Apparatus and method for creating a data bus access contest

An apparatus and method are provided for testing the ability of a digital data communications network to resolve contests for data bus control. The network includes a plurality of terminal equipment units ("TEs") coupled to a digital service unit ("DSU") by a data bus. The apparatus comprises a testing device coupled to the data bus and adapted to transmit digital control data through the data bus to the DSU for a selected time to cause the testing device to obtain control of the data bus and to cause the TEs to assume a call demand state. The testing device is further adapted to terminate transmission of the digital control data from the testing device to cause the TEs to simultaneously transmit digital control data and cause a contest among the TEs for control of the data bus. The method comprises using a testing device to transmit digital control data through the data bus to the DSU for a selected time to cause the testing device to obtain control of the data bus and to cause the TEs to assume a call demand state, and terminating transmission of the digital control data from the testing device to cause the TEs to simultaneously transmit digital control data and cause a contest among the TEs for control of the data bus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to digital data communication networks and, 
more specifically, to an apparatus and method for testing the ability of 
such a network to appropriately enter and resolve contests among elements 
on the network for control of the data bus. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
A digital data communication network such as an Integrated Service Digital 
Network ("ISDN") is shown in FIG. 2. The ISDN includes a plurality of 
terminal equipment units ("TEs") 1 and a Digital Service Unit ("DSU") 2. 
According to the International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative 
Committee standard I.430 ("CCITT-I.430"), an ISDN can accomodate a maximum 
of 8 TEs. Each of the TEs 1 is coupled to a DSU 2 by a data bus comprising 
a transmit line ("T line") and a return line ("R line") by which TEs 1 
communicate with DSU 2. Each TE selectively transmits digital data to DSU 
2 through the T line, and receives digital data from DSU 2 through the R 
line. 
Digital data is communicated by each of the TEs 1 in the form of frames. 
Frame structures according to CCITT-I.430 are illustrated diagrammatically 
in FIG. 3/I.430 of the CCITT standard. An example of such frame structures 
is shown in FIG. 3, which illustrates a frame A and a frame B. Frame A 
communicates data from a given TE 1 to DSU 2, and includes a plurality of 
D-channels. Each D-channel comprises control data or a control bit, for 
example, the data "0" or "1", to indicate that the given TE desires or 
does not desire control of the data bus. The control data "0" generally 
indicates that control is desired whereas the control data "1" indicates 
control is not desired. Frame B communicates data from DSU 2 to TEs 1, and 
includes a plurality of E-channels corresponding to the D-channels. When a 
TE 1 transmits data in the D-channels of frame A to DSU 2 through the T 
line, DSU 2 returns this same data to corresponding ones of the E-channels 
of frame B and communicates the E-channels through the R line. Each TE 
continuously monitors the data in the E-channels of frame B. 
When a TE does not require control of the data bus, it transmits the data 
"1" as the control data in the D-channels of frame A through the T line. 
DSU 2 returns the data "1" from the D-channels along the corresponding 
E-channels and transmits the E-channels in frame B through the R line. 
When a TE requires control of the data bus, it transmits the data "038 as 
the control data in the D-channels of frame A. DSU 2 returns the data "0" 
from the D-channels through the corresponding E-channels in frame B 
through the R line. The TEs receive this E-channel data and compare it 
with the D-channel data transmitted. Upon determining that the control 
data of the D-channel and E-channel match, and upon determining from frame 
B that only that TE 1 transmitted a control data "0," that TE obtains 
control of the data bus and can begin or continue transmitting data on the 
data bus. 
If more than one TE 1 transmits a control data "0" indicating an intention 
to begin transmitting simultaneously, there is contention for control of 
the data bus. Each of the TEs contending for control then operates in 
accordance with a set of priority rules such as those set forth in 
CCITT-I.430 to avoid and resolve this contention. Resolution is obtained 
by selecting one of the TEs to which control of the bus is given while the 
other TEs contending for control of the bus are put in a wait condition or 
state. While in the wait state, the other TEs 1 can not use the D-channels 
of frame A. Application of the priority rules also prevents malfunction of 
the contention and resolution processes. 
When testing the ability of the TEs coupled to DSU 2 to identify a bus 
control contest and to resolve the contest in accordance with priority 
rules such as CCITT-I.430, it is generally necessary for each of TEs 1 to 
transmit the control data, e.g., the data "0", simultaneously. There has 
been a need for apparatus and methods to cause this simultaneous 
transmission of data from the TEs. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus and 
method for testing bus control contest resolution that involve causing the 
TEs of a network to simultaneously transmit control data onto the data 
bus. 
