Apparatus with interchangeable modules for measuring characteristics of cables and networks

An adapter module for use with a cable test device comprising:

• a housing configured to mate with the hand-held, cable test instrument;
• an adapter module having a cable connector located proximate to one end of the adapter module;
• a printed circuit board connected to the housing at a first wire connection;
• and
• a connector connected to the printed circuit board on an attachment surface, wherein the connector includes a mating surface which is substantially parallel to the attachment surface when the connector is attached to the printed circuit board, and wherein there are substantially no bends in an electrical path from the first wire connection to the mating surface.

A multi-piece, hand-held cable test instrument comprising:

• an adapter module having a cable connector located proximate to one end;
• a first printed circuit board connected to the adapter module;
• a first connector connected to the first printed circuit board, wherein the first connector defines a first mating surface which is substantially parallel to the first printed circuit board;
• a test instrument housing having an internal recess configured to receive the adapter module;
• a second printed circuit board connected to the test instrument housing;
• and
• a second connector connected to the second printed circuit board, wherein the second connector defines a second mating surface which is substantially parallel to the second printed circuit board, and wherein the first connector engages the second connector on the first and second mating surfaces upon insertion of the adapter module into the test instrument housing.

A multi-piece, hand-held cable test instrument comprising:

• an adapter module having a cable connector located proximate to one end;
• a first connector attached to the adapter module;
• a main instrument housing having an internal recess configured to receive the adapter module;
• and
• a second connector configured to mate with the first connector to form a substantially straight electrical path between the adapter module and the main instrument housing.

A multi-piece cable test instrument comprising:

• an adapter module comprising:
• a cable connector located proximate to one end;
• a first connector having an electrical and mechanical attachment element extending from a first attachment surface thereon, the first connector configured for attachment to a printed circuit board, wherein a first mating surface of the first connector is substantially parallel to the first attachment surface;
• and
• a main instrument comprising:
• a housing having an internal recess configured to receive the adapter module;
• a second connector having an electrical and mechanical attachment element extending from a second attachment surface thereon and configured for attachment to a printed circuit board, wherein a second mating surface of the second connector is substantially parallel to the second attachment surface, and wherein the first connector engages the second connector on the first and second mating surfaces upon insertion of the adapter module into the housing.

A multi-piece, hand-held cable test instrument comprising:

• an adapter module comprising:
• a cable connector located proximate to one end;
• a first printed circuit board connected to the adapter module;
• a first connector fixedly attached to the printed circuit board;
• and
• a main instrument comprising:
• a housing having an internal recess configured to receive the adapter module;
• a second printed circuit board connected to the main instrument housing;
• a second connector fixedly attached to the second printed circuit board and configured to mate with the first connector to form an electrical path between the first and second printed circuit boards, wherein the electrical path is substantially straight in the region between the first and second printed circuit boards.

A multi-piece, hand-held cable test instrument comprising:

• an adapter module having a cable connector located proximate to one end;
• a first connector having an electrical and mechanical attachment element extending from a first attachment surface thereon, the first connector configured for attachment to a printed circuit board, wherein the first connector includes at least one locating pin extending substantially perpendicular to the first printed circuit board to which it can be attached;
• a main instrument housing having an internal recess configured to receive the adapter module;
• and
• a second connector having an electrical and mechanical attachment element extending from a second attachment surface thereon, the second connector configured for attachment to a printed circuit board, wherein the second connector mates with the first connector to form an electrical path between the first and second printed circuit boards to which the first and second connectors can be attached, and wherein the electrical path is parallel to the at least one locating pin in the region between the first and second printed circuit boards when the connectors are attached thereon.

A method of manufacturing a multi-piece cable test instrument comprising:

• connecting a first printed circuit board having a first surface to a first connector having a first mating surface, such that the first mating surface is substantially parallel to the first surface of the first printed circuit board;
• inserting the first printed circuit board and first connector in an adapter housing;
• connecting a cable connector to one end of the adapter housing;
• connecting a second printed circuit board having a second surface to a second connector having a mating surface, such that the second mating surface is parallel to the second surface of the second printed circuit board;
• providing a main instrument housing having an internal recess configured to receive the adapter housing;
• inserting the second printed circuit board and the second connector in the main instrument housing, such that the first connector engages the second connector on the first and second mating surfaces upon insertion of the adapter housing into the main instrument housing.

A multi-piece cable test instrument comprising:

• means for forming a first wire connection between a first printed circuit board having a first surface and a first connector having a first mating surface, such that the first mating surface is substantially parallel to the first surface of the first printed circuit board;
• means for inserting the first printed circuit board and first connector in an adapter housing;
• means for attaching a cable connector sleeve to the adapter housing, such that the cable connector extends from one end of the housing and defines a cable connection location;
• means for forming a second wire connection between a second printed circuit board having a second surface and a second connector having a mating surface, such that the second mating surface is parallel to the second surface of the second printed circuit board;
• means for forming a main instrument housing having an internal recess configured to receive the adapter housing;
• means for inserting the second printed circuit board and the second connector in the main instrument housing, such that the first connector engages the second connector on the first and second mating surfaces upon insertion of the adapter housing into the main instrument housing.