JPH07202914A - Cable management system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To provide a cable management device including a line test device for inspecting a service line and a user line. [Structure] The cable management system has a circuit card 22. The circuit card 22 includes eight port connectors 250-1 to 250-8 connected to the service line 16, a test port connector 252 connected to a line test device, port connectors 250-1 to 250-8 and a test port. It has a relay switch 254 connected to both connectors 252. Relay switch when service line 16 inspect
254 is a specific port connector and a test port connector 25
An electrical connection between the 2 and
16 inspections are possible.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

The present invention relates to a cable management system,
In particular, it relates to a cable management system for routing voltage, low speed and high speed data transmission, power and video lines between service and user lines under computer control.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When wiring cables in commercial buildings,
Conventionally, all services by telephone, low-speed and high-speed data transmission, electric power and wiring such as video lines are terminated in each patch panel (hereinafter also simply referred to as a panel) and arranged in a building. The panels are typically located in a wire containment chamber and terminate a first array of service lines entering the building and a second array of user lines terminating within the building to various user terminals. And an array of. A jumper wire is usually used to connect the first array and the second array to connect the service line and the user line in each panel. In the ideal case, a record is made of the wiring position of the wire and the connection partner, but in reality, the record is not necessarily made. In addition, wires are often marked on patch panels, which often become obsolete without being updated. Therefore, when a worker receives a service line to be added or changes a line, the worker must first decide which wires are included. This task is a difficult task that requires time and concentration. Therefore, a cable management system that automatically records information such as wiring is proposed.

The proposed cable management system is arranged between a plurality of service lines and a plurality of user lines, and includes a large number of line circuit cards connected to the user lines and a large number of service circuit cards connected to the service lines. Including. A controllable switch means is disposed between the user line and the termination of the service line to selectively provide a physical and electrical connection between the selected one of the service lines and the selected one of the user lines. To provide. A controller is provided for controlling the switch means to selectively open and close the connection between the service line and the user line according to a command received. The control device includes a memory that stores a map of the connection wiring made by the switch means. In addition, a management station is provided which sends commands to the controller. The command is a connect command (connection command) for physically and electrically connecting a specific service line and a specific user line through a switch means, and a specific one or a plurality of service lines and a specific one or a plurality of user lines. And a disconnection (disconnection command) for disconnecting the physical and electrical connection through the switch means between.

The cable management system has a central plate. The center plate has a plurality of first card edge connectors forming a first array parallel to each other on one side and a first card edge connector on the opposite side.
Second array of card edge connectors extending substantially at right angles to each other to form a second array parallel to each other. The switch means is mounted on a service circuit card that mates with the card edge connector on the first array side of the center plate. The line circuit card is attached to the card edge connector on the second array side of the center plate. Therefore 1
Alternatively, a plurality of service lines are connected to one or a plurality of user lines through the switch means. The controller is provided on a service circuit card which is attached to the card edge connector on the first array side of the center plate. A plurality of conductive bus lines are disposed on the center plate and electrically connected to all of the card edge connectors on both sides of the center plate. A transceiver connected to the bus may be provided on each of the control circuit card, the service circuit card, and the line circuit card for intercommunication on the lines of the bus.

[0005]

In the system, a system operator detects an abnormality on a user line, and the operator decides whether the cause of the abnormality is the line itself or a device connected to the line. There are things you can't do. The engineers involved in each of the lines and equipment are engineers in different fields, and it is desirable for the system operator to isolate the cause of the abnormality and to call an appropriate engineer. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a test means that can be performed on the user line without the need for technician work.

In commercial buildings, the system operator, rather than the service provider, is responsible for maintaining all wiring. This wiring is the wiring on the user side where the service engineer terminates the wiring, for example, for each section of the building. Therefore, it is desirable for a system operator to have the ability to inspect the service line between each compartment and the cable management system. Further, it is desirable that such inspection be done remotely under the control of a management station. Another object of the present invention is therefore to provide a suitable arrangement for the inspection to be carried out on a service line connected to a cable management system of the type shown under the control of a management station.

The cable management system described above has a switch matrix with switches in crossed positions. Each switch connects a switch matrix between the line inspecting device and the line under test to enable line evaluation. It is therefore a further object of the invention to provide a user and service line tester of the type in which the line tester is connectable to the selected line without the intervention of a switch matrix.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a line of user equipment and service line in which line inspection equipment is installed as part of the cable management system, thereby eliminating the need for a service technician to directly access the line. is there.

In addition, another object of the present invention is a user and service line test in which the line test device is separate from the cable management system and is connectable to a circuit card corresponding to the appropriate user or service line to be tested. It is to provide a device.

[0010]

The above objects of the present invention can be achieved by the following constitutions.

According to the present invention, the circuit cards to which the user lines and the service lines are respectively connected are arranged substantially orthogonal to each other to form an interconnection matrix between the user lines and the service lines, and connection at each intersection position of the matrix. In the cable management system provided with a switch for selectively opening and closing, the cable management system further includes a line inspection device, each of the circuit cards is connected to the line inspection device, a test port connector, and the user line. Also, one selected from the service line and the test port connector can be connected.

The cable management system of the present invention is arranged by interposing a large number of service lines and a large number of user lines, and a service circuit card connected to each one of a desired number of service lines and a desired number of user lines. A line circuit card to be connected to each one, and a plurality of service circuit cards, and a connecting means for connecting the line circuit card. Each line circuit card includes a user line port connector for a user line connected to the card and each circuit path between the port connector and the connecting means. Each service circuit card has a service line port connector for a service line connected to the card, each circuit path between the port connector and the connecting means, and one of the plurality of service lines to one of the plurality of user lines. Includes switch means for selectively connecting to the book. The cable management system of the present invention provides an arrangement for inspecting a selected one of multiple user and service lines. This characteristic arrangement has a test means having an output port for evaluating the characteristics of the line to which it is connected, and a test port connector located on the line and service circuit card for receiving a connection with the output port of the test means. A test port connector, a port connector, and a circuit path are provided on each line and the service circuit card, and each port connector is selectively connected to the test port connector or each circuit path. Further, the cable management system has means for controlling the switching means of the selected line and the service circuit card, thereby providing a path between the selected line and the test port connector on the selected circuit card. To do.

The connecting means of the cable management system includes a central plate, a first card edge connector arranged in a first array on the first side of the central plate, and a first array on the second side of the central plate. A second card edge connector forming a second array extending substantially vertically, and means for electrically interconnecting each of the first card edge connector and the second card edge connector through the center plate. Each of the service circuit cards is attached to each of the first card edge connectors. Further, each of the line circuit cards is attached to each of the second card edge connectors. Further according to the invention, the inspection means are supported on a line test card on the central plate. The line test card has a plurality of connection ports. Each connection port corresponds to each line circuit card and each service circuit card. The line test card further comprises switch means for selectively connecting the output port of the test means to the port connector. Also provided is test cable means for connecting the connection port of each line test card to each test port connector of the line circuit card and the service circuit card.

Further in accordance with the present invention, each of the circuit cards includes a switch array of switches. All switches have a common connection to the test port connector on their circuit card. Each switch serves to connect the port connector to either each circuit path or test port connector.

The inspection means can also be configured as a portable unit.

