Abstract: A communications system includes first and second subscriber lines, a first device, and a second device. The first device has a first negotiation unit coupled to the first subscriber line. The second device has a second negotiation unit coupled to the second subscriber line. The first negotiation unit is adapted to send a first negotiation signal on the first subscriber line. The first negotiation signal induces through cross-talk a second negotiation signal on the second subscriber line. The second negotiation unit is adapted to modify an operating parameter of the second device based on the second negotiation signal. A method for negotiating operating parameters in a communications system is provided. A first negotiation signal is transmitted from a first device coupled to a first subscriber line. The first negotiation signal is received in a second device coupled to a second subscriber line independent of the first subscriber line.

Abstract: A portable, automated telephone line test device includes a test module which applies test signals to a telephone line to be tested and detects electrical characteristics of the telephone line, and a user interface module. The user interface module includes a microprocessor, a display, a keyboard and a program memory in accordance with a standard microcomputer architecture. The processor of the user interface module is programmed to control the test module to perform a pre-programmed sequence of tests. The display provides indications of the tests being performed. The programmed sequence is varied by the device according to test results. Depending on the results obtained, the device also provides interpretative diagnostic messages and instructs the user to carry out additional test procedures.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for monitoring a vehicle that includes a wireless appliance in electrical contact with an in-vehicle computer. The wireless appliance features: 1) a data-collection component that supports communication software that collects diagnostic data from the computer; and 2) a data-transmission component, in electrical communication with the data-collection electronics, configured to transmit an outgoing data packet comprising the diagnostic data over a network and receive over the same network an incoming data packet that modifies the communication software. The wireless appliance communicates with a host computer system that is configured to: 1) receive the outgoing data packet from the network; 2) process the outgoing data packet to generate a set of vehicle diagnostic data; 3) host a web site on the Internet that displays the vehicle diagnostic data; and 4) send out the incoming data packet over the same network to modify the communication software.

Abstract: A method, a system and a master terminal for line monitoring in system comprising a telephone network (ISDN), a master terminal (MASTER) connected to a place of reception (PR) of a response and to the telephone network (ISDN), and a slave terminal (SLAVE) connected to an object being monitored (OM) and to the telephone network (ISDN).

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to a splitter bypass system and method for monitoring, testing and maintaining copper loops and lines. Switching devices are implemented in the present invention to bypass a low pass filter and/or a high pass filter in the splitter, thereby actuating bypass functions to bypass a splitter or portions thereof for enabling pure metallic access to the loop, digital equipment, voice equipment, and/or test equipment. The splitter bypass function can be used with a conventional splitter in the current voice and digital system. The splitter bypass operation includes selecting a copper loop or portions thereof for monitoring, testing and maintenance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to non-interactively test telephone networks and more specifically to localize faults such as resistive faults in the subscriber loop of the telephone network is presented. The method and apparatus determine whether the fault is in the tip line or ring line of a phone line. The existence of a fault voltage, if any, is also determined. The resistance of the tip line to ground and the resistance of the ring line to ground is measured. A fault resistance is calculated from this information, from which the location of the fault is determined.

Abstract: Method for measuring a load impedance (ZL) of a load circuit which is connected to an SLIC circuit (6) of an analog terminal connection of a terminal device, having the following steps: specifically a digital toll signal (x1) is generated by means of a Codec circuit (13) connected to the SLIC circuit (6), said toll signal (x1) being converted into an analog toll signal; the analog toll signal is output by the SLIC circuit (6) to the load circuit; an analog voltage which is brought about at the terminal connection (4,5) of the terminal device of the SLIC circuit (6) via the analog toll signal is sensed; the digital toll signal (x1) is filtered by means of an adaptive filter (39) which is provided in the Codec circuit (13) and has adjustable filter coefficients (g1, g2) for generating a filtered digital comparison signal (yv) which is converted into an analog comparison voltage (Uv); the filter coefficients (g1, g2) of the adaptive filter (39) are adjusted until the analog comparison voltage (Uv) and the analog

