Frequency domain reflectometry system for testing wires and cables utilizing in-situ connectors, passive connectivity, cable fray detection, and live wire testing

A cable testing system that utilizes principles of frequency domain reflectometry (FDR) to thereby determine characteristics of a cable under test (CUT), said cable testing system comprising:

• a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) for generating an input signal;
• a power divider for receiving the input signal from the VCO and dividing the input signal;
• a mixer for receiving the input signal from the power divider;
• wherein the CUT also receives the input signal from the power divider, and generates a reflected input signal, and wherein the mixer receives the input signal and the reflected input signal to thereby generate a mixed signal having at least two components;
• an analog to digital (A/D) converter for receiving the mixed signal and filtering out high frequency components therefrom, and for generating a digital signal, wherein the digital signal contains a signal that is dependent upon a frequency of the input signal, a length of the CUT, and of a point of termination of the CUT;
• and
• a processor for utilizing the digital signal to thereby determine characteristics of the cable under test.

A method for determining characteristics of a cable under test utilizing a cable testing system that uses principles of frequency domain reflectometry (FDR), said method comprising the steps of:

• (1) providing a signal generator for generating a sine wave, a power divider coupled to signal generator at an input, and to a mixer and the cable under test at two outputs, wherein the mixer is also coupled at another input to the cable under test for receiving a reflected sine wave therefrom, and at an output to an input of an analog to digital (A/D) converter, wherein the A/D converter is coupled at an output to a processor;
• (2) transmitting a sine wave from the signal generator to the cable under test and to the mixer via the power divider;
• (3) receiving a reflected sine wave from the cable under test at the mixer;
• (4) mixing the sine wave and the reflected sine wave to generate a DC signal from the mixer;
• (5) processing the DC signal to thereby obtain data regarding impedance and length of the cable under test;
• (6) changing a frequency of the sine wave;
• (7) performing steps (2) through (6) a predetermined number of times to thereby generated a plurality of DC signals;
• and
• (8) determining impedance and length of the cable under test utilizing the plurality of DC signals.