Home wiring test system with missing filter detection
AssigneeTollgrade Communications, Inc.
InventorsRoger Faulkner, Gregory M. Nulty
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for testing a conductor of a structure can include a test device connected to the conductor. The test device is configured to test an electrical characteristic of the conductor and to produce a test result based at least in part on the electrical characteristic. A service provider network may be configured to communicate with the test device to initiate a test and/or to obtain the test result. A customer may use a computing device to obtain information regarding the test result, as well as guidance for troubleshooting and resolving a problem detected with the electrical conductor, such as a fault.
Claims25
A method to detect a service affecting condition in a communications network associated with a missing filter, the method comprising:
- with a test device connected to a conductor of the communications network, measuring a spectrum on the conductor to determine first spectrum information;
- detecting a communication device connected to the communication network in an in-use state;
- while the communication device is in the in-use state, with the test device, measuring a spectrum on the conductor to determine second spectrum information;
- with a computerized device external to the test device, providing an instruction to a customer of a communication service provided over the communications network to place a telephone-like device in an off-hook state;
- and
- indicating a missing filter when the second spectrum information deviates from the first spectrum information by more than a threshold amount,
- wherein the communications network comprises a DSL network and the communication device comprises a communication device that operates in the voice band.
A method to detect a service affecting condition in a communications network associated with a missing filter, the method comprising:
- with a test device connected to a conductor of the communications network, measuring a spectrum on the conductor to determine first spectrum information;
- detecting a communication device connected to the communication network in an in-use state;
- while the communication device is in the in-use state, with the test device, measuring a spectrum on the conductor to determine second spectrum information;
- and
- indicating a missing filter when the second spectrum information deviates from the first spectrum information by more than a threshold amount, wherein:
- the conductor is at least partially within a customer premises;
- the method further comprises:
- measuring a line feed voltage;
- and
- determining for the measured line feed voltage that no telephone-like devices connected to the conductor are off-hook;
- and
- measuring the spectrum on the conductor to determine first spectrum information comprises measuring the spectrum while it is determined that no telephone-like devices are off-hook.
A test device, comprising:
- a port for connection to a conductor of a customer premises over which DSL service is provided, the DSL service supporting communications in a voice band and a data band;
- measurement circuitry;
- and
- at least one processor configured to:
- operate the measurement circuitry to take DC measurements on the conductor;
- process the DC measurements to indicate whether there is connected to the conductor a terminal device in an off-hook state;
- operate the measurement circuitry so as to obtain spectrum information associated with signals on the conductor at a plurality of times, wherein the plurality of times comprises a first time when no terminal device is indicated in the off-hook state and a second time when at least one terminal device is indicated in the off-hook state;
- analyze the spectrum information to identify, in the data band, spectral energy generated by a terminal device adapted to communicate in the voice band;
- and
- when the spectral energy exceeds a threshold, indicate a fault condition associated with the conductor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.