Abstract: An invention is provided for testing telecommunications devices. Broadly speaking, test data is encoded prior to testing a SUT. Then, during testing, the encoded test data is transmitted to the SUT, which processes the test data. The processed test data then is received back from the SUT. The processed test data is decoded in real-time, as opposed to the encoding of the test data, which is performed offline and prior to testing. In addition, a quality of the processed test data is analyzed. Typically, the test data is speech data, which is stored prior to testing the SUT. Optionally, the speech data can be encoded offline using a computer system separate from the testing system.

Abstract: A subscriber's data circuit between channel bank and the customer premises carries fractional T1 bandwidth on a digital subscriber line (DSL) circuit. For example, for an ISDN rate digital subscriber line (IDSL), the circuit between the network termination at the customer premises and a D4 channel bank carries data on two combined B-channels. Such a circuit also carries a D-channel and an embedded operations channel (EOC), in normal ISDN fashion. A data service using such a line circuit, however, only transports the data (combined B-channels) through the network. The D-channel and the EOC are not carried through the network. To facilitate testing of the subscriber's circuit, the carrier operations and testing facilities transmit loop-back commands or the like in band to the channel bank. A command may be addressed to any active node along the subscriber's DSL circuit.

Abstract: A system for testing a communication network includes a test system and a cross-connect system. The test system generates a plurality of independent low data rate test signals with first data rates. The test system combines the independent low data rate test signals to generate a high data rate test signal. The test system then transmits the high data rate test signal from the test system to a shared test port. The cross-connect system transfers the high data rate test signal to a cross-connect matrix that connects the independent low data rate test signals to the communication network. The cross-connect system then receives the independent low data rate test signals from the communication network into the shared test port. The cross-connect system transmits the high data rate test signal from the shared test port to the test system. The test system separates the high data rate test signal into the independent low data rate test signals.

Abstract: A digital subscriber line access multiplexer overlay onto a digital loop carrier system for transporting high speed digital data over an existing backplane which carries voice, data, and test signals between voice line cards and a carrier line. The voice signals are time division multiplexed into frames. The system includes a data bus interface for impressing the high speed data on a subset of existing backplane buses for transport along the backplane and for retrieving high speed digital data from the backplane buses. The system further includes a plurality of data line cards for connecting to the backplane and backplane subset conductors, the data line cards being adapted to couple the high speed data between the subscriber line and the backplane, whereby the high speed digital data can be routed over the backplane subset to any of the digital data line cards without interfering with the voice signals routed to voice line cards.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and system for verifying an installation of an meter, for example, an electric power meter. The inventive method includes identifying the electric power meter to a central computer using a mobile computing device. The electric power meter receives computer-executable instructions from the central computer via the mobile computing device, and transmits meter information (e.g., power consumption readings, meter identification information, and meter location) to the central computer. The meter information received from the central computer is compared with meter information available at the electric power meter. The comparison may be accomplished visually by reading the meter and comparing the readings with the information received on the mobile computing device. Also, the comparison may be accomplished automatically by the mobile computing device based on the information it receives from the central computer and the information it receives from the electric power meter.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying the integrity of a DSL circuit on a shared telephone line. The invention uses the amplitude modulation principles to overcome the difficulty associated with a blocking capacitor that isolates a DSLAM on the DSL circuit from the rest of the shared telephone line. A transmitter of the invention mixes a high frequency carrier signal and a low frequency audio signal to produce an amplitude-modulated test signal. The amplitude modulated signal is supplied to the telephone line at a main distributing frame side of the blocking capacitor and is detected by a receiver at the DSLAM side of the blocking capacitor.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically testing E911 systems using digital loop carrier trunks in a laboratory. A testbed running a testing program evaluates the functionality of a digital loop carrier trunk, a channel unit pair, and an E911 switch by measuring a delay and duration of an acknowledgement pulse from the E911 switch in response to an off-hook condition at a simulated PBX. The testbed and testing program also evaluate the functionality of the E911 switch and a simulated PSAP by measuring a delay and duration of a ring signal from the E911 switch in response to an emergency signal sent by the simulated PBX. Once connection between the simulated PBX and the simulated PSAP has been established, the end-to-end signal loss is also measured.

