Subscriber line impedance measurement device and method

Abstract

A device and method for line impedance measurement using a multi-frequency test signal waveform in a signal injection technique featuring analysis of acquired line test response data. A multi-frequency test signal waveform is injected into the susbscriber line, to obtain by data acquisition the line response in terms of voltage measurements, which are processed via a digital filter to analyze a specific sine wave frequency. For example, if a multi-level rectangular wave signal is used as the test signal, it does not necessarily have a symmetrical waveform, and the analysis may be made at the dominant frequency derived from the rectangular wave, or other harmonics. For the frequency chosen for the analysis, it is possible to derive the line characteristics, including amplitude attenuation and phase shift, which constitute the line impedance. In the case of a multi-level rectangular wave, the amplitude is controlled between a limited number of voltage levels, and simple equipment is used to generate the rectangular wave signal, such as a relay for connection and disconnection to provide a signal with two levels. This enables generation of a signal whose frequency, e.g. duty cycle, and power capacity are continuously controllable in a simple fashion. The results of the voltage measurements representing the line response are transferred, after initial processing, to a digital filter which processes the required harmonics, and the impedance derivation is performed.

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