Patents Assigned to Spirent Communications
  • Patent number: 8264972
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, data structures, and computer readable media are disclosed that represent network devices with encapsulated protocol stacks communicating via a common physical port. The encapsulated protocol stacks include variable combinations of a multiple encapsulation protocols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Spirent Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: David Joyner
  • Patent number: 8146125
    Abstract: The present invention relates to testing signals on a coaxial home network that carries a digital video signal. It has direct application to testing so-called Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) standards-compliant networks and applies to similar networks. In one mode, a computerized device joins the MoCA network and relays signals intended for a set-top-box to the STB. In another mode, the computerized device joins the MoCA network instead of the STB and tests signal strength, attenuation and similar physical layer characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Spirent Communications, Inc
    Inventors: Douglas Grinkemeyer, David Dailey
  • Patent number: 8102776
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to generating simulated network traffic. In some embodiments, simulated network traffic may be generated using a specification of a sequence of frames to be transmitted from the network testing device. The specification may specify at least two frames including a first frame and a second frame. The specification may further specify a first interframe gap associated with the first frame and a second interframe gap, having a different length from the first interframe gap, associated with the second frame. In some embodiments, the specification may specify an interframe gap for each frame in the sequence of frames. This information may be used to determine the relative transmit time of each frame to be transmitted. Because the specification identifies an interframe gap for each frame in the sequence, in some embodiments, multi-frame burst network traffic may be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Spirent Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Fujikami, William T. Hatley, Jocelyn Kunimitsu
  • Publication number: 20110306306
    Abstract: The present invention relates to testing a mobile device in a lab by providing test signals to the mobile device via a cabled connection which bypasses the actual physical antennas in the mobile device. The test signals emulate a wireless channel and incorporate representative and/or actual measured characteristics of the performance of the antennas in the mobile device. As such, the performance mobile device can be accurately measured without requiring placement in an anechoic chamber, which enables efficient testing over a large set of configurations and underlying conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: SPIRENT COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: John Douglas Reed
  • Publication number: 20110299570
    Abstract: The present invention relates to techniques for OTA testing suitable for producing a test signal to emulate a wireless channel while using a limited number of transmit elements. The techniques described herein enable the number of transmit antennas used to emulate a given signal path in an emulated wireless channel to be less than the number of sub-paths used to characterize the angle spread of the given signal path. As a result, a test setup is provided having a relatively small number of transmit antennas which also accurately maintaining the desirable characteristics of the emulated wireless channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: SPIRENT COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: John Douglas Reed
  • Patent number: 8054946
    Abstract: A pilot signal is transmitted from a transmitting device through a communication network under test to a receiving device. The pilot signal is transmitted at a known transmit time and in a voice channel. Incoming signals within the voice channel at the receiving device are monitored to detect receipt of the pilot signal. A receipt time of the pilot signal at the receiving device is identified. The one-way delay (OWD) is determined as a difference between the receipt time of the pilot signal at the receiving device and the transmit time of the pilot signal from the transmitting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Spirent Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikhail Kronrod, Vladimir Movshovich, Elizaveta K. Tavastcherna
  • Publication number: 20110257923
    Abstract: The present invention relates to simulation on a lab workbench of conditions that would be encountered by a mobile device during a so-called drive test, which involves transporting the mobile device along a course so that it encounters fading and changing wireless access points used normally to connect the mobile device to a wireless network but in this case used to locate the device. The instrument and method also support parametric testing of transceivers used for WiFi positioning and, optionally, GNSS positioning by the same mobile device used for WiFi positioning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Spirent Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter George Boulton
  • Patent number: 8027807
    Abstract: The present invention relates to diagnostic analysis of DSL circuits. In particular, it relates to methods and devices that use a rule base and automated test initiation, with excellent reduction in test technician involvement in trouble shooting, reduced truck rolls and more accurate identification of probably causes of customer complaints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Spirent Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Vernon May, Alberto Leyva
  • Publication number: 20110231437
    Abstract: The technology disclosed relates to real-time collection and flexible reporting of test data. In particular, it is useful when collecting packet counts during tests of network devices that simulate thousands or even millions of data sessions conducted through a device under test (“DUT”).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: Spirent Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Silverman, Abhitesh Kastuar, Tom McBeath, Sergey Rathon
  • Patent number: 7995490
    Abstract: A system for identifying characteristics of communication circuit devices in a communication circuit includes a stimulus signal generator configured to generate a stimulus signal at a plurality of amplitudes for the communication circuit devices. At least one of the plurality of amplitudes exceeds a first predetermined threshold. At least one communication circuit device is configured to generate a signature signal in response to the stimulus signal when the stimulus signal exceeds the first predetermined threshold. The system includes an evaluation device configured to evaluate at least one intermodulation distortion (IMD) product of the signature signal generated by the at least one communication circuit device, and to identify a class of the at least one communication circuit device according to a transition level of an amplitude of the at least one IMD product of the signature signal that exceeds a second predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Spirent Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: George R. Bailey, Terry Zhou
  • Publication number: 20110173498
    Abstract: Some aspects of the technology relate to the generation for test purposes of test packet ingredients by a microprocessor, ongoing with the generation for test purposes of test packets incorporating the test packet ingredients by a high-speed FPGA. Some aspects of the technology relate to the generation of outgoing test packets incorporating the test packet ingredients, at a programmable logic device such as an FPGA. These aspects are implemented as an apparatus, a method, computer readable medium, and a data structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: Spirent Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Hatley, Thomas R. McBeath
  • Patent number: 7961847
    Abstract: A monitor access is gradually applied an removed from a communications circuit, including a digital subscriber line (DSL), by a gradual monitor access (GMA) technique, in which a variable impedance element is gradually applied to the communications circuit until the monitor can be introduced to the communications circuit without data disruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Spirent Communications of Rockville, Inc.
