CATV frequency sweep testing remote unit
First Claim
1. An apparatus for frequency sweep testing 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 receiver circuit configured to receive RF test signals from the CATV system and to receive first and second RF telemetry signals, the first RF telemetry signal including information identifying a list of frequencies to be swept;
the second RF telemetry signal including information identifying transmitter measurement results, the RF receiver circuit operable to obtain RF test signal measurements from the RF test signals;
b) a controller coupled to the RF receiver circuit, the controller operable to;
obtain the list of frequencies to be swept from the first RF telemetry signal received by the RF receiver circuit;
cause the RF receiver circuit to obtain RF test signal measurements from corresponding to the plurality of frequencies to be swept;
obtain the RF test signal measurements from the RF receiver circuit;
obtain the transmitter measurement results from the second RF telemetry signal received by the RF receiver circuit; and
compare the transmitter measurement results to the RF test signal measurements to obtain test results.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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 signal 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 use 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 signal 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.
21 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus for frequency sweep testing 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 receiver circuit configured to receive RF test signals from the CATV system and to receive first and second RF telemetry signals, the first RF telemetry signal including information identifying a list of frequencies to be swept;
the second RF telemetry signal including information identifying transmitter measurement results, the RF receiver circuit operable to obtain RF test signal measurements from the RF test signals;b) a controller coupled to the RF receiver circuit, the controller operable to; obtain the list of frequencies to be swept from the first RF telemetry signal received by the RF receiver circuit; cause the RF receiver circuit to obtain RF test signal measurements from corresponding to the plurality of frequencies to be swept; obtain the RF test signal measurements from the RF receiver circuit; obtain the transmitter measurement results from the second RF telemetry signal received by the RF receiver circuit; and compare the transmitter measurement results to the RF test signal measurements to obtain test results. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. In an apparatus including an RF receiver circuit and a controller for use in 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, a method of sweep testing the CATV system comprising:
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a) receiving in the RF receiver circuit, a first RF telemetry signal, the first RF telemetry signal including information identifying a list of frequencies to be swept; b) storing the list of frequencies to be swept; c) using the controller to cause the RF receiver circuit to receive RF test signals from the CATV system and obtain RF test signal measurements therefrom; d) storing the RF test signal measurements; e) receiving in the RF receiver, a second RF telemetry signal, the second RF telemetry signal including information identifying transmitter measurement results; f) using the controller to compare the transmitter measurement results to the RF test signal measurements to obtain test results. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for performing a frequency sweep testing 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 receiver circuit configured to receive RF test signals from the CATV system and first and second RF telemetry signals, the first RF telemetry signal including information identifying a list of frequencies to be swept, said list of frequencies to be swept including unused channel frequencies and used channel frequencies the second RF telemetry signal including information identifying transmitter measurement results, the RF receiver circuit operable to obtain RF test signal measurements from the RF test signals; b) a controller coupled to the receiver circuit, the controller operable to; obtain the list of frequencies to be swept from the first RF telemetry signal received by the RF receiver circuit; cause the RF receiver circuit to obtain RF test signal measurements from corresponding to the plurality of frequencies to be swept; obtain the RF test signal measurements from the RF receiver circuit; obtain the transmitter measurement results from the second RF telemetry signal received by the RF receiver circuit; and compare the transmitter measurement results to the RF test signal measurements to obtain test results. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification