US4402074A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Switching network test system
Assignee: Alcatel CIT SA
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Filing: 1980-10-14
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Granted: 1983-08-30
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Expires: 2000-10-14
Abstract
Abstract A test system for a stored program controlled time-division switching network subdivided into subsystems. The test system includes circuits for selecting, injecting and retrieving data samples and testing for the correct setting of switchpaths through the switching network. A stored program control unit receives test instructions and transmits in response thereto reporting messages including retrieved data samples. A selection control circuit interconnects the subsystems to which a test instruction relates. The subsystems are provided with an interchange circuit for receiving and storing samples, a sample injection and retrieval circuit, and a circuit for synchronizing the receiving and storing circuit with time slot information identifying a sample which has been received and the sending circuit with the time slot into which a sample is injected.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard Cupuis
- 👤 Jacques Thiaud
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:34
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/22; H04M3/24; H04M3/244; H04Q; H04Q11/00; H04Q11/04; H04Q11/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
In a test system for a time-division switching network, said time division switching network being subdivided into subsystems, in an exchange controlled by central computers through a plurality of programmed management units relaying commands between said subsystems and said computers, said test system having means for retrieving samples from a plurality of predetermined test points in said switching network and for injecting samples at inputs of said network, said retrieving means and said injecting means being controlled by said central computers through said programmed management units, the improvement comprising, in said means for injecting and retrieving: means for interchanging messages with a predetermined one of said management units through input and output serial links; selection control means for controlling sample retrieval and injection in said subsystems according to messages received by said means for interchanging messages; and synchronizing means for synchronizing said injecting and retrieving means for synchronizing injection and retrieval of samples and for sending messages to said management unit via said message interchanging means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
In a test system for a time-division switching network, said time division switching network being subdivided into subsystems, in an exchange controlled by central computers through a plurality of programmed management units relaying commands between said subsystems and said computers, said test system having means for retrieving samples from a plurality of predetermined test points in said switching network and for injecting samples at inputs of said network, said retrieving means and said injecting means being controlled by said central computers through said programmed management units, the improvement comprising, in said means for injecting and retrieving: means for interchanging messages with a predetermined one of said management units through input and output serial links; selection control means for controlling sample retrieval and injection in said subsystems according to messages received by said means for interchanging messages; and synchronizing means for synchronizing said injecting and retrieving means for synchronizing injection and retrieval of samples and for sending messages to said management unit via said message interchanging means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
98 words
The test system according to claim 1, wherein said switching network is of a type having input time switches and a distant end clock recovery and input synchronization circuit upstream of said input time switches, and wherein the improvement further comprises, in said synchronizing means, a counter receiving a distant end clock and a time slot number contained in a message received from said predetermined one of said management units for generating a command effecting at least one of injection and retrieval of a sample ahead of said recovery and input synchronization circuit in a predetermined time slot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
The test system according to claim 1, wherein the improvement further comprises, in said means for interchanging messages: a shift register coupled to receive messages from said predetermined one of said management units through said input serial link; a time base for generating timing signals; a circuit for testing message interchanges under control of said time base; and a message sending circuit connected to said output serial link for sending messages towards said predetermined one of said management units.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The test system according to claim 3, wherein the improvement further comprises, in said means for interchanging messages, a message sending circuit for responding to a message received from said predetermined one of said units by sending at least one response message comprising a repeat of the received message.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
The test system according to claim 4, wherein the improvement further comprises, in said selection control means, a multiplexer receiving on inputs thereof a test sample to be injected, said multiplexer being addressed by predetermined least significant bits of said counter; and demultiplexers for sending to said switching network a sample injection command produced on an output of said counter and said test sample to be injected.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
The test system according to claim 5, wherein the improvement further comprises, in said selection control means, an exclusive OR gate (PX), said multiplexer sending said test sample through said exclusive-OR gate to said predetermined one of said management units, said exclusive-OR gate having one input connected to an output of said counter through a two-state binary counter so that said test sample is complemented on each injection command.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The test system according to claim 6, wherein the improvement further comprises, in said selection control means, a multiplexer for providing access to said plural subsystems of said switching network; and a storage register for receiving and storing retrieved samples.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
The test system according to claim 7, wherein the improvement further comprises, in said selection control means, a register for storing retrieved samples; a timing circuit; and an enabling circuit for enabling said register, said enabling circuit being controlled by an output of said timing circuit so that said register is loaded for communicating with said predetermined one of said management units only when an entire sample has been received.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
The test system according to claim 7, wherein said exchange comprises means for sending signalling tones for outgoing multiplex links from a predetermined stage of said switching network by a digital generator, wherein the improvement further comprises, in said selection control means, receiving means for retrieving samples from an output of said generator having an output connected to an input of said storage register.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-08-29 | 1987-02-28 | 1987-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-08-29 | 1991-02-28 | 1991-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-08-29 | 1995-02-28 | 1995-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |