Digital signal processor-based telephone test set analyzing and displayed multiple signal parameter data for terminal mode and line monitor mode operation

• US 6,215,854 B1
• Filed: 12/07/1998
• Issued: 04/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fluke Corporation (Fortive Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Harris Corporation (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Walance, Robert B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Duc
• Assistant Examiner(s): Taylor, Barry W
• Application Number:
  US09/206,570
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: 379/21, 379/3, 379/5, 379/6
• US Class Current: 379/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/24 Arrangements for testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2272 Subscriber line supervision circuits, e.g. call detection circuits
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42042 Notifying the called party of information on the calling party details within substation equipment H04M1/57, signalling details H04Q3/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/428 Arrangements for placing incoming calls on hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/537 Arrangements for indicating the presence of a recorded message , whereby the presence information might include a preview or summary of the message
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/72 Finding out and indicating number of calling subscriber

Abstract

A digital signal processor-based test set is configured and programmed to enable a craftsperson to monitor, receive and process signals of a variety of formats that may be present on a line under test, including user feature analog modem signals. Such user feature signals may include caller-identification signals, visual message waiting indicator signals, and analog display services interface signals. The test set employs a signal processing routine that operates in two modes: 1- terminal mode—in which the test set functions in the place of customer premises equipment (CPE); and 2- line monitor mode—in which the test set is connected to the line under test and monitors data signals being transmitted to and received from an existing CPE. In both modes the test set has the ability to not only display the data being sent to and from the CPE, but also parametric information about the data.

Claims

1. A craftsperson'"'"'s test set for testing and conducting communications over telecommunication link comprising:

a telecommunication link connection port through which the test set is connectable with said telecommunication link;

a user interface through which said craftsperson may input and receive information signals associated with the operation of said test set, said user interface a manual input device, visual display, and an audio interface through which said craftsperson may input and receive acoustic signals; and

a programmable digital signal processing unit, including signal format translation circuitry coupled with said telecommunication link connection port and said user interface, and containing a signal processing routine that is operative to controllably digitally process signals that have been received from said telecommunication link and have been digitally formatted by said signal format translation circuitry for delivery to said user interface, and to controllably digitally process signals that have been received from said user interface and have been digitally formatted by said signal format translation circuitry for application delivery to said telecommunication link connection port for application to said telecommunication link, and to display parametric information relating to either or both of said signals that have been received from said telecommunication link and have been digitally formatted by said signal format translation circuitry for delivery to said user interface, and signals that have been received from said user interface and have been digitally formatted by said signal format translation circuitry for application delivery to said telecommunication link connection port for application to said telecommunication link, wherein said signal processing routine contained in said programmable digital signal processing unit is operative to analyze and display parametric information of prescribed user feature analog modem signals received from said telecommunication port for presentation to said craftsperson by way of said user interface, and including an embedded echo cancellation routine for full-duplex, dual direction acoustic functionality.

2. A craftsperson'"'"'s test set according to claim 1, wherein said prescribed user feature analog modem signals include at least one of caller-identification signals, visual message waiting indicator signals, and analog display services interface signals.

3. A craftsperson'"'"'s test set according to claim 1, wherein said signal processing routine contained in said programmable digital signal processing unit is operative to analyze and display parametric data of signals in line monitor and terminal modes of operation of said test set.

4. A craftsperson'"'"'s test set according to claim 1, wherein said analyzed and displayed parametric information includes at least one of FSK data, amplitude of an FSK signal, FSK frequency error, CAS signal amplitudes, CAS frequency errors, DTMF digits, DTMF signal amplitude, DTMF frequency errors, elapsed time from SPCS CAS to CPE DTMF, elapsed time from CPE DTMF to SPCS FSK, and elapsed time from SPCS FSK to CPE DTMF.

5. A signal processing routine for use with a craftsperson'"'"'s test set for testing and conducting communications over telecommunication link, said test set including a telecommunication link connection pot through which the test set is connectable with said telecommunication link, a user interface through which said craftsperson may input and receive information signals associated with the operation of said test set, said user interface a manual input device, visual display, and an audio interface through which said craftsperson may input and receive acoustic signals, and a programmable digital signal processing unit, including signal format translation circuitry coupled with said telecommunication link connection port and said user interface, said signal processing routine being operative to execute the steps of:

(a) digitally processing at least one of signals that have been received from said telecommunication link and have been digitally formatted by said signal format translation circuitry for delivery to said user interface, and signals that have been received from said user interface and have been digitally formatted by said signal format translation circuitry for application delivery to said telecommunication link connection port for application to said telecommunication link, and

(b) displaying parametric information relating to said at least one of said signals that have been received from said telecommunication signal and have been digitally formatted by said signal format translation circuitry for delivery to said user interface, and signals that have been received from said user interface and have been digitally formatted by said signal format translation circuitry for application delivery to said telecommunication link connection port for application to said telecommunication link, including prescribed user feature analog modem signals received from said telecommunication link by said telecommunication link connection port for presentation to said craftsperson by way of said user interface, and an embedded echo cancellation routine for full-duplex, dual direction acoustic functionality.

6. A signal processing routine according to claim 5, wherein said prescribed user feature analog modem signals include at least one of caller-identification signals, visual message waiting indicator signals, and analog display services interface signals.

7. A signal processing routine according to claim 5, which is operative to analyze and display parametric data of signals in line monitor and terminal modes of operation of said test set.

8. A signal processing routine according to claim 5, wherein said analyzed and displayed parametric information includes at least one of FSK data, amplitude of an FSK signal, FSK frequency error, CAS signal amplitudes, CAS frequency errors, DTMF digits, DTMF signal amplitude, DTMF frequency errors, elapsed time from SPCS CAS to CPE DTMF, elapsed time from CPE DTMF to SPCS FSK, and elapsed time from SPCS FSK to CPE DTMF.