Abstract: A power management system is interfaced with both a local utility power source and a remotely powered span, and monitors the power availability for and requirements of DDS terminal equipment. Upon detecting that local utility power is insufficient to operate the terminal equipment, a power limited converter derives power from the phone line. The span power drawn is limited to a fixed value that prevents the line from collapsing. An auxiliary capacitor stores energy from either local utility power or the span, to provide for periods of extended power operation (including ringing the phone).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remote spectrum analysis is disclosed. A channel measurement device is configured to receive and measure the radio spectrum in a geographic location during a measurement phase of operation. A microprocessor processes the signals and stores processed data on a storage device. The channel measurement device contains a communications interface to a land line telephone network and/or a cellular telephone network. During a data transfer phase of operation, the channel measurement device sends the processed data to a remote processor via the land line or cellular telephone network. In addition, the remote processor may act as a remote user interface to control the operation of the channel measurement device. In particular, the remote processor may be used to store values for user programmable configuration parameters in a memory of the channel measurement device via the land line or cellular telephone network.

Abstract: A telecommunication system and method for communicating between at least two end users over a telecommunication network, where the communication is defined by a set of parameters. At least two entities, such as one or both of the end users and/or the service providers negotiate an agreed set of values for said parameters that define the desired communication. The entities also negotiate a warranty agreement with the network service provider defining at least one of the agreed parameters to be warranted including a compensation method to be applied should said at least one monitored parameter fail to meet the corresponding one of said agreed values. The agreed warranted parameters are monitored once the communication is established and, in the event of a failure of the monitored parameters to meet agreed values, at least one of the entities is compensated in accordance with the agreed compensation method.

Abstract: A system and method for testing a telephone connection using an interactive telephone response module (ITRM). In one embodiment, the ITRM is connected between the handset and station set of a telephone terminating one end of the connection to be tested. In another embodiment, the ITRM is connected between the telephone connection and the station set of a telephone terminating one end of the connection to be tested. By operating switches on the ITRM, a user can impose predetermined conditions on the connection. A test coordinator located at a test point or other termination in the telephone network then tests the connection under the predetermined conditions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for identifying defective communications lines. The method generally involves passively detecting signals symptomatic of and generated by a defective communications line rather than by a user accessing a communication network via the line. One alternative involves monitoring calls to a selected number having low digit and set values. Analysis of the pattern of calls to the selected number, or directly monitoring the frequencies upon the communications line, identify calls that are effectively generated by defects in a communications line rather than legitimate calls generated by network users. Spurious calls are associated with the originating communications line. The line can then be automatically tested or service dispatched. More automated alternatives are also disclosed that make use of switch reconfigurations. Central office switches may be programmed to detect a variety of events that indicate a spurious pulse or seizure is being generated by a communication line.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a remotely actuated splitter bypass function (RASB) working in conjunction with a test head at the central office for testing and maintaining copper loops in the digital subscriber line environment. The RASB allows a competitive local exchange carrier to test and maintain the xDSL portion of the copper loop with minimal interference and disturbance to/from the plain old telephone system (POTS) service by bypassing the central office splitter. The splitter bypass operation includes the steps of selecting a copper loop pair for testing, actuating a first relay for monitor mode, actuating a second relay for bypass mode, testing the selected copper loop, and resetting the first and second relays back to normal mode. By applying positive and negative voltages from the tip and ring with respect to ground, various relays can be set (actuated) and reset to provide multiple modes of operations.

Abstract: A method for transferring alarms, in which method a pre-determined area (1) is monitored by a monitoring device (24) connected to a subscriber line (10, 12, 14); the condition of the subscriber line (10, 12, 14) is monitored by line testing; when the ISDN subscriber line (10, 12, 14) lacks functionality an alarm is identified in a switching center (20); and from the switching center (20) the alarm is directed to an alarm monitoring system.

Abstract: Optically isolated input circuits and a processor interface with either a switch closure event detector or a pulse generator to rapidly detect changes in the status of inputs representing events such as telephone line cuts and emergency conditions. The processor determines telephone line status by applying software algorithms to data acquired with a voltage sampling circuit. The processor initializes a radio module to wirelessly transmit information regarding detected events over a local wireless system to an event clearinghouse.

Abstract: A Service Level Management system is provided. A notification of a service level problem within a combination packet-switching and circuit-switching hybrid network is received by the system. The service level agreement is retrieved and the problem is checked against the agreement to determine if the agreement has been met. The notification of the problem is prioritized with a second notification of a second service level problem based on a number of times the agreement has not been met. Next, a resolution for the service level problem within the hybrid network is determined. The resolution may include a status report, resolution notification, problem reports, service reconfiguration, trouble notification, service level agreement violations, and/or outage notification. The progress of the implementation of the resolution is tracked. Finally, the hybrid network is managed based on the future predicted behavior of the network.

