System and method for testing telecommunication service installations

Abstract

A modular telecommunication test system is presented including a portable computer system and at least one portable telecommunication test module located external to the computer system. The portable computer system stores a telecommunication test application (e.g., in a memory system). Each test module includes a communication port having an electrical connector, and is thus adapted for coupling to the portable computer system. Each test module also includes electrical circuitry for performing a set of telecommunication tests, wherein each test involves making at least one electrical measurement upon a telecommunication service installation. In coupling a given test module to the portable computer system, a user configures the test system to perform the set of telecommunication tests associated with the given test module. The at least one test module is selected from a group of test modules, each configured to perform telecommunication tests upon a different type of telecommunication service installation. Eligible types of telecommunication service installations include POTS, T1/E1, ISDN, and xDSL. The test system may also include a second computer system (e.g., a desktop computer system) coupled to the first computer system via a communication network. The communication network may include the PSTN and the Internet. The first computer may receive telecommunication test data from each test module and provide the test data to the second computer system via the communication network.