Abstract: One or more of a topology location test and a distance test are applied to determine if a CPE device has moved in a cable plant. An indication of service fraud is provided if the CPE topology location or distance test indicate an unauthorized CPE device move.

Abstract: Methods of testing at least a transmission line of interest within a group of transmission lines for anomalies using Time Domain Reflectometry are provided. The testing methods set forth herein aim to improve, for example, the quality and accuracy of information collected when propagating signals along a length of transmission line in order to pinpoint specific anomalies. To achieve this and other benefits, the testing methods simultaneously impose, for example, pulses of equal magnitude and form onto a group of transmission lines, such as the phases cables of a three phase power transmission cable system. From this, at least one transmission line from the group is monitored for reflected signals caused by impedance change. An example TDR is also provided.

Abstract: A subsea line monitoring device comprising a diagnostic unit adapted to be deployed, in use, in a subsea location and having a first connector, the diagnostic unit being operable, in use, to output a signal indicative of the integrity of a line or device connected to the first connector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for analyzing electric cables in a network, for the detection and location of defects in networks comprising at least one junction from which there depart N secondary cable stretches. The method includes interposing in the network, in series at the input of each the secondary stretches (T2, T3) starting from the junction (A), a respective bidirectional passive filter (FR2,FR3) able to cut off a frequency band associated with this stretch. The filters all allow through the useful frequencies for the normal operation of the network. A pulsed test is applied to the input of the network signal modulated by N different carrier frequencies each situated in one of the N frequency bands of the filters. The temporal position of test signal spikes reflected for each of the N frequencies is detected, and deducing therefrom the position of possible defects on a stretch of cable of the network.

Abstract: A method of manufacture for a portable computing device is described. In particular, methods and apparatus for assessing a quality of weld joints used to connect one or more components of the portable computing device are described. The weld joints can include one or more weld points. At a weld check station, using a vector network analyzer, a test signal generated can be passed through the weld joint and a response signal can be measured. The measured characteristics can be used to assess a quality of the weld joint. In one embodiment, the vector network analyzer can be used to generate a number of high frequency test signals that are passed through the weld to perform a time domain reflectometry measurement where the weld joint can be accepted or rejected based upon the measurement.

Abstract: A circuit board with embedded components includes a plurality of embedded components and at least one transmission line electrically connected to at least one of the embedded components and having a terminal circuit. Therefore, a measuring device is used to be electrically connected to the transmission line and send out a signal, so as to receive a corresponding reflected signal, and then, compare the received reflected signal with a signal pattern in the database to obtain an electrical parameter of the embedded component.

Abstract: Hidden or overlapped peaks may occur when using SSTDR technology to determine ware faults. These hidden/overlapped peaks may cause false negative determinations (no fault) when testing a wire for faults. In one method of the present invention, the symmetrical property of the SSTDR wave envelope is used to resolve hidden/overlapped peaks. In another method of the present invention, the calibrated normalized loop back SSTDR wave envelope may be used to resolve hidden/overlapped peaks.

Abstract: An electrical fault locating system for distributing power from an input to a plurality of output channels provides fault detection and locating for each of the plurality of output channels. Each of the plurality of output channels is monitored by a fault detection circuit to detect the presence of an electrical fault. In response to a detected fault condition, the fault detection circuit isolates the output channel from the input and generates an output identifying the output channel on which the fault was detected. A fault locating device injects a high-frequency (HF) signal onto the input of the electrical system, the HF signal is distributed to each of the plurality of output channels, and the monitored reflection of the HF signal is monitored by the fault locating device to calculate a distance to the detected fault.

Abstract: A system and method for enhanced accuracy in cable diagnostics of cable length. Conventional cable diagnostics such as time domain reflectometry can be used to determine cable length. This conventional technique can have accuracy limitations in certain situation such as with perfectly terminated cable. A cable length can also be determined through the use of link delay measurements that are based on clock synchronization between nodes in a network. Notwithstanding the accuracy issues of these link delay measurements, overall accuracy can be increased through the combination of the two cable length delay measurements into a final estimate.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a partial discharge counter for the diagnosis of a GIS. The partial discharge counter includes a partial discharge detection sensor for detecting a partial discharge. A first surge inflow prevention circuit separates a surge signal from an output terminal of the partial discharge detection sensor. A channel 1 frequency conversion module forms a low-frequency signal. A noise detection sensor detects noise. A second surge inflow prevention circuit separates a surge signal from an output terminal of the noise detection sensor. A channel 2 frequency conversion module forms a low-frequency signal. An ADC circuit generates partial discharge data and noise data. A synchronization device enables the partial discharge data and the noise data to be output in synchronization with frequency of the phase voltage. A digital signal processing unit counts a number of times the partial discharge occurs. Counting units display a count value.