Abstract: Loop qualification systems and methods involve evaluating Loop Make-Up (LMU) data to determine whether loops qualify for certain services, such as ADSL service or other digital services. The LMU data includes such information as whether the loop is comprised of copper, fiber, is a DLC, the length, resist zone, carrier zone, loading factor, the existence of a DAML, and taper code information. The loop qualification systems and methods obtain LMU data on existing loops and also information on loops that have not yet been completed. Network service providers (NSPs) interface with the loop qualification systems to determine whether certain lines are qualified for a service. The loop qualification systems also include web-based interfaces to allow both the NSPs and end users to make an inquiry as to the capability of a given loop.

Abstract: Line states are detected accurately to efficiently test subscriber lines, thereby improving the reliability and quality of maintenance and operation. Line monitoring means monitors line states based on at least one of loop information of lines and status information of bearer channels. Subscriber line testing means conducts subscriber line testing in accordance with the line states.

Abstract: A method for establishing communication in an ADSL subscriber loop, the method comprising the steps of determining that showtime cannot be entered during initialisation of communication between the modems; requesting entry into a diagnostic mode by one of the modems upon the determining; diagnosing line conditions as being unable to support communication at a predetermined standard; and establishing communication at a standard lower than the predetermined standard.

Abstract: The invention relates to a subscriber line terminal and a method for fault detection in the power supply having a multiplicity of subscriber line modules and at least one power supply. The subscriber line modules are supplied with reference to at least one voltage level used in the electronic system via at least two useful voltage bus lines, and the at least two useful voltage bus line are fed by at least two parallel-connected power supply units which simultaneously supply the two useful voltage bus lines in each case, at least one feedback of the voltage from the useful voltage bus line being provided per power supply unit.

Abstract: A test unit provides testing capability at a network interface device (NID). The test unit may be remotely activated so that testing is initiated upon activation from a remote site. In one embodiment, a characteristic signal is sent over a telephone line toward the NID. A characteristic signal is detected and the testing unit is activated. The testing unit may perform multiple types of tests, including tests for detecting line loss, line noise and latency. The test may be implemented using electronic circuitry or using an intelligent computer system.

Abstract: The method is for controlling the transmission power for a session in a system when transmitting data via a telephone line by using a digital subscriber line between a user terminal and a central unit. The transmission power is increased or decreased between given limit values so that the transmission power is kept as low as possible while still providing a sufficient transmission quality. The transmission quality, and therefore the transmission power, is controlled by the value of the signal-to-noise ratio and the number of bit errors BER within a given time interval.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring the quality of a network (10) for the transmission of digital or analog signals, including the connections (16,18) associated with said network (10) which are used to connect telecommunication terminals such as telephones (22), fax machines (26), modems (24), mobile telephones (20) or the like to the network (10), by means of an INMD measuring method.

Abstract: A methodology to automatically measure network parameters relating to wireless network environments is disclosed. First, if a server's telephone number is detected from power-on registration data stored in a storage device, then a connection with the server is attempted through a mobile station with a data service function using the server's telephone number. Thereafter, if there is test plan from the server after the connection is made, the network parameters is measured using another mobile station with a diagnostic monitor function based on the test plan data. The measured network parameters is then collected and parsed to obtain sets of measured network parameters, each set having a different kind of measured data; and the sets of measured network parameters are transmitted to the server using the mobile station with the data service function when there is a data transmission request from the server or it is time for data transmission.

Abstract: A method of controlling a multi-channel processor board (1a) in a telecommunications system comprises monitoring the fault status of a multiplicity of processor cores (3), each arranged to process one or more speech channels, distributed amongst a plurality of Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) (2a-2d) of the processor board (1a). Monitoring comprises receiving fault alarms from fault containing DSPs at an on-board controller (5), and notifying an off-board controller (8) of a received fault alarm including identifying the faulty core(s) and/or associated speech channels. The off-board controller (8) returns to the on-board controller (5) a reset command, whereupon the on-board controller (5) identifies which of the processor cores (3) are faulty and either issues corresponding individual core reset commands or issues DSP reset commands to reset the DSPs (1a-1d) to which the faulty cores (3) belong.

