Abstract: A method and apparatus for the location and indication of cable splices and cable faults is disclosed. An audio frequency generator can be coupled to a cable under test and the magnetic field generated by the cable can be monitored by a receiver. A receiver includes at least two antenna coils situated to detect orthogonal components of the magnetic field. From test values measured at various test points along the cable route, a degree of inhomogeneity of the magnetic field along the cable route can be determined and displayed. Location of a cable fault and cable splice is then apparent in the display.

Abstract: A self-contained apparatus for inspecting energized and de-energized conductors. The apparatus includes a housing, at least one transmitter contained within the housing for generating and impinging pulses onto an electrical conductor, such that the pulses travel through and are reflected by the electrical conductor, and at least one receiver contained within the housing for receiving reflected pulses from the electrical conductor. The apparatus further including a controller for determining a condition of the electrical conductor based on an evaluation of the reflected pulses, and at least one indicator for displaying the condition of the electrical conductor determined by the controller.

Abstract: Method and system for non-destructive evaluation for a conducting structure by measuring the electrical impulse response thereof including applying a PRBS test input signal to the conducting structure, detecting an output signal from the conducting structure and processing the data to assess the condition of the conducting structure via changes in the electrical impulse response and to locate any defects along the conducting structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for measuring the loss factor and/or measuring the phase angle between a voltage and a current and/or recording a voltage decay and/or current decay and/or recording partial discharge processes and/or measuring the propagation time on test objects that are to be tested. Said device comprises a housing in which at least one measuring circuit is arranged for measuring and/or recording purposes. A terminal adapter (12) is provided on the housing (9) to connect the test object that is to be tested directly to the housing (9).

Abstract: An electrical condition monitoring method utilizes measurement of electrical resistivity of an age sensor made of a conductive matrix or composite disposed in a polymeric structure such as an electrical cable. The conductive matrix comprises a base polymer and conductive filler. The method includes communicating the resistivity to a measuring instrument and correlating resistivity of the conductive matrix of the polymeric structure with resistivity of an accelerated-aged conductive composite.

Abstract: An information storage device is disclosed (such as a disk drive) comprising an interface for connecting to a host through a cable, and control circuitry for communicating with the host over the cable by executing a communication process. The communication processes comprises the steps of transmitting a communication request to the host over the cable and waiting to receive a response from the host over the cable. A cable loss event is logged if the host fails to respond after executing the communication process at least twice. Performing the communication process multiple times before logging a cable loss event helps ensure a communication failure is actually due to a faulty cable connection.

Abstract: A cable tester that tests cable and that determines a cable status includes a pretest module that senses activity on pairs of the cable and that selectively enables testing based on the sensed activity. A test module is enabled by the pretest module, transmits a test pulse on one of the pairs, measures a reflection amplitude and calculates a cable length. The cable status includes an open status, a short status, and a normal status. The test module determines the cable status based on the measured amplitude and the calculated cable length. The test module measures received signals on at least one other pair after transmitting the test pulse on the one of the pairs, compares the received signals on the at least one other pair to a predetermined threshold, and determines a pair short status between the one of the pairs and the at least one other pair if the received signals exceed the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A device for testing data communications cabling. The device consists of a signal generator that can generate a test signal to test the data communications cabling and a receiving component that can receive a reflected signal produced by reflection of the test signal from the data communications cabling including any reactive point source disturbance that may exist on the cabling. The receiving component can determine characteristics of the reflected signal by analyzing the phase rotation and amplitude of the reflected signal. The device can also include a cancellation generator that can generate a cancellation function based on the characteristics of the reflected signal. The cancellation function can substantially negate a portion of the reflected signal.

Abstract: A method and device for detecting defects of an electromagnetic protection for an electric harness (H). The device (D) includes elements (M1) for generating stimulating electric signals, elements (M2) for bringing the signals up to a predetermined power level, elements (M3) for applying the signals to the harness (H) and generating an electromagnetic field, elements (M4) for converting the electromagnetic field into thermal field and elements (M5) for detecting a rise in of temperature at a point of the electromagnetic protection defect (DF).

