CN1180428A - Method for updating software code in a communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for updating software code in a wired communication system (10) includes the steps of receiving a notification (100) using a cable access unit (30). Next, the cable access unit (30) receives (110) the software code. After the software code is received (110), the CAU (30) is reset (114) using the software code and restarted.

Description

Be used for the more method of new communication system software code

The present invention relates generally to field of wireless communications, relate in particular to a kind of more method of the software code of new communication system that is used for.

Modern digital communication systems comprises that paired transceiver sends message on transmission medium.The contained operating system of each transceiver is typically stored in the storer.How operating system indication transceiver responds Overhead Message.For example in wired communication system, in communication process, one of them transceiver may detect communication channel noise.According to this information, this transceiver chance sends the message that is forwarded to new communication channels to another transceiver.This forwarding message belongs to Overhead Message, and another transceiver must know how to go response to continue this communication process.Operating system may indicate another transceiver be tuned to predetermined alternative channel, or indicate it be tuned to can distribute on the system cut-in channel of open channel for it, continue to communicate by letter with this open channel.

The operating system of transceiver may have to periodically upgrade to right a wrong or to add new feature.In typical line communication system, this requires system operator to send the technician with charge free to the place that each contains transceiver.The technician installs new operating system then on the transceiver of the premises.This running spending is very huge and consuming time.Therefore, system operator is not very willing adds new feature or more rights a wrong in the user locations transceiver.For other communication system also is the same, as cellular system, mobile radio, wireless data and wide area network.

Therefore, need a kind of method that be used for the software code on the new communication system transceiver more, require it inexpensive and can finish rapidly.

Fig. 1 is a line communication system block scheme;

Fig. 2 is the block scheme of a cable access units;

Fig. 3 is the signal block diagrams that software code upgrades;

The replacement signal block diagrams that Fig. 4 upgrades for software code;

Cable access units resetted and the flow diagram of restarting when Fig. 5 was to use new software code;

Fig. 6-10 has listed each the characteristic information table of using in the signal block diagrams 2 and 3;

Figure 11 is the system broadcast channel schematic diagram;

Figure 12 is the frequency assignation schematic diagram of using in line communication system; And,

Figure 13 is the time division multiplex scheme schematic diagram that is used for line communication system.

Generally speaking, the invention provides a kind of more method of the software code of new communication system that is used for.This method comprises the downloaded software code and used agreement when restarting with this software code.The present invention describes in conjunction with line communication system, but obviously is not limited thereto.The present invention can be widely used in any communication system.

Fig. 1 is the block scheme of line communication system 10.The overhead functions of operational administrative center (OMC) 12 controls and coordination line communication system 10.OMC 12 is connected to cable control module (CCU) 14, with its interface as line communication system 10 and public switch telephone network (PSTN) 16.CCU 14 comprises a plurality of cableport transceivers (CPX) 18.Each CPX 18 can carry out whole communication process from one of them communication channel that optical fiber-coaxial cable compound cable equipment 20 obtains at certain.Multiplexing demultiplexing device (MVX/DEMVX) 22 will merge on the wireline equipment 20 from the transmission of a plurality of CPX18.MUX/DEMUX 22 also decomposes and distributes the signal that enters CPX18.Cable machinery 20 is made of optical fiber cable 24, concentric cable 26 and photoelectric commutator 28.Concentric cable 26 outputs also are connected on a plurality of cable access units (CAU) 30.These CAU 30 place the outside of user locations 32.One of them function of CAU 30 is that the rf digital signal in the concentric cable 26 is converted to the used simulating signal of simple old-fashioned telephone service (POTS) telephone set 34.

Fig. 2 is the block scheme of cable access units (CAU, subscriber unit) 30.CAU 30 has a transceiver 40 of receiving on the concentric cable 26.Transceiver 40 sends signal and received signal from cable 26.Transceiver 40 will be POTS signal 42 from the Signal Separation of cable 26 and can be used for other professional signal 44.These other business comprise ISDN (ISDN (Integrated Service Digital Network)) basic rate interface (BRI) circuit, ethernet line and RS232 circuit.Transceiver 40 is received on the processor 46, by its software code (operation code, function software), controls the overhead functions of keeping communication process with certain CPX18.Software code is stored in the storer 48.Storer 48 is divided into first storage area (activity code memory block, code area, storer first) and second storage area (appointment codes memory block).Nonvolatile memory 50 is received on the processor 46 and is comprised pointer, code release (version) and the out of Memory that points to the activity code memory block.Processor 46 is also received on the local loop interface (SLI) 52.SLI 52 converts digital signal to the used simulating signal of POTS 42.

In the alternative, storer is divided into a plurality of code storage district.These code storage districts provide activity code memory block and backup code memory block: POTS, RS232, ether circuit and BRI circuit for following every kind of business.In another embodiment, these code storage are distinguished into the activity operations system, and it comprises the activity-driven program that all business are used, and are backup driver that each business provided in the code storage district of himself.

