  The paper presents algorithms to realize effectively and accurately the
stepped-frequency waveform reflectometry (SFWR), i.e. the reflectometric
technique based on the use of sinusoidal bursts. This technique is useful for
monitoring the health status of connection cables, but has many other
applications, like other reflectometric techniques. The paper outlines the
theory of SFWR, highlighting the problems associated to the transient
components in the reflected signals; presents a method to minimize the effect
of the transients, estimating the frequency response function (FRF) of interest
with very low systematic error; shows how to use the FRF to locate and
characterize faults in cables; evaluates accurately, using simulated cables
with exactly known characteristics, the errors associated to the proposed
methods. Overall, the paper demonstrates how the SFWR technique can be
effectively used for testing cables, and in general determine, via
reflectometry, parameters of interest of transmission lines.