The cable management system having the inspection device includes a plurality of user lines interconnected with a plurality of user lines, a plurality of service circuit cards (STU), and a service circuit card connected to each of the plurality of service lines. Upper service line port connector, multiple line circuit cards (LTU), connection unit connecting each of the service circuit cards to each of the line circuit cards, user line port connector connected to each of the user lines, each of the service lines A switch on the service circuit card for selectively connecting to one of the user line port connectors, a test port connector on each service connection unit circuit card connected to the service line tester, and each test port connector on the service circuit card. Of the service line port Number is a selectively connectable to the test port connector, having a selectively operable switch on the service termination unit circuit cards.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 discloses the cable management system of the present invention. As shown, the cable management system has a housing 10
Placed inside. Media connectors are arranged on the front surface 12 and the rear surface (not shown) of the housing 10. The cable management system acts as a flexible, switchable, interconnectable circuit core (hub) for automatic cable management of interconnect circuits within the enclosure. Various service lines such as LANs, telephones, computer I / O channels, peripherals, and video wiring links are connected to the cable management system via the media connectors on the rear side of housing 10. Typically, these are aggregated pairs of cables or broadband usable cables such as coaxial cables or fibers shared within a subsystem arranged to extend vertically or horizontally. Let's do it.
As shown in FIG. 1, the services include Ethernet, telephone, video and token ring.

A matrix switch module is mounted in the housing 10. A media connector or port connector selected for the wiring of each user's workstation subsystem is attached to the front 12 of the enclosure. The media connector has a cable or user line attached to it that extends to the user's location. As shown in FIG. 1, one or more telephones, computer workstations, facsimile machines, televisions, etc. are placed at the user's location. Once wired in this way, each user can be electrically interconnected for any combination of services required. In addition, future electrical connection changes may be made to supplement the user's service.

The cable management system in the housing 10 holds the position, source (source), and destination (destination) of each cable as a database. The cable management system includes the management station 14 shown in FIG. Figure 2
As described above, the cable management system included in the housing 10 is connected to the service line 16 such as a telephone line and a video line which are connected from various service providers. The cable management device is further connected to user lines extending to various user locations. Each of the user lines 18 is connected to a corresponding port on one of a number of line circuit cards 20-1 to 20-n. Similarly, each of the service lines 16 is connected to a corresponding port on one of the service circuit cards 22-1 through 22-p.

The switch matrix connecting the service line 16 to the user line 18 is separated into service circuit cards 22-1 to 22-p. Therefore the service circuit card 22-
Each of 1 to 22-p includes a number of service connection units connected to a group of service lines and a part of a switch matrix. The line circuit cards 20-1 to 20-n and the service circuit cards 22-1 to 22-p are mounted on both sides of the center plate 24 shown by the dashed line in FIG. n can be connected to the switch matrix of all service circuit cards 22-1 to 22-p.

A control circuit card 26 is placed in the housing. The control circuit card 26 is mounted on the central plate 24 on the same surface as the service circuit cards 22-1 to 22-p. The control circuit card 26 is connected to the management station 14 by any suitable means such as an RS-232C interface or a modem interface. Control circuit card 26, line circuit cards 20-1 to 20-n and service circuit card 22-1
A multi-wiring bus 38, shown in FIG. 3C, is provided on the center plate 24 for interconnections between .about.22-p. Each of the control circuit card 26, the line circuit cards 20-1 to 20-n, and the service circuit cards 22-1 to 22-p has a transceiver.
28, 30, 32 are offered. Each of the transceivers is connected to a multi-wiring bus 38 with each circuit card mounted on the center plate 24.

Each service circuit card 22-1 through 22-p contains storage for all wiring path maps through the switch matrix on each card. On the other hand, the control circuit card 26 includes a storage device including a map of the entire wiring path of the cable management system in the housing 10. The management station 14 issues a command to the circuit on the control circuit card 26. This command is a connect command for connecting one or more service lines 16 and one or more user lines 18,
And a disconnect command for releasing the connection between the characteristic service line 16 and the specific user line 18. Further, the circuit of the control circuit card 26 is the central plate 24.
Send the appropriate command on the upper multi-wire bus 38. Transceiver in a specific one of circuit cards 22-1 to 22-p
32 receives commands over the multi-wire bus 38 and controls each switch matrix in response to the commands received by its service circuit card to close or disconnect a particular connection.

