Method and apparatus for providing network infrastructure information for a network control center

This infrastructure computer and program uses information supplied by sensors to calculate the operational characteristics of back up systems located at central offices during times of crisis such as the loss of commercial power, or some other natural or man-made disaster. The sensors transmit the battery float voltage, power requirements, temperature of critical telecommunication equipment components, average telecommunication equipment temperature, and the amount of fuel available for backup generators provides data to an infrastructure management computer program. The computer program accesses databases containing known information such as the power curves for the backup generators, and battery discharge curves for the battery string. The infrastructure management computer program calculates the battery hour reserve, the fuel hour reserve, and thermal reserves to more accurately predict the operational status of the central office for improved disaster planning.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to systems for monitoring, tracking, updating and 
managing information pertaining to telecommunication network 
infrastructures. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
Almost all telecommunication equipment contains integral alarms in the 
circuits indicating a failure of service. The extent and type of alarms 
vary with the manufacturer, but generally alarms draw attention to 
equipment that has failed or is about to fail, and directs the technician 
to the defective equipment. 
Many telecommunication networks contain central offices that house the 
telecommunication equipment linking customer premises equipment to the 
public switched telephone network. These central offices typically contain 
alarm systems to aid in alerting operators of the equipment to problems. 
The alarms are usually segregated into major and minor categories to show 
the seriousness of the trouble and transmit either audible or visual 
alarms, or both to operations personnel. 
In unattended central offices, telemetering equipment transmits the alarms 
to attended control centers. These attended control centers are typically 
equipped with computers for monitoring and managing problems and in some 
cases are capable of diagnosing the cause of the problem. 
One of the most serious problems that can adversely impact the operation of 
a telephone central office is the loss of commercial power. As a result, 
central offices are usually equipped with backup power systems that may 
include battery strings and/or backup generators. Such backup power 
systems must provide sufficient power to operate the telecommunication 
equipment and the supporting equipment including the cooling systems. 
Many central offices operate equipment requiring both alternating current 
(AC) and direct current (DC). Rectifiers convert part of the AC commercial 
power to DC for supplying the equipment requiring DC current. During 
commercial power failure, the DC current is usually supplied by battery 
plants. For those central offices operating equipment requiring AC 
current, many central offices employ backup generators or DC to AC 
converters (inverters) that provide AC current from the DC battery plant 
and AC to DC converters for maintaining the battery chain in a charged 
state. 
The management of the backup power operations is extremely complex. When 
commercial power fails at a central office, the power load placed on the 
backup systems changes as environmental factors change. For example, if a 
central office has both one or more battery backup systems and one or more 
emergency generating systems, the backup generator(s) can periodically 
recharge the batteries as well as provide power to other equipment in the 
central office. When fuel supplies for the backup generator(s) are 
exhausted, the central office will lose its cooling system(s). Once the 
cooling system(s) are lost, the telecommunication equipment will operate 
until its battery back up system is unable to supply sufficient power for 
the telecommunication equipment or until the telecommunication equipment 
over heats. 
Other factors such as weather and amount of calls handled by the central 
office requiring peripherals to constantly go on line and off line, affect 
the power demands of the central office. 
Monitoring service interruptions such as loss of commercial power from 
crisis centers is extremely important. Network management becomes even 
more complex when one or more natural disasters such as fires, floods, 
earthquakes, hurricanes and ice storms causes the loss of commercial power 
to numerous central offices. 
FIG. 1 discloses a prior art system for monitoring and managing a central 
office backup system. Loss of commercial power at a central office 10 
generates alarm signals 12 to a center power module 14. The center power 
module 14 alerts a subject matter expert, i.e., a (technician skilled to 
solve that particular problem) 16, and manually obtains or gathers raw 
data regarding the battery voltage, central office power load, fuel 
supply, fuel consumption rate (i.e., an individual responsible for network 
management), and telecommunication equipment status. 