Fig. 3 is the signal block diagrams that software code upgrades.OMC 12 is responsible for guaranteeing that all CAU 30 have the function software of latest edition (new function software).When OMC 12 judged that the software code of CAU 30 need upgrade, it gave CCU 14 downloaded software codes.In one embodiment, CCU 14 preservation software codes are used for downloading (buffer memory) in the future.In another embodiment, CCU 14 gives CAU 30 downloaded software codes at once.CCU 14 sends alarm (notice) to corresponding C AU 30 or one group of CAU 30.Each CAU 30 corresponding CAU logical block has an Alarm ID, and corresponding every telephone line also has one.When CAU 30 received the Alarm ID relevant with this CAU logical block in alarm information, it just knew back to back communication process about CAU 30 built-in functions, but not call.CAU30 and CCU 14 executive system then insert processing 102.CAU 30 sends acknowledged alarm (affirmation) 104 then.This response informs that CCU 14 CAU 30 have received alarm information 100 and performed the preparation of processing.CCU 14 sends write requests (cable file transfer protocol (FTP) { CFTP} write request) 106 in response.It notifies CAU 30, and CCU 14 will transmit a file.CAU30 confirms that with CFTP 108 respond.CCU 14 just begins to send data block or packet (CFTP data) 110 then.When each packet during by error free reception, CAU 30 sends CFTP and confirms 112.Repeating as above, process finishes up to all software codes transmission of giving certain CAU or a plurality of CAU 30.CCU 14 can send a release message 114 or reset message 116 then.If what CCU 14 sent is release message, it also must send reset message 116 to CAU 30 afterwards, as shown in Figure 4.CCU 14 reports that to OMC 12 software code has been downloaded then.

Shown in Figure 4 is that the new software code of CAU 30 usefulness carries out delayed management and restarts.OMC 12 indicates 120 these CCU 14 so that the new software code of CAU 30 usefulness resets and restarts.CCU 14 at first sends the alarm 100 of the Alarm ID that comprises corresponding this CAU logical block.The system that CCU 14 and CAU 30 carries out then inserts and handles 102.CAU 30 with acknowledged alarm 104 in response.CCU 14 sends reset message 116 to CAU 30.In a kind of optional embodiment, CAU 30 usefulness reset and confirm to respond.CCU 14 has received reset message to OMC 12 report CAU 30.CCU 14 and CAU 30 execution level 2 links then discharge 122.This CAU 30 is then restarted and is reinitialized professional 124.When CAU30 reinitializes business, the version of its software code of using of its notice CCU 14.

Software code update method described herein is to design for fear of several potential defectives.CAU 30 often has the software operation code of two different editions.One of them storage of versions is in high-end storer (first storage area), and the another one storage of versions is in low side storer (second storage area).When CCU 14 sent write request 106, it comprised that relevant software code stores the information that first storage area still is second storage area (designated memory memory block) into.Pointer in nonvolatile memory 50 indicate first still be second storage area be activity operations software code (activity operations software).CAU 30 can not write covering activity software code all the time.The new software code of any usefulness (fresh code version) that CCU 14 is done goes to write the attempt that covers 106 movable software codes all can produce an error message.Can avoid covering activity software code (movable software version) like this.

Fig. 5 is the flow diagram of software code update method.The method can avoid CAU 30 to be absorbed in endless loop when attempting to use the software code that is destroyed to restart.Processing then is that CAU 30 receives reset command in step 152 from step 150.In step 154, CAU 30 usefulness new editions were upgraded the code storage district of its nonvolatile memory and new software code originally then.In step 156, CAU is restarted with new software code.When restarting failure in step 158, CAU uses other code storage district that comprises old software code (second software code) (second code memory block), and upgrades its nonvolatile memory in step 160 with second version.CAU is restarted from old software code in step 162.Because CAU once moved under this old software code, CAU is restarted what problem that do not have.In step 166, CAU reinitializes the software version that service concurrence gives the operation of its place.When at the restarting successfully of step 158, processing will be jumped to step 166.In step 168, the movable version of the software code that CCU comparison CAU is using and the version of the new software code that it sends to CAU.When the comparative result of step 168 shows that two versions are different, send an error message (error condition) to OMC in step 170.Then in step 172 end process.When step 168 show that relatively two software code versions are the same in, in step 172 end process.

If the described processing of Fig. 5 has guaranteed to download the new software code of giving CAU 30 in-problem the time, it can not cause CAU 30 to work.CAU 30 has the function software code of a beta version all the time.If mistake has taken place, CAU 30 use test version software codes (second software code) in new software.

Fig. 6 is the information list that is provided in CFTP write request message 106.It is a write request that type of message 200 indicates this message, and it takies a byte.Transmission mode 202 tell the CAU file type be binary, encrypt, compression or other form.Version 2 04 comprises a plurality of information, the appointment codes memory block that identifier, this version software code length is arranged and be used for preserving at CAU 30 software codes.

Fig. 7 is the information list that is provided in CFTP data block message 110.It is data block that type of message 200 indicates this message, and it takies a byte.Which data block piece number 206 indicates is transmitted.Data block 208 is the raw data that are being transmitted, and can reach 252 bytes in each data block message.