According to FIG. 3A, 16 service circuit cards
22-1 to 22-16 are shown. Service circuit card 22-
1 to 22-16 are mounted so as to extend vertically from the rear surface of the housing. In addition, the control circuit card 26 is composed of two half-body cards 26-1 and 26-2, and is mounted side by side with the line test card (line inspection card) 34 so as to extend in the vertical direction. FIG. 3B shows 16 line circuit cards 20-1.
Through 20-16 are shown. Line circuit cards 20-1 to 20
-16 is attached so as to extend horizontally from the front surface of the housing. Each of the line circuit cards 20-1 to 20-16 and the service circuit cards 22-1 to 22-16 are terminated to each of the media-compatible connectors at the outer ends of the circuit cards remote from the center plate 24. 8 ports connected to each user line or service line. In addition, line circuit cards 20-1 to 20-16 and service circuit card 22-
1 through 22-16 have a ninth port connector with a test function.

Both sides of the center plate 24 are shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D. In particular, FIG. 3C shows the surface on which the service circuit card, control circuit card, and line test card are mounted, and FIG. 3D shows the surface on which the line circuit card is mounted. According to FIG. 3C, a pair of card edge connectors 36 extending in a substantially vertical direction are attached to each of the service circuit card, the control circuit card, and the line test card. Similarly, referring to FIG. 3D, a pair of card edge connectors 36 extending in a substantially horizontal direction are arranged on the opposite surface of the center plate 24 for connecting the line circuit cards. In the preferred embodiment, the topmost and bottommost pair of connectors 36 are not used. Each card edge connector 36 has 9
Including pin fields. Each of the pin fields consists of 36 pins 37 that form a square 6x6 matrix 37
(See FIG. 3E). The pins 37 extend through the central plate 24 and extend into the card edge connector 36 on the other side. As a result, the card edge connectors 36 are connected to each other on both sides of the center plate 24.

In the preferred embodiment, service circuit card 22-1.
To 22-16 and line circuit cards 20-1 to 20-16 are 8
It has I / O (input / output) ports, that is, an input port and an output port. Each of these I / O ports is a 4-wire compatible port, and the line circuit card 20-1 to
Each of the four wires of each port of 20-16 is connected to each of the 16 pin fields in the mating connector 36 to which the card is connected. Of the 36 pins in each pin field, 32 are used. The remaining four pins for each of the 16 pin fields are used for power, ground, and two control signals. Similarly, each of the four wires of the service circuit card wire port is connected to a switch matrix on the service circuit card. The output side of the switch matrix of each service circuit card is 4
Eight wire bundles each including a bundle of wires are provided. Each wire bundle is a connector that connects to a service circuit card
Connected to 4 pins of each of the 36 16 pin field pins. Also in this case, 32 of the 36 pins of each of the 16 pin fields of each pin field are used, and the remaining 4 pins are used for power supply, ground, and control signals.

Since the connectors 36 are arranged on both sides of the center plate 24 so as to extend at right angles to each other, all the ports of the line circuit card are connected to all of the service circuit cards on the opposite side of the center plate 24 in the pin field. Connected to. Figure 3E
Line circuit card 20-1 and service circuit card 22
The method of connecting to the -16 pin field is shown. The same applies to the 15-pin field of the circuit card of all other service connection units. As shown in FIG. 3E, 6 × 6
The pins 37, which form a square-shaped array of, interconnect the card edge connectors 36 on both sides of the center plate 24 with a common pin field across the center plate 24. In the preferred embodiment,
The line circuit cards 20-1 to 20-16 use the connectors of the second to 17th rows of the connectors arranged in the horizontal direction on one surface of the center plate 24. Top and bottom rows (D
-1) is not used. Similarly, service circuit card 22-1
22 to 16 use the third to 18th connectors 36 of the 18 rows (columns) of the connectors 36 arranged vertically on the service circuit card side of the central board 24. Therefore, all service lines 16 can be connected to all user lines 18 through the switch matrix of the service circuit card. In the illustrated embodiment, 16 service circuit cards are provided. Each service circuit card has 8 ports, for a total of 128 service ports. In addition, 16 line circuit cards are also provided, each having 8 ports, thus having a total of 128 user ports. Each switch matrix of the service circuit card is 8x12
The intersections of the 8 ports are organized as a matrix, ie
The structure is such that 32 × 512 lines intersect. Therefore, 128
Service ports and 128 user ports are connected together.