Abstract: A telephone network interface device (NID) includes a test circuit that is readily connected and disconnected. The NID has a portion of an electrical circuit that connects a pair of provider wires as well as a pair of test wires to a pair of subscriber terminals. The test wires lead to a test circuit on the provider side of the housing of the NID. The subscriber terminals are located on the subscriber side of the housing to interconnect the provider wires with a pair of subscriber wires. A jack in the NID has a normal mode of operation in which the provider wires are electrically connected to the subscriber wires and a test mode of operation in which the provider wires are disconnected from the subscriber wires. A pair of lead wires are electrically connected to the jack and have free ends that connect to the subscriber terminals. This connects the test circuit in parallel physically and electrically between the provider wires and the subscriber wires.

Abstract: A telephone call simulator generates telephone calls for large sets of subscribers in a PSTN-IP telephone service for purposes of validating various telephone services, e.g. call waiting, call forwarding, etc. available to subscribers of the telephone service. via the IP network. The telephone numbers of subscribers are grouped in different call processing actions and/or subscriber call behavior based on the options offered by the service. The telephone numbers and test logic scripts are stored in a test input data file. Test logic scripts are generated for each group of related telephone number and stored in a file, typically the test input data file. The test input data file is read by test assignment apparatus which assigns the test logic scripts to process within a call processing pool. The test logic scripts record test result data to a test output data file.

Abstract: In a telecommunications system, an object having an incoming side and an outgoing side is tested using a plurality of test components allocated in parallel for the incoming and outgoing sides of the object. The in-parallel allocated test components perform testing routines for the incoming and outgoing sides of the object. A main test component is connected to each of the in-parallel allocated test components, and equivalently controls operations of the in-parallel allocated test components. The resulting test structure for testing the incoming and outgoing sides of the object, is symmetric.

Abstract: In a state monitoring method in a subscriber line test in a communication system in which a subscriber telephone and a subscriber terminal are independently connected to a telephone exchange and an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) apparatus through a subscriber line, the telephone exchange to which a first control terminal is connected is connected, through an interface, to the ADSL apparatus to which a second control terminal is connected. A line blocked state due to a line test instruction is notified from one of the first and second control terminals to the other of the first and second control terminals through the interface. Upon receiving the notification of the line block state due to the line test instruction, the other of the first and second control terminals determines that the line blocked state is not caused by a fault. A state monitoring apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A trouble report processing system provides an electronic interface between a telephone company's trouble report input system and its trouble report resolution system. The interface eliminates the need for the trouble report input system to generate a paper ticket that must be carried to a trouble report resolution system. An operator receives a call and generates a trouble report which is stored in the trouble report input system as an electronic trouble ticket. The interface continually, periodically or as desired, monitors the trouble report input system for the presence of new electronic trouble tickets. When the interface finds a new electronic trouble ticket, it acquires the information contained therein and uses it to build a trouble ticket in a format that the trouble ticket resolution system can process.

Abstract: The current invention provides a method and apparatus for determining insertion loss in wireline communication systems. The method may be implemented with any modulation protocol but is particularly suited for multi-carrier modulation protocols such as discrete multi-tone (DMT). The method for calculation of the insertion loss uses a received signal and a discrete subset of frequency ranges, e.g. DMT tones, within that signal. For each of the subset of frequency ranges the average received power on each of the selected set of tones is determined. Next the average power on each received subset of tones is converted to log2 using a simple log2 estimation circuit that avoids the complexity associated with log tables and other prior art methods of computing logarithms. Then the sum of the log2 of the average power received in each of the selected subset of tone bins is determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for qualifying a telephone transmission line for XDSL communication services is disclosed. The system includes a modem, located at the customer premises to be connected. The modem analyzes actual signals to determine the electrical characteristics of the communication channel associated with the customer premises. The modem includes a transmitter, receiver and controller to generate test signals and receive responses. The modem then analyzes the data to generate an output value indicative of the electrical characteristics of the communication channel being tested. This output value is then displayed to a user or transmitted over the communication channel to a network. The system thereby eliminates the necessity of dispatching a technician to test the telephone line, and provides more accurate test results than those achievable at the network-side of the connection alone.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for reducing battery power consumed by an integrated services hub supporting a plurality of telephone lines. The status of power to the integrated services hub is monitored, and upon detecting a failure of primary power, each of the telephone lines is polled to detect an off-hook condition. The status of power to the integrated services hub is monitored while polling, and the polling is stopped upon detecting a return of primary power to the integrated services hub or upon detecting an off-hook condition in one of the telephone lines. Polling is performed by placing one of the telephone lines in a standby state and the remaining telephone lines in a disabled state and monitoring the telephone line in standby state for a predetermined amount of time to detect an off-hook condition.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method and device for call-waiting signal to identify tolerant errors and particularly to a method and device for call-waiting signal on a telephone set with a call-waiting function to identify tolerant errors though making use of an amplitude detecting device to perform a reaffirming action so as to escalate the identification rate of the call-waiting signal..