    Inventor: George Bailey
  • Patent number: 7961637
    Abstract: A system for testing a segment of a data-packet-network has a first probe connected substantially at one end of the segment; a second probe connected substantially at the opposite end of the segment from the location of the first probe; and a process application distributed to each probe. The first and second probes collect data from and time stamp data packets as they pass forming first and second records of the individual packets whereupon the second-formed records of each packet are compared with the first records of each packet for record matching, time-stamp comparison and test result processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Spirent Communications of Rockville, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom McBeath
  • Patent number: 7957323
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to evaluating the sequence of packets in a received packet stream. In some embodiments, when a packet in the packet stream is received, its sequence number may be determined and compared to an expected sequence number indicative of the highest received sequence number in the packet stream. If the sequence number of the packet is greater than or equal to the expected sequence number, the packet may be considered an in-order packet and a counter that counts the number of received in-order packets in the packet stream may be incremented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Spirent Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Uyehara, Jocelyn Kunimitsu, Craig Fujikami
  • Patent number: 7958387
    Abstract: The technology disclosed relates to real-time collection and flexible reporting of test data. In particular, it is useful when collecting packet counts during tests of network devices that simulate thousands or even millions of data sessions conducted through a device under test (“DUT”).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Spirent Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Silverman, Abhitesh Kastuar, Tom McBeath, Sergey Rathon
  • Publication number: 20110124295
    Abstract: The present invention relates to testing cell phones that simulates network conditions. In particular, it relates to new testing capabilities for simulating changes in correlation characteristics of signal components delivered to a cell phone. Correlation characteristics express changing environmental conditions and physical relationships among antennas in the cell phone and at base stations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Spirent Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Arashk Mahjoubi Amine, Randy Oltman, Charles Zheng, Joe Willis
  • Patent number: 7933220
    Abstract: Some aspects of the technology relate to the generation for test purposes of test packet ingredients by a microprocessor, ongoing with the generation for test purposes of test packets incorporating the test packet ingredients by a high-speed FPGA. Some aspects of the technology relate to the generation of outgoing test packets incorporating the test packet ingredients, at a programmable logic device such as an FPGA. These aspects are implemented as an apparatus, a method, computer readable medium, and a data structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Spirent Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Hatley, Thomas R. McBeath
  • Publication number: 20110072307
    Abstract: Some aspects of the technology relate to the generation for test purposes of test packet ingredients by a microprocessor, ongoing with the generation for test purposes of test packets incorporating the test packet ingredients by a high-speed FPGA. Some aspects of the technology relate to the generation of outgoing test packets incorporating the test packet ingredients, at a programmable logic device such as an FPGA. These aspects are implemented as an apparatus, a method, computer readable medium, and a data structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: Spirent Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Hatley, Thomas R. McBeath
  • Patent number: 7872988
    Abstract: Some aspects of the technology relate to the generation for test purposes of test packet ingredients by a microprocessor, ongoing with the generation for test purposes of test packets incorporating the test packet ingredients by a high-speed FPGA. Some aspects of the technology relate to the generation of outgoing test packets incorporating the test packet ingredients, at a programmable logic device such as an FPGA. These aspects are implemented as an apparatus, a method, computer readable medium, and a data structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Spirent Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Hatley, Thomas R. McBeath
  • Patent number: 7872987
    Abstract: Some aspects of the technology relate to the generation for test purposes of test packet ingredients by a microprocessor, ongoing with the generation for test purposes of test packets incorporating the test packet ingredients by a high-speed FPGA. Some aspects of the technology relate to the generation of outgoing test packets incorporating the test packet ingredients, at a programmable logic device such as an FPGA. These aspects are implemented as an apparatus, a method, computer readable medium, and a data structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Spirent Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Hatley, Thomas R. McBeath