Patent ID: 7050400
Filing Date: 2006-05-23
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for detecting total end-to-end loss of data packets in a packet network, comprising the steps of: generating a test signal at a source end point coupled to the packet network, the test signal having a predefined pattern of variation in average power level; wherein the test signal includes repeating sections, the sections further including number of segments, the length of each segment equal to the smallest packet size in the packet network; wherein the lengths of the repeating sections are greater than the largest packet size in the packet network; wherein the average power level of each segment is detectably different from average power levels of each of the other segments in a given section; wherein the segment length is set to optimize an amount of data bits included in packet taking into account in-network delay, and the section length is equal to four times the segment length; transmitting the test signal over the packet network to a destination end point coupled to the packet network; recording the test signal at the destination end point; examining the recorded test signal to detect irregularities using the predefined pattern of variation as a standard; determining whether the irregularities in the recorded signal represent packet loss; calculating an expected power value for each segment in the repeating sections of the test signal; comparing a difference between the power level of a segment and its expected power level against a threshold; wherein if the difference is greater than the threshold, packet loss is detected.