Abstract: A method tests a subscriber line. The method includes providing a classifier to predict a performance characteristic of the line based at least in part on a value of an auxiliary variable. Each value of the auxiliary variable represents a property of the line. The method also includes performing electrical measurements on the subscriber line, using the measurements to predict a value of the auxiliary variable, and predicting the performance characteristic of the line. The act of predicting the characteristic applies the classifier to the predicted value of auxiliary variable.

Abstract: A telephone micro-tester and transport system for testing smaller remote SLC customer's lines and terminal equipment is provided. A micro-tester is located at a remote terminal for measuring and storing signatures of test performed on the SLC customer's lines and terminal equipment to determine faults. A first modem is located at the remote terminal and is coupled to the micro-tester for transferring the measured and stored signatures of the test performed to a second modem. The second modem is located at the telephone company's central office for receiving the measured and stored signatures of the tests performed which are being transferred by the first modem. A synthesizer is located at the telephone company's central office and is coupled to the second modem for re-creating virtual signatures of the test performed by the micro-tester at the remote terminal and for transporting the them to a test system at the telephone company's central office.

Abstract: A simple means is provided to test the cross connect wiring of a communications system which uses a POTS splitter to separate broadband and narrow band signals. A suitable frequency test signal such as 1 KHz tone is fed at sufficient amplitude to the broadband port of the POTS splitter, so that even after attenuation by both the POTS splitter capacitance and inductance filters, it is detectable by suitably sensitive detectors connected to the narrow band port of the POTS splitter. The test signal may be applied intermittently to enable its detection even in low signal to noise situations.

Abstract: For use with a public telephone network CO incorporating a vast number of terminals T1-Tn, a system CS limits and controls interface access to implement voice-digital communication for statistical processing. The system CS accommodates calls in different modes, e.g. “800”, “900” or area code and incorporates qualifying apparatus to restrict against caller misuse. Alternative calling modes are used to reach an interface facility that also affords some control based on calling terminal identification, e.g. as by ANI equipment.

Abstract: When there is an error in setting of a companding law of an encoder or a decoder, there is a problem of an error in judgment although it should be originally judged that the continuity of the testing channel does not exist. Therefore, a channel check test system includes a transmitting side DCME for inserting a nonlinear quantized input test pattern into a channel to be tested, and a receiving side DCME.

Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention test a network element in a telecommunications network using a universal command, such as a telephone number or circuit identification number. By doing so, the network element can be easily identified along with the type of service provided by the network element and the appropriate test system can be identified and used without requiring the user to have detailed system-specific knowledge of the test system. Methods and systems consistent with the invention provide an interface to a user. A universal command is received, typically as a telephone number or a circuit identification number. Using the universal command, the type of service associated with the network element is determined and a test system for testing the service type of the network element is identified. A test request is formatted based upon the universal command, the service type to be tested, and the particular test system to be used to test the network element.

Abstract: In a telephone communication system employing a lower spectral band and a higher spectral band for communication of voice and video, wherein the system includes a first line for carrying signals at both the first and the second spectral bands and a second line for carrying signals at only the second spectral band, and wherein capacitors are employed for connection of the second line to the first line for exclusion of DC at a signal splitter of the communication system, the system has a bypass DC signal path for an alternative connection of the second line to the first line in substitution for the connection of the capacitors. The bypass can be activated electronically and remotely to establish conditions for the conduction of test of the signal carrying lines.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting radio network trends in a telecommunications network. A data mining tool (52) is provided and adapted to search through the various operations and maintenance database systems belonging to one or more communications network(s) (60). The data mining tool searches through the databases to find correlations and dependencies among the parameters of the data collected and stored in the database systems. The correlations and dependencies found are then reported for further analysis which can, in turn, be used in optimization, maintenance and trouble shooting of the network.

