Abstract:
A device for certifying a local area network is provided. The device includes a measurement component to generate test signals for transmission over the local area network. The measurement component is operable to receive and measure test signals transmitted over the local area network. The device includes a network adapter having a first portion coupleable to communicate with the local area network and a second portion operable to communicate with the measurement component. The network adapter communicates signals received from the local area network to the measurement component. The device also includes a portable computing device, such as a personal digital assistant, communicatively coupleable to the measurement component to analyze signals received from the measurement device to certify the local area network. The signals sent from the measurement component are based on measurements taken by the measurement component of test signals received from the local area network.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     None.  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not applicable.  
       REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX  
       [0003]     Not applicable.  
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     This invention relates in general to the field of measurement devices for testing information system cabling and connectors and more specifically, but not by way of limitation, to a system and method for separating the functions of network testing devices into discrete components.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     Information system networks, such as local area networks or LANs, might include cabling, connectors, and adapters for communicating data signals. The cabling, connectors, and adapters installed in an office or other structure must meet certain standards to assure that the network is operable for the use of businesses in the structure. To certify network cabling, a measurement or test device may be connected to the network of the structure. The device generates precise test signals that are transmitted across the network. The characteristics of the test signal are accurately measured and analyzed to evaluate the integrity of the cabling.  
         [0006]     In some scenarios, a network testing device injects a test signal into a network, the signal travels through the network, and another testing device receives and analyzes the signal. In other scenarios, a network testing device injects a test signal into a network and the signal travels through the network and returns to the same testing device, which then receives and analyzes the signal. In either case, the testing device that receives the test signal performs the measurements on the signal, analyzes the data obtained in the measurements, and display the results.  
         [0007]     The network testing devices are generally provided with components and circuitry, such as processor(s) and programming, operable for such functions. The testing device may include displays, such as an LED or LCD displays, for displaying, for example, alpha-numeric and other characters and graphical illustrations. Existing network testing devices are provided such that all components for performing the measurement, analysis, and display functions are contained within a single body or unit comprising the network testing device. The term local area network or network, as used herein, may include, but should not be limited to, networks provided with standard copper cabling, those using fiber optic cabling, as well as wireless and other networks.  
         [0008]     Connecting the test devices to networks is typically accomplished using a network adapter. The adapter may connect to a jack that connects to the cabling comprising the network. The adapters may be channel adapters, which contain a female receiving portion or jack, or link adapters, which are male plugs presented from the network. The term network adapter, as used herein, includes link and channel adapters as well as other types of network adapters such as, but not limited to, multi-mode and single mode optical network adapters. The correct channel adapter or link adapter, depending upon the topology at a particular location in the network, is required to connect a particular device to the network.  
         [0009]     A set of components and connections traditionally used in the testing of a network is shown in  FIG. 1 . An adapter  120  connects to a network  110  via connection  115 . As discussed above, the adapter  120  may be a channel adapter, link adapter, multi-mode or single mode adapter, for example. The adapter  120  allows a network testing device  130  to be connected to the network  110 . The network testing device  130  connects to the adapter  120  via connection  125 . Connection  125  may be a direct connection such as a plug and a socket or it may be a cable that allows the network testing device  130  to be removed some distance from the adapter  120 . A test signal can flow from the network  110 , through the connection  115 , through the adapter  120 , through the connector  125 , to the network testing device  130 , where it can be measured and analyzed.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     The present disclosure provides a device for certifying a local area network. The device includes a measurement component to generate test signals for transmission over the local area network. The measurement component is operable to receive and measure test signals transmitted over the local area network. The device includes a network adapter having a first portion coupleable to communicate with the local area network and a second portion operable to communicate with the measurement component. The network adapter communicates signals received from the local area network to the measurement component. The device also includes a portable computing device communicatively coupleable to the measurement component to analyze signals received from the measurement device to certify the local area network. The signals sent from the measurement component are based on measurements taken by the measurement component of test signals received from the local area network.  
         [0011]     In one embodiment, a network test device for testing a network is provided. The network test device includes an adapter operable to communicate with the network. The network test device includes a measurement system in communication with the adapter and operable to generate test signals for transmission over the network. The measurement component further operable to measure test signals received from the network. The network test device includes a portable computing device operable to receive communications from the measurement system. The portable computing device is operable to display, and in some embodiments analyze, information regarding the signals received from the measurement device to certify the local area network. A data transfer component is provided to promote communication between portable computing device and the measurement system.  
         [0012]     In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of testing a local area network. The method includes communicatively coupling a measurement component to a portable computing device. The measurement component is operable to generate test signals for testing the local area network. The method includes coupling an adapter to the local area network and generating test signals by the measurement component. The method also provides for communicating test signals generated by the measurement device to the local area network via the adapter.  
         [0013]     These and other features and advantages will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates components and connections in prior art network test devices.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a generalized block diagram illustrating components and connections in a network tester according to one embodiments of the present disclosure.  
