While a DDG 51 Class Ship is undergoing modernization, significant time is spent testing continuity, resistance, and isolation on large numbers of Copper, RF cables, and impedance of Fiber Optic cables. For example, within the combat systems alone, there are over 2,900 interfaces that require such testing. With the numerous amounts of cables needed to be tested on board a ship, manual testing of each cable can take several hours compared to several minutes or less with utilization of an automatic tester. While approximately 175 adapters and kits are available for automatic cable testing, there are no universal devices capable of testing Copper, RF, or Fiber cables. The automatic tester must be equipped with low-cost software and adapter kits for both the “local” and the “remote” sides of the varieties of copper cables and connectors under test. The Navy needs a cable analyzer that can perform a variety of multi-pin connections along with a Fiber Optical Loss Test Set (OLTS)/ OTDR tester capable of utilizing the existing and approved testing standards or featuring an innovative unconventional low-cost means of examining each cable and loopback. The Navy seeks an automatic cable tester capable of testing the connectivity, continuity, and isolation of both Copper, RF and Fiber Optic cables. The development of an inexpensive, portable, universal cable tester system, able to portray data in real time is desired. The tester must be able to easily connect to the variety of connectors on the cables previously mentioned and reduce both the number of test-connectors necessary to operate as well as the overall cost of the prototype/production system. The software used by the tester should be able to be either Microsoft-based software or one easily convertible into an Excel format for recording test data. The solution should be easily transported by one sailor to allow for convenient movement through tight hatchways and spaces found within a DDG 51 Class Ship. The prototype developer should also document specifics of a life cycle management program both for the tester and all components. The developed solution should shorten the length of time required to test all connections on a ship undergoing modernization.
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