Abstract: A system includes a first electrical component, a second electrical component, and at least two cables connecting the first and second electrical components. Time varying signals are transmitted through the cables with at least one of the cables carrying an injected DC signal. The system associates the cable carrying the DC signal with a predetermined time varying signal and is capable of electronically switching the routes of the time varying signals if the cables are incorrectly physically attached to the first and second electrical components.

Abstract: A method and circuit for implementing a coded time domain transmission distance meter, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. A first transmitter module connected to a cable at a first point or power outlet, generates and sends a testing coded pulse onto the power cable. A second receiver module connected to the cable at a second point, receives the testing coded pulse, and returns a receiver response coded pulse to the transmitter module. The first transmitter module determines the round-trip elapsed time, subtracts a receiver latency time, and calculates a distance to the second receiver module. Encoded in the testing coded pulse are data representing the last calculated distance. Both the first transmitter module and the second receiver module include a display for displaying the calculated distance.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a time domain reflectometry measurement. The system includes a coherent interleaved sampling timebase, a sampling strobe generator for generating one or more sampling strobes in accordance with the coherent interleaved sampling timebase, a time domain reflectometry sampling strobe generator for generating one or more time domain reflectometry strobes in accordance with one or more of the generated sampling strobes; and a sampling module for sampling a time domain reflectometry signal in accordance with one or more of the one or more generated sampling strobes and one or more of the one or more generated time domain reflectometry strobes. The system further includes an analog to digital converter for analog to digital converting the samples of the time domain reflectometry signal and a memory for storing the converted samples of the time domain reflectometry signal.

Abstract: A physical layer (PHY) device including a first transmitter, a first analog-to-digital converter (ADC) module, and a control module. The first transmitter is configured to transmit a first pulse on a first conductor of a first pair of conductors of a cable. The first ADC module is configured to generate a first set of outputs, in response to the transmission of the first pulse, by sampling an input from a second conductor of the first pair of conductors a plurality of times at a predetermined time interval. The control module is configured to determine a first distance from the PHY device to (i) an open-circuit, (ii) a short-circuit, or (iii) a termination of the first pair of conductors based on the first set of outputs.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing auxiliary signals on a high speed electrical signal network is provided such that the auxiliary signals may be used for independent monitoring or communication of monitored information without affecting data or bit error rates for the primary high speed data signals. The auxiliary signals may be used as part of a built-in testing of a network, including electrical time-domain reflectometry measurements to determine fault locations in a network.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for testing a transmission medium used in a full-duplex communication system comprising an endpoint that comprises a transmitting end (TX) and a receiving end (RX); the method comprises the steps of: first, transmitting a transmitted signal which comprises a test signal sequence with a high auto-correlation characteristic; then, receiving a received signal, and performing a correlation operation on the test signal and the received signal; finally, according to the result of the correlation operation, determining the impedance matching condition of the transmission medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a time domain reflectometer for testing an electrical cable. The time domain reflectometer includes a test signal generator, at least one line feed resistor, connected between the test signal generator and a pair of terminals, for connection to the ends of the electrical cable under test, and a signal processor, connected to the terminals, to receive a line signal including a reflection of a test signal transmitted into the cable under test. The signal processor is programmed to filter the line signal to enhance a portion of the signal indicative of any fault on the cable by balancing the signal according to the electrical characteristics of a normal cable of the same type as the cable under test by applying a filter function, and acquiring at least one estimate of the input admittance of the transmission line from known or estimated electrical characteristics of the cable under test.

Abstract: A method for ascertaining and monitoring the fill level of a medium in a container the method utilizes a fill-level measuring device, wherein, according to the technique of time-domain reflectometry, high-frequency measuring signals are guided via at least one measuring probe in the direction of the medium, reflected on at least one interface of the medium as wanted echo signals or on disturbance locations as disturbance echo signals, and received. A current echo curve is formed from a produced, reference echo signal, wanted echo signals and disturbance echo signals, wherein, at least from a first disturbance echo signal and the reference echo signal, which are caused in a measurement-inactive region of the fill-level measuring device, a base point is located in the current echo curve, and wherein the fill level is ascertained from the distance between the base point and the wanted echo signal formed in a measurement-active region of the fill-level measuring device.

