Abstract: A method and system is provided for monitoring the quality of signal transmissions in a communications network by calculating Quality of Services (QoS) scores and corresponding Transmission Impairment Test (TIT) scores, and then monitoring a QoS score to predict a corresponding TIT score. When the predicted TIT score goes below a minimum value, an administrator of the communications network will be informed so that the administrator can determine if services may be needed to restore the quality of signal transmissions. In an embodiment, the communications network includes a cable modem termination system (CMTS); a voice band tester (VBT) coupled to the CMTS; a cable modem tester coupled to the CMTS; and a Voice over Internet Packet (VoIP) monitoring device coupled to the CMTS and the voice band tester. The cable modem tester is located at a location remote from the VBT.

Abstract: A method for optical spectrum analysis provides a tunable optical filter and scans a wavelength range of an optical signal that is larger than the free spectrum range of the tunable optical filter. The optical signal is filtered through the tunable optical filter. Separate multiple optical orders of the wavelengths scanned and filtered by the tunable optical filter are individually detected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing tunable differential group delay with at least a component of a fiber optic transmission system includes providing a tunable differential group delay system that is optically connected to a component of the fiber optic transmission system. The tunable differential group delay system is then controlled to insert differential group delay into the component of the fiber optic transmission system.

Abstract: A method for optical spectrum analysis provides a tunable optical filter and scans a wavelength range of an optical signal that is larger than the free spectrum range of the tunable optical filter. The optical signal is filtered through the tunable optical filter. Separate multiple optical orders of the wavelengths scanned and filtered by the tunable optical filter are individually detected.

Abstract: A tactile display locking and marker system is provided including enabling a touch screen; contacting a marker lock soft key on the touch screen; and disabling the touch screen including only detecting the marker lock soft key activation on the touch screen

Abstract: An integrated spectrum analyzer and vector network analyzer system is provided including: providing a spectrum signal in a spectrum analysis mode of operation; processing the spectrum signal through a conversion process to provide a scaled analog signal for analog-to-digital conversion; providing a vector signal in a vector network analysis mode of operation in reverse through the conversion process; and processing the vector signal for analog-to-digital conversion.

Abstract: A network profiling system is provided including providing a base station tester having both a spectrum analyzer and a vector network analyzer, inserting an optical time domain reflectometer system in the base station tester, and operating a touch screen display of the base station tester for testing a cellular base station having both a non-optical portion and a backhaul with an optical fiber. The operating of the touch screen display further includes testing the non-optical portion with the vector network analyzer, the spectrum analyzer, or a combination thereof. The operating of the touch screen display also includes testing the backhaul having the optical fiber with the optical time domain reflectometer system, and analyzing test data from the testing the non-optical portion with the backhaul.

Abstract: A network profiling system is provided including providing a base station tester having both a spectrum analyzer and a vector network analyzer, inserting a protocol test system in the base station tester, and operating a touch screen display of the base station tester for testing a cellular base station having a backhaul. The operating of the touch screen display further includes testing a physical layer of the cellular base station with the spectrum analyzer and the vector network analyzer, testing a nonphysical layer of the cellular base station with the protocol test system, and analyzing the cellular base station based on the testing of the physical layer and the nonphysical layer.

Abstract: A system for monitoring reverse paths of a bi-directional cable communication network such as a CATV network, to detect and analyze ingress signals entering a reverse path and ending at a network sub-headend or headend through a corresponding one of communication lines, comprises a plurality of radio frequency signal detectors connected thereto. The radio frequency signal detectors are provided with bandpass filter for receiving a radio frequency signal within the frequency band used, to generate corresponding output signals indicative of the strength of the received radio frequency signal. The output signal generated by the frequency signal detector which is coupled to the communication line corresponding to the ingress signal carrying path is indicative of the strength of the received ingress signal with received reverse signals.

Abstract: An optical signal measurement system provides a tunable optical filter. An unknown optical signal is scanned through the tunable optical filter. The wavelength and chromatic dispersion values of the unknown optical signal scanned through the tunable optical filter are measured by operating the tunable optical filter in a scanning mode for at least one of OSA and PMD measurements, and in a stepping mode for CD measurements. The wavelength and the dispersion values in the unknown optical signal are specified.