Abstract: A method and a circuit are provided for the continuous detection of a line break in a full bridge controlling an inductive load. When the full bridge is switched off or on, a pre-determinable switching device of the circuit is switched first, and then a potential applied to a connection between the switching device and the load is tapped. The tapped potential is then compared with the ground potential when the switching device is connected to the supply potential, or with the supply potential when the switching device is connected to the ground potential. A line break is then determined when the two compared potentials are not different in the free running state thereof.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting a fault in a transmission link are provided which includes providing a selectable reference level according to one of a direct current (DC) mode threshold and an alternating current (AC) mode threshold, wherein the DC mode threshold is a fixed potential and the AC mode threshold varies with time. An input signal arriving from the transmission link is compared to one of the DC mode threshold and the AC mode threshold to determine whether a fault is present in the transmission link.

Abstract: A physical layer device comprises a first port adapted to communicate with one end of a cable. A second port is adapted to communicate with an opposite end of a cable. A cable tester communicates with the first and second ports and selectively tests the cable to determine a cable status, which includes an open status, a short status, and a normal status. The cable tester includes a test module that transmits a test pulse on the cable, measures a reflection amplitude, calculates a cable length, and determines the 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 the first port. An insertion loss calculator that receives the signals on the second port and that estimates insertion loss.

Abstract: A test instrument employs main and remote test units at respective ends of a cable under test. The units operate in an active or passive measurement mode, wherein one of the units begins as the active unit, applying test signals to the cable under test to make a set of measurements related thereto, while the other unit takes measurements based on the signals applied by the first end. Then, after a set of measurements has been completed, the units swap roles, and the original passive end becomes the active end, applying test signal stimuli, while the original active end now becomes passive, and takes a series of corresponding measurements based from the test stimuli from the active end. The measurements are thereby overlapped and accomplished from both ends of the cable, saving time.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a first method of testing a link between a first chip and a second chip is provided. The first method includes the steps of, while operating in a test mode, (1) transmitting test data of sufficient length to enable exercising of worst case transitions from the first chip to the second chip via the link; and (2) performing cyclic redundancy checking (CRC) on the test data to test the link. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A method for network diagnosis between a source end and a destination end coupled by a transmission line is provided. The method includes the following steps. First, a first test signal is transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver when the hybrid is set to a first mode. Next, a plurality of first coefficients are extracted from the first test signal received by the canceller during a first period, wherein each one of the first coefficients has an index corresponding to a received order. And then, the hybrid is switched to a second mode to generate a second test signal by sending an original signal to the receiver and the destination. Sequentially, a plurality of second coefficients are extracted from the second test signal received by the canceller during a second period, wherein each one of the second coefficients has an index corresponding to a received order. Therefore, a first index is determined when an absolute value of one of the first coefficients substantially exceeds a first threshold value.

Abstract: A cable tester tests cable to determine a cable status. A mode selector selects one of a first operating mode and a second operating mode. A pretest module senses activity on the cable and selectively enables testing based on the sensed activity when in the first operating mode and enables testing when in the second operating mode. A test module is enabled by the pretest module, transmits a test pulse on the cable, measures a reflection amplitude and calculates a cable length. The cable status includes an open status, a normal status and a short status. The test module determines the cable status based on the measured amplitude and the calculated cable length.

Abstract: An apparatus providing a means for assessment of the integrity of insulated conduits, harnesses, cables, pipelines and other interconnection systems constructed with integral sensitized media, discrete sensors, and electronics providing a means for transforming sensed data into information and a means for communicating information for the purpose of understanding the location, degree and risk of damage and deterioration, and the probable causes thereof.

Abstract: Detectable pipe and electric fence are formed of a conductive loaded resin-based material. The conductive loaded resin-based material comprises micron conductive powder(s), conductive fiber(s), or a combination of conductive powder and conductive fibers in a base resin host. The percentage by weight of the conductive powder(s), conductive fiber(s), or a combination thereof is between about 20% and 50% of the weight of the conductive loaded resin-based material. The micron conductive powders are metals or conductive non-metals or metal plated non-metals. The micron conductive fibers may be metal fiber or metal plated fiber. Further, the metal plated fiber may be formed by plating metal onto a metal fiber or by plating metal onto a non-metal fiber. Any platable fiber may be used as the core for a non-metal fiber. Superconductor metals may also be used as micron conductive fibers and/or as metal plating onto fibers in the present invention.

