James W Wichelman

US Patent:

6711134, Mar 23, 2004

Filed:

Nov 30, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/451170

Inventors:

James Wichelman - Fort Collins CO
Bruce Votipka - Fort Collins CO
Eric N. Flink - Loveland CO
Kathy Hertzog - Loveland CO

Assignee:

Agilent Technologies, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G06F 1100

US Classification:

370241, 370242, 370248, 702108

Abstract:

Channel and test plans are implemented in connection with a plurality of nodes that communicate signals. The channel plan has one or more predefined specifications for each of one or more signal channels on each of the nodes. The channel plan enables a monitoring system to generate and conduct automatic periodic node test plans based upon the predefined specifications. Each test plan prescribes measurement of at least one node and/or channel signal parameter. The monitoring system includes a spectrum analyzer, a switch enabling the spectrum analyzer to interface with the nodes, and a controller. The controller is configured to enable creation of and display the channel plan and test plan, and to automate the node testing. The test plan may include alarm thresholds that are triggered and tracked when a signal parameter of a node or channel exceeds an alarm threshold.

US Patent:

6732061, May 4, 2004

Filed:

Nov 30, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/451376

Inventors:

James Wichelman - Fort Collins CO
Bruce Votipka - Fort Collins CO
Eric N. Flink - Loveland CO
Craig Chamberlain - Louisville CO

Assignee:

Agilent Technologies, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G06F 306

US Classification:

702122, 702 57, 702180, 702188

Abstract:

A system includes a plurality of nodes. The plurality of nodes each communicate signals pursuant to a channel plan. The channel plan includes one or more predefined specifications for each of one or more signal channels on each of the plurality of nodes.

US Patent:

6741947, May 25, 2004

Filed:

Nov 30, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/451611

Inventors:

James Wichelman - Fort Collins CO
Craig Chamberlain - Louisville CO
Eric N. Flink - Loveland CO

Assignee:

Agilent Technologies, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G06F 300

US Classification:

702122, 702 23, 702 31, 702188

Abstract:

A system includes a plurality of nodes. The plurality of nodes each communicate signals pursuant to a single channel plan. The channel plan includes predefined characteristics for each of a plurality of signal channels. The system further includes a spectrum analyzer, a switch, and a controller. The switch connects the spectrum analyzer to the nodes. The controller tests communication signals on at least one of the nodes by conducting a test plan. The test plan prescribes performance of at least an average power test. The controller also derives a total node power based on the average power test results.

US Patent:

6785540, Aug 31, 2004

Filed:

Nov 30, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/451152

Inventors:

James Wichelman - Fort Collins CO

Assignee:

Agilent Technologies, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H04Q 720

US Classification:

455423, 455424, 455425, 709223, 709224, 709226

Abstract:

A channel plan with a corresponding test plan are implemented in connection with a plurality of nodes that communicate signals. The channel plan has one or more predefined specifications for each of one or more signal channels on each of the nodes. The channel plan enables a monitoring system to, among other things, conduct automatic periodic test plans, comprising tests, on the nodes, based upon the predefined data specified in the channel plan. Each test plan prescribes measurement of at least one signal parameter, pertaining to one or more nodes as a whole and/or to one or more channels contained within the nodes. The monitoring system includes a spectrum analyzer, a switch enabling the spectrum analyzer to interface with the nodes, and a controller controlling the switch and the spectrum analyzer. The controller is configured to enable creation of and display the channel plan and test plan, based upon user inputs. Notably, the controller also implements user friendly configuration interface logic that enables a user to configure the test plan.

US Patent:

6853932, Feb 8, 2005

Filed:

Nov 30, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/451153

Inventors:

James Wichelman - Fort Collins CO, US
Bruce Votipka - Fort Collins CO, US
Eric N. Flink - Loveland CO, US
Craig Chamberlain - Louisville CO, US

Assignee:

Agilent Technologies, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G01R031/00

US Classification:

702 76, 725107

Abstract:

A channel plan with a corresponding test plan are implemented in connection with a plurality of nodes that communicate signals. The channel plan has one or more predefined specifications for each of one or more signal channels on each of the nodes. The channel plan may comprise a specification of the following, for example, for each of the channels: a label describing use of the corresponding channel, a center frequency, a bandwidth, a power level, information regarding the carrier roll-off, a default status indicator identifying whether the corresponding channel is currently allocated or reserved for future use, one or more default threshold levels for various tests, and an alternate center frequency that may be utilized by the corresponding channel. The channel plan enables a monitoring system to, among other things, conduct automatic periodic test plans, comprising tests, on the nodes, based upon the predefined data specified in the channel plan. Each test plan prescribes measurement of at least one signal parameter, pertaining to one or more nodes as a whole and/or to one or more channels contained within the nodes.

US Patent:

7003414, Feb 21, 2006

Filed:

Nov 30, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/449643

Inventors:

James Wichelman - Fort Collins CO, US
Bruce Votipka - Fort Collins CO, US
Eric N. Flink - Loveland CO, US
Craig Chamberlain - Louisville CO, US

Assignee:

Agilent Technologies, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G01R 23/16

US Classification:

702 76, 725107, 324 7619

Abstract:

A channel plan with a corresponding test plan are implemented in connection with a plurality of nodes that communicate signals. The channel plan has one or more predefined specifications for each of one or more signal channels on each of the nodes. The channel plan enables a monitoring system to, among other things, conduct automatic periodic test plans, comprising tests, on the nodes, based upon the predefined data specified in the channel plan. Each test plan prescribes measurement of at least one signal parameter, pertaining to one or more nodes as a whole and/or to one or more channels contained within the nodes. The monitoring system includes a spectrum analyzer, a switch enabling the spectrum analyzer to interface with the nodes, and a controller controlling the switch and the spectrum analyzer. The controller is configured to enable creation of and display the channel plan and test plan, based upon user inputs. Notably, the controller can be configured to compare results from tests with alarm limits, specified in the test plan, to control the spectrum analyzer to perform a failure time spectrum scan when one or more test results exceed one or more alarm limits, and to generate a plot of power amplitude versus frequency over the frequency spectrum of the node at issue.

US Patent:

7050401, May 23, 2006

Filed:

Nov 30, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/449660

Inventors:

James Wichelman - Fort Collins CO, US
Bruce Votipka - Fort Collins CO, US
Eric N. Flink - Loveland CO, US
Craig Chamberlain - Louisville CO, US
Jan Ryles - Fort Collins CO, US

Assignee:

Agilent Technologies, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H04J 1/16

US Classification:

370252, 370480

Abstract:

A channel plan with a corresponding test plan are implemented in connection with a plurality of nodes that communicate signals. The channel plan has one or more predefined specifications for each of one or more signal channels on each of the nodes. The channel plan may comprise a specification of the following, for example, for each of the channels: a label describing use of the corresponding channel, a center frequency, a bandwidth, a power level, information regarding the carrier roll-off, a default status indicator identifying whether the corresponding channel is currently allocated or reserved for future use, one or more default threshold levels for various tests, and an alternate center frequency that may be utilized by the corresponding channel. The channel plan enables a monitoring system to, among other things, conduct automatic periodic test plans, comprising tests, on the nodes, based upon the predefined data specified in the channel plan. Each test plan prescribes measurement of at least one signal parameter, pertaining to one or more nodes as a whole and/or to one or more channels contained within the nodes.

US Patent:

7080398, Jul 18, 2006

Filed:

Nov 30, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/451286

Inventors:

James Wichelman - Fort Collins CO, US
Bruce Votipka - Fort Collins CO, US
Eric N. Flink - Loveland CO, US
Craig Chamberlain - Louisville CO, US
Jan Ryles - Fort Collins CO, US

Assignee:

Agilent Technologies, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H04N 7/173

US Classification:

725107

Abstract:

Channel and test plans are implemented in connection with a plurality of nodes that communicate signals. The channel plan enables a monitoring system to, among other things, conduct automatic periodic test plans, comprising tests, on the nodes, based upon the predefined data specified in the channel plan. The monitoring system includes a controller controlling a spectrum analyzer and a node interface switch. Notably, the controller also enables user friendly plan set-up and warning interface logic implementation. The warning interface logic generates a channel percent advisory indicator on the display device within a channel level interface component upon an occurrence of an advisory event in a channel associated therewith and generates a channel critical alarm indicator on the display device within a channel level interface component upon an occurrence of a critical event in a channel associated therewith.