The central power module 14 also alerts the crisis control commander (CCC) 
18 who receives the raw data verbally from the subject matter expert 16. 
The crisis control commander 18 manually calculates the battery hour 
reserve and fuel hour reserve by examining battery discharge tables 
(charts) and backup generator performance charts. The crisis control 
commander 18 verbally communicates the infrastructure data to the regional 
network operations (RNOC) center 20. The regional network operations 
center 20 verbally or electronically sends the infrastructure data to the 
network operations center 22. Unfortunately, the calculation of reserve 
battery life and fuel hours reserves change constantly due to the changing 
power demands. Current methods of calculating these reserves also require 
manual calculations that are subject to human error, and are not 
representative of real time events. 
There exists a need to automatically calculate this information and provide 
real time transmission of this information to the crisis commanders to 
facilitate optimum network management. A need also exists for the real 
time transmission of this data to other employees monitoring the crisis 
and possibly to governmental disaster agencies, public relations 
employees, and customers. 
SUMMARY 
The present invention provides a technique for providing network 
infrastructure information to a network control center that relies on 
sensor information to calculate the operational characteristics of back up 
power systems for central offices during times of crisis such as the loss 
of commercial power, or some other natural or man-made disaster for use by 
a crisis manager or management team. Three vital components are required 
by the crisis management team when a problem occurs: the battery hour 
reserve (battery life), the fuel hour reserve (fuel quantity for the 
backup generators), and thermal reserve (amount of time before the 
telecommunication equipment temperature reaches full duplex failure). 
A variety of sensors sense to the battery float voltage, power 
requirements, temperature of critical telecommunication equipment 
components, average telecommunication equipment temperature, and the 
amount of fuel available for backup generators to provide such data to an 
infrastructure management computer processor. This processor accesses 
databases containing known information such as the fuel consumption of the 
backup generators, electrical power demand of the telecommunication 
equipment and cooling systems, and battery float voltages. The 
infrastructure management computer program calculates the battery hours' 
reserves, the fuel hours reserves and more accurately predict the 
operational status of the central office for improved disaster planning. 
The infrastructure management computer processor is usually located at a 
network operations center, regional operations center or a crisis 
operations center. The processor can provide this operational status of 
the central office and its backup systems network wide by transmitting the 
information generated in the infrastructure management computer program 
via a secure network employing Intranet channels or via an encrypted 
transmission over Internet channels. The information is presented to users 
in a graphical user interface providing real time or close to real time 
status on the infrastructure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
This invention discloses a network wide system for monitoring and managing 
telecommunication equipment centers housing switching and routing 
equipment including the ability to manage electronically these centers 
from a crisis center. FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram for an automated 
management system providing an infrastructure management computer program 
for handling crisis problems relating to the communication network 
infrastructure. The central office 10 contains electronic sensors 
(described in greater detail in FIG. 3) for providing information relating 
to the fuel quantity, battery cell voltage, temperature of critical 
telecommunication equipment components, average temperature of the 
telecommunication equipment, current load, power load, and 
telecommunication equipment status. This sensor information is provided to 
a controller 24 and stored in a database 26. This information is also sent 
via one or more channels of the Intranet 28 (private communication 
channel) or by an encrypted transmission on one or more channels of the 
Intranet 28, the public switching telephone network (PSTN) or some other 
communication channel such as wireless transmission, to the network 
operations center 22 and a regional network operations center 20 on a 
regular periodic basis, this providing real time or near real time 
information regarding the backup power systems located at the central 
office 10. 
The backup power systems status information is stored in databases located 
at the central office 10, the network operations center 22, and the 
regional network operations center 20. When alarms 12 are tripped at the 
central office 10, alert messages are sent by the central office 10 to the 
power module 14. The power module 14 alerts the subject matter expert 16 
who is either located at the central office or capable of being contacted 
by telephone or beeper. The subject matter expert 16 is relieved of data 
collection duties and can concentrate efforts on solving the problem. As 
the alarms 12 are sent to the regional network operations center 20, the 
regional network operations server transmits an out of limits autopage 30 
(i.e., a graphical display screen) to a preselected group of users 
typically including the crisis control commander 18. 
Once the crisis control commander 18 is alerted, the commander can 
establish communications with the subject matter expert 16, the power 
module 14 or other individuals electronically. The crisis information page 
located on the Intranet 28 provides the real time or near real time 
transmission of information so that all the individuals connected can 
monitor the crisis situation. In addition, authorized individuals such as 
public relations representatives, executives, or governmental disaster 
agencies can view the information 32. 
FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a system for the transmission of the 
data necessary to manage network infrastructure information. At the 
central office, a series of sensors 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, and 48 
provide data on a periodic basis to an infrastructure management computer 
50 for further calculation of information needed by the central office 
crisis management. The basis for reporting of data can be continuous, 
providing real time status, or periodic providing data at intervals as 
short as five to ten minutes or as long as an hour. 
Sensor 34 provides the telecommunication equipment status condition 52 such 
as the commercial power failed and the backup generator also failed to 
come on line. Sensor 36 provides the commercial power interruption status 
54. When commercial power is interrupted, an alarm 12 is sent by the 
commercial power sensor 36 to the infrastructure management computer 50. 
The telecommunication equipment status condition 52 changes as commercial 
power is restored or other aspects of the communication infrastructure 
fail. 
One key aspect of proper operation of telecommunication equipment is 
operation within very specific temperature ranges. For example, above 
80.degree. C., most communication equipment experience service 
degradation. Above 90.degree. C., most communication equipment suffer 
full-duplex failure that can affect telecommunication traffic on a 
regional basis or cause a loss to the entire central office (e.g., causes 
a fire). At least one sensor 38 and preferably a plurality of sensors, are 
strategically placed within the central office for monitoring the 
temperature of critical components 56. As temperatures at these strategic 
locations change, the critical spot temperature change rate 58 is 
calculated. Additional sensors 40 provide temperature averaging 60 
throughout the central office and from the average temperature, a change 
in average 62 temperature can be calculated. The sensors 38 and 40 provide 
a more accurate temperature measurement of the entire central office 
instead of relying on a centrally located thermostat that might be located 
in a hot or cold spot within the central office. 
The thermal reserve, the time before the telecommunication equipment 
suffers full duplex failure, varies between the types and operating 
components of the telecommunication equipment. Many variables influence 
the temperature that causes full duplex failure including room 
temperature, rate of temperature increase, humidity, air flow in the 
central office and outside air temperature. Therefore, thermal reserve is 
an approximate temperature fail time and focus is instead placed on the 
telecommunication equipment status condition 52 such as percentage of 
blocked calls, service impairment, and component failure. 
Sensor 42 provides the level of fuel quantity 64 for the backup generators. 
Veeder Root sensors are one type of electronic sensor for providing fuel 
quantity to the infrastructure management computer 50. Sensor 44 provides 
the power demand 66 of the backup generators. The fuel consumption rate 68 
is calculated from data collected indicative of the power demand thus 
providing the fuel hour reserves (amount of time remaining before fuel is 
exhausted). Fuel hour reserve is a function of the fuel storage in gallons 
divided by the consumption rate in gallons per hour. The consumption rate 
is a function of backup generator loads, the size and type of the backup 
generator, the age (since the last major overhaul) and overall maintenance 
condition of the backup generator. 
Sensor 46 provides the electrical load 70 of the central office including 
the lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), power to 
the telecommunication equipment, and peripheral devices. The battery float 
voltage 72 is usually a known value but sensors 48 provide the actual 
charge of the battery string. The actual charge might differ from the 
battery float voltage due to the age of the battery string as well as 
recent use. From the electrical load and the available battery string 
voltage, the battery cell discharge rates 74 can be calculated. These 
values are calculated by accessing the known cell discharge curves for the 
particular battery string. From these values, the battery hour reserve 106 
can be calculated, providing the battery string life based on the current 
electrical load. As the electrical load changes, the battery string life 
can increase or decrease. 
