PORTABLE TESTING DEVICE FOR MONITORING A DATA COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Abstract: A portable testing device (12) is used in a system having a processor (14), a plurality of secondary terminals (16-22), and a communication line (24) interconnecting the processor (14) and secondary terminals for in-house communication. The communcation line (24) includes a transmit line pair, a receive line pair, and a ground line. The testing device (12) is operated in one of three modes which are selected via a switch (SW1) on the device. The three modes of operation are: firstly, monitoring the transmit lines from the processor (14) and secondary terminals (16-22); secondly, performing turn-around testing functions with the processor (14) or secondary terminals (16-22) and thirdly performing turn-around and load testing functions with the processor (14) or secondary terminals (16-22).

Description: PORTABLE TESTING DEVICE FOR MONITORING A DATA COMMUNICATION SYSTEM Technical Field This invention relates to testing devices for use in data communication systems. Background Art A known data communication system includes a testing device for use in a data communication system having a processor, a plurality of secondary terminals, and a communication line interconnecting said processor and secondary terminals, said communication line having a transmit line pair for carrying data signals transmitted by said processor, a receive line pair for carrying data signals to be received by said processor, and a plurality of first type couplers positioned in said communication line, said processor and each of said secondary terminals having a second type coupler associated therewith for coupling to said- communication line via said first type couplers. Both when initially installing such a data communication system and when maintenance and repairs to such a system are necessary, it is desirable to monitor data transmission on the communication ' line and to monitor or check the operation of the individual devices in the system. Disclosure of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to provide a testing device for use in a data communication system which is versatile and suitable for implementation as a portable device. Therefore, according to the present invention, there is provided a testing device for use in a data communication system having a processor, a plurality of secondary terminals, and a communication line interconnecting said processor and said secondary terminals, said communication line having a transmit line pair for carrying data signals transmitted by said processor, a_ receive line pair for carrying data signals to be received by said processor and a plurality of first type couplers positioned in said communication line, said processor and each of said secondary terminals having a second type coupler associated therewith for coupling to said communication line via said first type couplers, characterized in that said testing device is selectively operable to monitor the transmission of data by said processor and said secondary terminals, to perform turn-around testing of said processor and said secondary terminals and to perform turn-around and load testing of said processor and said secondary terminals, said testing device including: a first type coupler, a second type coupler, first and second visual indicators and a switch, said switch having first, second and third selectable positions; first circuit means for coupling said second type coupler on said testing device and said first and second indicators when said second type coupler of said testing device is coupled to one of said first type couplers on said communication line and when said switch is in said first position to enable said first indicator to become active when said processor is transmitting over said transmit line pair and also to enable said second indicator to become active when at least one of said secondary terminals is transmitting over said receive line pair; second circuit means arranged to couple said first type coupler on said testing device with the second type coupler from said processor or one of said secondary terminals to perform said turn-around testing of said processor or the associated secondary terminal when said switch is in said second position; and third circuit means for coupling said first type coupler on said testing device with said second type coupler from said processor or one of said secondary terminals to perform said turn-around and load testing of said processor or the associated said secondary terminal when said switch is in said third position. It should be understood that turn-around testing of a device involves the function of receiving data from the device over a line pair and returning this data back to the same terminal over another line pair. Turn-around and load testing involves the performance of turn-around testing with a circuit load. A testing device according to the invention has the advantage of versatility, in that more than one operation can be performed. Furthermore, the device is inexpensive to manufacture and can be implemented