         [0016]      FIG. 3   a  illustrates components and connections of the network tester according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.  
         [0017]      FIG. 3   b  illustrates additional component detail and connectivity for the network tester illustrated in  FIG. 3   a.    
         [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates components and connections of the network tester according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
       [0019]     For a more complete understanding of the presentation and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]     It should be understood at the outset that although an exemplary implementation of one or more embodiments of the present invention are illustrated below, the present system may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary design and implementation illustrated and described herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.  
         [0021]     A set of components and connections that might be used in various embodiments of the present invention are shown in  FIG. 2 . As in the prior art, an adapter  220  connects to a network  210  via connection  215 . The adapter  220  allows devices to be connected to the network  210  via connection  225 . Connection  225  may be a direct connection such as a plug and a socket or it may be a cable that allows the devices to be removed some distance from the adapter  220 .  
         [0022]     In various embodiments, a component that can be referred to as a measurement system  230  connects to the adapter  220  via connection  225 . The measurement system  230  receives a test signal from the adapter  220  and, via connection  235 , passes data extracted from the test signal to a component that can be referred to as a data transfer component  240 . Connection  235  may be a direct connection such as a plug and a socket or it may be a cable that allows the measurement system  230  and the data transfer component  240  to be removed some distance from each other. The measurement system  230  includes components and circuitry to, for example, precisely generate one or more signals, and transmit and receive, such as in storage components, these signal for analysis, which is well known in the art. It will be appreciated that to accurately test networks requires the components and circuitry of the measurement system  23  may be required to be highly accurate.  
         [0023]     The data transfer component  240  transfers the data, via connection  245 , to a portable computing device  260 . The data transfer can be accomplished by several different means, as described below. The portable computing device  260  might be a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop computer, a palm top, tablet personal computer, or some other portable device for processing and displaying data. Although various operating systems may be used, when a PDA is employed as the portable computing device  260 , WinCE may be the preferred operating system. A port  250  might be present within the portable computing device  260  by means of which data can be transferred into the portable computing device  260 .  
         [0024]     The measurement system  230 , the data transfer component  240 , and/or the portable computing device  260  analyze the test signal to accomplish the network testing. Analysis of the test signal may include as converting the test signal into digital data, processing the digital data as necessary for evaluation of the integrity of a network, and displaying the processed data on a display. In various embodiments, analysis of the test signal can be performed individually by either the measurement system  230 , the data transfer component  240 , or the portable computing device  260 . Alternatively, the analysis functions can be divided among various combinations of the measurement system  230 , the data transfer component  240 , and the portable computing device  260 .  
         [0025]     For example, in one embodiment, the measurement system  230  obtains the test signal from the adapter  220  and converts the test signal into digital data. The measurement system  230  passes the digital data to the data transfer component  240 , which then transfers the digital data to the portable computing device  260 . Software in the portable computing device  260  processes the data as necessary to complete the network testing and then displays the processed data. In other embodiments, the data transfer component  240  may perform some processing of the data before the data is transferred to the portable computing device  260 .  
         [0026]     In the cases where the data transfer component  240  merely transfers data but performs no processing on the data, the data transfer component  240  might be a standard memory card of the types that are commercially available under names such as Compact Flash Card, Secure Digital Card, Multimedia Card, and the like. Memory cards, flash card, or cards of these types, as used herein, may refer to the devices well known under these names, but also may refer to the standard interfaces used by these devices whether with similar, different or additional circuitry, components and functionality. A user might insert the memory card into a standard port in the measurement system  230 , which could then write digital data onto the memory card. The memory card could then be removed from the measurement system  230  and inserted into a standard port  250  in the portable computing device  260 , which could then read the digital data from the memory card.  
         [0027]     If the data transfer component  240  performs processing of data, the data transfer component  240  might contain both data processing elements and digital data storage elements. In one embodiment, the data transfer component  240  has a single, standard connector similar to those found on standard memory cards. The standard connector can be inserted into standard ports in the measurement system  230  and in the portable computing device  260 . A data transfer component  240  such as this can be used to transfer data from the measurement system  230  to the portable computing device  260  in the manner described above. The data transfer component  240  can perform processing of the data while connected to either the measurement system  230  or the portable computing device  260 . The portable computing device  260  could then read the data from the data transfer component  240  and perform further processing.  
         [0028]     In another embodiment, a cable or other connection mechanism  235  is attached to the data transfer component  240  in addition to the standard connector similar to those found on standard memory cards. The cable or other connection mechanism  235  can connect the data transfer component  240  to the measurement system  230  and the standard connector can connect the data transfer component  240  to the portable computing device  260 . When the measurement system  230 , the data transfer component  240 , and the portable computing device  260  are connected in this manner, data can flow in an uninterrupted stream from the measurement system  230 , through the data transfer component  240 , to the portable computing device  260 .  
         [0029]     In any of the above cases, connection  245  may be the physical insertion of a standard connector similar to those found on memory cards into the port  250  of the portable computing device  260 .  
         [0030]     In another embodiment, the data transfer component  240  is a wireless data transmitter. The data transfer component  240  connects to and receives data from the measurement system  230  in any of the manners described above and then transmits the data wirelessly to the portable computing device  260 . In this case, connection  245  is the wireless transmission of data from the data transfer component  240  to the port  250  of the portable computing device  260 . Processing of data would typically not be performed in the data transfer component  240  in this embodiment but would instead be done by the measurement system  230  and/or the portable computing device  260 . Wireless data transfer protocols such as Bluetooth, wireless Ethernet, or infrared light could be used. In some embodiments, GPS (global positioning system) may be provided to readily and accurately provide location and positioning information.  
         [0031]      FIG. 2  illustrates the general form that the components can take in various embodiments. In some embodiments, the measurement system  230  and the data transfer component  240  are physically separate components as shown. The connection  235  between them can be a cable, a direct connection such as a plug and a socket, or some other connection. The data transfer component  240 , as described above, can be a standard memory card, a component with a connector similar to those found on standard memory cards, or a wireless transmission device.  
         [0032]      FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  show a set of components that could be used in several of the embodiments where the measurement system  230  and the data transfer component  240  are separate components. Various adapters  220  can be coupled to a measurement system  230 . The adapters  220  can connect directly to a network or can connect to a network through a cable  215 . In  FIG. 3 , an adapter  220  is directly coupled to the measurement system  230  and the connection ( 225  in  FIG. 2 ) between them is not visible.  FIG. 3   b  illustrates an exemplary configuration by which the combination shown in  FIG. 3   a  may be constructed and connected.  
         [0033]     The measurement system  230  connects to a data transfer component  240  via a cable  235 . The data transfer component  240  is a media interface card to which the cable  235  can be attached for connection to the measurement system  230 . The data transfer component  240  also has a standard connector (not shown) by which it can be connected to a portable computing device  260 . In  FIG. 3   a , the portable computing device  260  is a PDA.  
         [0034]     In other embodiments, the measurement system  230  and the data transfer component  240  are combined into a single unit. In this case, connection  235  would not be present. This single unit performs the functions of obtaining the test signal from the adapter  220  and transferring data to the portable computing device  260 . Analysis of the data could be performed by the single unit, the portable computing device  260 , or both. The single unit might have a cable  225  for connection to an adapter  220 . Alternatively, an adapter  220  could be built in to the single unit. The single unit might have a connector such as those found on standard memory cards so that the single unit can be inserted into the standard port  250  on the portable computing device  260 . Alternatively, the single unit might contain a wireless data transmission system for sending data to the portable computing device  260 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 4  shows a set of components that could be used in several of the embodiments where the measurement system and the data transfer component are combined into a single unit  270 . In this case, an adapter is coupled, such as in a removable manner, to the single unit  270 . A standard connector  280  allows the single unit  270  to be connected to a portable computing device  260 , in this case a PDA. A cable  215  allows the single unit  270  to be connected to a network.  
         [0036]     In some embodiments, the various components of the present disclosure, such as the measurement system  230 , the adapter  220 , the data transfer component  240 , and the portable computing device  260 , may communicatively coupleable to one another which may include a physical connection or coupling, or non-physical connection, such as wireless communication, to promote communication between the various components.  
         [0037]     In various embodiments, the portable computing device  260  might simply display the data that has been processed by the measurement system  230  and/or by the data transfer component  240 . In one embodiment, the present system includes software operably loaded on the portable computing device  260  for analyzing and processing the network signals received by the measurement system  230 . Such software and programming may be similar to that currently embedded on integrated unitary network test devices and certain adaptations would be necessary to enable the software on the portable computing device  260 , which could be accomplished by one skilled in the art.  
         [0038]     In several of the embodiments, the portable computing device  260  may contain this analysis and processing software and/or hardware that is capable of processing the data has been collected by the measurement system  230  and transferred by the data transfer component  240 . In this manner, thus, the present disclosure provides a network test device that is significantly less expensive, since many individuals and organization currently own PDA, such as the portable computing device  260 . Only the measurement system  230  and adapter(s)  220  would need to be purchased and then the analysis and processing software would be loaded on the portable computing device  260  to begin network testing. Thus, the present system leverages the architecture and processing capabilities of the portable computing device  260 .  
         [0039]     While several embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents. For example, the various elements or components may be combined or integrated in another system or certain features may be omitted, or not implemented.  
         [0040]     Also, techniques, systems, subsystems and methods described and illustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may be combined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other items shown as directly coupled or communicating with each other may be coupled through some interface or device, such that the items may no longer be considered directly coupled to each but may still be indirectly coupled and in communication with one another. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations are ascertainable by on skilled in the art and could be made without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed herein.