Home network characterization method and system
First Claim
1. A method of characterizing a wiring network having a nominal impedance, comprising:
- connecting first and second probes to the wiring network at first and second different locations;
at the first probe, generating a first frequency sweep and measuring a first sweep response generated by the wiring network reflecting the first frequency sweep, wherein an impedance of the second probe is equal to the nominal impedance;
changing the impedance of the second probe between the nominal impedance and a mismatch impedance different from the nominal impedance;
at the first probe, generating a second frequency sweep and measuring a second sweep response generated by the wiring network reflecting the second frequency sweep, wherein the impedance of the second probe is equal to the mismatch impedance;
at the second probe, generating a third frequency sweep and measuring a third sweep response generated by the wiring network reflecting the third frequency sweep, and wherein the impedance of the first probe is equal to the nominal impedance;
changing the impedance of the first probe between the nominal impedance and a mismatch impedance different from the nominal impedance;
at the second probe, generating a fourth frequency sweep and measuring a fourth sweep response generated by the wiring network reflecting the fourth frequency sweep, and wherein the impedance of the first probe is equal to the mismatch impedance; and
,processing the first, second, third, and fourth sweep responses so as to provide characterization of a transmission line between the first and second probes.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of characterizing a wiring network is implemented in a system which includes a test controller and at least two probes. On commands from the test controller, at least one of the probes changes its impedance between the nominal impedance of the wiring network and a mismatch impedance. Reflectometry measurements are performed before and after of switching the impedance of the second probe. At the first probe, an RF signal is generated and a reflected signal is measured. Then, the impedance of the second probe is changed, and again an RF signal is generated and a reflected signal is measured at the first probe. Additionally, a frequency response may be measured at the second probe. The results of the measurements are used for characterization of a transmission line between the first and second probes.
-
Citations
13 Claims
-
1. A method of characterizing a wiring network having a nominal impedance, comprising:
-
connecting first and second probes to the wiring network at first and second different locations; at the first probe, generating a first frequency sweep and measuring a first sweep response generated by the wiring network reflecting the first frequency sweep, wherein an impedance of the second probe is equal to the nominal impedance; changing the impedance of the second probe between the nominal impedance and a mismatch impedance different from the nominal impedance; at the first probe, generating a second frequency sweep and measuring a second sweep response generated by the wiring network reflecting the second frequency sweep, wherein the impedance of the second probe is equal to the mismatch impedance; at the second probe, generating a third frequency sweep and measuring a third sweep response generated by the wiring network reflecting the third frequency sweep, and wherein the impedance of the first probe is equal to the nominal impedance; changing the impedance of the first probe between the nominal impedance and a mismatch impedance different from the nominal impedance; at the second probe, generating a fourth frequency sweep and measuring a fourth sweep response generated by the wiring network reflecting the fourth frequency sweep, and wherein the impedance of the first probe is equal to the mismatch impedance; and
,processing the first, second, third, and fourth sweep responses so as to provide characterization of a transmission line between the first and second probes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A system for characterizing a wiring network, the system comprising:
-
a test controller comprising; a user interface for receiving input from a user, and a controller processor for generating commands based on the input from the user; a first probe comprising; an RF transmitter for transmitting an RF signal into the wiring network in response to one of the commands from the test controller, a receiver for receiving a reflected signal from the wiring network, the reflected signal generated by the wiring network in response to the RF signal, and a measuring circuit for measuring the reflected signal so as to obtain measurements of the reflected signal; and
,a second probe external to the test controller, comprising; an RF transmitter for transmitting an RF signal into the wiring network in response to one of the commands from the test controller, a receiver for receiving the commands from the test controller, and an impedance switch for changing an impedance of the second probe between a nominal impedance and a mismatch impedance different from the nominal impedance, in response to one of the commands from the test controller; wherein the test controller is configured to command; the first probe to perform a first reflectometry test when the impedance of the second probe is equal to the nominal impedance, the second probe to change its impedance between the nominal impedance and the mismatch impedance, and the first probe to perform a second reflectometry test when the impedance of the second probe is equal to the mismatch impedance; and
,wherein the test controller is configured to process the measurements of the reflected signals obtained by the first probe in the first and second reflectometry tests so as to provide a characterization of the wiring network. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
Specification