Patent ID: 9130854
Filing Date: 2015-09-08
Classification: H04L,H04M,Y04S

Abstract:
1. A method of determining the performance of a test apparatus, the method comprising: a) attaching a test apparatus to a communications network, the communications network comprising a plurality of local exchanges, each of the local exchanges being connected to a plurality of customer premises by a metallic loop; b) applying one or more test signals to a metallic loop; c) determining one or more metallic loop parameters in accordance with measurements made whilst the one or more test signals were applied to the metallic loop, wherein the one or more metallic loop parameters comprise an insertion loss, a resistance of the metallic loop, and a capacitance between two wires that comprise the metallic loop; d) comparing the one or more metallic loop parameters to predetermined threshold values; e) determining a status of the metallic loop on the basis of the comparison performed in d) by: f) storing data relating to the status of the metallic loop in a database; and g) determining the performance of the test apparatus on the basis of the data stored in the database which relates to tests carried out by that test apparatus.