Abstract: A method and system include receiving at a provisioning server a service order to implement an asynchronous digital subscriber line (DSL) service from a service order entry system. The provisioning server identifies and assigns multiple facilities needed to implement the service order, including a remote terminal connectable to a terminal of a DSL subscriber and an optical concentrator device connectable to the remote terminal. The provisioning server determines an interface corresponding to each of the facilities, which are configured, based on interface specific instructions from the provisioning server, to implement the service order.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a remotely actuated splitter bypass function (RASB) working in conjunction with a test head at the central office for testing and maintaining copper loops in the digital subscriber line environment. The RASB allows a competitive local exchange carrier to test and maintain the xDSL portion of the copper loop with minimal interference and disturbance to/from the plain old telephone system (POTS) service by bypassing the central office splitter. The splitter bypass operation includes the steps of selecting a copper loop pair for testing, actuating a first relay for monitor mode, actuating a second relay for bypass mode, testing the selected copper loop, and resetting the first and second relays back to normal mode. By applying positive and negative voltages from the tip and ring with respect to ground, various relays can be set (actuated) and reset to provide multiple modes of operations.

Abstract: The present invention system automates the process of testing the integrity of the components residing at each node of a data network. After automatically dial connecting to a site of the network by selecting a telephone number from a retrieved list of telephone numbers each representing a site of the network, the instant invention sends a query directed to a particular component at the site. And depending on the response/non-response received, the instant invention can readily determine whether there is a problem with the being queried component. If there is a fault detected, this fault is reported either as a HTML file or a text file to either a web site or a data store, so that a technician can readily retrieve that information when needed. After all components at a site are tested, a report of the operational effectiveness of each of the components could be generated and provided either to the web site or dumped into the data store.

Abstract: For testing a network, a connection between an originating station and an answering station is established over the network. Signals are sent over the connection and if the signals are not correctly received through the connection, the connection is maintained and a message is sent to a monitoring station indicating that a defective connection has been detected.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method which consists in modelling the system under study using a system of automatons synchronised by a set of messages; in deriving from said modelling a system of linear equations whereof the unknowns are related to the status of the automatons, to the occurrence of transitions in the automatons, and to the production of synchronisation messages between automatons. These unknowns have in principle a value of 0 or 1, and they each concern an operating step among T successive steps; in defining a property to be verified using additional linear constraints to which the equation system unknowns are subjected; then in applying a method of resolution by linear programming to the equation system subjected to the additional constraints, thereby enabling to prove that the property is verified, by displaying a solution, or that the property is not verified, by displaying an absence of solution.

Abstract: A bi-directional communication system advantageously automatically senses and reports problems to a central operator network management station and operates with fewer subscriber service interruptions by detecting and correcting such conditions before they result in subscriber service interruption. Specifically, a system adaptively varies upstream transmission power level to prevent communication interruption in a cable modem network. A method for adaptively adjusting communication operation by varying a transmission parameter involves retrieving a communication parameter from memory and comparing the retrieved parameter with a predetermined threshold. A message is transmitted to a CATV head-end at a remote site representing that the parameter value indicates adjustment of the parameter is necessary.

Abstract: The system for assuring proper acoustic connection of a device under test to a test fixture generates an audible test signal external to the telephone handset-acoustic coupler interconnection to test the efficacy of the coupling of the telephone handset to the acoustic coupler of the test fixture. In particular, when the telephone handset is mounted in the acoustic coupler of the test fixture, this acoustic coupling should substantially block all audio signals that are present external to the acoustic coupler-telephone handset interconnection, from reaching the audio detector that is located in the acoustic coupler of the test fixture. Failure to substantially block the external audio signals indicates the inefficient mounting of the telephone handset in the test fixture.

Abstract: An electronic relay matrix (22) is connectable between a plurality of customer telephone lines and a plurality of testers (2, 201-203). The electronic relay matrix (22) includes a line matrix (80) having a plurality of relay assemblies (821-8250). Each relay assembly (82) in a relaxed state connects together the line-side (12) and the drop-side (8) of one of the customer telephone lines. Each relay assembly (82) is adjustable to enable one of the plurality of testers (2, 201-203) to be connected to the drop-side (8) and/or the line-side (12) of a desired customer telephone line.