in a compact and portable form. Brief Description of the Drawings One embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a general pictorial diagram showing a portion of a system in which the portable testing device of this invention may be used; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the portable testing device of this invention; Fig. 3 is an end view of the testing device and is taken from the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the portable testing device; Fig. 5-1 shows the equivalent circuit, in schematic form, of the testing device shown in Fig. 4 when the associated switch thereon is in a first of three selectable positions; Fig. 5-2 shows the equivalent circuit, in schematic form, of the testing device shown in Fig. 4 when the associated switch is in a second of three selectable positions; and Fig. 5-3 shows the equivalent circuit, in schematic form, of the testing device shown in Fig. 4 when the associated switch thereon is in the third of three selectable positions. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Fig. 1 is a general pictorial diagram, in perspective, of a system 10 in which the portable testing device 12 (Figs. 2, 3) of this invention may be used. The system 10 includes a host terminal or branch processor 14 and a plurality of secondary terminals 16, 18, 20 and 22, for example, which are coupled together by a communication line 24. In the embodiment described, the system 10 may be an NCR 5000 system, for example, which is also called a Branch Automated System or BAS and is available from the NCR Corporation of Dayton, Ohio. It will be recognized that the invention is not limited to a system utiliz¬ ing NCR processors and terminals, and is adaptable for use with apparatus of other manufacturers. Only a portion of the NCR 5000 system is shown in Fig. 1 to simplify the drawing. The types of some of the termi¬ nals used in the system 10 are shown in Fig. 1. The communication line 24 (Fig. 1) is referred to as NCR/DLC which is an "in-house 1* communi¬ cation system used by NCR Corporation, with DLC stand¬ ing for Data Link Communication. As far as this invention is concerned, it is sufficient to state that the communication line 24 includes a pair of transmit¬ ting lines, a pair of receiving lines, and a shielding or ground conductor. The communication line 24 may be up to about 2750 meters (about 9000 feet) in length in some installations, and the line 24 is provided with a plurality of junction boxes, like 26, along the length thereof to enable the branch processor 14 and the various secondary terminals, like 16 and 18, to be coupled together, as shown. The junction box 26 is shown pictorially in Fig. 1, and it has a terminal strip 28 for providing parallel connections for various lengths of the communication line 24. The box 26 (shown in greatly enlarged size in Fig. 1) also includes female or first couplers 30 which are connected in parallel to the terminal strip 28. Each terminal, like 22, has a male or second coupler 32 by which it is coupled to the communication line 24 by inserting the second coupler 32 into one of the first couplers 30. A junction box 26 is positioned at each one of the nodes 34, 36, 38 and 40 shown in Fig. 1. In the system 10, the branch processor 14 may be coupled to a host central processing unit (CPU) 42 via any of the conventional communication links such as SNA/SDLC, NCR/ISO, ASYNC 3270 or BISYNCHRONOUS, which links are shown collectively as 44. Each of the terminals 16, 18, 20 and 22 may have additional units coupled to it in the system 10 as shown by printer 46 being coupled to terminal 22 (which may be a processor); however, because this aspect is not important to an understanding of this invention, no additional showing in Fig. 1 is deemed necessary. Figs. 2 and 3 show the approximate actual size of a preferred embodiment of the testing device 12 made according to this invention. The device 12 includes a frame or substrate 46 on which a female or first coupler JI is mounted. Coupler Jl is identical- to the first coupler 30 which appears on the junction box 26. The device 12 also includes a male or second coupler Pi which is mounted on the substrate 46 as shown in Fig. 2. The device 12 also includes a switch S 1, a first visual indicator such as a green light- emitting diode (LED.) D3, and a second visual indicator such as an LED which is designated as D4. The elec¬ trical connections for the various components shown in Figs. 2 and 3 will be described hereinafter in relation to Figs. 4, 5-1, 5-2 and 5-3. The switch SWl is manually settable into one of three positions; namely, first, second and third positions. When the toggle lever 48-1 is in the center position shown in solid outline in Fig. 3, the switch SWl is in the first position mentioned; when the toggle lever 48-1 is in the position shown by the dashed outline shown as 48-2, the switch SWl is in the second position mentioned; and when the toggle lever 48-1 is in the position shown by the dashed outline 48-3, the switch SWl is in the third position men¬ tioned. The switch SWl is utilized to operate the device 12 in any