Patent ID: 6534997
Filing Date: 2003-03-18
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
An apparatus for locating a fault of a transmission line in a communication system including a first device which transmits and receives a signal via a first transmission line, a plurality of second devices and a branching/coupling device which branches the first transmission line into a plurality of second transmission lines each connected with the respective second devices, wherein the first device and the plurality of second devices perform bidirectional communication, said apparatus comprising:attenuation means for causing individual attenuation to the plurality of second transmission lines; and determination means for outputting a test signal to the first transmission line and detecting a reflected signal of the test signal, for determining a distance to a fault point based on the time since the test signal is output until the reflected signal is detected and for comparing, for each of the second transmission lines, the attenuation caused by said attenuation means with attenuation of the reflected signal and based on the comparing, determining a faulty one of the second transmission lines.