Abstract: A cable tester comprises a test initiating module that performs B cable tests. Each of said B cable tests includes selectively transmitting a test pulse on the cable, measuring a reflection amplitude, and calculating a cable length. A test results module determines a cable status for each of said B cable tests based on said measured amplitude and said calculated cable length and that determines an overall cable status of the cable based on the cable at least one of passing and failing A out of B cable tests. A and B are integers greater than zero and B is greater than A.

Abstract: A physical layer device includes first, second, third and fourth twisted pairs. First, second, third and fourth hybrid devices communicate with the first, second, third and fourth twisted pairs, respectively. First, second, third and fourth cable testers communicate with the first, second, third and fourth hybrid devices, respectively. Each of the cable testers tests the first, second, third and fourth twisted pairs and determines a cable status of the first, second, third and fourth twisted pairs during first, second, third and fourth periods, respectively. At least one of the first, second, third and fourth periods overlaps another of the first, second, third and fourth periods.A cable testing system and method tests cable and determines status, cable length and reflection amplitude. The test module includes a pretest state machine that senses activity on the cable and enables testing if activity is not detected for a first period.

Abstract: A physical layer device communicates over a cable and includes a cable tester that determines a cable status, which includes an open status, a short status and a normal status. The cable tester includes a pretest module that senses activity on the cable and selectively enables testing based on the sensed activity. A test module is enabled by the pretest module, transmits a test pulse on the cable, measures a reflection amplitude, calculates a cable length, and determines the cable status based on the measured amplitude and the calculated cable length. A digital signal processor (DSP) communicates with the cable and that has a digital gain parameter. A cable length estimator communicates with the DSP and estimates cable length based on the digital gain parameter.

Abstract: An algorithm is provided for a frequency domain reflectometer which takes into account both attenuation per unit length of transmission line and phase shift per unit length of transmission line in a modified Inverse Fourier Transform that converts a frequency domain complex reflection coefficient into a more accurate time domain reflection coefficient so that the distance to a fault can be readily determined.

Abstract: A technique for detecting defects in aircraft wiring, such as for detecting partial discharges or arcing in wiring or cables is disclosed. A high frequency current transformer (HFCT) is fixingly positioned in contact with a wire so that the wire is encircled by the HFCT. Partial discharges from a damaged wire so encircled will induce a current in the HFCT proportional to the current of the discharge. The HFCT includes a conductive coil-like pattern formed onto a flexible insulating material. The insulating material has slits between each coil-turn. The HFCT also includes a core of flexible material fitted between the coil-turns through the slits.

Abstract: A digital time domain reflectometer system is provided for performing a measurement process that is useful for calculating a cable length. The measurement process starts with a launch controller periodically generating a sync signal for turning a duration signal on. After a known delay time, the launch controller launches a signal on a cable, and if a reflected signal is detected, a detection circuit turns the duration signal off. A counter counts the number of clock pulses in the duration signal. This system is made more accurate by performing the measurement process multiple times and averaging the results. Using the averaged results, and compensating for the added known delay time, the cable length is calculated. An adaptive threshold may be used to enhance measurement accuracy.

Abstract: A device for controlling the manufacture of a medium or high voltage cable in particular of the inner and outer semi-conducting layers. For control purposes the current or capacitance is measured by a measuring electrode encircling the cable and connected to a high frequency source. Equipotential electrodes join the measuring electrodes on both sides.

Abstract: An offline phase of a cable length measuring method involves a determination of a plurality of preset frequency test signals for facilitating the length measurement of the cable based on a maximum measurable length of the cable. An online phase minimally involves a measurement of the length of the cable based on a first reflected phase shift between a first preset frequency test signal as transmitted at a transmission end of the cable and a first preset frequency reflection signal representative of a reflection of the first preset frequency test signal at a reflection end of the cable, and based on a second reflected phase shift between the second preset frequency test signal as transmitted at the transmission end of the cable and a second preset frequency reflection signal representative of a reflection of the second preset frequency test signal at the reflection end of the cable.

