Patent · US Expired

Cable tester with insertion loss estimator

US6995551B1 · kind B1 · utility

14Cited by
14References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 25, 2005
Grant dateFeb 7, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 25, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01R31/11
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A physical layer device including a first port, a second port, and a cable that has one end that communicates with the first port and an opposite end that communicates with the second port. A cable tester tests the cable to determine a cable status, which includes an open status, a short status, and a normal status. A pretest module senses activity on the cable and selectively enables testing depending upon the sensed activity. A test module transmits a test pulse on the cable, measures a reflection amplitude, calculates a cable length, and determines the cable status based on the measured amplitude and the calculated cable length. A frequency synthesizer communicates with the cable and that selectively outputs a plurality of signals at a plurality of frequencies on the first port. An insertion loss calculator receives the signals on the second port and that estimates insertion loss.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.