CATV frequency sweep testing using RF transmitter to generate test signals
DCFirst Claim
1. An apparatus for frequency sweeping a CATV system, the CATV system having a plurality of channels, each channel corresponding to at least one of a plurality of channel frequencies, the plurality of channel frequencies including unused channel frequencies and used channel frequencies, the apparatus comprising:
- a) an RF transmitter for generating and transmitting test signals at one or more of the plurality of the channel frequencies over the CATV system;
b) a processor coupled to the RF transmitter, the processor operable to index through a list of a plurality of channels to be swept, and cause the RF transmitter to generate and transmit a test signal at each unused channel frequency, andc) means for coupling the RF transmitter to the CATV system.
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Abstract
A method, system and apparatus for frequency sweeping and frequency sweep testing a CATV system wherein the CATV system has a plurality of channels and is transmitting television signals over at least some of the channels. The system includes a head end test unit coupled to the CATV system at its head end and a remote test unit coupled to the CATV system at a location remote from the head end. The head end test unit sweeps the CATV system by either generating and transmitting test signals at the channel frequencies over the CATV system or, if a television signal is being transmitted on a channel, using the television signal as the test signal. The head end test also measures the signal levels of the test signals and at the end of the sweep, transmits telemetry signals, which include the frequencies to be swept and the measured signal levels, over the CATV system to the remote test unit using the same transmitter that it used to generate and transmit the test signals. The remote test unit receives the information transmitted by the head end test unit and sweeps the same frequencies simultaneously with the head end test unit. During the sweep, the remote test unit measures the signal levels of the test signals and television signal test signals. After receiving the next set of telemetry signals, the remote test unit uses the information regarding the signal levels measured by the head end test unit and the signal levels it measured to determine the frequency response of the CATV system.
49 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus for frequency sweeping a CATV system, the CATV system having a plurality of channels, each channel corresponding to at least one of a plurality of channel frequencies, the plurality of channel frequencies including unused channel frequencies and used channel frequencies, the apparatus comprising:
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a) an RF transmitter for generating and transmitting test signals at one or more of the plurality of the channel frequencies over the CATV system; b) a processor coupled to the RF transmitter, the processor operable to index through a list of a plurality of channels to be swept, and cause the RF transmitter to generate and transmit a test signal at each unused channel frequency, and c) means for coupling the RF transmitter to the CATV system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus for frequency sweeping a CATV system, the CATV system having a plurality of channels, each channel corresponding to at least one of a plurality of channel frequencies, the plurality of channel frequencies including unused channel frequencies and used channel frequencies, the apparatus designed for use in conjunction with a receiving test unit, the apparatus comprising:
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a) an RF transmitter for generating and transmitting test signals at one or more of the plurality of the channel frequencies over the CATV system; b) a processor coupled to the RF transmitter, the processor operable to index through a list of a plurality of channels to be swept, and cause the RF transmitter to generate and transmit a test signal at each unused channel frequency, said test signal transmitted over the CATV system and received by the receiving test unit; c) means for receiving each test signal generated by the RF transmitter and determining one or more characteristics of the test signal, and for generating data representative of the one or more characteristics to the processor; and d) means for providing a telemetry signal including the representative data to the receiving test unit in order to allow the receiving test unit to compare the one or more characteristics with the transmitted test signal. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A An apparatus for frequency sweeping a CATV system, the CATV system having a plurality of channels, each channel corresponding to at least one of a plurality of channel frequencies, the plurality of channel frequencies including unused channel frequencies and used channel frequencies, the apparatus designed for use in conjunction with a receiving test unit, the apparatus comprising:
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a) an RF transmitter for generating and transmitting test signals at one or more of the plurality of the channel frequencies over the CATV system to the receiving test unit, and for transmitting telemetry signals over the CATV system to the receiving test unit; b) a controller coupled to the RF transmitter, the controller operable to index through a list of a plurality of channels to be swept, cause the RF transmitter to generate and transmit a test signal on a plurality of channel frequencies, said test signal transmitted over the CATV system and received by the receiving test unit, and cause the RF transmitter to transmit a telemetry signal to the receiving test unit, said telemetry signal including information pertaining to transmitted test signals. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification