System and method for determining end-to-end characteristics of a data communication channel

摘要

A method for determining characteristics of a data communication channel between first and second data communication devices. The method includes the step of sending a relatively low power digital probe signal over said channel from said first to said second data communication devices. The method further includes sending a second digital probe signal corresponding to an analog signal having a relatively high-frequency signal with a time-varying dc component from said first to said second data communication devices. The second data communication device receives a signal, said received signal corresponding to said probe signals sent by said first device. In addition, the second data communication device determines whether said received signal varies from a predetermined standard.