Abstract: A method is described herein that can be used to detect the presence of a load coil within a transmission line. The method can also be used to determine the number of load coil(s) present within the transmission line. In addition, the method can be used to determine the distance to the first load coil.

Abstract: The invention refers to single-ended test of a loop with the aid of a transceiver, wherein an input impedance (Zm(ƒ)) of the loop is generated. The transceiver has a digital part, a codec and an analog part and is connected to the loop. With the aid of a transmitted and a reflected broadband signal (vin, vout) an echo transfer function Hecho(ƒ)=V(f)out/Vin(f) is generated, which also can be expressed as H echo ? ( f ) = H ? ? ( f ) ? Z in ? ( f ) + Z h0 ? ( f ) Z in ? ( f ) + Z hyb ? ( f ) Here Zh0(ƒ), Zhyb(ƒ) and H?(ƒ) are model values for the transceiver. In a calibration process a test transceiver, with the same type of hardware as the transceiver, is connected to known impedances, replacing the loop. Hecho(ƒ)=V(f)out/Vin(f) is generated for the known impedances and the model values are generated and are stored in a memory in the transceiver.

Abstract: Snow-shoe with a hingedly divided frame in order to facilitate walking.