Abstract: A cable testing system that tests cable includes a pulse generation module that transmits a first pulse on a first communications channel of the cable. A sampling module waits a predetermined time period after the pulse generation module transmits the first pulse and then detects a first amplitude of a reflected signal on a second communications channel of the cable. A time domain reflection (TDR) module receives the first amplitude and verifies proper operation of the cable based on the first amplitude. The predetermined time period corresponds with an estimated roundtrip propagation delay of the first pulse when the first pulse is reflected back to the cable testing system after traveling a first predetermined distance along the cable. The sampling module incrementally increases the predetermined time period during subsequent iterations of a cable test in order to verify proper operation of a predetermined segment of the cable.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of time domain reflectometry including transmitting a test signal along a cable under test from one end and sensing and recording a reflected signal from the cable at that end, using the recorded, reflected signal to estimate the distance, Ldist, from the one end to a discontinuity on the cable, separating a test signal component from the remainder, Vr, of the reflected signal; estimating the impedance, Zfault, of the discontinuity from known, predetermined values of the characteristic impedance, Zline, and of the characteristic gain, T, of a reference cable, and from the said separated test signal and reflected signal components, calculating the estimation error as a difference between the model reflection signal, Vrmod, expected of the cable under test based on the characteristic impedance and characteristic gain and the estimated impedance, Zfault and distance, Ldist, and the actual reflection signal Vr, choosing new estimated values of Ldist and Zfault in accordance

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting anomalies, such as corrosion, on internal surfaces of hollow elongate bodies, such as pipelines. The pipeline is treated as a circular waveguide, and a fast rise time pulse or a spectrum of electromagnetic waves is launched down the waveguide to perform time domain, or equivalent of time domain (e.g., frequency domain), reflectometry. Anomalies in the internal structure of the pipeline cause reflections which can be measured and related to the physical parameters of the pipeline structure and identified to a particular location.

Abstract: A method, computer readable storage medium and apparatus for measuring data rates is disclosed. A method that incorporates the teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, submitting a signal over a cable from a Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) element, determining a fault in the cable from a reflection of the signal, determining a length of the cable from the reflection of the signal, determining a location of a bridged tap relative to customer premise equipment (CPE) and determining effective downstream bit rates for the cable according to the fault, the length of the cable and the location of the bridged tap relative to the CPE. Additional steps and embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A physical layer module (PHY) of a network device includes a control module and a cable-test module. The control module selectively generates a cable-test enable signal to test a cable including four pairs of twisted wire. The cable-test module tests the cable based on the cable-test enable signal. The cable-test module transmits test signals on the four pairs at a first time and receives return signals. The cable-test module determines that the cable is not faulty when the return signals received on first and second pairs of the four pairs have an amplitude less than a first predetermined amplitude, and when the return signals received on third and fourth pairs of the four pairs have an amplitude greater than a second predetermined amplitude and are received substantially contemporaneously.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining a time-domain-reflection response-information has a signal driver adapted to apply two pulses of different pulse lengths to a TDR port in order to excite a first TDR response signal corresponding to a first pulse and a second TDR response signal corresponding to a second pulse. The apparatus has a timing determinator adapted to provide a timing information on the basis of a first instance in time when the first TDR response signal crosses a threshold value and on the basis of a second instance in time when the second TDR response signal crosses the threshold value. The apparatus has a TDR response information calculator adapted to calculate an information about a TDR response on the basis of the timing information.

Abstract: A network interface includes a physical layer (PHY) device that provides an interface to a cable. The PHY device includes an autonegotiation module that selectively performs autonegotiation to establish a link with a link partner based on link parameters and a cable test module that performs a cable test before the autonegotiation begins, that determines a cable performance parameter during the cable test, and that compares the cable performance parameter to a predetermined threshold. The autonegotiation module selects at least one of the link parameters based on the comparison.