Abstract: In a method for measuring jitter, a signal under test is inputted to generate signal transition locations. A signal transition location is latched using a sampling clock signal, and the signal transition location is converted to a delay value. The delay value is converted to an edge position output, and a value of the edge position output is detected.

Abstract: A remote test unit and method of operation are provided for utilizes the ability of an access matrix ability to route signals. The Remote Test Unit can emulate a central Digital Subscriber Line Modem (DSLM-C) for testing customer premises equipment containing a remote Digital Subscriber Line Modem (remote Digital Subscriber Line Modem). The Remote Test Unit can also emulate a remote Digital Subscriber Line Modem for testing central offices equipment including a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) containing a central Digital Subscriber Line Modem. The Remote Test Unit can also emulate a concentrator connected to the DSLAM, a router connected to the concentrator, an Internet service provider (ISP) connected to the router, and a web site connected to the Internet service provider over the Internet.

Abstract: A remote test unit (RTU) and method of operation are provided for utilizes the ability of an access matrix ability to route signals. The RTU can emulate a central Digital Subscriber Line Modem (DSLM-C) for testing customer premises equipment containing a remote Digital Subscriber Line Modem (DSLM-R). The RTU can also emulate a DSLM-R for testing central offices equipment including a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) containing a DSLM-C. The RTU can also emulate a concentrator connected to the DSLAM, a router connected to the concentrator, an Internet service provider (ISP) connected to the router, and a web site connected to the ISP over the Internet. The RTU can further test, using emulation, ISO/OSI layers defined in the ISO/OSI reference model which are connected to the DSLAM.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filter spectrum deconvolution and reshaping include providing a filter output of a spectrum signal and determining the intensity and wavelength of the spectrum signal at each spectral peak. The filter output is characterized as an integral of convolution of a spectrum signal function and a filter function. Transformation are then performed on the filter output to deconvolve and remove the undesirable filter function and add a desirable filter function to reshape the output filter spectrum.

Abstract: A method for detecting and quantifying impairments of a received communication signal of a QAM data communication system represented by a plurality of ideal values. The method includes storing a statistically significant number of a plurality of received points of the signal for each ideal value corresponding to a plurality of groups of said plurality of ideal values. The received points are defined by an in-phase and a quadrature components in a coordinate system in which a first axis is the in-phase axis and a second axis is a quadrature axis. The components have corresponding ideal components from their respective ideal value. Each group corresponds to respective impairments and is specific to the same.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filter spectrum deconvolution and reshaping include providing a filter output of a spectrum signal and determining the intensity and wavelength of the spectrum signal at each spectral peak. The filter output is characterized as an integral of convolution of a spectrum signal function and a filter function. Transformation are then performed on the filter output to deconvolve and remove the undesirable filter function and add a desirable filter function to reshape the output filter spectrum.

Abstract: A system and method for testing a portion of a cable network provides a pattern generator, addresser, forward error corrector, and comparator. The system and method is particularly adapted to testing the upstream channel in a cable network. The pattern generator generates a test signal. The addresser addresses the signal to a known server and also instructs the known server to return the test signal to the test system. The forward error corrector corrects errors introduced in the test signal in transmission from the known server to the test system. The comparator then compares the returned test signal to the originally transmitted test signal to determine the performance of the back channel. Preferably, the comparator uses a bit error rate test to determine the performance of the back channel.

Abstract: A system and method for testing a portion of a cable network provides a pattern generator, addresser, forward error corrector, and comparator. The system and method is particularly adapted to testing the upstream channel in a cable network. The pattern generator generates a test signal. The addresser addresses the signal to a known server and also instructs the known server to return the test signal to the test system. The forward error corrector corrects errors introduced in the test signal in transmission from the known server to the test system. The comparator then compares the returned test signal to the originally transmitted test signal to determine the performance of the back channel. Preferably, the comparator uses a bit error rate test to determine the performance of the back channel.

Abstract: An antenna apparatus for detecting a leaked electromagnetic signal is provided. The apparatus includes a telescoping antenna and a casing, which has a portion of the antenna mounted in it. The antenna can move telescopically relative to the casing between an extended configuration, in which the antenna extends away from the casing, and a retracted configuration, in which the antenna is housed in the casing. A signal analyzer is located in the casing and is connected to the telescoping antenna. The antenna detects the electromagnetic signal, which is analyzed by the signal analyzer.