Systems, methods, and devices for testing communication lines

Abstract

The invention generally relates to systems, devices, and methods for testing communication lines. In certain aspects, the invention provides systems and devices that include a digital/analog converter configured to operate with a computer processor and memory to send or receive an analog signal over a communication line that includes a plurality of signals having known frequencies. Inbound receiving sub-systems or devices sample the analog signal and measure a quality of the sampled, digital signal to evaluate the communication line. The key differentiator is the recognition that the human mouth and ear are intrinsically analog without encryption. By locating the test device as close to the user as possible, this system incorporates testing of complex communication streams including numerous variables and transforms (e.g. encryption, Analog to digital, Voice over IP, packet switching, ATM, SONET). Ultimately, it provides a simple interface to convert qualitative analysis to quantitative (numerical) analysis.

1 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A system for testing a communication line, the system comprising:
 a first device connected to a communication line and configured to send and receive an analog signal comprising a plurality of known frequencies, the first device comprising:
 a jack for connection to the communication line; 
 a sampler coupled to the jack and configured to convert the analog signal into a digital signal; 
 a non-transitory memory for storing the digital signal; and 
 a processor operable to measure a quality of the digital signal; and 
   a second device connected to the communication line, the second device substantially similar to the first device.   
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the jack receives a signal via a phone cord plugged into the base unit of a telephone. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the sampler comprises a digital storage oscilloscope. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the quality measured in the sampled version of the plurality of known frequencies comprises noise and jitter. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein both the first device and the second device are operable to perform:
 a predefined outbound test comprising sending a plurality of known frequencies through the communication line; and   a predefined inbound test comprising receiving the plurality of known frequencies, sampling the plurality of known frequencies to generate a sampled version of the plurality of known frequencies, storing the sampled version of the plurality of known frequencies in the non-transitory memory, and measuring a quality of the sampled version of the plurality of known frequencies.   
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the system is operable to perform the predefined outbound test by:
 executing, using the processor, instructions that cause the processor to issue a digital signal and send the digital signal to the sampler;   converting, using the sampler, the digital signal into an analog signal comprising a plurality of known frequencies; and   sending the plurality of known frequencies separately and in sequence through the communication line.   
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the communication line is connected to the system with a USB connection, the jack comprises a 4P4C connector, and the sampler further comprises a handset jack for connection to a handset of a telephone. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the system is further operable to perform a predefined inbound extended test and a predefined outbound extended test;
 wherein the predefined inbound extended test comprises:
 receiving at least five known frequencies, at least one of which is below 1000 Hz and at least one of which is above 3000 Hz, the at least five known frequencies sent sequentially by the second system; 
 sampling the at least five known frequencies to generate a sampled version of the at least five known frequencies; 
 storing the sampled version of the at least five known frequencies in the non-transitory memory; 
 measuring a quality of the sampled version of the at least five known frequencies; and 
 determining whether the communication line cannot operate in a secure mode; and 
   wherein the predefined outbound extended test comprises sending the at least five known frequencies through the communication line one after another.   
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the receiving the at least five known frequencies comprises receiving at least five megabytes per second for at least five seconds. 
     
     
         37 . A method for testing a communication line, the method comprising:
 sending an analog signal comprising a plurality of known frequencies via a communication line from a first device to a second device comprising a sampler coupled to a jack for connection to the communication line and a processor coupled to a non-transitory memory and in communication with the sampler, and wherein the first device is substantially similar to the second device;   receiving the analog signal with the second device;   sampling with the sampler the plurality of known frequencies to generate a sampled version of the plurality of known frequencies;   storing the sampled version of the plurality of known frequencies in the non-transitory memory; and   measuring with the processor a quality of the sampled version of the plurality of known frequencies.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the plurality of known frequencies are sent through the communication line one after another and received by the second device one after another. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the measuring is performed on a digital copy of the sampled version of the plurality of known frequencies after the sampled version of the plurality of known frequencies has been stored in the non-transitory memory. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the plurality of known frequencies is sampled at a sampling rate between about  100  kHz and about  1000  kHz. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the analog signal is received from a telephone base unit. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the measuring comprises measuring noise and jitter. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the plurality of known frequencies comprises at least five known frequencies spanning about 2000 Hz. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the receiving step comprises receiving at least two megabytes per second for at least two seconds. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein at least one of the at least five known frequencies is below 1000 Hz and at least one of the at least five known frequencies is above 3000 Hz. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising:
 providing the measurement to a user; and   determining a suitability of the communication line for secure operation.