Abstract: A communications quality measurement system for use with packet and other networks comprises a test signal transmitter, a test signal receiver, and a test signal analyzer. A test transmitter is used to produce a series of test signals selected or engineered for measuring one or more desired Quality of Service or other performance parameters of a network path to be tested. A first copy of the test signal is transmitted via a reference path of known characteristics and with minimal impairments. A second copy of the test signal is transmitted via the network path to be tested. A test receiver receives and records the signals which were carried via the reference and test paths. A test signal analyzer compares the signals received over the reference and test paths and analyzes differences to determine Quality of Service or other parameters, such as Bearer Delay, Cell or Packet Loss, Echo Delay, and Echo Amplitude, some of which are directed to the particular impairments that are characteristic of packet networks.

Abstract: A network node determines the suitability of coupled devices for being remotely line powered before actually powering them. The node scan its ports to determine which ports are coupled to devices. The node then interrogates the coupled devices. A unique discovery tone or bit pattern is generated and sent to devices coupled to ports. The node then monitors the port for a return signal. If there is a return signal, it is compared to the transmitted discovery signal. The signal will be identical after allowing for line losses if the coupled device is suitable for remote line powering. If the comparison yields a match, the network node supplies remote line power to the device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for locating trouble in a telecommunications network. One method communicates signals from a central office along a local loop. The local loop comprises a ring wire and a tip wire. Voltage polarity between the ring wire and the tip wire is reversed, causing a customer's wiring to be isolated from the local loop. A test of the local loop may then be remotely performed to determine whether trouble exists in the local loop.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a test tone is placed in an outbound path of a full-duplex transmission system. An echo cancellation capability is disabled, enabling an echo signal of the test tone to pass through the inbound path of the full-duplex transmission system, which echo signal is analyzed to determine the condition of the full-duplex paths. In another embodiment a standard DSP generates DTMF tones which are looped-back and tested by the DSP, under control of a CPU. The DSP is a standard DSP avoiding the need for any hardware/software modification of the DSP to perform the test mode. The tests are performed the local level, i.e. at the subscriber's location, eliminating the need for central office intervention, for example.

Abstract: Lower bandwidth technology is used to determine whether a communication channel can support higher bandwidth technology. A signal generator generates a series of test signals that are associated with the higher bandwidth technology. The test signals are sampled to produce aliases that can be analyzed with lower bandwidth technology. Modem parameters are accessed from a modem's memory. The modem parameters are compared with a database containing information about whether a set of modem parameters indicates that a telephone local can support broadband devices.

Abstract: A loop responder enables a telephone technician to use a test device to automatically and accurately validate the performance of a telephone subscriber loop from the originating equipment to the subscriber demarcation point without any human assistance at the central office. The directory number for the subscriber loop under test is automatically identified and stored without any human intervention such that a No Test Trunk can be automatically used and test results can be automatically associated with the respective line record information. Data is collected and then transmitted in suitable manner and stored in non-volatile memory for collection by and/or transmission to a central host processing system. Particular aspects of the aforementioned collection and storage processes relate to the transmission of the data packets via several input/output (I/O) ports. Either modem or DTMF communication can occur over the same pair of tip and ring wires.

Abstract: A communication hub for providing call tones in a communication network proximate the calling device. The communication hub comprises an interface coupled to a processor and a tone generator. The tone generator is configured to generate call tones. The processor is configured to process an in-band call tone request message to direct the tone generator to provide the call tones to a call device. The interface is configured to receive the call tone request message and provide the call tones to the call device.

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: An echo plug is plugged into a hands-free jack of a wireless telephone for testing purposes. A test signal is transmitted from a test system to the wireless telephone over a test call. In the echo plug, the test signal is looped back from a speaker connection to a microphone connection of the hands-free jack. The test signal is transmitted from the wireless telephone to the test system over the test call. In other embodiments, an echo plug is used to loop a test signal from a speaker connection of a first wireless telephone to a microphone connection of a second wireless telephone.

Abstract: To reduce the possibility of a data-induced latching loopback, a digital data services device integrates one or more digital control code-based filtering routines into a test code sequence-based latching loopback scheme. The filtering routines include a ‘garbage’ byte detection routine, a ‘protected loopback’ routine, and a ‘preamble’ routine. The ‘garbage’ byte detection routine is an intra-loopback establishment filtering routine that limits the type of customer data that may be received between sequences of repeated control bytes of a valid latching loopback sequence. The ‘protected loopback’ routine is a flag byte-based filtering routine for frame relay data, which controllably disables latching loopback for a prescribed period of time, whenever a predetermined character associated with frame relay customer data is detected.

