Systems, methods, and devices for testing communication lines
The invention generally relates to systems, devices, and methods for testing communication lines. In certain aspects, the invention provides systems and devices that include a digital/analog converter configured to operate with a computer processor and memory to send or receive an analog signal over a communication line that includes a plurality of signals having known frequencies. Inbound receiving sub-systems or devices sample the analog signal and measure a quality of the sampled, digital signal to evaluate the communication line. The key differentiator is the recognition that the human mouth and ear are intrinsically analog without encryption. By locating the test device as close to the user as possible, this system incorporates testing of complex communication streams including numerous variables and transforms (e.g. encryption, Analog to digital, Voice over IP, packet switching, ATM, SONET). Ultimately, it provides a simple interface to convert qualitative analysis to quantitative (numerical) analysis.
1. A system for testing a communication line, comprising:
a jack for connection to the communication line;
a sampler coupled to the jack;
a processor in communication with the sampler; and
a non-transitory memory coupled to the processor
wherein the system is operable to perform a predefined inbound test, a predefined outbound test, a predefined inbound extended test, and a predefined outbound extended test,
wherein the predefined inbound test comprises:
receiving a plurality of known frequencies sent sequentially by a second system substantially similar to the system;
sampling the plurality of known frequencies in sequence as they arrive to generate a sampled version of the plurality of known frequencies;
storing the sampled version of the plurality of known frequencies in the non-transitory memory; and
measuring a quality of the sampled version of the plurality of known frequencies;
wherein the predefined outbound test comprises sending the plurality of known frequencies through the communication line one after another; and
wherein the predefined inbound extended test comprises:
receiving at least five known frequencies, at least one of which is below 1000 Hz and at least one of which is above 3000 Hz, the at least five known frequencies sent sequentially by the second system;
sampling the at least five known frequencies to generate a sampled version of the at least five known frequencies;
storing the sampled version of the at least five known frequencies in the non-transitory memory;
measuring a quality of the sampled version of the at least five known frequencies; and
determining whether the communication line cannot operate in a secure mode; and
wherein the predefined outbound extended test comprises sending the at least five known frequencies through the communication line one after another.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the receiving the at least five known frequencies comprises receiving at least five megabytes per second for at least five seconds.
3. A method for testing a communication line, comprising:
using an apparatus to perform a predefined inbound test, a predefined outbound test, a predefined extended inbound test, and a predefined extended outbound test, the apparatus comprising a sampler coupled to a jack for connection to a communication line and a processor coupled to a non-transitory memory and in communication with the sampler, wherein:
the predefined inbound test comprises sequentially receiving an analog signal comprising a plurality of known frequencies through a communication line, sampling the plurality of known frequencies to generate a sampled version of the plurality of known frequencies, storing the sampled version of the plurality of known frequencies in the non-transitory memory, and measuring a quality of the sampled version of the plurality of known frequencies;
the predefined outbound test comprises sending a plurality of known frequencies through the communication line one after another;
the predefined inbound extended test comprises sequentially receiving an analog signal comprising at least five known frequencies spanning about 2000 Hz through a communication line, sampling the at least five known frequencies to generate a sampled version of the at least five known frequencies, storing the sampled version of the at least five known frequencies in the non-transitory memory, measuring a quality of the sampled version of the at least five known frequencies, storing a measurement of the quality of the sampled version of the at least five known frequencies, providing the measurement to a user, and determining a suitability of the communication line for secure operation; and
the predefined outbound extended test comprises sending the at least five known frequencies through the communication line one after another.
4. The method of claim 3 , further wherein the predefined inbound extended test comprises receiving at least two megabytes per second for at least two seconds.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein at least one of the at least five known frequencies is below 1000 Hz and at least one of the at least five known frequencies is above 3000 Hz.
6. The method of claim 3 , further wherein the outbound extended line test further comprises sending the at least five known frequencies as analog signals through the communication line.