A multi-wiring bus 38 is placed on the center plate 24, as shown schematically in FIG. 3C. Multi-wiring bus 38 is center plate 24
On one side of the connector 36 extending in the vertical direction and extending parallel to the leftmost column of the connectors 36, and further extending parallel to the upper row of the connectors 36 extending horizontally. The multi-wire bus 38 is terminated in columns 2 to 17 of the leftmost column and is connected to the transceivers 30 on all line circuit cards 20-1 to 20-16, and the multi-wire bus 38 is the second. Connected to the transceivers of the line test card 34 and the transceivers 32 of all the service circuit cards 22-1 to 22-16. Further, the bus 38 is connected to the transceiver of the control circuit card 26 in the uppermost pin field of the leftmost column.

FIG. 4 shows a system diagram of the circuit of the control circuit card 26 used in the cable management device according to the present invention. The control circuit card 26 includes a microprocessor 102 which cooperates with three different types of memory. The first memory is RO
M (Read Only Memory), which stores program instructions that operate the microprocessor 102. Further, the microprocessor 102 is further equipped with a RAM (for example, DRA
M) 106, which is a microprocessor 102
Is used for temporary memory storage. The other memory is a non-volatile RAM (eg SRAM) 108, which stores a map of all connection wiring paths through the switch matrix of the service circuit cards 22-1 to 22-16 and a card attached to each connector 36. Used to store information about the type of. In another embodiment, non-volatile RAM 108 may be replaced by E ² P-RAM or flash PROM. Since it takes a relatively long time to store the information in the non-volatile RAM 108, the RAM 106 stores the information of the map in the non-volatile R 108.
It is used to store it temporarily until it is written to the AM 108.

The microprocessor 102 is connected to the management station by any suitable method such as an RS-232 C link, modem interface or LAN. The microprocessor 102 receives a command such as the connect command or the disconnect command described above from the management station 14 and sends an instruction signal to the multiple wiring bus 38 on the central board 24 through the transceiver 28 according to the program stored in the ROM 104. Transceiver in the illustrated embodiment
28 uses a registered trademark "Neuron" chip manufactured by Echelon Corp. The microprocessor 102 connects via the transceiver 28 to the service circuit cards 22-1 through 22-on the multi-wire bus 38.
Designate a specific one of 22-16 and issue an appropriate instruction signal to control the switch matrix of the service circuit card. After that, the microprocessor 102 receives a confirmation signal of arrival of the instruction signal. The confirmation signal is sent from the service circuit card back to the microprocessor via the multi-wire bus 38 and transceiver 28. This allows the nonvolatile RAM
The map information stored in 108 is updated.