Abstract: A priority auto-control method of signal routes in a No. 7 signaling network is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, it can improve usefulness and efficiency of the No. 7 signaling network by newly defining a MHT message and a MHA message in accordance with a MTP signal message standard form. It then performs a test of the all available signal routes from an originating point to a terminating point by using the MHT and MHA message. It thus automatically optimizes the priority of the signal routes in accordance with a state change of the signaling network, without requiring operator intervention.

Abstract: A technique for detecting and responding to a loopback condition on an ISDN PRI of a telecommunications switching system. The technique involves storing the Call Reference Value of the most recently transmitted call SETUP command as the Last Sent CRV. An incoming call SETUP command is considered to have looped back when it is assigned a Call Reference Value identical to the Last Sent CRV, and it requests a PRI channel that is occupied. The PRI is considered to be in a loopback condition after a predetermined number of call SETUP commands have looped back. The PRI can be removed from service while the loopback condition persists.

Abstract: A method for qualifying a local loop for digital subscriber line service includes transmitting signals from a customer modem and receiving corresponding reflected signals. The loop qualification test is initiated at the customer side, with the test result for the loop qualification test being based on reflected signals that correspond to signals transmitted over the loop from the modem.

Abstract: A multimedia information system comprises first and second communication terminal apparatuses for exchanging information data using a common first communication protocol or first and second communication protocols which are different from each other, a first communication network for transmitting information data in accordance with a third communication protocol different from the first and second communication protocols, and first and second communication interface apparatuses for respectively connecting the first and second communication terminal apparatuses to the first communication network, the first communication interface apparatus comprises first conversion means for converting information data in accordance with the first and third communication protocols between the first communication terminal apparatus and the first communication network, and the second communication interface apparatus comprises second conversion means for converting information data in accordance with the second and third commun

Abstract: A communication hub for providing continuity testing in communication networks. The communication hub comprises a processor coupled to an interface. The processor is configured to process a continuity test instruction to generate a request for continuity acknowledgment message. The interface is configured to receive the continuity test instruction and transmit the request for continuity acknowledgment message.

Abstract: A data protector for telephony test equipment, comprising a relay for selectively connecting the telephony test equipment to a telecommunication line, and electronic circuitry. The electronic circuitry includes a detector portion adapted for detecting signals within a continuous band of frequencies present on the telecommunication line, and a microcontroller. The microcontroller has a frequency counter function for determining whether data is present on the telecommunication line, a relay connect control function for selectively controlling the relay to connect the telephony test equipment to the telecommunication line, and an alert operator function for producing a signal if the detected frequency is above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A data path evaluation system and method is described wherein the data path can be a voice signal path and the reference signal can contain white gaussian noise.

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: A data protector for telephony test equipment, comprising a relay for selectively connecting the telephony test equipment to a telecommunication line, and electronic circuitry. The electronic circuitry includes a detector portion adapted for detecting signals within a continuous band of frequencies present on the telecommunication line, and a microcontroller. The microcontroller has a frequency counter function for determining whether data is present on the telecommunication line, a relay connect control function for selectively controlling the relay to connect the telephony test equipment to the telecommunication line, and an alert operator function for producing a signal if the detected frequency is above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for connection of a digital apparatus on a telephone line, comprising a line interface (6) which is connected to the telephone line, and a control circuit (8) to control this line interface (6), which can detect a fault in transmission through the line, the line interface (6) and the control circuit (8) each comprising at least one memory (42, 44, 62,64), and exchanging digital information via a galvanic connection.

Abstract: By comparing the measured data of a transmission line to a model of the transmission line comprising models of each individual portion of the line, an estimation of the loop can be determined. Specifically, the transmission line can be modeled by a model of the transmit filter, a model of the receive filter, a model of the analog hybrid circuitry and an ABCD matrix model of the loop.

Abstract: A test signal is injected on the line (L) and the corresponding return signal produced by the line itself as an effect of the echo is detected. A signal having lenticular envelope is used as test signal and is generated preferably starting from a first sinusoid with a first given frequency modulated in amplitude with a second sinusoid having a second given frequency, lower than the aforesaid first given frequency.

