one radiocommunication device of a gateway of said park which is estimated to be at a geographical distance from said requesting gateway less than a predetermined distance , if such a gateway exists, - means (212) for transmitting to said requesting gateway an acknowledgment message that the radiocommunication device of said other gateway has been activated. 30
    [0016]
    A computer program loaded into a memory (11M) of a control unit (11) of a gateway (10) including instructions which, when executed by a processor (11P) of said control unit (11), implement a test method according to one of claims 1 to 12. 3032074 23
    [0017]
    17) Storage means, characterized in that they store a computer program comprising instructions for implementing, when loaded into a memory (11M) of a control unit (11) of a gateway (10) and is executed by a processor (11P) of said control unit (11), a method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
    类似技术:
    公开号 | 公开日 | 专利标题
    EP3456082B1|2021-08-25|Measuring and controlling the performance of a wireless network using remote devices
    EP3251399B1|2019-11-06|Method for testing a test radio communications device of a gateway in a gateway pool
    FR2914802A1|2008-10-10|METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MANAGING COMMUNICATION CHANNELS FOR DATA EXCHANGES FROM AN AIRCRAFT
    EP2158735B1|2013-08-07|Method of communication between a source node and a destination node, the nodes belonging to a vehicular network
    EP1905194B1|2008-12-24|Detecting double attachment between a wired network and at least one wireless network
    FR2868177A1|2005-09-30|Mobile terminal's e.g. smart phone, use supervising, measuring and analyzing device, has program with automaton directing messages towards filtering procedure for filtering events in messages and sending activity trial to server
    WO2008037916A1|2008-04-03|Method for evaluating the reliability of a route in a cooperative network
    EP3111591B1|2018-08-08|Technique for assisting remote diagnosis of an access gateway
    EP3235151B1|2022-02-16|Test method implemented by an apparatus comprising at least two radio communication devices
    EP2862366B1|2017-12-13|Multi-protocol communication gateway, in particular for collecting remote information
    EP3228115B1|2020-04-08|Technique for accessing at least one adminstration server
    FR2964280A1|2012-03-02|EVENT CENTRALIZATION METHOD FOR MULTI-LEVEL HIERARCHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM
    EP2751959B1|2018-11-28|Method for the exchange of data between nodes of a server cluster, and server cluster implementing said method
    EP3149920B1|2020-05-13|Technique for mediation in a residential network
    EP3672209B1|2021-09-15|Method for identifying a communication node
    EP3675463A1|2020-07-01|Method for identifying a connected object in a network infrastructure
    EP3646991A1|2020-05-06|System for controlling a tool comprising a radio communication means of the ultra-wideband type for pinpointing location and receiving orders
    CA3100752A1|2019-12-05|Method for associating a new collection node in a distributed wireless network
    WO2019223938A1|2019-11-28|On-board system, identifier and method for assessing a distance
    FR3096535A1|2020-11-27|Methods and devices for securing a multiple access edge network
    EP3229399A1|2017-10-11|Method for shared-key encryption between a server and a smart meter
    FR3077458A1|2019-08-02|METHOD OF AGGRATING A PLURALITY OF RADIO CONNECTIONS IN A WIRELESS NETWORK
    WO2022053612A1|2022-03-17|Method for updating embedded software
    WO2021140289A1|2021-07-15|Data routing in a communication system
    FR2835133A1|2003-07-25|Communications network digital word transmission having local/distant sub networks bridge connected and local assembly/one coherent gate excluded routing table following topology change allowing routing table assembly coordination
    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    FR3032074B1|2017-02-17|