FIG. 5 shows service circuit cards 22-1 to 22.
A circuit 22 of one of -16 is shown. The circuit has a microprocessor 116 associated with three types of memory associated therewith. The three types of memory are a programmed ROM 118, a non-volatile RAM 120 and a RAM 122. The functions of these memories are controlled by the microprocessor 102 of the control circuit card 26.
The functions of the memories 104, 108 and 106 cooperating with are respectively similar, but specifically for the particular service circuit card 22-1 to 22-16 cooperating. Microprocessor 116 is connected to transceiver 32. This illustrated transceiver is also a registered trademark "Neu" manufactured by Echelon Corp.
ron "chip. Transceiver 32 is a bus on center plate 24
38 and is used for interconnection between the microprocessor 116 and the microprocessor 102 on the control circuit card 26. Microprocessor 102 to bus 38
Passing through the transceiver 32 via the microprocessor 11
The instruction command received by 6 is used to control the relay driver 124 and the switch matrix 126. The interface between the service line 16 and the switch matrix 126 is via a service line circuit path that includes a cable driver (amplifier) 130. Relay driver 124
Sets the control relay 128 so that the cable driver 130, located between the service line 16 and the switch matrix 126, directs in the appropriate direction. The cable driver 130 is bypassed for safety during system startup. Switch matrix 126 as described above
Are connected to all of the line circuit cards 22-1 to 22-16 mounted on one side of the center plate 24. Therefore, all service lines 16 entering a service circuit card
Connected to all user lines 18. Control circuit card
According to the instructions received from the 26 microprocessors 102, the microprocessor 116 switches the switch matrix 126
Control and enter the card into a specific service line 16 and central plate
A suitable physical and electrical connection is established with the particular user line that will be in one of the line circuit cards 20-1 to 20-16 on the other side of 24.

The line circuit card 20 shown in FIG. 6 includes a transceiver 30 connected to a multi-wiring bus 38 of the central board 24. This transceiver 30 shown is also Echelon Corp.
It is a chip sold under the registered trademark "Neuron" manufactured by the company. The function of line unit card 20 is user line 18
And service circuit card mounted on the other side of the center plate
22-1 through 22-16 to provide an interface with the switch matrix. This interface is provided via a user line circuit path that includes a cable driver (amplifier) 110. The cable driver 110 sends the individual signals of the service line 16 to the individual user lines 18 and vice versa.
To each of the control relays 112 according to the settings of the control relays 112 to selectively control and transmit signals. The control relay 112 operates from the microprocessor 102 of the control circuit card 26 on the multi-wiring bus 38 of the central board 24 to the transceiver 30.
It is controlled by a relay driver 114 which is controlled by an instruction signal received via the. In the initial state, all the cable drivers 110 transmit signals to the user line 18 and the service line 16 with the cable drivers bypassed. This is for safety purposes and prevents high voltage pulse signals on the user line 18 from destroying the device at system startup.

According to the present invention, the inspection device of the user line 18 and the service line 16 is placed in a position away from the housing 10 such as a portable unit or is permanently fixed in the housing. It is provided in. In either case, in the preferred embodiment, the line test device is similar to the device sold under the trademark "MT350 Scanner" by Microtest, Inc., Arizona, USA. This device is described in U.S. Pat.
It is described in No. 466.

A portable unit is shown in this US patent. This unit is mounted on the circuit card when permanently mounted in the enclosure. The disclosed line inspection device evaluates various characteristics of a line connected to an output port. For example, a line inspection device can determine line length, capacitance, and resistance. In addition, the device can evaluate NEXT (near end crosstalk) of lines, damping characteristics at various frequencies, and noise of lines at various frequency bands. Further, the line inspection system is controlled to combine these inspections and automatically inspect.

In order to have a user line test function, each of the line circuit cards 20 has eight user line port connectors 202-1 to 202-8, and a line inspection device that can be connected to the ninth. Test port connector 204. The relay switch 206 is also used to connect the selected one of the user lines 18 to the line inspection device.
Will be provided. The relay switch 206 is connected to the user line port connectors 202-1 to 202-8, the test port connector 204, and the cable driver 110. The lines are shown as single lines, but each line consists of multiple wires, four wires in the preferred embodiment. As shown in more detail in FIG. 8, the relay switch 206 includes multiple switches 20.
Have eight. Each switch 208 includes a contact piece 210.
Although shown is a single pole switch, it is actually a multipole switch that accommodates multiple wirelines. Contact piece 210
Each of which is controlled by a relay coil which is selectively energized by a relay driver 114 as shown in FIG. The relay driver 114 operates based on the instruction command received from the transceiver 30. As shown in FIG. 8, when the contact piece 210 is in the position shown by the solid line in the figure, each of the user line port connectors 202-1 to 202-8 is connected to each of the cable drivers 110. When the contact strip 210 is in the dashed position, the user line port connector connected to each switch of the switch 208 is conducted to the test port connector 204, thereby evaluating a particular user line.