one of three modes of operation. When the switch SWl is in the first position men¬ tioned, the device 12 operates in a first mode in which the device 12 is used to monitor the transmis¬ sion of data by the branch processor 14 and by the group of secondary terminals 16, 18, 20 and 22. When the switch SWl is in the second position, the device 12 operates in a second mode in which the device is used to provide turn-around testing for the branch processor 14 and the secondary terminals, like 16, for example. And when the switch SWl is in the third position, the device 12 operates in a third mode in which the device is used to provide turn-around and load testing for the branch processor 14 and the secondary terminals, like 16, for example. Before discussing the various modes of operation of the device 12, it would appear beneficial to discuss, first, how the device 12 is constructed. In this regard. Fig. 4 shows the complete schematic diagram of the device 12 when the switch SWl is in the first position. Fig. 5-1 represents the equivalent circuit of the device 12 when switch SWl is in the first position. Fig. 5-2 shows the equivalent circuit of the device 12 when the switch SWl is in the second position, and Fig. 5-3 shows the equivalent circuit of the device 12 when the switch SWl is also in the third position. With reference to Figs. 4 and 5-1, the coupler Jl shown therein corresponds to the first coupler 30 shown in Fig. 1, and correspondingly, the coupler PI in Figs. 4 and 5-1 corresponds to the second coupler 32 shown in Fig. 1. Each of the cou¬ plers Jl and PI has numbered terminal connection with the numbered connections #2, #3, #4, and #5 shown in Fig. 4 corresponding to similarly-numbered terminal connections associated with the couplers Jl and PI shown in Fig. 5-1. In the embodiment described, the conductors connected to the terminal connections #2 and #3 in the couplers Jl and PI represent the trans¬ mission line pair in the communication line 24, and the terminal connections #4 and #5 in the couplers Jl and PI represent the receive line pair. While the secondary terminals transmit to the branch processor 14 over the conductors associated with terminal con¬ nections #4 and #5, these connections are referenced with regard to the branch processor 14 and are conse¬ quently referred to as the "receive 1 ' line pair. A reference or ground conductor which extends along the length of the communication line 24 and which is in contact with "shielding foil" along the length of the line 24 is connected to terminal connection #9 (Fig. 4) of the couplers PI and Jl. When the testing device 12 is to be operated in the first mode or the monitor mode, the second coupler PI of the device is inserted into one of the first couplers 30 located in one of the junction boxes 26 anywhere in the system 10 shown in Fig. 1. In the - - embodiment described, when the branch processor 14 transmits, the signal level on the conductor of the transmit line pair which is connected to terminal connection #2 of the second coupler PI goes to a high level relative to the remaining conductor of the transmit line pair which is connected to terminal connection #3 of the second coupler PI. A high level signal on terminal connection #2 of coupler PI (Fig. 4) passes over conductors 50 and 50-1 to forward bias diode Dl causing current to flow through resistor Rl and LED D3 causing it to give a visual indication by a green light, indicating that the branch processor 14 is transmitting. The cathode of the LED D3 is con¬ nected to terminal connection #3 of the first coupler Jl. Notice also that conductor 52 is connected from the terminal connection #3 of the second coupler PI to the terminal connection #3 of the first coupler Jl. Notice also that conductors 50 and 50-1 provide a "pass through" between the terminal connections #2 of. the couplers PI and Jl, and similarly, conductor 52 provides a "pass through" between the terminal connec¬ tions #3 of couplers PI and Jl. In this mode, if the green LED D3 does not light up, it means the branch processor 14 is not transmitting. When one of the secondary terminals 16, 18, 20, or 22 begins to transmit, a high-level signal will appear on the terminal connection #4. Terminal con¬ nections #4 and #5 of couplers PI and Jl form the connection to the "receive line pair" of the communi¬ cation line 24 alluded to earlier herein. A high- level signal on terminal connection #4 of coupler PI passes over conductor 54 to forward bias diode D2, causing current to pass through resistor R2, and also causing LED D4 to conduct and emit a red light. This indicates that at least one of the secondary termi¬ nals, like 22 for example, is transmitting. The cathode of the LED D4 is connected to the conductor 56 - - which in turn is connected between the terminal con¬ nections #5 of the couplers PI and Jl. The first circuit just described, shown functionally in Fig. 5- 1, provides the monitoring function mentioned. Notice also that there is a "pass through" function obtained by the device 12. This is important because it ena¬ bles the device to be coupled "in series" with one of the terminals in