Method and apparatus for managing network elements in a satellite navigation data distribution system

Abstract

Method and apparatus for managing a network element in a satellite navigation data distribution system is described. In one example, a network element includes a processor for processing satellite navigation data. For example, a network element may be a reference station, a hub, or a server in the satellite navigation data distribution system. The network element includes a memory for maintaining status variables associated with the processing of the satellite navigation data. The status variables may relate to the integrity of the satellite navigation data. The network element further includes a management agent for monitoring states of the status variables and communicating with a network management system to exchange information related to the states of the status variables. In one example, the management agent is configured to communicate using a simple network management protocol (SNMP).

1 . A network element in a satellite navigation data distribution system, comprising: 
 a processor for processing satellite navigation data;    a memory for maintaining status variables associated with said processing of said satellite navigation data; and    a management agent for monitoring states of said status variables and communicating with a network management system to exchange information related to said states of said status variables.    
     
     
         2 . The network element of  claim 1 , wherein said status variables include at least one of: 
 a variable associated with a number of satellites represented by said satellite navigation data;    at least one variable associated with ephemeris data in said satellite navigation data;    at least one variable associated with almanac data in said satellite navigation data;    at least one variable associated with atmospheric correction data in said satellite navigation data; and    at least one variable associated with clock correction data in said satellite navigation data.    
     
     
         3 . The network element of  claim 1 , wherein said management agent is configured to communicate using a simple network management protocol (SNMP):  
     
     
         4 . The network of  claim 3 , wherein said first management agent comprises: 
 a monitoring agent for comparing said states of said status variables to thresholds and selectively generating alarm messages in response to said comparison;    an SNMP agent for interfacing with said network management system; and    a proxy agent for providing an interface between said SNMP agent and said monitoring agent.    
     
     
         5 . A method of managing a network element in a satellite navigation data distribution system, comprising: 
 maintaining status variables at said network element in response to satellite navigation data processed by said network element;    monitoring states of said status variables; and    communicating information related to said states of said status variables between said network element and a network management system.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said step of communicating comprises: 
 receiving request messages at said network element from said network management system; and    sending reply messages from said network element to said network management system in response to said request messages.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said step of monitoring comprises: 
 comparing said states of said variables with associated thresholds; and    generating at least one alarm message in response to said comparison.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said step of communicating comprises: 
 sending said at least one alarm message from said network element to said network management system.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said status variables include at least one of: 
 a variable associated with a number of satellites represented by said satellite navigation data;    at least one variable associated with ephemeris data in said satellite navigation data;    at least one variable associated with almanac data in said satellite navigation data;    at least one variable associated with atmospheric correction data in said satellite navigation data; and    at least one variable associated with clock correction data in said satellite navigation data.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said information is communicated using a simple network management protocol (SNMP).  
     
     
         11 . A system for distributing satellite navigation data, comprising: 
 a plurality of reference stations for processing satellite signals to obtain satellite navigation data;    a server for obtaining said satellite navigation data and maintaining first status variables, said server including a first management agent for monitoring states of said first status variables; and    a network management system in communication with said first management agent for exhanging messages associated with said states of said first status variables.    
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein each reference station of said plurality of reference stations includes: 
 a second management agent for monitoring states of second status variables maintained by said reference station;    wherein said network management system is in communication with said second management agent for exchanging messages associated with said states of said second status variables.    
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 a hub configured to provide said satellite navigation data from said plurality of reference stations to said server and to maintain third status variables, said hub including a third management agent for monitoring states of said third status variables;    wherein said network management system is in communication with said third management agent for exchanging messages associated with said states of said third status variables.    
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said first status variables include at least one of: 
 a variable associated with a number of satellites represented by said satellite navigation data;    at least one variable associated with ephemeris data in said satellite navigation data;    at least one variable associated with almanac data in said satellite navigation data;    at least one variable associated with atmospheric correction data in said satellite navigation data; and    at least one variable associated with clock correction data in said satellite navigation data.    
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said network management system is configured to exchange said messages associated with said states of said first status variables using a simple network management protocol (SNMP).  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said first management agent comprises: 
 a monitoring agent for comparing said states of said first status variables to thresholds and selectively generating alarm messages;    an SNMP agent for interfacing with said network management system; and    a proxy agent for providing an interface between said SNMP agent and said monitoring agent.    
     
     
         17 . Apparatus for managing a network element in a satellite navigation data distribution system, comprising: 
 means for maintaining status variables at said network element in response to satellite navigation data processed by said network element;    means for monitoring states of said status variables; and    means for communicating information related to said states of said status variables between said network element and a network management system.    
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said means for communicating comprises: 
 means for receiving request messages at said network element from said network management system; and    means for sending reply messages from said network element to said network management system in response to said request messages.    
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said means for monitoring comprises: 
 means for comparing said states of said variables with associated thresholds; and    means for generating at least one alarm message in response to said comparison.    
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein said means for communicating comprises: 
 means for sending said at least one alarm message from said network element to said network management system.