Abstract: A system for providing access to subscriber lines includes a plurality of blade test access modules, including: a first blade test access module configured to engage with a first portion of a distribution frame. The first blade test access module includes first substrate, a plurality of first conductors positioned to engage with first terminals of the distribution frame, and one or more switches to control access to a first plurality of subscriber lines connected to the first terminals. The plurality of blade text access modules also includes a second blade test access module configured to engage with a second portion of the distribution frame. The second blade test access module includes a second substrate, a plurality of second conductors positioned to engage with second terminals of the distribution frame, and one or more switches to control access to a second plurality of subscriber lines connected to the second terminals.

Abstract: A system and method for testing lines to determine service-affecting conditions on a line, such as telephone wiring. Conditions may be identified from low frequency variations in a frequency spectrum measured on the line. The line may be stimulated with a broad spectrum signal, such as may be generated by a DSL modem operating in the L0 state or may be the result of noise on the line. Analysis of the low frequency variations may yield information about the nature of service-affecting conditions allowing conditions, such as un-terminated or poorly-terminated extensions to be identified. The method may be performed by a test device attached to premises wiring in a telephone network and used to determine whether the premises wiring will support VDSL2 or other high speed data services without modification or may indicate changes at the premises to enable the wiring to support high speed data services.

Abstract: An optical voltage sensor for measuring voltage on an underground power line or for use in other scenarios in which access to a conductor is available through a blind hole. The optical voltage sensor includes a light modulating member, such as a Pockel's crystal. A reflective, conductive member is positioned at one end of the light modulating member and another conductive member is positioned at an opposed end. A voltage capacitively coupled to the reflective conductive member induces a voltage across the light modulating member, thereby impacting the amount of modulation. A beam of light is directed through the crystal and reflected back out of the crystal, where the amount of modulating can be measured. The amount of modulation indicates a measured voltage, and can be transmitted to a monitoring station where processing can determine the status of the power grid or generate other results based on the measured voltage.

Abstract: In a power line takeoff clamp assembly and method of use thereof an electrical power distribution line is clamped to a body of the clamp assembly. A power takeoff supported by the body clamped to the power line generates direct current from alternating current flowing in the power line. One or more sensors supported by the body clamped to the power line sense one or more values related to an electrical current flowing in a power line. A wireless transceiver supported by the body clamped to the power line communicates data regarding the one or more sensed values. Each sensor and the wireless transceiver utilize direct current generated by the power takeoff for the operation thereof.

Abstract: In a method of testing a residential broadband communication network, a residential gateway or set top box (STB) performs one or more single-ended parametric tests of the residential network that runs therebetween. The residential gateway or STB also performs one or more single-ended reflectometry tests of the residential network that runs therebetween. The residential gateway and the STB perform one or more dual-ended tests of the residential network that runs therebetween. The residential gateway dispatches the results of the foregoing tests to either: a device on the residential network, a device of another network that supplies broadband services to the residential network, or an intelligent device coupled to the residential gateway.

Abstract: A system is provided for identifying service affecting conditions in an access portion of a network through which a number of subscribers are connected to an exchange. The access network includes subscriber lines connected to DSL subscriber modems. The system includes a receiver for receiving pilot signals from a modem connected to one of the subscriber lines. A measuring unit is operatively associated with the receiver for measuring electrical characteristics of the received pilot signals. A controller is operatively associated with the measuring unit and uses the measured electrical characteristics to identify a service affecting condition. The subscriber modem pilot signals include differential mode signals and the measuring unit measures common mode of each wire of the subscriber line. By using combinations of measurements and deductive logic, the system can detect one or more service affecting conditions.

Abstract: In a power line takeoff clamp assembly and method of use thereof an electrical power distribution line is clamped to a body of the clamp assembly. A power takeoff supported by the body clamped to the power line generates direct current from alternating current flowing in the power line. One or more sensors supported by the body clamped to the power line sense one or more values related to an electrical current flowing in a power line. A wireless transceiver supported by the body clamped to the power line communicates data regarding the one or more sensed values. Each sensor and the wireless transceiver utilize direct current generated by the power takeoff for the operation thereof.

Abstract: A system for testing a conductor of a structure can include a test device connected to the conductor. The test device is configured to test an electrical characteristic of the conductor and to produce a test result based at least in part on the electrical characteristic. A service provider network may be configured to communicate with the test device to initiate a test and/or to obtain the test result. A customer may use a computing device to obtain information regarding the test result, as well as guidance for troubleshooting and resolving a problem detected with the electrical conductor, such as a fault.

Abstract: Diagnosis of a service affecting condition can be performed by obtaining first diagnostic information from a first software agent installed on a first communication enabled device within a customer premises and second diagnostic information from a second software agent installed on a second communication enabled device within the customer premises. The first and second diagnostic information can be processed to determine information regarding a service affecting condition.