Fig. 8 is the information list that is provided in CFTP acknowledge message 108.It is an affirmation that type of message 200 indicates this message, and it takies a byte.Which data block piece number 206 indicates by last received.

Fig. 9 is the information list that is provided in the CFTP error message.It is an error message that type of message 200 indicates this message, and it takies a byte.Reason 210 explains why can produce mistake.

Figure 10 is the information list that is provided in reset message 116.It is reset message that type of message 200 indicates this message, and it takies a byte.Version (software version code, new software version code) 204 informs CAU should use the software code of which version when restarting.

The present invention is designed to can the downloaded software code when existing phone to connect in same CAU simultaneously.This realizes by means of two things.At first be to be different with Alarm ID at telephone line at the Alarm ID of CAU logical block.Alarm ID transmits on system broadcast channel.System broadcast channel 220 structures as shown in figure 11.System broadcast channel 220 includes an alarm channel 224 and a system information channel (SIC) 226 in its message net load 222.Alarm channel 224 transmits Alarm ID (a plurality of alarm identifier symbol).CCU can send alarm to CAU logical block or the telephone line related with this CAU.When sending alarm to this relevant CAU logical block or telephone line, this CAU executive system insert and under the indication be tuned on the Traffic Channel.

The carrier frequency of this Traffic Channel is different with system broadcast channel.What Figure 12 showed is the frequency assignation that line communication system adopts.Uplink service (from CAU to CCU) is limited between the 5-42MHz.Downlink business (from CCU to CAU) is limited between the 50-750MHz.The spectrum region 240 of a 6MHz is divided into ten carrier waves 242 that 600KHz is wide.The wide carrier wave 242 of each 600KHz is divided into 8 time slots 250, as shown in figure 13.Each time slot 250 is Traffic Channels 250.Traffic Channel 250 comprises the slow channel of 254 1 of synchronizing channels 252, control channel 256, a fast channel 258 and a false channel 260.

If CAU is in a phone connection (telephone communication) when CCU attempts the downloaded software code, it sends Alarm ID by slow channel 256 to this CAU logical block.Software code certain idle time slot 250 usefulness be used for the Traffic Channel same carrier frequencies that phone is connected and download.If CAU downloads when having incoming call will take the corresponding phone circuit, this CAU just receives alarm at the slow channel 256 of the Traffic Channel of downloaded software by CCU.If just CAU attempts receipt of call in the downloaded software code, this CAU can ask to be linked on the Traffic Channel by system cut-in channel.Under all scenario, this CAU will have to use the Traffic Channel of same carrier frequencies to be used for downloading and be connected with phone.

So far described a kind of in communication system the method for update software code, its spending is little and realize quick rapidly.This method has reduced the needs that the technician removes to upgrade one by one subscriber unit.In addition, this method is not disturbed ongoing communication process, and a kind of failure security mechanism also is provided when new software code is made mistakes.Although at this is to describe of the present inventionly in conjunction with concrete embodiment, can guarantee, concerning the present technique skilled person, obviously have the mode of many alternative, corrections and modification under the inspiration of superincumbent description.Correspondingly, can attempt in appending claims to contain that all these are optional, the mode of correction and modification.

Claims (10)

1. a method that is used at line communication system update software code comprises the steps:

(a) receive a notice;

(b) receiving software code; And,

(c) reset with this software code and restart.

2. the described method of claim 1, wherein step (c) also comprises step:

(c1) receive reset command.

3. the described method of claim 1, wherein step (a) also comprises step:

(a1) send an affirmation; And,

(a2) receive a write request.

4. the described method of claim 3, wherein step (a2) also comprises step:

(i) determine that an appointment codes memory block deposits software code;

Whether (ii) verify the appointment codes memory block identical with the activity code memory block; And,

(iii) when the activity code memory block is identical therewith in this appointment codes memory block, refuse this software code.

5. the described method of claim 4 also comprises step:

(iv) in this appointment codes memory block, preserve this software code not simultaneously in the activity code memory block therewith when this appointment codes memory block.

6. the method for a update software code in line communication system comprises the steps:

(a) from an operational administrative center receiving software code;

(b) send an alarm to cable access units;

(c) send this software code; And

(d) send a reset command.

7. the method for a update software code in line communication system comprises the steps:

(a) with a version and a code storage district updated stored device; And

(b) restart cable access units with this software code.

8. the described method of claim 7 also comprises the steps:

(c) when failing, reboot step switches to second kind of software code;

(d) with second version and second code memory block updated stored device; And,

(f) restart this cable access units with second kind of software code.

9. the method at the subscriber unit update software code of communication system comprises the steps:

(a) provide the subscriber unit that comprises first storage area and second storage area;

(b) in first storage area, provide an activity code version;

(c) load the fresh code version to second storage area;

(d) restart this subscriber unit with this fresh code version; And,

(e) as to restarting the response of fail step, restart this subscriber unit with this activity code version.

10. the described method of claim 9 also comprises step:

(f) as the response of use fresh code version being restarted success, specifying this fresh code version is the activity code version.

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