Importance

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Abstract

A cable tester, which is adapted to be used by persons not expertly skilled in the technical characteristics of local area networks (LANs), is disclosed. The tester incorporates a time domain reflectometer which starts a counter upon the generation of an incident signal pulse and utilizes a comparator which compares signals present on a cable under test to a controllable amplitude to halt the timer. The tester exhibits an output impedance which is greater than the impedance of a cable being tested. The tester additionally measures instantaneous amplitude levels of signals present on the cable being tested, resistance, continuity, noise levels, and data activity on a network of which the cable is a part. In addition, the tester includes a display and a sound generally device. Software programming compensates for impedance mismatches with the cable and data present on an active network being tested. In addition, software programming processes test and measurement results for visual presentation on the display and for audible presentation on the sound generating device. The visual presentations incorporate graphical representations of test and measurement data. Furthermore, the tester supplies audible signals which can be used with the aid of a tracter device to locate the cable being tested.

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First Claim