An advanced line test system is especially valuable in providing records verification. In this process, all pairs at the main distribution frame (MDF) or a remote crossbox are checked to determine if they are working lines or spare lines. An advanced, stand-alone line test system makes it possible to determine the telephone number of working lines and the pair condition for spare lines. This information yields a map of the outside plant that correlates telephone numbers to cable and pair numbers. The verification information is important because it can be used to scrub the line-record databases. Correcting the legacy operations support system (OSS)–database information results in more accurate dispatch information and easier recovery of spare pairs.

It is essential that the line test system integrate records verification with both reactive and proactive testing operations. As a result of this integration, test results on working pairs tested at any time through the test heads, the switch, or DLC access can be easily maintained. The test system must also maintain data on the nonworking or spare pairs, tested as part of the records verification scans. The most powerful feature of such a system, however, is its ability to map cable and pair to the telephone number of the whole outside plant. This allows proactive scan test results to be patterned by cable and count.

Patterned Test Data to Target Faulty Pairs

Patterned test data from an advanced line test system is one of the most powerful tools a telco can have because it yields reports that locate concentrations of faulty pairs. The patterned data can be used to deal with faulty cable sections in an efficient way. Using such patterned data on load coil tests, for example, can find common faults on many pairs, such as a missing load, and make it possible to fix multiple pairs at one time with a single dispatch.

Localizing Power Line Noise and DC Troubles Caused by Water

The patterned data provided by the line test system can also be used to identify and localize power-line noise problems—even DC troubles caused by water. A demand test can even be run on a reported case of trouble and the cable and pair number of the report compared with the patterned data for similar troubles, so that all these troubles could be fixed on the same technician dispatch. Having this capability greatly increases dispatch efficiency.

ISDN

By combining the ISDN prequalification office scan and cable-fault patterning, it is even possible to get cable-failure-analysis reports that map concentrations of candidate ISDN–capable pairs. Conversely, ISDN–challenged cables would also be highlighted.