Abstract: A physical layer device including a first port and a second port comprises a cable tester that communicates with the first and second ports and that determines a cable status, which includes an open status, a short status, and a normal status. Opposite ends of a cable selectively communicate with the first and second ports. The cable tester includes a test module that transmits a test pulse on the cable, measures reflection amplitude, calculates a cable length, and determines the cable status based on the measured amplitude and the calculated cable length. A frequency synthesizer communicates with the cable and that selectively outputs a plurality of signals at a plurality of frequencies on the first port. An insertion loss calculator receives the signals on the second port and that estimates insertion loss.

Abstract: A cable tester tests cable to determine a cable status. The cable status includes an open status, a normal status and a short status. A pretest module senses activity on the cable and selectively enables testing based on said sensed activity. A test module is enabled by the pretest module, transmits a test pulse on the cable, measures a reflection amplitude and calculates a cable length. The test module determines the cable status based on the measured amplitude and the calculated cable length.

Abstract: A method of testing a cable is provided. The method includes measuring at least one inductive ratio for the cable, determining an inductive gap from the at least one inductive ratio, measuring a parallel impedance of the cable, and determining a resistance of the cable based on the inductive gap and the parallel impedance.

Abstract: A physical layer device includes a cable tester that determines a cable status. A test module transmits a test pulse on the cable, measures reflection amplitude, calculates a cable length, and determines the cable status based on the measured amplitude and the calculated cable length. A first digital signal processor (DSP) communicates with a first pair of the cable and includes a first echo canceller having a finite impulse response (FIR) filter with taps and a first crosstalk canceller having a FIR filter with taps. A second DSP communicates with a second pair of the cable and includes a second echo canceller having a FIR filter with taps and a second crosstalk canceller having a FIR filter with taps. The cable tester calculates a distance to at least one of echo and crosstalk based on values of the taps of the first echo canceller and the second crosstalk canceller.

Abstract: A physical layer device communicates over a cable and includes a cable tester that determines a cable status. The cable tester includes a pretest module that senses activity on the cable. A test module transmits a test pulse on the cable, measures reflection amplitude, calculates a cable length, and determines the cable status based on the measured amplitude and the calculated cable length. A first digital signal processor (DSP) communicates with a first pair of the cable and includes a first echo canceller and a first finite impulse response filter with first taps. A second DSP communicates with a second pair of the cable and includes a second echo canceller and a second finite impulse response filter with second taps. At least one of the physical layer device and the cable tester estimates skew between the first and second pairs based on values of the first and second taps.

Abstract: A device for identifying a wire break between an electrical connection of a digital output and a load includes an evaluation module connected to the electrical connection and a voltage limiter module also connected to the electrical connection for co-determining a voltage value which is present at the evaluation module in the event of the wire break.

Abstract: A procedure and a system for the evaluation of the quality and/or efficiency of a cable or a cable segment by a current measurement is disclosed. This is achieved by supplying between the core and the screen of a cable a voltage with alternating polarity and rectangular shape. The periodic duration' of this voltage is selected in a way so as to permit the current measurement of the charge current shortly before a polarity reversal, providing a current value equal to the leakage current.

Abstract: A physical layer device communicates with a second physical layer device over a cable. The physical layer device includes a cable tester that identifies when the second physical layer device is disconnected from the cable. The cable tester includes a test initiating circuit that initiates a cable test when a link is lost, a test module that transmits test pulses on the pairs of the cable, measures reflection amplitudes, calculates cable lengths, and determines whether the pairs have said open status based on said measured amplitude and said calculated cable length, and a reporting circuit that generates a disconnect signal when at least one of the pairs has an open status.