Abstract: In a power line takeoff clamp assembly and method of use thereof an electrical power distribution line is clamped to a body of the clamp assembly. A power takeoff supported by the body clamped to the power line generates direct current from alternating current flowing in the power line. One or more sensors supported by the body clamped to the power line sense one or more values related to an electrical current flowing in a power line. A wireless transceiver supported by the body clamped to the power line communicates data regarding the one or more sensed values. Each sensor and the wireless transceiver utilize direct current generated by the power takeoff for the operation thereof.

Abstract: In a power line takeoff clamp assembly and method of use thereof an electrical power distribution line is clamped to a body of the clamp assembly. A power takeoff supported by the body clamped to the power line generates direct current from alternating current flowing in the power line. One or more sensors supported by the body clamped to the power line sense one or more values related to an electrical current flowing in a power line. A wireless transceiver supported by the body clamped to the power line communicates data regarding the one or more sensed values. Each sensor and the wireless transceiver utilize direct current generated by the power takeoff for the operation thereof.

Abstract: Techniques comprising obtaining, using a sensor unit coupled to a power line in a power distribution system, at least one measurement of at least one inertial property of the power line; and detecting at least one condition of the power line at least in part by analyzing the at least one measurement. A sensor unit configured to be coupled to a power line in a power distribution system, the sensor unit comprising an inertial sensor configured to collect at least one measurement of at least one inertial property of the power line.

Abstract: A system for measuring electrical properties of a power line comprising a first wire and a second wire. The system comprises a sensor unit configured for connection to the first wire; and an elongated resistive element comprising a first end configured for connection to the sensor unit and a second end configured for connection to the second wire, the elongated resistive element having a distributed resistance. The first wire may be a hot wire and the second wire may be a hot wire or a neutral wire.

Abstract: A system and method for testing a modem of a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) includes a pair of modems communicatively coupled to each other by way of a communications path that includes a first DSL communication medium connected to one modem, a second DSL communication medium connected to the other modem, which is part of the DSLAM, and an Ethernet medium connected between the first and second DSL modems. DSL signals can be dispatched from the first (or second) modem via the first (or second) DSL communication medium for receipt by the second (or first) DSL modem via the second (or first) DSL communication medium, whereupon, DSL signals passing from the first DSL communication medium to the second DSL communication medium, or vice versa, are converted into Ethernet packets for transmission over the Ethernet medium and then back into DSL signals.

Abstract: Techniques for determining conditions of power lines in a power distribution system based on measurements collected by a plurality of sensor units deployed in the power distribution system. Techniques include obtaining first transformed data associated with a first set of one or more measurements collected by a first sensor unit in the plurality of sensor units and second transformed data associated with a second set of one or more measurements collected by a second sensor unit in the plurality of sensor units, and determining, by using at least one processor and based at least in part on one or more features calculated from the first transformed data and the second transformed data, at least one condition of at least one power line in the power distribution system.

Abstract: Techniques for determining conditions of power lines in a power distribution system based on data collected by a plurality of sensor units deployed in the power distribution system. The techniques include obtaining data associated with measurements collected by at least two sensor units in the plurality of sensor units, and determining, by using at least one processor, at least one condition of at least one power line in the power distribution system by using the data obtained by the at least two sensor units.

Abstract: A system for testing a conductor of a structure can include a test device connected to the conductor. The test device is configured to test an electrical characteristic of the conductor and to produce a test result based at least in part on the electrical characteristic. A service provider network may be configured to communicate with the test device to initiate a test and/or to obtain the test result. A customer may use a computing device to obtain information regarding the test result, as well as guidance for troubleshooting and resolving a problem detected with the electrical conductor, such as a fault.

Abstract: A system for testing a conductor of a structure can include a test device connected to the conductor. The test device is configured to test an electrical characteristic of the conductor and to produce a test result based at least in part on the electrical characteristic. A service provider network may be configured to communicate with the test device to initiate a test and/or to obtain the test result. A customer may use a computing device to obtain information regarding the test result, as well as guidance for troubleshooting and resolving a problem detected with the electrical conductor, such as a fault.

Abstract: A system for testing a conductor of a structure can include a test device connected to the conductor. The test device is configured to test an electrical characteristic of the conductor and to produce a test result based at least in part on the electrical characteristic. A service provider network may be configured to communicate with the test device to initiate a test and/or to obtain the test result. A customer may use a computing device to obtain information regarding the test result, as well as guidance for troubleshooting and resolving a problem detected with the electrical conductor, such as a fault.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method of testing the capacity of a network to support DSL services, a test device is coupled to a pair of wires (e.g., Tip-Ring) that support DSL services between ATU-C and ATU-R modems. In operation, the test device: samples for a DC line feed or potential on the wires when the ATU-R and ATU-C modems are operatively connected via the wires; samples for AC noise present on the wires when the ATU-R modem is electrically isolated from the ATU-C modem which is operatively coupled to the wires; samples for DSL signals output by the ATU-R modem when the ATU-C modem is electrically isolated from the ATU-R modem; and samples for DSL signals on the wires when the ATU-R modem is operatively coupled to the ATU-C modem via the wires. Based on these samples, the test device determines the capacity of the network to support DSL services.