In order to have the service line test function, each of the service circuit cards 22 has eight service line port connectors 250-1 to 250-8 as shown in FIG. 9 and is connected to the line inspection device. 9th test port connector 252. Service line 16
A relay switch 254 is provided in order to connect the selected one of them to the line inspection device. Relay switch 25
4 is the service line port connector 250-1 to 250-
8, test port connector 252, and cable driver
Connected to 130. Although each line is shown as a single line in the drawing, each line is composed of a plurality of wires, in this embodiment, four wires. As shown in more detail in FIG. 9, the relay switch 254 includes a number of switches 256. Each switch has a contact piece 258. Although shown is a single pole switch, it is actually a multipole switch that accommodates multiple wirelines. Each of the contact strips 258 is controlled by a relay coil that is selectively energized by a relay drive 124 as shown in FIG. Each of the service line port connectors 250-1 through 250-8 is connected to a respective one of the cable drivers 130 when the contact strip 258 is in its actual position as shown in FIG. When the contact piece 258 is in the position of the broken line, the service line port connector connected to each switch of the relay switch 256 is connected to the test port connector 252, whereby the service line is evaluated.

If the line inspection device is a portable unit, as disclosed in the above-mentioned US patent publication, and the operator wishes to evaluate a particular one of the user line 18 or service line 16, the work The person connects the line inspection device to the test port connector 204 or 252 via a cable. The test port connector 204 is connected to a particular line circuit card 20 or service circuit card 22 to which the line to be evaluated is connected. The keyboard on the portable line inspection device allows the operator to communicate with the control circuit card 26 via the transceivers 30, 32 and the multi-wiring bus 38, which allows the control circuit card 26 to evaluate the line 18 or 16 to be evaluated. The connection via a specific switch matrix 126 is opened. When the service line is inspected, the service provider is identified by a telephone line or the like to prevent signals interfering with the inspection from entering the service line. The operator then signals the relay driver 114 or 124 through the transceiver 30 or 32 to the switch 208 associated with the line port connector 252 of the particular line.
, 256 specific contact pieces 210 or 258 are activated and the line port connector
Or connect to 252. After a particular line has been tested or evaluated, the result is transmitted to the control circuit card 26 via the transceiver 30 or 32 and the multiple wiring bus 38. The switches 208, 256 associated with a particular line actuate the contact strips again to cause the line port connector 202 or 250 to connect to one of the cable drivers 110, 130 and form the appropriate connection via the switch matrix. .

According to the invention, the line inspection device is permanently attached to the housing. In this case, the line inspection device is attached to the line inspection card 34 as shown in FIG.
The line test card 34 includes a microprocessor 220. This microprocessor 220 has a programmed ROM 22
2 and RAM 224. These memories 222 and 22
4 functions are control circuit card 26 microprocessor 10
2 is similar to the memory 104, 106, but for the line inspection card 34 only. Microprocessor 220 is coupled to transceiver 226. This transceiver 226 is also a registered trademark "Neu" manufactured by Echelon Corp.
ron "chip. Transceiver 226 is connected to multi-wire bus 38 on center plate 24 to allow interconnection of microprocessor 220 with other circuit cards in the enclosure. Line tester 228 is on line test card 34. The line inspection device is similar in circuit to the device disclosed in the above-mentioned U.S. patent, but is not portable and is attached to the line inspection card 34. It is controlled by the microprocessor 220 according to the instructions received from the station 14. The interface connection between the microprocessor 220 and the line test equipment 228 is via an RS-232C link, a modem interface or a LAN etc. The line test equipment 228.
Has an output port 230 connected to a relay switch 232. Relay switch 232 is controlled by microprocessor 220 through relay driver 234. Relay switch 232 is provided with 32 individual switches within relay switch 232 in a preferred embodiment similar to switch 206 shown in FIG. 8 or switch 254 shown in FIG. Each of the switches is a line circuit card 20-1 to 20-
16 and service circuit cards 22-1 to 22-16. Each of the switches of the relay switch 232 is connected to each test port connector 204, 25 on each line or service circuit card by one of the test cables 236-1 through 236-32.
Connected to 2. Test cable 236-1 to 236-32
Each of them has a port 238 for each connection on the line test card 34.
Connected to. All test cables 236 are substantially identical in at least length and diameter dimensions to meet conditions when inspecting user lines.

