System and method for signal validation and leakage detection
First Claim
1. A method of validating signals and detecting signal leakage in a cable communications system, the cable communications system providing channel programming on a plurality of RF channels, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) tuning a radio frequency receiver to a carrier frequency of a selected RF channel;
b) measuring a signal level of the carrier frequency;
c) off-tuning the receiver by a predetermined offset;
d) measuring a signal level of the off-tuned carrier frequency;
e) obtaining a signal level difference between the signal level of the carrier frequency and the signal level of the off-tuned carrier frequency to determine if interference exists;
f) declaring an interference condition if the signal level difference is less than a predetermined difference amount; and
g) providing an indication of the signal level of the carrier frequency to permit a determination of whether a signal leakage condition exists.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method of validating signals and detecting signal leakage in a cable communications includes the steps of a) tuning a radio frequency receiver to a carrier frequency of a selected RF channel, b) measuring a signal level of the carrier frequency, c) off-tuning the receiver by a predetermined offset, d) measuring a signal level of the off-tuned carrier frequency, e) obtaining a signal level difference between the signal level of the carrier frequency and the signal level of the off-tuned carrier frequency to determine if interference exists, f) declaring an interference condition if the signal level difference is less than a predetermined difference amount, and g) providing an indication of the signal level of the carrier frequency to permit a determination of whether a signal leakage condition exists.
92 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method of validating signals and detecting signal leakage in a cable communications system, the cable communications system providing channel programming on a plurality of RF channels, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) tuning a radio frequency receiver to a carrier frequency of a selected RF channel;
b) measuring a signal level of the carrier frequency;
c) off-tuning the receiver by a predetermined offset;
d) measuring a signal level of the off-tuned carrier frequency;
e) obtaining a signal level difference between the signal level of the carrier frequency and the signal level of the off-tuned carrier frequency to determine if interference exists;
f) declaring an interference condition if the signal level difference is less than a predetermined difference amount; and
g) providing an indication of the signal level of the carrier frequency to permit a determination of whether a signal leakage condition exists. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of validating signals and detecting signal leakage in a cable communications system, the cable communications system providing channel programming on a plurality of RF channels, the method comprising:
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a) tuning a radio frequency receiver to a carrier frequency of a selected RF channel;
b) measuring a signal level of the carrier frequency;
c) saving the measured signal level of the carrier frequency in memory;
d) off-tuning the receiver by a predetermined offset;
e) measuring a signal level of the off-tuned carrier frequency;
f) saving the measured signal level of the off-tuned carrier frequency in memory;
g) subtracting the signal level of the off-tuned carrier frequency from the signal level of the carrier frequency to obtain a signal level difference;
h) declaring an interference condition if the signal level difference is less than a predetermined difference amount; and
i) displaying the measured signal level of the carrier frequency to permit a determination that a signal leakage condition exists. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A system for validating signals and detecting signal leakage in a cable communications system, the cable communications system providing channel programming on a plurality of RF channels, the system comprising:
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a radio frequency receiver;
a computer operatively coupled to the receiver and to a display, the receiver configured to tune to a carrier frequency of a selected RF channel in response to the computer, measure a signal level of the carrier frequency of the selected RF channel, and display the measured signal level on the display;
the computer directing the receiver to off-tune by a predetermined offset and measure a signal level of the off-tuned carrier frequency; and
wherein the computer calculates a signal level difference between the signal level of the carrier frequency and the signal level of the off-tuned carrier frequency, and declares an interference condition if the signal level difference is less than a predetermined difference amount. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification