INDUCING RESPONSE SIGNATURES IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK

• US 20150256430A1
• Filed: 01/07/2015
• Published: 09/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: Wolcott, Lawrence D., Chang, Phillip F., Johnston, Bryan Scott
• Granted Patent: US 9,537,680 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2025/03471 Tapped delay lines H04L2025/03464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2025/03808 Transmission of equaliser coefficients
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 25/03019 adaptive, i.e. capable of adjustment during data reception
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 25/03343 Arrangements at the transmitter end
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided in which a network induces different distortions in signals traversing different segments of the network. The distortions may be used to identify locations on the network of devices that transmit and receive the signals. The distortions may be reflected in equalization coefficients programmed into transmitting or receiving devices, which may be used to pre or post filter the signals to compensate for the distortions.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

introducing a plurality of distortions respectively at a plurality of segments of a network, wherein each distortion is unique to one of the plurality of segments;

determining an amplitude versus frequency response signature of a communication signal that traversed at least a portion of the network;

determining a response signature approximation of the amplitude versus frequency response signature; and

comparing the response signature approximation with one or more predicted response signatures to identify at least one of the plurality of segments traversed by the communication signal.