Abstract: A LAN tester has display and remote units each having a connector jack attached to an adapter board for connection to the plug of a patch cord. Both the display and remote units have circuits which are capable of measuring the phase between a drive signal voltage and the corresponding coupled or reflected signal due to the drive signal. Scattering parameters for the mated connector pairs and the patch cord itself are measured during a field calibration. A computer in one or both of the tester units stores the measured scattering parameters and uses the scattering parameters to move the reference plane to any desired location along the patch cord. The length of the patch cord can be determined through the use of phase by measuring the frequency difference between adjacent maxima of a plot of input impedance versus frequency.

Abstract: A physical layer device including a first port, a second port, and a cable that has one end that communicates with the first port and an opposite end that communicates with the second port. A cable tester tests the cable to determine a cable status, which includes an open status, a short status, and a normal status. A pretest module senses activity on the cable and selectively enables testing depending upon the sensed activity. A test module transmits a test pulse on the cable, measures a reflection amplitude, calculates a cable length, and determines the cable status based on the measured amplitude and the calculated cable length. A frequency synthesizer communicates with the cable and that selectively outputs a plurality of signals at a plurality of frequencies on the first port. An insertion loss calculator receives the signals on the second port and that estimates insertion loss.

Abstract: A cable tester tests cable and determines a cable pass/fail status. A pretest module senses activity on the cable and selectively enables testing based on the sensed activity. A test module is enabled by the pretest module, transmits a test pulse on the cable, measures a reflection amplitude, and calculates a cable length. The cable status includes an open status, a short status, and a normal status. The test module determines the cable status of the cable based on the cable at least one of passing and failing A out of B cable tests. The test module determines the cable status for each of the B tests based on the measured amplitude and the calculated cable length.

Abstract: A physical layer device according to some implementations includes a cable tester that generates a test pulse on a cable and that determines a cable status including an open status, a short status, and a normal status. A cable impedance estimator communicates with the cable tester and estimates an impedance of the cable based on a reflection amplitude of the test pulse.

Abstract: A physical layer device that communicates over a cable comprises a cable tester that determines a cable status, which includes an open status, a short status, and a normal status. The cable tester includes a pretest module that senses activity on the cable and selectively enables testing based on the sensed activity. A test module is enabled by the pretest module, transmits a test pulse on the cable, measures a reflection amplitude, calculates a cable length, and determines the cable status based on the measured amplitude and the calculated cable length. An insertion loss estimator communicates with the cable tester and estimates insertion loss of the cable. A return loss estimator communicates with the cable tester and estimates return loss of the cable based on gain parameters of the physical layer device.

Abstract: A method and a device adapt/tune signal transit times on line systems or networks between integrated circuits which are mounted on printed circuit boards. Fine tuning of differences in transit times can be easily carried out by capacitive load structures disposed on conductor tracks in the vicinity of chip housings of the integrated circuits on the printed circuit boards by disconnecting connecting lines using a cutting laser.

Abstract: A method for measuring fault locations in high frequency cables and lines. A signal with the frequency f0 and a level a0 is emitted from the source. This signal is split up in the splitter and is routed to the same parts in the test piece (DUT=device under test) and to a sink. The signals of the source and the returning wave of the DUT are added, whereby the result of this addition is a signal with the frequency f0 and an amplitude a1. The value of the frequency f0 is changed, and the amplitude of the newly generated sum signal is, in turn, recorded. An inverse Fourier transformation transforms the signals from the frequency domain into the time domain. The transition point, which appears as the defined peak in the time diagram can thereby be located.

Abstract: Attenuation of a pulsed signal traversing a cable is assessed by identifying a pulse in a signal received after traversing the cable and determining first and second reference signal levels in dependence upon characteristics of the pulse. A measurement is made of the slope of the pulse between the first and second reference signal levels (such as 25% and 75% of the peak pulse magnitude), and this measurement is used to determine an indication of the cable attenuation. The cable attenuation may in turn be used to determine a threshold for indicating loss of signal during a measurement operation.

Abstract: A method for electrical cable testing by Pulse-Arrested Spark Discharge (PASD) uses the cable response to a short-duration high-voltage incident pulse to determine the location of an electrical breakdown that occurs at a defect site in the cable. The apparatus for cable testing by PASD includes a pulser for generating the short-duration high-voltage incident pulse, at least one diagnostic sensor to detect the incident pulse and the breakdown-induced reflected and/or transmitted pulses propagating from the electrical breakdown at the defect site, and a transient recorder to record the cable response. The method and apparatus are particularly useful to determine the location of defect sites in critical but inaccessible electrical cabling systems in aging aircraft, ships, nuclear power plants, and industrial complexes.

Abstract: A method for measuring at least one characteristic parameter of an alternating current in a conductor, the method including the steps of measuring the magnetic field around the conductor at a point along the conductor; deriving an analogue voltage signal representative of the measured magnetic field; amplifying the analogue voltage signal; converting the amplified voltage signal into a digital voltage signal; measuring the digital voltage signal and, when the amplitude of digital voltage signal reaches a predetermined value, adjusting a gain setting of the amplification; and generating an output signal representative of the parameter of the alternating current based on the amplified voltage signal and the gain setting.

Abstract: A portable, hand-held meter used to measure direct current (DC) attenuation in low impedance electrical signal cables and signal attenuators. A DC voltage is applied to the signal input of the cable and feedback to the control circuit through the signal cable and attenuators. The control circuit adjusts the applied voltage to the cable until the feedback voltage equals the reference voltage. The “units” of applied voltage required at the cable input is the system attenuation value of the cable and attenuators, which makes this meter unique. The meter may be used to calibrate data signal cables, attenuators, and cable-attenuator assemblies.

Abstract: An air conditioner includes an air conditioning unit, and three wiring lines for supplying power to the air conditioning unit. The three wiring lines are a pair of single phase AC power lines and an earth line which are to be connected to three source lines. The three source lines are a pair of single phase AC source lines and a ground line. The air conditioner also includes a detection unit including a detecting device that detects voltages between each of the AC power lines and the earth line, a conversion device that converts the voltages detected by the detecting device into logic level signals, a comparator that determines presence or absence of faulty connection between the three wiring lines and the three source lines by comparing the logic level signals obtained by the conversion device with reference logic level signals, and an output device that shows a result of determination made by the comparator.

Abstract: A test apparatus comprises an input for receiving a test signal from a test signal source, wherein a signal line with a predefined characteristic wave impedance can be connected to the input. The test apparatus further comprises branching means with a first and a plurality of second terminals, the first terminal being connected to the input. The test apparatus further comprises a plurality of distribution lines, wherein each distribution line is connected to one of the plurality of second terminals of branching means, wherein one of the devices under test can be connected to each distribution line at the output side, each distribution line having a characteristic wave impedance, which is substantially equal to the product of the predefined characteristic wave impedance of the signal line and the number of distribution lines. Thus, a signal matching is given at the branching point, so that no amplitude or signal rise time distortions of the excitation signals occur at the inputs of the devices under test.

Abstract: System and apparatus enabling the use of a single cable to communicate triggering information between each of a plurality of signal acquisition devices and, illustratively, an external trigger control unit.

Abstract: A LAN tester has display and remote units each having a connector jack attached to an adapter board for connection to the plug of a patch cord. Both the display and remote units have circuits which are capable of measuring the phase between a drive signal voltage and the corresponding coupled or reflected signal due to the drive signal. Scattering parameters for the mated connector pairs and the patch cord itself are measured during a field calibration. A computer in one or both of the tester units stores the measured scattering parameters and uses the scattering parameters to move the reference plane to any desired location along the patch cord. Channel link or permanent link tests can be conducted using the same equipment.

Abstract: A voltage testing apparatus for electrical railways is disclosed consisting in one embodiment of a transportable pole-mounted electrical power indicator, electrically conducting wire-engaging means such as a hook attached to one end of the pole and electrically connected to the indicator, and a ground-connecting device such as an electrically conducting magnet also electrically connected to the indicator. An electrical circuit is completed between the cable, the indicator and the rail by placing the hook on an overhead railway cable and attaching the magnet to a roadbed rail. An LED array and voltmeter configuration constituting the indicator illuminate and show whether voltage is present.