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: A test system automatically locates impedance mismatched, energy reflection discontinuities (e.g., bridged taps) along a wireline communication link, by coupling a linearly stepped sinusoidal waveform to a measurement location of the wireline link. The applied waveform propagates down the link and is reflected back from the energy reflection discontinuities. A line monitoring receiver coupled to the measurement location samples the response of the line to the swept waveform. A response processor executes a frequency domain reflectometry algorithm to analyze the frequency response of the wireline to the stepped frequency waveform. It then generates an output representative of distances from the measurement location to the bridged taps.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the high speed data service capability of a subscriber line includes sending an embedded test signal to a subscriber line. A reflected signal received in response to the test signal is analyzed for determining transmission characteristics of the subscriber line. Based on the reflected signal, a determination about the high speed data service capabilities of the subscriber line is made and stored for future reference.

Abstract: The present invention customizes a network connection to customer premises equipment using a calibration signal. A network signal processor emits a tag signal indicating that a signal processing platform is in use. Customer premises equipment (CPE) issues a calibration signal to the network signal processor based on detection of the tag signal. The customer premises equipment outputs the calibration signal to the network signal processor which measures the signal loss, adjusts the gain mapping and issues a calibration signal to the customer premises equipment. The customer premises equipment then estimates spectral shaping based on the calibration signal from the network signal processor and equalizes the receive path so that the signal processing platform is detected and implemented. Embodiments of the present invention are illustrative of a more general concept of the use of CPE as an agent in telephone network maintenance.

Abstract: A system, method, and signal are disclosed for line probing. The invention provides an improved signal for line probing having desirable characteristics. In various embodiments the signal comprises a periodic sequence having good autocorrelation characteristics. The periodic sequence of the invention provides a faster and more accurate evaluation of the channel. Another embodiment of the invention comprises processing of the received sequence to determine a desired or maximum data rate for the line or channel. The invention also provides an evaluation and calculation of the noise on the line or channel.

Abstract: A DMT (Discrete Multi-Tone) test method is provided. The test method is employed by two test devices to estimate the theoretical and practical data rates of a cable under test for a pair of target ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) DMT modems. The present DMT test can also be used to analyze the cause of, or to predict a problem, whereby a pair of ADSL DMT modems could fail to synchronize. The method includes (a) synchronizing two devices at lower frequencies; (b) measuring the frequency characteristics of the cable with test signals; (c) measuring the cable noise and interference for every sub-channel of the ADSL bandwidth; (d) determining the theoretical and practical data rates for every sub-channel, based on the measured frequency characteristics and noise characteristics, as well as modem parameters selected by the user; (e) estimating the theoretical and practical data rates for the ADSL bandwidth based on the ADSL DMT standard selected by the user.

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: According to this invention, a digital key telephone system connected to an analog public network NW having a function of transmitting a ringing signal including identification information of a calling line through a subscriber line (CO line), accommodating a plurality of extension lines each connected to a digital key telephone (DKT) 2 or a standard telephone (STT) 4 as an extension terminal, and having a function of switching and connecting the subscriber line to the plurality of extension lines or the extension lines to each other includes a called party storage means storing, in advance, information representing the correlation between the calling line and the extension terminals 2 and 4 as a called terminal. When a ringing signal arrives from the analog communication network NW, calling line identification information (caller ID) contained in the ringing signal is detected by a calling line identification information interface unit (RCIU) 12.

Abstract: To facilitate the use of relatively high frequency data transmission services over a wireline communication resource originally deployed to support low frequency voice band services, an assessment of the wireline communication resource (50-52) is based on attenuation of high frequency test signals, of known original level, that are generated (18) injected into the wireline communication resource from a test point (12). A detector (60) at a potential point of service, e.g. at a customers' premises (14), detects an attenuated level of the test signals and generates a control signal (70, 82), such as a drive current, indicative of the attenuation caused by the wireline communication resource (50-52). The control signal (70, 82) is then indirectly communicated back to the test point (12) in a coded form, and preferably within a voice band transmission.

Abstract: A line test apparatus includes a hand-held body having a sensor probe tip for capacitively or inductively sensing the presence of an audio signal within a conductor under test, or within a conductor pair under test. The probe tip delivers an electrical input signal to an amplifier housed within such body; the electrical amplifier serves to amplify the signal and produces an amplified electrical output signal at an output terminal thereof. A vibratory element is electrically coupled to the output terminal of the amplifier for vibrating with an intensity corresponding to the magnitude of the sensed audio signal. Other output transducers, such as LEDs and/or a loudspeaker, may also be included for providing visual and/or audible output signals indicating the presence and magnitude of the sensed audio signal.