Patent ID: 7212008
Filing Date: 2007-05-01
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for detecting the presence of a corrosive junction or an electronic device coupled to a line under test, said apparatus comprising: a signal generator for generating a reflectometry test signal and a non-linear junction detection test signal and coupling said test signals to said line under test; an analog-to-digital converter for receiving response signals from said line under test and converting said response signals into digital data; and digital processing circuitry for selectively controlling said signal generator to generate said reflectometry test signal and said non-linear junction detection test signal and processing said digital data received in response to said generated signals to locate impedance anomalies on said line under test and examining a re-radiated signal at a harmonic frequency of said transmitted non-linear junction detection signal to determine if any semiconductor based non-linear junctions are coupled to said line under test; and an output for communicating results to an operator of said apparatus.