    ES2765668T3|2020-06-10|
    CN107210954B|2020-11-27|
    US20180288633A1|2018-10-04|
    EP3251399A1|2017-12-06|
    EP3251399B1|2019-11-06|
    CN107210954A|2017-09-26|
    WO2016120194A1|2016-08-04|
    BR112017015804A2|2018-03-27|
    US10492089B2|2019-11-26|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    JP2005328230A|2004-05-13|2005-11-24|Mitsubishi Electric Corp|Wireless sensor node, sensor network, and monitor server|
    US20070050240A1|2005-08-30|2007-03-01|Sensact Applications, Inc.|Wireless Parking Guidance System|
    WO2008127631A1|2007-04-13|2008-10-23|Hart Communication Foundation|Adaptive scheduling in a wireless network|
    US20090316628A1|2008-06-18|2009-12-24|Frederick Enns|System and method for wireless process communication over distinct networks|
    US20100182915A1|2009-01-16|2010-07-22|Research In Motion Limited|Method and system for wireless network management|
    GB2482587A|2010-08-04|2012-02-08|Fisher Rosemount Systems Inc|Diagnostic devices in a process control environment.|
    WO2013142967A1|2012-03-30|2013-10-03|Disternet Technology Inc.|System and method for managing streaming services|
    CN100466540C|2005-08-05|2009-03-04|华为技术有限公司|State detection method based on main and backup Ethernet interface|
    US7702330B2|2006-07-31|2010-04-20|Veriwave Incorporated|Method and apparatus for wireless mobility measurements|
    US8428511B1|2007-08-10|2013-04-23|Nextel Communications Inc.|System and method for a high available and survivable communication system|
    JP5042955B2|2008-09-22|2012-10-03|株式会社日立製作所|Radio base station and receiver fault diagnosis method|
    US20120170474A1|2011-01-04|2012-07-05|General Electric Company|System and Method of Adaptive Roaming for WLAN Clients|
    US8879993B2|2012-03-30|2014-11-04|Nokia Corporation|Method, apparatus, and computer program product for wireless short-range communication establishment|US11044007B2|2018-10-10|2021-06-22|Hughes Network Systems, Llc|System and apparatus for disaster backup gateway for a multi-gateway spot beam satellite|
    CN110519115A|2019-07-11|2019-11-29|深圳壹账通智能科技有限公司|Gateway interface test method, terminal device, storage medium and device|
    CN112003765A|2020-08-13|2020-11-27|中移（杭州）信息技术有限公司|Gateway fault diagnosis method, system, server and storage medium|
    法律状态:
    2015-12-22| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 2 |
    2016-07-29| PLSC| Search report ready|Effective date: 20160729 |
    2016-12-21| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 3 |
    2017-12-21| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 4 |
    2019-12-19| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 6 |
    2021-10-08| ST| Notification of lapse|Effective date: 20210905 |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    FR1550589A|FR3032074B1|2015-01-27|2015-01-27|METHOD FOR TESTING A RADIOCOMMUNICATION DEVICE TO TEST A GATEWAY IN A GATEWAY PARK|FR1550589A| FR3032074B1|2015-01-27|2015-01-27|METHOD FOR TESTING A RADIOCOMMUNICATION DEVICE TO TEST A GATEWAY IN A GATEWAY PARK|
    EP16701742.5A| EP3251399B1|2015-01-27|2016-01-25|Method for testing a test radio communications device of a gateway in a gateway pool|
    US15/544,683| US10492089B2|2015-01-27|2016-01-25|Method for testing a radio communication device to be tested of a gateway in a set of gateways|
    CN201680007430.3A| CN107210954B|2015-01-27|2016-01-25|Gateway, method of testing gateway, system for managing a set of gateways, and storage medium|
    ES16701742T| ES2765668T3|2015-01-27|2016-01-25|Test procedure for a radio communication device under test on a walkway in a walkway park|
    BR112017015804-3A| BR112017015804A2|2015-01-27|2016-01-25|testing process of a radio communication device to be tested from a gateway of a gate park|
    PCT/EP2016/051423| WO2016120194A1|2015-01-27|2016-01-25|Method for testing a test radio communications device of a gateway in a gateway pool|
    [返回顶部]