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Method for signal level monitoring

  • US 6,002,422 A
  • Filed: 01/06/1997
  • Issued: 12/14/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/06/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. In a cable television (CATV) network having a two-way hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) cable for upstream and downstream communications where a CAU (cable access unit) located at a subscriber location, having a CAU receiver, is coupled to an OMC (operations and maintenance center) remotely located from the subscriber location, and where the CAU is in communication with the OMC by way of the CATV network and upstream communication equipment is coupled to the OMC by way of the CAU, a method of monitoring a power level of a cable television signal comprising the steps of:

  • at the CAU;

    receiving an downstream message across the two-way HFC cable to perform a power level test;

    determining that the upstream communication equipment is asleep; and

    when the upstream communication equipment is asleep;

    tuning the CAU receiver to a channel;

    sampling and digitizing the power level of the cable television signal within the channel to create a digitized power level; and

    transmitting the digitized power level to the OMC upstream across the two-way HFC cable; and

    at the OMC;

    comparing the digitized power level with a previously stored digitized power level; and

    determining a quality of the of the cable television signal based on the step of comparing.

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