Single Tester Sharing Across Active Communication Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Testing communication systems with multiple parallel links is resource-intensive and costly, as existing diagnostic equipment is often not designed to share resources effectively across multiple active links without disrupting the operation of other links in the system.
Innovation Solution
A test system that includes a single tester and a switching system capable of reallocating diagnostic equipment among multiple links, using switches suitable for the medium (e.g., coaxial or optical) to maintain connectivity across all links, allowing the tester to be coupled into any link while ensuring unique transmitter-receiver associations are preserved or not, depending on the system requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single tester is shared among multiple links, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but the tester must be switched between links which may disrupt operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching capability where the tester can be dynamically allocated to different links based on testing requirements. The switching system allows the tester to move between links without manual intervention, enabling flexible resource sharing while maintaining the ability to disrupt operations only when necessary for testing purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a switching system as an intermediary component that mediates between the single tester and multiple links. This intermediary enables the tester to be shared across links while providing control over the switching process, allowing the system to manage the disruption-reliability tradeoff through coordinated switching operations.
2Productivity
If diagnostic equipment is reallocated among multiple links, then resource usage efficiency is improved, but disruption to link operation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action through the switching system's ability to prepare and execute link allocations in advance. The system can plan tester reallocation sequences that minimize disruption to ongoing operations, performing switching actions at optimal times to reduce overall testing disruption time while maintaining high resource usage efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables periodic action through automated switching cycles that systematically reallocate the tester among links in a rhythmic pattern. This periodic switching allows efficient resource utilization across multiple links while distributing disruption events in time, reducing the impact on any single link operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A test system for testing a communication system having a plurality of communication links is disclosed. The test system has a single tester for performing various measurement and diagnostic tasks on a single link. The test system also has a switching system for independently testing any link by coupling the tester into any one link. The tester is coupled into the link by coupling the tester input to the link's transmitter and the tester output to the link's receiver. The switching system couples the tester such that all remaining links of the communication system have a unique one of the plurality of transmitters coupled to a unique one of the plurality of receivers, whereby the operation of the communication system can be maintained while testing individual links.