Acterna LLC

Viavi Solutions Inc.

Jds Uniphase Corporation

Telecommunications Techniques Corporation

David J Royle

Mikhail Charny

Ali M Mohammadian

Joseph Gomez

Walter Hargis

Roland Stooss

A test device determines a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signal propagation delay in a GNSS signal distribution system (GSDS) for a radio access network, and can further perform long-term tests on a GSDS without having access to a GNSS satellite. The test device includes a GNSS receiver and a clock that can be re-tuned to accommodate performing tests on the GSDS.

Satellite signal propagation delay test device

A test device determines a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signal propagation delay in a GNSS signal distribution system (GSDS) for a radio access network. The test device includes a GNSS receiver and a clock. The GNSS receiver is connected at different times to a reference GSDS with a known signal propagation delay and to a device under test (DUT), including a second GSDS having an unknown signal propagation delay. One pulse per second (1PPS) signals are generated by the GNSS receiver and are compared to determine the unknown signal propagation delay of the DUT.

A time differential digital circuit can detect a time difference between first and second event signals. The time difference measurement can be calibrated to account for transmission path delays. The time differential digital circuit can be implemented using field programmable gate array transceivers.

Time differential digital circuit

A serializer device is used for generation, from a parallel digital signal, of a clock signal or a serial binary data signal having a pre-determined amount of jitter. A binary number having consecutive groups of ones and zeroes, when serialized by the serializer device, produces a clock signal. By varying the number of ones and zeroes on the binary number, a pre-determined amount of jitter can be generated. Use of sigma-delta modulation in combination with a phase-locked loop circuitry allows one to obtain a smoothly varying jitter of the output signal.

Generating a jittered digital signal using a serializer device

The invention relates to a transceiver optical system in which a single serializer/deserializer (SERDES) chip is used to drive a plurality of transceiver modules.

Driving multiple transceiver modules with a single SERDES transceiver chip

Printed circuit boards (PCB's) with edge connectors undergo bending stresses whenever the edge connectors are plugged into mating connectors. The bending stresses causes deformation of the printed circuit board, which can have deleterious effects on electrical components thereon. Slots are provided on the PCB to enable the portion of the PCB surrounding the edge connector to bend relative to the remainder of the PCB, thereby confine the bending to a localized area between the ends of the slots, and isolate the electrical components from any stresses caused thereby.

Isolating stress on a printed circuit board

A method for testing various types of devices or systems employs a modular test instrument comprising a base unit and one of a selection of application modules, neither being capable of performing end-user functions without the other. When physically assembled to one another, the base unit and application module comprise a structurally unitary device specialized for performance of application-specific end-user functions. The base unit is generic to all types of test to be provided, and comprises a display, a power supply, a user interface, and generic software to operate the display and user interface. Each application module is connected to the base unit in the same manner, so that the same base unit can be employed with a wide variety of application modules. The application modules can be readily and conveniently removed from and assembled to the base unit. The application-specific application modules each include a physical interface for establishing signal-communicating connection to the device or system to be tested, and application-specific program data and software, including information required to provide appropriate test signals, test messages, and the like. Each application module also stores user interface software for providing an application-specific user interface. When an application module is assembled to a base unit, polling software comprised by the base unit determines the identity of the application module, and determines whether it stores any software or other program data not previously copied to the base unit's memory; if not, the copying step is begun automatically upon assembly.

Modular test instrument

A modular test instrument comprises a base unit and one of a selection of application modules, neither being capable of performing end-user functions without the other. When physically assembled to one another, the base unit and application module comprise a structurally unitary device specialized for performance of application-specific end-user functions. The base unit is generic to all types of test to be provided, and comprises a display, a power supply, a user interface, and generic software to operate the display and user interface. Each application module is connected to the base unit in the same manner, so that the same base unit can he employed with a wide variety of application modules. The application modules can be readily and conveniently removed from and assembled to the base unit. The application-specific application modules each include a physical interface for establishing signal-communicating connection to the equipment to be tested, and application-specific program data and software, including information required to provide appropriate test signals, test messages, and the like. Each application module also stores user interface software for providing an application-specific user interface. When an application module is assembled to a base unit, polling software comprised by the base unit determines the identity of the application module, and determines whether it stores any software or other program data not previously copied to the base unit's memory; if not, the copying step is begun automatically upon assembly.

A modular test instrument comprises a base unit and one of a selection of application modules, neither being capable of performing end-user functions without the other. When physically assembled to one another, the base unit and application module comprise a structurally unitary device specialized for performance of application-specific end-user functions. The base unit is generic to all types of test to be provided, and comprises a display, a power supply, a user interface, and generic software to operate the display and user interface. Each application module is connected to the base unit in the same manner, so that the same base unit can be employed with a wide variety of application modules. The application modules can be readily and conveniently removed from and assembled to the base unit. The application-specific application modules each include a physical interface for establishing signal-communicating connection to the equipment to be tested, and application-specific program data and software including information required to provide appropriate test signals, test messages, and the like. Each application nodule also stores user interface software for providing an application-specific user interface. When an application module is assembled to a base unit, polling software comprised by the base unit determines the identity of the application module, and determines whether it stores any software or other program data not previously copied to the base unit's memory; if not, the copying step is begun automatically upon assembly.

A modular test instrument comprises a base unit and one of a selection of application modules, neither being capable of performing end-user functions without the other. When physically assembled to one another, the base unit and application module comprise a structurally unitary device specialized for performance of application-specific end-user functions. The base unit is generic to all types of test to be provided, and comprises a display, a power supply, a user interface, and generic software to operate the display and user interface. Each application module is connected to the base unit in the same manner, so that the same base unit can be employed with a wide variety of application modules. The application modules can be readily and conveniently removed from and assembled to the base unit. The application-specific application modules each include a physical interface for establishing signal-communicating connection to the equipment to be tested, and application-specific program data and software, including information required to provide appropriate test signals, test messages, and the like. Each application module also stores user interface software for providing an application-specific user interface. When an application module is assembled to a base unit, polling software comprised by the base unit determines the identity of the application module, and determines whether it stores any software or other program data not previously copied to the base unit's memory; if not, the copying step is begun automatically upon assembly.

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Rockville, MD, United States of America

David J Royle