Method and system for testing a transmission line in a non-addressable network for continuity

• US 5,889,835 A
• Filed: 11/13/1997
• Issued: 03/30/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: BellSouth Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Estes, Daniel L.
• Primary Examiner(s): LOOMIS, PAUL A
• Application Number:
  US08/969,381
• Time in Patent Office: 502 Days
• Field of Search: 379/1, 379/5, 379/6, 379/22, 379/24, 379/26, 379/27, 379/28, 379/29, 348/6, 348/182, 348/183, 455/3.1, 324/512, 324/523, 324/527, 324/532, 324/533, 324/534, 333/25, 333/26, 370/401, 370/402, 370/241, 370/242, 370/249
• US Class Current: 379/22.03
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/54 Testing for continuity
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/46 Monitoring; Testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13092 Scanning of subscriber lines, monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1316 Service observation, testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13332 Broadband, CATV, dynamic bandwidth allocation

Abstract

A method and system for testing the continuity of a transmission line in a non-addressable network. A method and system in a communications service environment are provided, the environment including an addressable network and a non-addressable network, for testing transmission line continuity in the non-addressable network. In an embodiment, a signal generator connected to a first transmission line in the addressable network generates a signal on the first transmission line. The first transmission line is connected to a second transmission line in the non-addressable network by a bridge. The bridge transfers the signal from the first transmission line to the second transmission line. The system also includes a signal receiver connected to the second transmission line for receiving the signal over the second transmission line when the second transmission line is continuous. The receipt of the signal over the second transmission line at the signal receiver indicates that the second transmission line is continuous.

Claims

1. In a communications service environment including an addressable network and a non-addressable network, a system for testing transmission line continuity in the non-addressable network, comprising:

a signal generator connected to a first transmission line in the addressable network for generating a signal on the first transmission line;

a bridge connected between the first transmission line and a second transmission line in the non-addressable network, the bridge being operative to transfer the signal from the first transmission line to the second transmission line; and

a signal receiver connected to the second transmission line for receiving the signal over the second transmission line when the second transmission line is continuous,

whereby the receipt of the signal over the second transmission line at the signal receiver indicates that the second transmission line in the non-addressable network is continuous.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the bridge comprises:

a signal extractor connected to the first transmission line for extracting the signal from the first transmission line and transferring the signal to a coupler; and

the coupler associated with the signal extractor and connected to the second transmission line, the coupler being operative for transferring the signal to the second transmission line,

whereby the signal extractor extracts the signal from the first transmission line, transfers the signal to the coupler, and the coupler transfers the signal to the second transmission line.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the bridge comprises:

a coupler connected to the first transmission line, the coupler being operative for creating a transmission path from the first transmission line to a signal extractor; and

the signal extractor associated with the coupler and connected to the second transmission line, the signal extractor being operative for extracting the signal from the transmission path,

whereby the coupler creates a transmission path from the first transmission line to the signal extractor, and the signal extractor extracts the signal from the transmission path and transfers the signal to the second transmission line.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the signal extractor is a filter.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the signal has a frequency that is above the range of human hearing.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the frequency is above 5 MHz.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the frequency is approximately 10 MHz.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein the first transmission line and the second transmission line have different impedance characteristics, and wherein the coupler comprises an impedance matcher operative to match the different impedance characteristics.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first transmission line comprises twisted pair copper wire.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the second transmission line comprises coaxial cable.

11. In a communications service environment including an addressable network and a non-addressable network, an apparatus to enable testing transmission line continuity in the non-addressable network, comprising:

a bridge for coupling a first transmission line in the addressable network to a second transmission line in the non-addressable network,

whereby a signal introduced on the first transmission line is transferred to the second transmission line in the non-addressable network and will be transmitted over the second transmission line when the second transmission line is continuous, thereby enabling a test to be performed of the continuity of the second transmission line in the non-addressable network.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the bridge further comprises:

a filter connected to the first transmission line for extracting the signal from the first transmission line; and

an impedance matcher connected to the second transmission line and associated with the filter, the impedance matcher being operative to transfer the signal to the second transmission line in the non-addressable network, the impedance matcher also being operative to match a first impedance associated with the first transmission line to a second impedance associated with the second transmission line in the non-addressable network.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the signal comprises a frequency above 5 MHz, and wherein the filter is tuned to extract the signal.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the signal comprises a frequency of approximately 10 MHz, and wherein the filter is tuned to extract the signal.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first impedance comprises 33 Ohms per 1000 feet of cable, and wherein the second impedance comprises 75 Ohms.

16. In a communications service environment including an addressable network and a non-addressable network, a method for testing a transmission line in the non-addressable network for continuity, comprising the steps of:

generating a signal on a first transmission line of the addressable network;

initiating a timer;

transmitting the signal over the first transmission line to a particular location;

transferring the signal at the particular location from the first transmission line to a second transmission line in the non-addressable network;

until the timer times out, monitoring the second transmission line in the non-addressable network for receipt of the signal; and

when the timer times out, terminating the monitoring of the second transmission line in the non-addressable network,

whereby the receipt of the signal over the second transmission in the non-addressable network indicates that the second transmission line in the non-addressable network is continuous.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of:

if the signal is received over the second transmission line, sending a first notification code to a monitoring station.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of:

if the timer times out before the signal is received over the second transmission line, sending a second notification code to a monitoring station.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the signal is an approximately 10 MHz tone.