The battery hour reserve uses an algorithm to determine a given battery 
string's reserve time based upon an electrical current load (discharge 
amperes), string voltage, temperature the manufacturer and type of cell, 
number of cells in the battery string, and the cell voltage at which 
discharge is considered complete. 
Also affecting the battery hour reserve 106 is the operational status of 
the backup generator, which if lost, can significantly decrease the 
battery string life. Conversely, if the backup generator is operational, 
it can extend the battery string life by recharging the battery string and 
providing electrical power to the central office until fuel supplies are 
exhausted. 
The telecommunication equipment status condition 52, commercial power 
interruption alarm 12, critical spot and average temperature rates 58 and 
60, changes in critical spot and average temperatures 58 and 62, fuel 
reserve (fuel quantity) 64, power demand 66, fuel hour reserve 104, 
electrical load 70, battery float voltage 72, and battery hour reserve 106 
provide the input data to the infrastructure management computer 50. This 
data is stored in databases and the infrastructure management computer 50 
is capable of accessing other databases such as the battery discharge 
curves and power ratings for the various backup generators. This data 
varies as to make, model, and age of the equipment. 
The infrastructure management computer 50 can be located in the central 
office, but is typically located in the network operations center, the 
regional operations center or some other secure facility. The information 
provided by the program is transmitted over a secure communication network 
such as an Intranet or encrypted and sent over the Internet. The 
information is displayed to the user in a user friendly, graphical user 
interface 92. 
FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of the transmission of data necessary to 
manage network infrastructure information. The infrastructure management 
computer 50 (see FIG. 3) monitors the power line current for loss of AC 
78. The power load 70 and battery status 80 is continually monitored and 
the data is transmitted to the controller 82. When commercial power is 
lost, the batteries come on line and their discharge rates are monitored 
74. The controller 82 also monitors the sensors providing information on 
the telecommunication equipment temperature 56, the central office 
temperature 96, the fuel flow (fuel consumption rate) 68 to the backup 
generators and the fuel quantity 64. This data is transmitted by the 
controller 82 over the secure Intranet or Internet 28 to a storage 
location at the regional network operations center 20 or the network 
operations center 22. The battery hour reserve and fuel hour reserve is 
calculated and the resulting output is transmitted to the graphical user 
interface 76 of FIG. 3 for the infrastructure management computer 50. Data 
can also be stored at the central office or another secured facility 84. 
In FIG. 5, the central office 10 periodically generates signals containing 
data relating to the operation of the central office 10. Depending upon 
the type of data, those signals are sent daily, hourly, in real-time, or 
is some other predetermined reference period. When the central office 10 
experiences a problem an alarm signal 12 is generated. In some instance, 
the alarms 12 are minor and indicate that a particular piece of equipment 
needs repair, overhaul or replacement. Other alarm signals 12 indicate 
serious problems or the potential for serious consequences if action is 
not immediately taken. 
When such a problem arises, alarm signals 12 are generated at the central 
office 10 and transmitted along with the normal flow of data being sent 
from the central office to the regional network operation center 20 and 
the network operations center 22. Serious problems generating alarm 
signals 12 requiring immediate action include activities that might affect 
operation of the telecommunication equipment, such as loss of commercial 
AC power, loss of cooling systems, fire, or certain equipment failures. 
Without immediate action, the loss of cooling systems or interruption of 
commercial AC power can seriously impact service the level of service 
provided by the telecommunication equipment and can in some circumstances 
lead to the loss of the entire central office including the 
telecommunication equipment and routing or switching equipment and 
possibly loss of telecommunication service in a region of the country. 
In normal operation, central office status information data is transmitted 
from the central office 10 to the regional network operations center 20 
and the network operations center 22. Minor alarms 12 are also sent and 
their resolution can be incorporated into scheduled repair and resolution. 