Abstract: The test instrument is used to perform both time domain reflectometry (TDR) and analysis of transmission signals on a line under test. Further, the test instrument provides for both pulse TDR and step TDR. A coupling transformer having an enhanced low frequency response provides for coupling of the test instrument to the line under test. Isolation circuits between the coupling transformer and the line under test to prevent damage to the test instrument due to voltages on the line under test allow the test instrument to be used in connection with an active line under test. Two isolation circuits are utilized to maintain longitudinal balance of the circuit. During step TDR, the positive and negative transmitter circuits provide step-shaped impulse signals.

Abstract: A system and method for enhanced accuracy in cable diagnostics of cable length. Conventional cable diagnostics such as time domain reflectometry can be used to determine cable length. This conventional technique can have accuracy limitations in certain situation such as with perfectly terminated cable. A cable length can also be determined through the use of link delay measurements that are based on clock synchronization between nodes in a network. Notwithstanding the accuracy issues of these link delay measurements, overall accuracy can be increased through the combination of the two cable length delay measurements into a final estimate.

Abstract: A network device, a network connection detector and a detection method thereof are disclosed. The network device includes a socket, a waveform generator and a reflected wave detector. The waveform generator sends a first test wave to at least a first contact of a plurality of contacts of a socket and then the reflected wave detector detects a first reflected wave that is corresponding to the first test wave and is reflected from the first contact. Thus a first control signal is generated according to detection result of the first reflected wave.

Abstract: To provide a signal transmitting/receiving apparatus etc. where a cable length can be measured by using a general-purpose cable, without using an interface. A differential transmission circuit by the present invention includes a signal output circuit sending a high-speed differential signal and a pulse wave; a signal input circuit including a terminating resistor; a bias controller controlling a bias voltage on a transmission path; a terminating resistance controller disconnecting the terminating resistor on sensing a bias voltage and connecting it on sensing no bias voltage, by a bias sensing circuit; a sensing input circuit sensing a pulse wave reflected at the signal input circuit; and an output setting controller setting an electric characteristic of a signal outputted from the signal output circuit by a propagation time from sending the pulse wave by the signal output circuit to receiving the reflected pulse wave by the sensing input circuit.

Abstract: A system and method for enhanced accuracy in cable diagnostics of cable length. Conventional cable diagnostics such as time domain reflectometry can be used to determine cable length. This conventional technique can have accuracy limitations in certain situation such as with perfectly terminated cable. A cable length can also be determined through the use of link delay measurements that are based on clock synchronization between nodes in a network. Notwithstanding the accuracy issues of these link delay measurements, overall accuracy can be increased through the combination of the two cable length delay measurements into a final estimate.

Abstract: A method and circuit for implementing a coded time domain transmission distance meter, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. A first transmitter module connected to a cable at a first point or power outlet, generates and sends a testing coded pulse onto the power cable. A second receiver module connected to the cable at a second point, receives the testing coded pulse, and returns a receiver response coded pulse to the transmitter module. The first transmitter module determines the round-trip elapsed time, subtracts a receiver latency time, and calculates a distance to the second receiver module. Encoded in the testing coded pulse are data representing the last calculated distance. Both the first transmitter module and the second receiver module include a display for displaying the calculated distance.

Abstract: A system is provided to enable leakage current measurement or parametric tests to be performed with an isolation buffer provided in a channel line. Multiple such isolation buffers are used to connect a single signal channel to multiple lines. Leakage current measurement is provided by providing a buffer bypass element, such as a resistor or transmission gate, between the input and output of each buffer. The buffer bypass element can be used to calibrate buffer delay out of the test system by using TDR measurements to determine the buffer delay based on reflected pulses through the buffer bypass element. Buffer delay can likewise be calibrated out by comparing measurements of a buffered and non-buffered channel line, or by measuring a device having a known delay.

Abstract: A device for measuring and isolating noise-creating imbalances in a paired telecommunications line has an internal circuit. The internal circuit includes a pulse generator. Pulses provided by the pulse generator are applied to an interface which includes balanced pathways to the conductors. The pulses are applied simplex (longitudinally) to the pair of conductors. Upon encountering a fault in the pair, a reflected metallic voltage signal is received by the interface. The reflected metallic voltage signal is sampled by an analog-to-digital converter. Data relating to the sampled signal is displayed for detection and location of faults on the pair.

