Abstract: A system and method for automatically determining a dielectric constant for a cable of known length for use in a Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) are disclosed. The TDR mode is set to time mode. A waveform for the cable is acquired from the TDR. The waveform indicates the time of a round trip distance of a signal through the cable. The length of the cable is entered via a programmed operator entry. A Velocity of Propagation (VOP) is calculated based on the length of the cable and the time of the round trip distance. The dielectric constant is then calculated based on the calculated VOP.

Abstract: An aircraft multi-function wire and low voltage insulation tester, having a time domain reflectometer, a digital multi-meter, and a matrix switch integrated in a computer, and a connector having a plurality of output pins allowing a plurality of wires to be hooked up simultaneously. The matrix switch connects the output pins to either the digital multi-meter or the time domain reflectometer perform the respective tests. Corresponding to the output pins, the matrix switch has a plurality of input/output channels, such that wire paths can be established between the output pins. The time domain reflectometry and characteristic tests can thus be performed on each line of a cable to be tested, and each wire path established between the output pins or the lines.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically determining a dielectric constant for a cable of known length for use in a Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) are disclosed. The TDR mode is set to time mode. A waveform for the cable is acquired from the TDR. The waveform indicates the time of a round trip distance of a signal through the cable. The length of the cable is entered via a programmed operator entry. A Velocity of Propagation (VOP) is calculated based on the length of the cable and the time of the round trip distance. The dielectric constant is then calculated based on the calculated VOP.

Abstract: An aircraft multi-function wire and low voltage insulation tester, having a time domain reflectometer, a digital multi-meter, and a matrix switch integrated in a computer, and a connector having a plurality of output pins allowing a plurality of wires to be hooked up simultaneously. The matrix switch connects the output pins to either the digital multi-meter or the time domain reflectometer perform the respective tests. Corresponding to the output pins, the matrix switch has a plurality of input/output channels, such that wire paths can be established between the output pins. The time domain reflectometry and characteristic tests can thus be performed on each line of a cable to be tested, and each wire path established between the output pins or the lines.

Abstract: A smart automatic wiring analyzer having at least two modular wiring analyzer boxes stacked together is provided. The modular wiring analyzer boxes has a plurality of testing pins connected to a plurality of interface pins of at least a connector built in the smart automatic wiring analyzer. Thereby, a direct connection to the cable under test can be established without introducing an external interface fixture. A wire list of the connection between the test pins and the interface pins are pre-stored in a reference file. When a cable is to be tested, the wiring pattern of the cable is obtained by attaching a known-good cable to the connector. A test program (sequence) is generated according to the wiring pattern of the cable and the wire list. The cable can thus be tested.

Abstract: A smart automatic wiring analyzer comprising at least two modular wiring analyzer boxes stacked together is provided. The modular wiring analyzer boxes has a plurality of testing pins connected to a plurality of interface pins of at least a connector built in the smart automatic wiring analyzer. Thereby, a direct connection to the cable under test can be established without introducing an external interface fixture. A wire list of the connection between the test pins and the interface pins are pre-stored in a reference file. When a cable is to be tested, the wiring pattern of the cable is obtained by attaching a known-good cable to the connector. A test program (sequence) is generated according to the wiring pattern of the cable and the wire list. The cable can thus be tested.

Abstract: A method for analyzing cable faults includes dividing a waveform into a plurality of segments. The waveform is representative of a reflected signal created by applying a stimulus signal to a cable, and the slope at any point on each respective segment of the waveform falls within a respective specified range. The method further includes determining a longest segment from the plurality of segments, and identifying a predicted location of the fault based, at least in part, on the location of the longest segment.

Abstract: A system interface fault isolator uses time domain reflectometry test techniques to isolate faults from only one end of a cable, a cable string or component without requiring removal of the cable or component from the system interface. A separate maintenance control unit includes a mass storage means for storing TDR or VSWR signatures of a variety of systems and comparing the signatures with data obtained by the TDR measurement board connected to the cable or component to be tested. VSWR data is obtained by processing the TDR data using software built-in the maintenance control unit. The control unit is programmable to accommodate a variety of different system interfaces, and bit status data can be downloaded directly to the control unit. Two adaptors are also provided, one of which is connected to the control unit to analyze a multi-line digital bus, and the other of which allows differential TDR measurements to be taken by the SI-FI on a MIL-STD-1553 bus.

Abstract: Portable antenna test apparatus has a test set positioned a determined distance from a number of antennas of an aircraft. A transmitting module of the test set contains low frequency, mid frequency, and high frequency antennas connected to a radio receiver and power amplifier in and of the test set for receiving control commands and for transmitting a number of simultaneous test signals to the number of antennas in the aircraft. A signal generator produces low frequency, mid frequency and high frequency signals. A hand-held computer is connected to a communications radio in and of the aircraft via a radio interface adapter of the hand-held computer and a control computer is connected to the signal generator. The hand-held computer transmits commands via the aircraft radio, which commands are received by the receiver in the transmitting module. This receiver conveys the commands to the control computer which then programs the signal generator.