When no alarms are triggered, the normal data stream 86 is sent and 
periodically stored at the regional operations center 20 or the network 
operations center 22. The normal data stream 86 routinely updates 88 the 
regional network operation center and network operation centers graphical 
user interfaces (GUIs) 76. 
However, when serious alarms are generated, such as loss of commercial AC 
power, the problem triggers an alarm signal 12, and an alert massage 12 is 
sent to the regional network operations center 20 and the network 
operations center 22. The alert data stream message 12, causes the 
infrastructure management computer 50 to send alert update messages 90 
that initializes the autopage feature 30, activates the webpage 92, and 
updates the webpage 94. The infrastructure management computer 50 formats 
and updates the crisis information 96 providing real time or almost real 
time data regarding the supporting backup infrastructure and generates a 
user-friendly, graphical user interface (GUI) 76 for the data. The 
graphical user interface 76 is illustrated in FIG. 6. 
The infrastructure management computer 50 typically comprises a server or a 
personal computer capable of Internet or Intranet connectivity and uses a 
computer readable medium employing a plurality of data structures. The 
first data field contains data representing the location of the central 
office and stores this data in a memory address in the medium. The second 
data field contains data representing battery hours reserved and stores 
the data in a separate region having a distinct memory address in the 
medium. The third data field contains data representing fuel hours 
reserved stored in another separate region having a distinct memory 
address in the medium. The fourth data field contains data representing 
temperature of the central office and is stored in a distinct memory 
address in the medium. An index stored in an index region of the memory 
addresses provides relationship information indicating the relationship 
between the first data field and the second, third, and fourth data 
fields, where during a predetermined data processing operation on the 
first data field, the index is examined and the first, second, third and 
fourth data fields are displayed in a graphical user interface. 
The infrastructure computer program has a fifth data field containing data 
representing telecommunication equipment condition temperature of the 
central office and stores this information in a distinct memory address in 
the medium. The sixth data field contains information regarding the change 
in telecommunication equipment temperature of the central office and 
stores the information in a distinct memory address. The index stored in 
the index region of the memory addresses provides the relationship 
information between the fifth and six memory addresses and other memory 
addresses. Other data fields also contain information regarding the fuel 
supplies, battery discharge rates and battery power. This information is 
stored for a short period of time and then deleted to prevent the data 
history of a central office from overwhelming the memory capacity in the 
server. When an emergency does occur, the infrastructure program can 
collect and store all the data relating to the problem for analysis at a 
later date. 
The infrastructure management computer program provides the data to users 
in a graphical user interface illustrated in FIG. 6. The graphical user 
interface displays the central office name 98 and comments 100 regarding 
the problem experienced by the central office. Also displayed are the 
start date of the problem 102, the average temperature of the central 
office 10, the fuel hour reserve 104, the battery hour reserve 106. The 
fuel hour reserve 104 and the battery hour reserve 106 are displayed in a 
gauge format. With color indicators on the gauges indicating those values 
that are in the acceptable range (green), danger range (yellow), and 
failure range (red) 108. For both gauges 120 and 122, the user can input 
start 110, stop 112 and reset 114 commands. Below the gauges 120 and 122, 
the initial battery hour reserves 116 and initial fuel hours reserves 118 
are provided and displayed. 
Below the display of the average temperature for the central office 60 is 
the temperature increase rate 62. Also, provided below the 
telecommunication equipment condition 124 is the telecommunication 
equipment status condition 126. For the battery hours reserve available 
106, the fuel hours reserve available 104, the temperature increase rate 
62 and the telecommunication equipment status condition 126, are last 
update times 128 for the displayed information. 
While exemplary systems and methods embodying the present invention are 
shown by way of example, it will be understood, of course, that the 
invention is not limited to these embodiments. Modifications may be made 
by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing 
teachings. For example, each of the elements of the aforementioned 
embodiments may be utilized alone or in combination with elements of the 
other embodiments.