Abstract: System and method for detecting a fault in a faulty network element of a bus network comprising two or more transmitters. The method comprises transmitting from one of the transmitter a signal of predetermined parameters to the bus network; receiving the signal; and determining if the first signal is followed by a tail that is an echo indicative of a faulty network element. The location of the faulty network element can be determined by transmitting from a second transmitter a second signal of predetermined parameters to the bus network; the second signal and, determining if the second signal is followed by a second tail that is an echo indicative of the faulty network element; and if tails are detected, determining by an algorithm executer the location of the faulty network element by triangulation.

Abstract: A physical layer (PHY) device of a network device includes a signal generator module that generates a first test signal and that transmits the first test signal on a first conductor of a first pair of a cable at time T1, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) module that has an input that communicates with a second conductor of the cable and an output that generates first S outputs at times (T1+(S*t)), where S is greater than 1, and t>0, and a control module that determines a distance from the PHY to one of an open-circuit and short-circuit of the first pair based on the first S outputs.

Abstract: A method, device, and apparatus for tracing a conductive line and locating any concealed surveillance devices coupled to the line uses a signal generator to produce a test signal having a fundamental frequency which is coupled to the line under test. The test signal flowing through the line under test creates electromagnetic waves that propagate through the atmosphere away from the line. A portable locator probe is used to detect the radiated signal and thus the conductive line by detecting the magnitude of the radiated signal. As the locator probe is moved closer to the line, the amplitude of the detected signal increases. In addition, the portable locator probe detects harmonic signals radiated from nonlinear junctions coupled to the line at harmonic frequencies of the fundamental test signal.

Abstract: A voltage pulse is transmitted into a test object, and returned reflection pulses are evaluated to determine the location of a fault in the test object. The return signal includes a reflection from the fault and undesired interfering reflection pulses, which are removed or compensated-out from the return signal to produce a corrected pulse diagram. A circuit arrangement for this includes a bi-directional coupler, a separation filter, a measured signal detection circuit with two input channels, a memory storing a database, a computer processor, and a measured signal evaluation unit. A method in this regard includes a first step of measuring the input impedance of the test object, and a second step of measuring the return signal pulses, transforming the return signal to the frequency domain, compensating the frequency domain data to remove interference, transforming the data back to the time domain, and representing or evaluating the pulse diagram.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of time domain reflectometry including transmitting a test signal along a cable under test from one end and sensing and recording a reflected signal from the cable at that end, using the recorded, reflected signal to estimate the distance, Ldist, from the one end to a discontinuity on the cable, separating a test signal component from the remainder, Vr, of the reflected signal; estimating the impedance, Zfault, of the discontinuity from known, predetermined values of the characteristic impedance, Zline, and of the characteristic gain, T, of a reference cable, and from the said separated test signal and reflected signal components, calculating the estimation error as a difference between the model reflection signal, Vrmod, expected of the cable under test based on the characteristic impedance and characteristic gain and the estimated impedance, Zfault and distance, Ldist, and the actual reflection signal Vr, choosing new estimated values of Ldist and Zfault in accordance

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining a time-domain-reflection response-information has a signal driver adapted to apply two pulses of different pulse lengths to a TDR port in order to excite a first TDR response signal corresponding to a first pulse and a second TDR response signal corresponding to a second pulse. The apparatus has a timing determinator adapted to provide a timing information on the basis of a first instance in time when the first TDR response signal crosses a threshold value and on the basis of a second instance in time when the second TDR response signal crosses the threshold value. The apparatus has a TDR response information calculator adapted to calculate an information about a TDR response on the basis of the timing information.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cable diagnostics is disclosed for deployment as part of an Ethernet communication system to conduct diagnostics. The system transmits one or more pulses which are Ethernet compatible and of finite duration. Reflections are detected and through processing and measurement of the amplitude and round-trip delay of the pulse's reflection, cable faults are located. In one embodiment, this innovation uses an IEEE 802.3 compliant transmit pulse, such as an auto-negotiation signal (AN pulse), to conduct cable diagnostics. The benefits of a standard compliant allow for use with any vendor on the far-end and the signal requires no special hardware or software to produce and, therefore, reduces system complexity and cost. To reduce incorrect measurements, the apparatus measures cable length and termination with multiple AN pulses. It then applies non-linear filters to redundant measurements in such a way that it produces accurate cable diagnostics information.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for analyzing electric cables in a network, for the detection and location of defects in networks comprising at least one junction from which there depart N secondary cable stretches. The method includes interposing in the network, in series at the input of each the secondary stretches (T2, T3) starting from the junction (A), a respective bidirectional passive filter (FR2,FR3) able to cut off a frequency band associated with this stretch. The filters all allow through the useful frequencies for the normal operation of the network. A pulsed test is applied to the input of the network signal modulated by N different carrier frequencies each situated in one of the N frequency bands of the filters. The temporal position of test signal spikes reflected for each of the N frequencies is detected, and deducing therefrom the position of possible defects on a stretch of cable of the network.

