Patents by Inventor Thomas R. McBeath

Thomas R. McBeath has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9461997
    Abstract: A method is described that includes securing authorization for a control module to conduct a test using a plurality of test modules running on a plurality of virtual machines. The method further includes registering the plurality of test modules with the control module to conduct the test. Authorization of the control module is extended to the test modules by securely communicating authorization and instructions to a first set of the registered test modules to send test stimulus to a device under test. Similarly, the authorization is extended to the test modules by securely communicating authorization to and receiving test result data from a second set of the registered test modules, wherein the test result data is responsive to the test stimulus sent to the device under test. The first and second sets of registered test modules can overlap or be the same test modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Spirent Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas R. McBeath
  • Patent number: 9116561
    Abstract: A time reference system includes a master clock, generating a clock reference, interface logic and a CPU-based subsystem. The interface logic receives the clock reference and generates the clock, pulses, and timestamp signals. The CPU-based subsystem includes an internal counter, a CPU and a clock synthesizer, the CPU and receiving the pulses and timestamp signals. The clock synthesizer receives the clock signal and generates a CPU clock signal. Some examples include an FPGA-based subsystem having an FPGA-based card coupled to the interface logic for receipt of the clock, pulses and timestamp signals. In a method the timestamp value TO is generated by the CPU upon receipt of the timestamp signal. Upon receipt by the CPU of the next pulse signal, a timestamp counter baseline value TSCO is generated so the CPU internal counter is calibrated to the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: SPIRENT COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: John R. Morris, Thomas R. McBeath
  • Publication number: 20150074770
    Abstract: A method is described that includes securing authorization for a control module to conduct a test using a plurality of test modules running on a plurality of virtual machines. The method further includes registering the plurality of test modules with the control module to conduct the test. Authorization of the control module is extended to the test modules by securely communicating authorization and instructions to a first set of the registered test modules to send test stimulus to a device under test. Similarly, the authorization is extended to the test modules by securely communicating authorization to and receiving test result data from a second set of the registered test modules, wherein the test result data is responsive to the test stimulus sent to the device under test. The first and second sets of registered test modules can overlap or be the same test modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas R. McBeath
  • Publication number: 20140331075
    Abstract: A time reference system includes a master clock, generating a clock reference, interface logic and a CPU-based subsystem. The interface logic receives the clock reference and generates the clock, pulses, and timestamp signals. The CPU-based subsystem includes an internal counter, a CPU and a clock synthesizer, the CPU and receiving the pulses and timestamp signals. The clock synthesizer receives the clock signal and generates a CPU clock signal. Some examples include an FPGA-based subsystem having an FPGA-based card coupled to the interface logic for receipt of the clock, pulses and timestamp signals. In a method the timestamp value TO is generated by the CPU upon receipt of the timestamp signal. Upon receipt by the CPU of the next pulse signal, a timestamp counter baseline value TSCO is generated so the CPU internal counter is calibrated to the clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Spirent Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Morris, Thomas R. McBeath
  • Patent number: 8310952
    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: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Spirent Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Hatley, Thomas R. McBeath
  • 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: 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: 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
  • 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: 7869381
    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 11, 2011
    Assignee: Spirent Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Hatley, Thomas R. McBeath