Telecommunications test system including a test and trouble shooting expert system

• US 5,521,958 A
• Filed: 04/29/1994
• Issued: 05/28/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fluke Corporation (Fortive Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Harris Corporation (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Selig, Kenneth R., Schillaci, Onofrio
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): LOOMIS, PAUL A
• Application Number:
  US08/235,317
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: 375/1, 375/21, 375/27, 375/29, 375/33, 375/32, 375/58, 375/59, 375/61, 455/33.1, 455/33.2, 455/67.1, 455/66
• US Class Current: 379/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/24 Arrangements for testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/247 Knowledge-based maintenance systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/30 for subscriber's lines , for the local loop
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/301 Circuit arrangements at the subscriber's side of the line
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/308 Craftsperson test terminals

Abstract

A telecommunication test system for a line to be tested includes a test measurement device coupling with the line. The test measurement device determines parameter measurement data from the line. A processor receives the parameter measurement data. A first communication path between the test measurement device and the processor transmits the parameter measurement data. The first communication path is a wireless path. A mobile facility communicates with the processor. The communications are via a second communication path which includes a primary wireless path and a back-up wireline path. A central office and a data test place various signals on the line being tested. A third communication path between the mobile facility and at least one of the central office and the data test center is provided. The third communication path includes a primary wireless path and a back-up wireline path.

Claims

1. A telecommunication test system for a line to be tested, comprising:

a test measurement device coupling with said line, said test measurement device determining parameter measurement data from said line;

a processor which receives said parameter measurement data;

a first communication path between said test measurement device and said processor for transmitting said parameter measurement data, said first communication path being a wireless path;

a mobile facility communicating with said processor, said communications being via a second communication path which includes a primary wireless path and a back-up wireline path;

a central office and a data test center for placing various signals on said line being tested; and

a third communication path between said mobile facility and at least one of said central office and said data test center, said third communication path including a primary wireless path and a back-up wireline path.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said test measurement device is a portable test measurement device.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein said processor is a hand-held personal computer, said hand-held personal computer providing increased mobility for a technician performing a test of said line.

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein said primary wireless path is a spread spectrum transmission path.

5. A system according to claim 3, wherein said primary wireless path is an infrared type of transmission.

6. A system according to claim 2, wherein said hand-held personal computer processes said parameter measurement data into usable parameter information, and transmits said usable parameter information to said central office and said data test center via said mobile facility.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein said central office comprises:

a line conditioning device for dialing said line under test and placing said various test signals on said line.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein said mobile facility includes:

a network server providing additional processing power for said processor;

an interface providing a short-haul wireless gateway to long-haul wireless services;

a charge holder; and

a printer.

9. A test system for a communication link to be tested comprising:

a data acquisition device arranged to coupled to and derive parameter measurement data from said communication link;

a portable communication and processing unit, which is coupled to said data acquisition device via a communication path having wireless transmission capability, and receives and processes said parameter measurement data from said data acquisition device; and

a central office for placing various test signals on said communication link being tested, and a further communication path between said portable communication and processing unit and said central office, said further communication path having wireless communication capability.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein said line conditioning device comprises a direct access test unit.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein said portable communication and processing unit is operative to process said parameter measurement data into usable parameter information, and to transmit said usable parameter information to said central office via said further communication path.

12. A system according to claim 9, wherein said central office includes a line conditioning device for dialing said communication link under test and placing said various test signals on said communication link.

13. A test system for a communication link to be tested comprising:

a data acquisition device arranged to coupled to and derive parameter measurement data from said communication link; and

a portable communication and processing unit, which is coupled to said data acquisition device via a communication path having wireless transmission capability, and receives and processes said parameter measurement data from said data acquisition device; and

wherein

said portable communication and processing unit is operative to communicate with a test system of a telephone facility and with said data acquisition device, and wherein said portable communication and processing unit has an input/output device, including a visual display, through which information associated with the operation of said test system is presented to a user.

14. A test system for a communication link to be tested comprising:

a data acquisition device arranged to coupled to and derive parameter measurement data from said communication link;

a portable communication and processing unit, which is coupled to said data acquisition device via a communication path having wireless transmission capability, and receives and processes said parameter measurement data from said data acquisition device; and

a data center, and a further communication path between said portable communication and processing unit and said data center, said further communication path having wireless communication capability.

15. A test system for a communication link to be tested comprising:

a data acquisition device arranged to coupled to and derive parameter measurement data from said communication link;

a portable communication and processing unit, which is coupled to said data acquisition device via a communication path having wireless transmission capability, and receives and processes said parameter measurement data from said data acquisition device; and

a mobile facility having an auxiliary wireless communication path with said portable communication and processing unit, and wherein said mobile facility is coupled in communication with said central office via one of a primary wireless path and a back-up wireline path.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein said portable communication and processing unit is operative to process said parameter measurement data into usable parameter information, and to transmit said usable parameter information to said central office via said mobile facility.

17. A telecommunication test system for a subscriber line of a telephone network to be tested comprising:

a test measurement device arranged to coupled to said subscriber line, and being operative to derive parameter measurement data from said subscriber line;

a portable communication and processing unit, through the operation of which testing of said subscriber line may be conducted by means of a test system of a telephone facility, said test system being operative to respond to signals supplied over said communication path from said portable communication and processing unit and to supply messages to said portable communication and processing unit for providing information for controlling the operation of said test measurement device, said portable communication and processing unit having the capability of conducting communications with through a wireless communication path with said test measurement device, wherein said portable communication and processing unit is operative to communicate with said test system of said telephone facility and with said test measurement device, and wherein said portable communication and processing unit has an input/output device, including a visual display, through which information associated with the operation of said test system is presented to a user; and

a mobile communication and signal processing facility, separate from said portable communication and processing unit and said telephone facility, through which a first auxiliary wireless communication path may be established with said portable communication and processing unit, and through which a second auxiliary wireless communication path may be established with said telephone facility.

18. A system according to claim 17 wherein said auxiliary communication and signal processing facility comprises a vehicle-supported communication and signal processing subsystem.