Abstract: A method of determining the state of a cable including at least one electrical conductor, uses a generated test signal and applies it to at least one conductor by a non-contact coupling transmitter. The resulting signal is propagated along the at least one conductor and a non-contact electrical coupling receiver picks up a reflected signal, and compares the reflected signal to expected state signal values for the cable to determine its current state.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to cable diagnostic test methods, systems and apparatus that advantageously utilize “standing wave”principles to facilitate the identification and location of defect(s) along a power cable. The disclosed methods/systems are effective in measuring dissipation factors and dielectric constants associated with shielded power cable insulation at any number of points or sections along the axial length of the cable. In essence, the disclosed methods/systems perform what may be termed axial tomography, allowing the dielectric loss or dissipation factor and the dielectric constant of the insulation as well as the resistance and inductance of the cable conductor system to be determined at one or more pre-determined points/sections of the cable along its axis.

Abstract: A physical layer device includes a cable test module that transmits a test pulse on a cable, measures a reflection amplitude, calculates a cable length, and determines a cable status based on the measured amplitude and the calculated cable length. A frequency synthesizer selectively outputs a plurality of signals at a plurality of frequencies on one end of the cable. An insertion loss calculator receives the signals from an opposite end of the cable and estimates insertion loss based on the received signals.

Abstract: A cable testing system that tests cable includes a pulse generation module that transmits a first pulse on a first communications channel of the cable. A sampling module waits a predetermined time period after the pulse generation module transmits the first pulse and then detects a first amplitude of a reflected signal on a second communications channel of the cable. A time domain reflection (TDR) module receives the first amplitude and verifies proper operation of the cable based on the first amplitude. The predetermined time period corresponds with an estimated roundtrip propagation delay of the first pulse when the first pulse is reflected back to the cable testing system after traveling a first predetermined distance along the cable. The sampling module incrementally increases the predetermined time period during subsequent iterations of a cable test in order to verify proper operation of a predetermined segment of the cable.

Abstract: A method, computer readable storage medium and apparatus for measuring data rates is disclosed. A method that incorporates the teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, submitting a signal over a cable from a Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) element, determining a fault in the cable from a reflection of the signal, determining a length of the cable from the reflection of the signal, determining a location of a bridged tap relative to customer premise equipment (CPE) and determining effective downstream bit rates for the cable according to the fault, the length of the cable and the location of the bridged tap relative to the CPE. Additional steps and embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system or method of analyzing a conductive member for the presence an anomaly. A conductive pipe member is analyzed for the presence an anomaly the electromagnetic properties of which are non-linear. The electromagnetic properties of the pipe member at the anomaly are altered by applying a direct current perturbation signal to the pipe member. At least one test source signal is applied to a first test location on the pipe member remote from the anomaly to cause the at least one test source signal to travel along the pipe through the anomaly. At least one test return signal associated with the at least one test source signal traveling through the anomaly is detected. The at least one test return signal is analyzed for characteristics associated with the anomaly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring data rates is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a diagnostic system having a Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) element that submits a signal over a cable and determines from its reflection in the cable a length of the cable and a length of a bridged tap, and a diagnostic element that determines downstream and upstream bit rates for the cable according to the length of the cable and the length of the bridged tap. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An adaptive pulse width (APW) Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) comprises an enhancement to the standard Pulse TDR by adjusting the effective pulse width as a function of time. Improved resolution for a large range of cable lengths is obtained, as well as allowing an all-in-one view of the processed return signal trace.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for detecting faults in cables. The invention comprises receiving a first reflected signal; comparing the first reflected signal amplified with a first predetermined receiver gain setting with a first threshold; if the value of the amplified first reflected signal is greater than the value of the first threshold, then terminating detecting; if the value of the amplified first reflected signal is not greater than the value of the first threshold, then comparing a second reflected signal amplified with a second predetermined gain setting different from the first gain setting with a second threshold.