the event that no first coupler 30 (Fig. 1) is available to receive the coupler PI of the device 12. For example, the second coupler 32 (Fig. 1) associated with the terminal 22 can be removed from the first coupler 30. Thereafter, the second coupler PI of the device 12 can be inserted into the first coupler 30, and the second coupler 32 of the terminal 22 can be inserted into the first coupler Jl of the device 12. As clearly seen from Fig. 5-1, the signals on the communication line 24 will "pass through" the device 12 while these signals are monitored by the device 12. Fig. 5-2 shows, functionally, a second circuit which is switched in by the switch SWl when the second mode of operation is selected; this second mode performs the "turn around" function mentioned. Certain terminals, like the branch processor 14, for example, have diagnostic routines associated with them. In the simplest state, the turn-around mode performs the function of receiving data from a termi¬ nal over the transmit line pair and returning this data back to the same terminal over the receive line pair in the communication line 24. When the switch SWl is in the second position for the second mode of operation, conductors (not shown) connect terminals #1 and #2 (Fig. 4) of switch SWl, connect terminals #4 and #5 of this switch, and also connect terminals #7 and #8 of this switch. Switch SWl is essentially a triple-pole, double-throw switch. Conductor 58 (Fig. 5-2) which connects terminal connection #2 of the coupler Jl with terminal connection #4 of the same coupler is comprised of the conductors 50-1, the conductor (not shown) between terminals #4 and #5 (Fig. 4) of switch SWl, conductor 60 and conductor 54. Similarly, the conductor 62 (Fig. 5-2) is comprised of the conductor 64 (Fig. 4) , the conductor (not shown) between the terminals #2 and #1 of switch SWl, conduc¬ tor 66 and conductor 56. When the device 12 is in the second or turn-around mode of operation, both the green LED D3 and the red LED D4 are "on" indicating transmission on both the transmit line pair and the receive line pair of the communication line 24. Fig. 5-3 shows, functionally, a third circuit which is switched in by the switch SWl when the third mode of operation is selected; this third mode per¬ forms the turn-around function with a "circuit load." Because the communication line 24 may be up to about 2750 meters (about 9000 feet) in length in the system 10, it is necessary to check the branch processor 14 and the secondary terminals to make sure that the signals coming from them are of sufficient strength * to enable the system 10 to function properly. The 2750 meters (9000 feet) of communication line in the example being described is approximated by placing an equivalent load in the associated circuit. As shown in Fig. 5-3, this equivalent load is effected by placing a resistor R4 across the conductors 50 and 52 on the transmit line pair of the cable 24, and similarly, a resistor R3 is placed across the conductors 52 and 56. Also, the voltage swing during transmission is limited in one direction by a Zener diode D6 and the voltage swing is limited in the opposite direction by a Zener diode D5. In the embodiment described, the voltage swing is kept at up to approximately 5 volts, although it would be differ¬ ent for different systems. The conductor 68 (Fig. 5- 3) performs the turn-around function in conjunction with resistor R3. Resistor R3 also places a load in the circuit along with resistor R4. When the switch SWl is placed in the third position, a conductor (not shown) connects terminals #2 and #3 (Fig. 4) of the switch SWl together, a conductor (not shown) connects terminals #5 and #6 together, and a conductor (not shown) connects terminals #8 and #9 of this switch together. Conductor 68 (Fig. 5-3) represents conduc¬ tor 50-1 from terminal connection #2 of coupler Jl, conductor 50 (Fig. 4) , the conductor (not shown) between terminals #8 and #9 of switch SWl, the conduc¬ tor 70 between terminals #9 and #6 of switch SWl, the conductor (not shown) between terminals #6 and #5 of this switch, and the conductor 60 (Fig. 4) which leads to terminal connection #4 of coupler PI. The conduc¬ tor 72 (Fig. 4) is effectively coupled to terminal connection #2 of the first coupler Jl and the conduc¬ tor 74 is effectively coupled to terminal connection #3 of coupler Jl when the switch SWl is switched to the third position for the third mode of operation being discussed. The resistor R4 and the Zener diodes D5 and D6 are connected across the conductors 72 and 74 as shown. When the device 12 is operated in the third mode, the green LED D3 and the red LED D4 will glow to indicate activity on both the transmit line pair and the receive line pair, respectively; however, the glow of these diodes LED D3 and LED D4 will be dimmer than that during the turn-around operation in the second mode of operation due to the loads intro¬ duced into the communication line 24 during the third mode of operation. There is no change in the wiring of diode Dl, resistor Rl, and LED D3 and no change in the wiring of diode D2, resistor R2 and LED D4 during the first, second and third modes of operation as seen in Figs. 5-2, 5-2, and 5-3.