The present disclosure provides a method of measuring the effectiveness of an intervention in a hybrid fiber-metal access network. The effectiveness measure is determined in accordance with the improvement in the attenuation and the maximum achievable data rate. The effectiveness measure is used to determine whether a further network intervention is required.

Automatic testing/analysis of local loops of telecommunications networks includes obtaining bits-per-tone data for a local loop of a telecommunications network and generating a bit value string from the bits-per-tone data. The bit value string is then analyzed to determine whether it includes a bit pattern indicative of an impairment of the local loop. Further approaches for automatically testing local loops of telecommunications networks include obtaining attenuation data for multiple tones carried by the local loop and determining whether the attenuation data falls below thresholds for providing a service using the local loop.

Automatic testing/analysis of local loops of telecommunications networks includes obtaining bits-per-tone data for a local loop of a telecommunications network and generating a bit value string from the bits-per-tone data. The bit value string is then analyzed to determine whether it includes a bit pattern indicative of an impairment of the local loop. Further approaches for automatically testing local loops of telecommunications networks include obtaining attenuation data for multiple tones carried by the local loop and determining whether the attenuation data falls below thresholds for providing a service using the local loop.

This disclosure describes a system and method for generating images by performing TEM surveys using pre-existing infrastructure such as transmission lines, or power lines, and naturally occurring transients such as lightning strikes or load switching. A relatively inexpensive sensor array can be installed on overhead power lines (e.g., electrical transmission or sub-transmission lines) which can detect transients in the overhead power lines. Transients in the overhead power lines can cause the power lines to emit pulses of electromagnetic (EM) radiation, which propagate into the earth's subsurface. This sudden change in electromagnetic field in the subsurface can induce eddy currents, which in turn emit return EM radiation that can propagate back to the overhead power line and induce secondary voltage and current transients. The magnitude of these secondary transients, and their time delay from the original transient are influenced by the properties of the subsurface in which the eddy currents formed.

Tools and techniques are described to automate line testing when wiring devices (such as equipment and sensors) to controllers. Controllers have access to databases of the devices that are controlled by them, including wiring diagrams and protocols, such that the controller can automatically check that each wire responds correctly to stimulus from the controller. After testing, a reporting device rapidly shows the results of the line testing.

Embodiments relate to an apparatus for monitoring a telecommunication network including one or more telecommunication channels. The apparatus includes a processor configured after executing computer code to design a convolutional neural network configured for determining an impairment type of a telecommunication channel as a function of a channel frequency response of the telecommunication channel, by selecting at least one of a number of convolutional layers, a number of filters for respective convolutional layers, and/or a size of filters for respective convolutional layers; and train the convolutional neural network based on training data specifying, for respective telecommunication channels, a channel frequency response and an associated impairment type.

Remote on-demand site link testing is provided. A site link tester (SLT) system includes an SLT connected to a customer's VoIP phone system. The SLT is configured to communicate with a front end client application operating remotely on a user's computing device. The packet-capture application receives instructions from the client application to perform a packet capture in association with the SLT's network interface and/or to operate as an emulated VoIP endpoint and conduct a test call (e.g., to confirm the customer's VoIP system's compliance with 911-associated legislation or to troubleshoot a VoIP issue). Results of the packet capture may be sent to the client application and analyzed for remotely diagnosing and troubleshooting VoIP-related problems. Using the SLT system, the technician is enabled to perform 911-associated legislation compliance and diagnose VoIP issues on-demand from a remote location, which can reduce or eliminate the need for a technician to be on-site.

A method and system for managing performance of over a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN), such as a digital subscriber line network, involves receiving an indication of an impairment in network performance from an MCDN client. The MCDN node associated with the client may be identified and a community of MCDN clients coupled to the MCDN node may be further identified. Impairment information, representative of MCDN equipment, may be collected for each of the MCDN clients. Detailed network diagnostics and field service may be performed for MCDN clients based on a characterization of the impairment parameters. After remediation of the MCDN node, collection of the impairment information may be terminated.

A vectoring controller is configured to determine first coefficient values for a vectoring matrix at a first tone based on a first number of iterations through an iterative update algorithm and a first channel matrix estimate at the first tone, and to determine second coefficient values for the vectoring matrix at a second neighboring tone based on a second number of iterations through the iterative update algorithm and a second channel matrix estimate at the second tone. The vectoring controller is configured to start with the first coefficient values as initial values for the respective second coefficient values in the iterative update algorithm. The second number of iterations is lower than or equal to the first number of iterations.

A vectoring controller is configured to determine first coefficient values for a vectoring matrix at a first tone based on a first number of iterations through an iterative update algorithm and a first channel matrix estimate at the first tone, and to determine second coefficient values for the vectoring matrix at a second neighboring tone based on a second number of iterations through the iterative update algorithm and a second channel matrix estimate at the second tone. The vectoring controller is configured to start with the first coefficient values as initial values for the respective second coefficient values in the iterative update algorithm. The second number of iterations is lower than or equal to the first number of iterations.