Network interface card for measuring device and method of manufactring same

• US 20070171839A1
• Filed: 04/14/2005
• Published: 07/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nethawk Oyj (11172239 Canada, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Nethawk Oyj (11172239 Canada, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sankala, Jouko, Axelsson, Jorme, Laakkonen, Harri, Maatta, Kimmo
• Application Number:
  US11/547,970
• Publication Number:
  US 20070171839A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/252
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/387 for adaptation of different data processing systems to different peripheral devices, e.g. protocol converters for incompatible systems, open system
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks

Abstract

A network interface card for a measuring device and a manufacturing method thereof. The network interface card comprises a control unit for controlling the operation of the network interface card, and a line connection connected to the control unit for connecting the network interface card to a telecommunication network to be measured. The network interface card further comprises an internal control interface connected to the control unit for connecting the network interface card to an internal local bus of the measuring device and an external control interface connected to the control unit for connecting the network interface card to an external bus of the measuring device.

Claims

1. A network interface card for a measuring device, comprising:

a control unit for controlling the operation of the network interface card;

a line connection connected to the control unit for connecting the network interface card to a telecommunication network to be measured;

an internal control interface connected to the control unit for connecting the network interface card to an internal local bus of the measuring device; and

an external control interface connected to the control unit for connecting the network interface card to an external bus of the measuring device.

2. A network interface card as claimed in claim 1, comprising:

a carrier board which is attachable to the internal control interface and which converts the internal control interface into an external control interface.

3. A network interface card as claimed in claim 1, wherein the network interface card is connectible to the measuring device only by using either the internal control interface or the external control interface.

4. A network interface card as claimed in claim 3, wherein the control unit is configured to use either the internal control interface or the external control interface at a time.

5. A network interface card as claimed in claim 1, wherein the network interface card is connectible to a measuring device simultaneously by using both the internal control interface and the external control interface.

6. A network interface card as claimed in claim 5, wherein the network interface card is connectible simultaneously to the first measuring device by using the internal control interface and to the second measuring device by using the external control interface.

7. A network interface card as claimed in claim 1, wherein the internal control interface comprises an interface to an internal bus of a computer.

8. A network interface card as claimed in claim 1, wherein the internal control interface comprises a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) interface or another known interface to the internal bus of the measuring device.

9. A network interface card as claimed in claim 1, wherein the external control interface comprises an interface an external bus of a computer.

10. A network interface card as claimed in claim 1, wherein the external control interface comprises a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, an IEEE-1394 interface, a PC card interface, a CardBus interface or an Ethernet interface, or another known wired interface to the external bus of the measuring device.

11. A network interface card as claimed in claim 1, wherein the external control interface comprises a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) interface, a Bluetooth®

interface or another known wireless interface to the external bus of the measuring device.

12. A network interface card as claimed in claim 1, wherein the network interface card further comprises:

a third control interface connected to the control unit, via which interface the network interface card is connectible in series with a second network interface card.

13. A network interface card as claimed in claim 1, wherein the network interface card is intended for placement in the shelter of a cover of the measuring device when the network interface card is being connected to the internal local bus of the measuring device.

14. A network interface card as claimed in claim 1, wherein the network interface card is protectively encapsulated when the network interface card is being connected to the external bus of the measuring device.

15. A network interface card as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measuring device comprises:

a device for analysing and/or simulating the operation of a wired and/or wireless telecommunication network.

16. (canceled)

17. A method of manufacturing a network interface card for a measuring device, comprising:

installing a control unit in the network interface card for controlling the operation of the network interface card;

installing a line connection connected to the control unit for connecting the network interface card to a telecommunication network to be measured;

installing an internal control connection connected to the control unit for connecting the network interface card to an internal local bus of the measuring device; and

installing an external control interface connected to the control unit for connecting the network interface card to an external bus of the measuring device.

18. A network interface card for a measuring device, comprising:

measuring connection means for connecting the network interface card to a telecommunication network to be measured;

internal control connection means for connecting the network interface card to an internal local bus of the measuring device; and

external control interface means for connecting the network interface card to an external bus of the measuring device.