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the 
description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the 
description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects 
and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of 
the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the 
appended claims. 
To achieve the foregoing objects, and in accordance with the purposes of 
the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, an apparatus and 
method are provided for testing the ability of a digital data 
communications network to resolve contests for data bus control. The 
network includes a plurality of TEs coupled to a DSU by a data bus, as 
described above. The apparatus comprises a testing device coupled to the 
data bus and adapted to transmit digital control data through the data bus 
to the DSU for a selected time to cause the testing device to obtain 
control of the data bus and to cause the TEs to assume a call demand 
state. The testing device is further adapted to terminate transmission of 
the digital control data from the testing device to cause the TEs to 
simultaneously transmit digital control data and cause a contest among the 
TEs for control of the data bus. The method comprises using a testing 
device to transmit digital control data through the data bus to the DSU 
for a selected time to cause the testing device to obtain control of the 
data bus and to cause the TEs to assume a call demand state, and 
terminating transmission of the digital control data from the testing 
device to cause the TEs to simultaneously transmit digital control data 
and cause a contest among the TEs for control of the data bus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND METHOD 
Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiment 
and method of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, 
in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts 
throughout the several drawings. 
A schematic diagram of a digital communication network such as an ISDN in 
accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 
1. The ISDN of FIG. 1 includes TEs 1, a DSU 2, a T line, and an R line 
which are configured and operate the same as the ISDN of FIG. 2. The ISDN 
of FIG. 1, however, further includes a testing device 3 coupled to the T 
line and the R line and, thereby, coupled to TEs 1 and DSU 2. Testing 
device 3 is configured as and generally operates as one of the TEs, but 
its operation is modified as described below. 
Testing device 3, a block diagram of which is shown in FIG. 4, includes a 
multiplexer 4 coupled to an output circuit 5 and a controller 6. 
Controller 6 selects digital data in the form of a "0 " or "1 " and 
transmits the selected data to output circuit 5 via multiplexer 4. Output 
circuit 5 constructs a signal corresponding to frame A in accordance with 
CCITT-I.430, and in which the selected data received from controller 6 is 
incorporated into the D-channel. Thus, the data in the D-channel is made 
to correspond to the digital data received from controller 6. Frame A is 
then transmitted through the T line of the data bus. This enables testing 
device 3 to selectively obtain control of the data bus in response to the 
digital data selected by controller 6. 
Testing of the ability of TEs to contend for control of the data bus and 
resolve this contention in accordance with priority rules such as those of 
CCITT-I.430 is carried out with the ISDN of FIG. 1 in the following 
manner. A digital "0" is selected by controller 6 as digital input data 
and communicated to output circuit 5 via multiplexer 4. Output circuit 5 
responds by constructing a frame corresponding to frame A of FIG. 3 in 
which the D-channel includes the control data "0". Frame A is then 
communicated from testing device 3 to DSU 2 through the T line. DSU 2 
returns this control data through the E-channel and communicates it 
through the R line. The control data in the E-channel is received by TEs 
1, which recognize the control of the bus exercized by testing device 3 
and assume a wait state. Control of the data bus is maintained in this 
manner by testing device 3 for a selected time, during which the TEs 
develop the need for control of the data bus and assume a call demand 
state of waiting to request bus control while in the wait state. 
After the selected time, a digital "1" is selected by controller 6 as 
digital input data, and is communicated to output circuit 5 via 
multiplexer 4. This causes output circuit 5 to stop transmitting the data 
"0" in the D-channels. In response, the TEs 1 simultaneously exit the wait 
state and begin to transmit. Simultaneous transmission by the TEs 1 
creates contention among the TEs for control of the data bus. 
Thus, testing device 3 acquires control of the data bus and then induces 
contention among the TEs coupled to the bus. The resolution or outcome of 
the contention can be determined by identifying the one of the TEs 1 
obtaining control of the data bus immediately after the contention is 
resolved. This resolution can be compared with the resolution that would 
be obtained in accordance with CCITT-I.430. If the contention resolution 
actually obtained matches the resolution according to CCITT-I.430, the 
test has verified that contention resolution is in accordance with 
CCITT-I.430. 
Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled 
in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited 
to the specific details, representative devices, and illustrative examples 
shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details 
without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive 
concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.