Device and method for network communications and diagnostics

A method of using a communication device coupled to a network communication medium (hereinafter medium), the method comprising the steps of:

• a. in a communications mode of operation of said device, using said device to communicate via said medium;
• b. in a test mode of operation of said device, using said device to perform a time-domain reflectometry test of said medium, said test performed by transmitting a diagnostic signal over said medium and receiving a reflection signal from said medium in response to said diagnostic signal;
• c. switching during said communications mode, communication signals into a first path having a filter;
• and,
• d. switching during said test mode said diagnostic and reflection signals into a second path not having said filter.

A method of using a first communication device, said first communication device being coupled to a second communication device via a network, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. exchanging data with said second device via said network;
• b. temporarily interrupting exchange of data with said second device via said network;
• c. during temporary interruption or said exchange, performing a time-domain reflectometry test of said network using said first communication device, said test performed by transmitting a diagnostic signal over said network and receiving a reflection signal from said network in response to said diagnostic signal;
• d. resuming said exchange after completion of said test,
• e. switching within said first device during a communication mode, communication signals into a first path having a filter;
• and,
• f. switching within said first device during said time domain reflectometry test, said diagnostic and reflection signals into a second path not having said filter.

A communication device, comprising:

• a processor for generating one of a communication signal and a diagnostic testing signal depending upon a mode of operation, said diagnostic signal being for testing a network to cause said network to generate a reflection signal from which presence of a fault condition in said network may be detected;
• within said device, a first path having a filter, and a second path not having said filter;
• and,
• a switch for permitting said diagnostic testing signal and said reflection signal to by-pass said filter when said device is in a diagnostic mode of said mode.

A communications device having integrated diagnostic capabilities, comprising:

• a processor for generating a plurality of diagnostic testing signals over a time interval and for supplying said signals to a network to cause said network to generate reflection signals associated with respective ones of said testing signals, and computer-readable memory for storing said reflection signals in association with said respective ones of said testing signals and respective times of generation and receipt by said processor of said testing signals and said reflection signals, respectively;
• within said device, a first path having a filter, and a second path not having said filter;
• and,
• a switch for permitting said diagnostic and reflection signals to bypass said filter when said device is in said diagnostic mode
• means for determining whether a fault condition exists in said network based upon comparison between reflection signals associated with different respective testing signals.

A communication device comprising:

• a processor for generating one of a communication signal and diagnostic testing signal depending upon whether said device is operating in one of a communication mode and a diagnostic mode, respectively, and wherein said diagnostic signal is for being supplied to a network to cause said network to generate a reflection signal from said diagnostic signal to permit said device to determine whether a fault condition exists in said network;
• a digital signal processor (DSP) and a plurality of signal processing paths between said network and said DSP;
• a first path of said plurality of signal processing paths for connecting the DSP to the network when the device is in the communication mode of operation, and a second path of said plurality of signal processing paths for connecting the DSP to the network when the device is in the diagnostic mode of operation;
• the first path includes two filter networks, one of said filter networks being connected between a digital-to-analog converter and a line driver, and the other of said two filter networks being connected between said network and said line driver, and,
• a switch for permitting said diagnostic and reflection signals to bypass said other filter network when said device is in said diagnostic mode.

A computer readable media, comprising:

• said computer readable media having instructions written thereon for execution in a processor for the practice of the following steps for use of a communication device,
• a. in a communications mode of operation of said device, using said device to communicate via a network communication medium (hereinafter medium);
• b. in a test mode of operation of said device, using said device to perform a time-domain reflectometry test of said medium, said test performed by transmitting a diagnostic signal over said medium and receiving a reflection signal from said medium in response to said diagnostic signal;
• c. switching during said communications mode, communication signals into a first path having a filter;
• and
• d. switching during said test mode said diagnostic and reflection signals into a second path not having said filter.

Electromagnetic signals propagating on a computer network, comprising:

• said electromagnetic signals carrying information having instructions for execution in a processor for the practice of the following steps for use of a communication device,
• a. in a communications mode of operation of said device, using said device to communicate via a network communication medium (hereinafter medium);
• b. in a test mode of operation of said device, using said device to perform a time-domain reflectometry test of said medium, said test performed by transmitting a diagnostic signal over said medium and receiving a reflection signal from said medium in response to said diagnostic signal;
• c. switching during said communications mode, communication signals into a first path having a filter;
• and
• d. switching during said test mode said diagnostic and reflection signals into a second path not having said filter.

A computer readable media, comprising:

• said computer readable media having instructions written thereon for execution in a processor for the practice of a method, the method for using a first communication device, said first communication device being coupled to a second communication device via a network, the method having the steps,
• a. exchanging data with said second device via said network;
• b. temporarily interrupting exchange of data with said second device via said network;
• c. during temporary interruption of said exchange, performing a time-domain reflectometry test of said network using said first communication device, said test performed by transmiting a diagnostic signal over said network and receiving a reflection signal from said network in response to said diagnostic signal;
• d. resuming said exchange after completion of said test,
• e. switching within said first device during a communication mode, communication signals into a first path having a filter;
• and
• f. switching within said first device during said time domain reflectometry test, said diagnostic and reflection signals into a second path not having said filter.

Electromagnetic signals propagating on a computer network, comprising:

• said electromagnetic signals carrying information having instructions for execution in a processor for the practice of a method, the method for using a first communication device, said first communication device being coupled to a second communication device via a network, tile method having the steps,
• a. exchanging data with said second device via said network;
• b. temporarily interrupting exchange of data with said second device via said network;
• c. during temporary interruption of said exchange, performing a time-domain reflectometry test of said network using said first communication device, said test performed by transmitting a diagnostic signal over said network and receiving a reflection signal from said network in response to said diagnostic signal;
• d. resuming said exchange after completion of said test,
• e. switching within said first device during a communication mode, communication signals into a first path having a filter;
• and
• f. switching within said first device during said time domain reflectometry test, said diagnostic and reflection signals into a second path not having said filter.