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A testing device (12) for use in a data communication system having a processor (14) , a plurality of secondary terminals (16-22) , and a communication line (24) interconnecting said processor and said secondary terminals, said communication line (24) having a transmit line pair for carrying data signals transmitted by said processor (14) , a receive line pair, for carrying data signals to be received by said processor (14) , and a plurality of first type couplers (30) positioned in said communication line (24) ; said processor (14) and each of said secondary terminals (16-22) having a second type coupler (32) associated therewith for coupling to said communication line (24) via said first type couplers (30) , characterized in that said testing device (12) is selectively operable to monitor the transmission of data by said processor (14) and said secondary terminals (16-22) , to perform turn-around testing of said processor (14) and said secondary terminals (16- 22) , and to perform turn-around and load testing of said processor (14) and said secondary terminals (16- 22), said testing device (12) including: a first type coupler (Jl) , a second type coupler (PI) , first and second visual indicators (D3, D4) and a switch (SWl), said switch (SWl) having first, second and third selectable positions; first circuit means for coupling said second type coupler (PI) on said testing device (12) and said first and second indicators (D3, D4) when said second type coupler (PI) of said testing device (12) is coupled to one of said first type couplers (30) on said communication line (24) and when said switch (SWl) is in said first position to enable said first indicator (D3) to become active when said processor (14) is transmitting over said transmit line pair and also to enable said second indicator (D4) to become active when at least one of said secondary terminals (16-22) is transmitting over said receive line pair; second circuit means (58, 62) arranged to couple said first type coupler (Jl) on said testing device (12) with the second type coupler (32) from said processor (14) or one of said secondary terminals (16-22) to perform said turn-around testing of said processor (14) or the associated secondary terminal (16-22) when said switch (SWl) is in said second position; and third circuit means (R3, R4, 68, D5, D6) for coupling said first type coupler (Jl) on said testing device (12) with said second type coupler (32) from said processor (14) or one of said secondary terminals (16-22) to perform said turn-around and load testing of said processor (14) or the associated said secondary terminal (16-22) when said switch (SWl) is in said third position. 2. A testing device (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that said first, second and third circuit means include conductors (50, 52, 54, 56) which form a through connection with regard to said communication line (24) between the first type and second type couplers (Jl, Pi) on said testing device (12). 3. A testing device (12) according to claim 2, characterized in that said second type coupler (PI) on said testing device (12) includes first and second connections (2, 3 on PI) to receive said transmit line pair of said communication line (24), and in that said first indicator is a first light-emitting diode (D3) , said first circuit means also including a first diode (Dl)and a first resistor (Rl); said first diode (Dl) , said resistor (Rl) and said first light-emitting diode (D3) being series connected between said first and second connections (2, 3 on PI) of said second type coupler (PI) on said testing device (12) . 4. A testing device (12) according to claim 3, characterized in that said second type coupler (PI) on said testing device (12) includes third and fourth connections (4, 5, on PI) to receive said receive line pair of said communication line (24), and in that said second indicator is a second light-emitting diode (D4); said first circuit means also including a second diode (D2) and a second resistor (R2) ; said second diode (D2) , said second resistor (R2) , and said second light-emitting diode (D4) being series-connected between said third and fourth connections (4, 5 on PI) of said second type coupler (PI) on said testing device (12) . 5. A testing device (12) according to claim 4, characterized in that said third circuit means includes: a first load resistor (R4) connected across said first and second connections (2, 3 on Jl) of said first type coupler (Jl) on said testing device (12) ; a second load resistor (R3) connected across said second and fourth connections (3, 5 on Jl) of said first type coupler (Jl) on said testing device (12); and first and second Zener diodes (D5, D6) connected in opposed relation across said first and second connections (2, ' 3 on Jl) of said first type coupler (Jl) on said testing device (12) .

Inventors: SMITH ROBERT KENNETH, SMITH, ROBERT, KENNETH
Applicants: NCR CO, NCR CORPORATION
Application year: 1986
Main classification: H04L11
IPC codes: H04L12