Telecommunications test system including a test and trouble shooting expert system

• US 5,764,726 A
• Filed: 04/08/1996
• Issued: 06/09/1998
• 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 Robert, Schillaci, Onofrio
• Primary Examiner(s): Loomis, Paul
• Assistant Examiner(s): TIEU, BINH KIEN
• Application Number:
  US08/629,289
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: 379/1, 379/21, 379/27, 379/29, 379/32, 379/33, 379/58, 379/59, 379/61, 379/57, 379/6, 379/9-10, 379/12, 379/15, 379/22-24, 455/33.1, 455/33.2, 455/67.1, 455/66, 455/423, 455/424, 455/425
• 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 test system for a communication link to be tested comprising:

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

a portable communication and processing unit having communication connectivity with said data acquisition device by way of at least a wireless transmission path, and being configured to receive and process said plurality of respectively different parameter measurement data from said data acquisition device; and

a central office coupled with said communication link and being operative to place 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.

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

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein said portable communication and processing unit is operative to process said plurality of respectively different parameter measurement data into usable parameter information, and to transmit said usable parameter information to said central office via said further communication path.

4. A system according to claim 1, 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.

5. A system arrangement according to claim 1, 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 a user interfacing input/output device, through which information associated with the operation of said test system is presented to said user.

6. A system according to claim 1, further comprising 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.

7. A system according to claim 1, further comprising 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.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein said portable communication and processing unit is operative to process said plurality of respectively different parameter measurement data into usable parameter information, and to transmit said usable parameter information to said central office via said mobile facility.

9. A system according to claim 8, 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.

10. A system according to claim 4, wherein said line conditioning device comprises a direct access test unit.

11. 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 a plurality of respectively different 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 thereto over a 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 through a wireless communication path to said test measurement device; 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.

12. A system arrangement according to claim 11, 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 a user interfacing input/output device, through which information associated with the operation of said test system is presented to said user.

13. A system according to claim 11, wherein said auxiliary communication and signal processing facility comprises a vehicle-supported communication and signal processing subsystem.

14. A system according to claim 11, wherein said telephone facility comprises a central office that includes a line conditioning device for dialing said subscriber line and placing said various test signals on said subscriber line.

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

a test measurement device which is configured to be coupled with said communication line, said test measurement device deriving a plurality of respectively different parameter measurement data from said communication line;

a processor which receives and processes said respectively different parameter measurement data;

at least one communication path provided between said test measurement device and said processor for conveying said plurality of respectively different parameter measurement data from said test measurement device to said processor, said at least one communication path including a wireless communication path; and

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

wherein

said at least one communication path includes a further wireless communication path between said processor and said central office.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein said test measurement device comprises a portable test measurement device.

17. A system according to claim 15, wherein said processor comprises a hand-held personal computer unit through which a technician conducts a plurality of respectively different tests of said communication line.

18. A system according to claim 15, wherein said processor is operative to conduct spread spectrum communications over said wireless communication path with said test measurement device.

19. A system according to claim 15, wherein said wireless path comprises an infrared communication path.

20. A system according to claim 17, wherein said processor 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 wireless communication path.

21. A system according to claim 20, wherein said further wireless communication path is an analog communication path.

22. A system according to claim 20, wherein said further wireless communication path is a digital communication path.

23. A system according to claim 15, wherein said central office includes a line conditioning device for dialing said communication line and placing said various test signals on said line.

24. A system according to claim 15, further comprising a voice activated headset wirelessly connected to said processor.

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

a test measurement device coupled with said line, and being operative to derive a plurality of respectively different parameter measurement data from said line;

a processor which receives and processes said parameter measurement data from said test measurement device;

a first, wireless communication path, coupled between said test measurement device and said processor, for transmitting said plurality of respectively different parameter measurement data from said test measurement device to said processor;

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

a mobile facility coupled in communication with said processor by way of a primary wireless path and a back-up wireline path, and also coupled in communication with at least one of said central office and said data test center by way of a further primary wireless path and a further back-up wireline path.

26. A system according to claim 25, wherein said test measurement device is a portable test measurement device.

27. A system according to claim 26, wherein said processor comprises a hand-held personal computer unit through the operation of which a technician conducts a plurality of respectively different tests of said line.

28. A system according to claim 25, wherein said processor is operative to conduct spread spectrum communications over said wireless communication path with said test measurement device.

29. A system according to claim 25, wherein said wireless path comprises an infrared communication path.

30. A system according to claim 25, wherein said processor 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 wireless communication path.

31. A system according to claim 25, wherein said central office comprises a line conditioning device for dialing said line and placing various test signals on said line.

32. A system according to claim 25, 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.