When a particular line is inspected or evaluated by the line test card, the system operator at the management station 14 sends a command to the control circuit card 26 to select from all other connected lines. Disconnect the connected line. Particularly, when the service line is inspected, the service supply side is first specified as described above. The cable management system 14 then relays to the microprocessor 220 on the line test card.
Control the appropriate one of 234 and the appropriate one of switch 232
Move the pieces. This connects the line inspection device 228 to the appropriate one of the circuit cards 20,22. Microprocessor 220 signals via transceiver 226 and multi-wire bus 38 to transceivers 30, 32 on the connection unit circuit to operate the appropriate one of switches 206 or 254 to select test port connector 204 or 252. Connected to an appropriate one of the line port connectors associated with the user or service line being operated. After inspecting or evaluating the line, the line inspector 228 outputs the result to the microprocessor 220.
And then to management station 14.

In addition to testing the user line 18 and the service line 16 in case of problems or for the purpose of regular maintenance, line inspection or evaluation is performed when the system is installed and an initial database of user line characteristics is built. Is also done.

5 and 6 show a connection unit card which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. These preferred embodiments are particularly those where the line inspection equipment is separate from the cable management system and is in direct communication with the control circuit card 26. The test port connector if the line test equipment is mounted on the line test card.
Transceivers 3 on 204, 252 and circuit cards 20, 22
The wire between 0 and 32 is either left out or left unused for card manufacturing consistency.

Therefore, there is disclosed a cable management system in which the service line and the user line can be connected and can be inspected by using one end of the user line and the service line without disconnecting the cable from the cable management system of the user line and the service line. To be done. The preferred embodiment of the present invention described above is merely an example, and various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a cable management system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for cable management of FIG.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the inside of the housing of the cable management system as viewed from the service circuit card side.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the inside of the housing of the cable management system as viewed from the line circuit card side.

FIG. 3C is a plan view showing the service circuit card connection side of the center plate.

FIG. 3D is a plan view showing the line circuit card connection side of the center plate.

FIG. 3E is a side view showing the connection between the service circuit card and the line connection unit circuit card.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control device of the cable management system of FIG.

5 is a block diagram showing a circuit of a service circuit card of the cable management system of FIG.

6 is a block diagram showing circuitry on a line circuit card of the cable management system of FIG.

7 is a block diagram showing circuitry on a line system card of the cable management system of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a circuit wiring diagram of a switch for selectively switching a user line on a line circuit card.

FIG. 9 is a circuit wiring diagram of a switch that selectively switches a service line on a service circuit card.

[Explanation of symbols]

 16 Service line 18 User line 20, 22 Circuit card 126 Switch (switch matrix) 204, 252 Test port connector 206, 254 Switch (relay switch) 228 Line inspection equipment

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A circuit card to which each of a user line and a service line is connected is arranged substantially orthogonally to form an interconnection matrix between the user line and the service line, and a connection at each intersection position of the matrix is selected. In a cable management system provided with a switch that opens and closes dynamically, the cable management system further includes a line inspection device, each of the circuit cards is connected to the line inspection device, a test port connector, the user line, and the A cable management system comprising a switch capable of connecting one selected from a service line and the test port connector.