Network test instrument with cable connection and signature testing

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having an executable stored thereon, which when executed instructs a processor to perform a method as follows:

• receive a reflected pulse, wherein the reflected pulse is a pulse generated by a pulse generator that is reflected and received by a port the test instrument;
• measure characteristics of the reflected pulse received via the port, wherein the measured characteristics comprises at least one of amplitude, reflection time, or peak detection of the reflected pulse, and wherein the reflected pulse is the pulse reflected from an impedance in a system;
• store a signature of a reflected pulse for a predetermined test location, wherein the signature is a unique signature associated with the predetermined test location;
• determine, by a processing circuit, whether the port is connected to a minimum length cable based on the measured characteristics of the reflected pulse;
• and
• use a signature comparison technique to determine whether a signature determined from the measured characteristics of the reflected pulse matches the stored signature to determine whether the test instrument is connected at the predetermined test location, wherein a match between the signature determined from the measured characteristics and the stored signature that is unique to the predetermined location indicates that the test instrument is connected at the predetermined test location associated with the stored signature.

A method comprising:

• determine whether a port of a test instrument is connected to a minimum length cable by measuring, using a measurement circuit, characteristics of a reflected pulse received at the port, wherein the reflected pulse is a pulse generated by a pulse generator that is reflected and received via the port, and wherein the measured characteristics comprises at least one of amplitude, reflection time, or peak detection of the reflected pulse;
• using a signature comparison technique to determine, by a processing circuit, in response to determining the port is connected to the minimum length cable, whether a signature determined from the measured characteristics of the reflected pulse matches a stored signature to determine whether the test instrument is connected at a predetermined test location, where the signature is a unique signature associated with different test points and compared to the stored signature at the same test points;
• and
• determining, by the processing circuit, whether the test instrument is connected at these test points based on the comparison of the signature to the stored signature at the same test points.