Patent ID: 7519874
Filing Date: 2009-04-14
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for determining a bit error rate, comprising the steps of: acquiring a data signal by an acquisition unit of a test instrument for a predetermined period of time; storing said data signal in a memory of said test instrument; recovering a virtual clock from said stored data signal by establishing a threshold and determining pairs of adjacent samples of said stored data signal that straddle said threshold, taking into account a hysteresis requirement to confirm that a determined pair of adjacent samples that straddle said threshold represent a threshold crossing point; slicing said stored data signal into a plurality of data segments of a predetermined length in accordance with said recovered a virtual clock; synchronizing each of said data segments to align them to a frame or predetermined pattern to determine a bit error rate thereof; and comparing each of said data segments to said predetermined pattern on a bit by bit basis.