Monitoring system and method implementing a total node power test

• US 6,741,947 B1
• Filed: 11/30/1999
• Issued: 05/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Agilent Technologies Europe BV (Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Wichelman, James, Chamberlain, Craig, Flink, Eric N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoff, Marc S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SUAREZ, FELIX E
• Application Number:
  US09/451,611
• Time in Patent Office: 1,638 Days
• Field of Search: 709/224, 725/107, 725/124, 725/125, 348/180, 455/67.1, 455/67.3, 455/67.4, 702/23, 702/31, 702/57, 702/122, 702/180, 702/188, 385/123, 701/29, 381/106, 704/270, 704/220
• US Class Current: 702/122
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/50 Testing arrangements

Abstract

A system includes a plurality of nodes. The plurality of nodes each communicate signals pursuant to a single channel plan. The channel plan includes predefined characteristics for each of a plurality of signal channels. The system further includes a spectrum analyzer, a switch, and a controller. The switch connects the spectrum analyzer to the nodes. The controller tests communication signals on at least one of the nodes by conducting a test plan. The test plan prescribes performance of at least an average power test. The controller also derives a total node power based on the average power test results.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a plurality of nodes communicating signals pursuant to a single channel plan, said channel plan having predefined characteristics for each of a plurality of signal channels;

a spectrum analyzer;

a switch capable of connecting said spectrum analyzer with said nodes; and

a controller controlling said switch, said controller capable of testing communication of signals on said nodes by conducting a test plan, said test plan prescribing performance of at least an average power test, the controller further configured to derive a total node power based upon the average power test.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein total node power is indicative of noise and signal power over the entire node frequency spectrum.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said nodes are part of a cable television network.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a graphical user interface, wherein said controller is configured to communicate a group total node power result as applied to said nodes to said graphical user interface for displaying said result on a screen, the group total node power consisting of the collection of total node power results for each of said nodes.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the graphical user interface is further configured to display a node low power level, a node average power level, and a node high power level responsive to the average power test results over a user defined interval of time for at least one of said nodes.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the graphical user interface is further configured to display detailed information regarding total node power and the time associated with a node low power level data point, a node average power level data point, and a node high power level data point for at least one of said nodes upon user request.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said test plan includes both an upper and lower alarm limit and said controller is configured to compare a total node power result with said upper an lower alarm limit, the controller further configured to communicate an alarm to a graphical user interface when said alarm limits are exceeded.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said upper and lower alarm limit is a critical alarm limit and said controller is configured to communicate a critical alarm to said graphical user interface when said alarm limits are exceeded, said critical alarm indicative of a node service outage.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said upper and lower alarm limit is an advisory alarm limit and said controller is configured to communicate an advisory alarm to said graphical user interface when said advisory alarm limits are exceeded, said advisory alarm indicative of a node operating with need of technician intervention.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein said controller is configured to conduct said total node power test periodically over time, said controller further configured to count critical alarms that a particular node generates and to communicate said count to said graphical user interface.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said controller is configured to conduct said total node power test periodically over time, said controller further configured to count advisory alarms that a particular node generates and to communicate said count to said graphical user interface.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said test plan further comprises default upper and lower critical alarm limits for the total node power test.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the test plan further comprises default upper and lower advisory alarm limits for the total node power test.

14. A computer readable medium having a program for enabling efficient monitoring of electrical signals communicated along a plurality of nodes, each node having a plurality of signal channels, the signals being measured by a spectrum analyzer, the program comprising:

means for receiving signal data sampled by the spectrum analyzer; and

means for testing communication of said signals on at least one of said nodes by conducting a test plan on said signal data, said test plan prescribing measurement of at least a total node power test on at least one node, wherein total node power is defined as the sum of noise and signal power over the entire node frequency spectrum.

15. A method for enabling efficient monitoring of electrical signals communicated along a plurality of electrical connections, each connection having a plurality of signal channels, comprising:

communicating said signals along each of said plurality of said nodes;

testing communication of said signals on at least one of said nodes by conducting a test plan, said test plan prescribing measurement of at least an average power test; and

deriving a total node power test result based upon the average power test on at least one node, said total node power test result indicative of noise and signal power over the entire node frequency spectrum.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

communicating a total node power result associated with at least one node to a graphical user interface.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

comparing a total node power result with an alarm limit; and

communicating an alarm to a graphical user interface when said alarm limit is exceeded.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said alarm limit is a critical alarm limit and said alarm is a critical alarm, said critical alarm indicative of a node service outage.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said alarm limit is an advisory alarm limit and said alarm is an advisory alarm, said advisory alarm indicative of a node operating with need of technician intervention.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

performing said testing step periodically over time;

generating a critical alarm when said alarm limit is exceeded;

counting critical alarms that a particular node generates;

communicating a result of said counting step to a graphical user interface; and

displaying said result on a screen.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

performing said testing step periodically over time;

generating an advisory alarm when said advisory alarm limit is exceeded;

counting advisory alarms that a particular node generates;

communicating a result of said counting step to a graphical user interface; and

displaying said result on a screen.