Cable modems and systems and methods for identification of a noise signal source on a cable network
First Claim
1. A self-testing cable modem for testing a cable network, the self-testing cable modem comprising:
- a media access controller coupled to a cable network, the cable network having a downstream side to the cable modem and an upstream side from the cable modem;
a processor coupled to the media access controller; and
a host interface coupled to a host system;
a signal power measurement circuit responsive to an upstream side of the cable network, the signal power measurement circuit comprising;
a bandpass filter having a selectable center frequency having an input side coupled to the upstream side of the cable network;
a power detector coupled to an output side of the bandpass filter; and
wherein the selectable center frequency is selectable responsive to the processor and wherein the processor is configured to receive commands over the cable network specifying a desired center frequency for power measurements and wherein the power detector is a power integrator.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Cable modems are provided for measuring a noise signal power level on the upstream side of the cable network. The cable modem may be configured to make the signal power measurements at a variety of frequencies and at a selected bandwidth during a specified test time period responsive to a request received from the cable network. Methods and systems are provided for identifying a noise signal source on a cable network including specifying a time window for measurements, the desired measurements and the cable modems from which measurements are desired when the need to initiate a test to identify a noise source is detected. Tests may be initiated based on noise signal measurements by individual cable modems or by the cable services provider which indicate an unacceptable noise level. In addition, the reliability of the test measurements may be improved by not allowing any transmissions on the upstream side during the concurrent test window while cable modems are making the requested measurements. The measurements may then be used to identify which end user location(s) is the source of the noise signal.
94 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A self-testing cable modem for testing a cable network, the self-testing cable modem comprising:
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a media access controller coupled to a cable network, the cable network having a downstream side to the cable modem and an upstream side from the cable modem;
a processor coupled to the media access controller; and
a host interface coupled to a host system;
a signal power measurement circuit responsive to an upstream side of the cable network, the signal power measurement circuit comprising;
a bandpass filter having a selectable center frequency having an input side coupled to the upstream side of the cable network;
a power detector coupled to an output side of the bandpass filter; and
wherein the selectable center frequency is selectable responsive to the processor and wherein the processor is configured to receive commands over the cable network specifying a desired center frequency for power measurements and wherein the power detector is a power integrator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for identifying a noise signal source on an upstream side of a cable network including cable modems, the method comprising:
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detecting a test initiation event;
identifying cable modems selected from the cable modems on the upstream side of the cable network to participate in a test;
requesting signal power measurements on the upstream side of the cable network from the identified cable modems;
receiving the requested signal power measurements from the identified cable modems; and
identifying at least one of the identified cable modems as the noise signal source based on the received requested signal power measurements. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for identifying a noise signal source on a cable network, the method comprising:
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receiving over a downstream side of the cable network at a cable modem a request for signal power measurements on an upstream side of the cable network at the cable modem;
measuring a signal power on the upstream side of the cable network at the cable modem; and
providing the measured signal power to a remote location over the cable network. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A system for identifying a noise signal source on an upstream side of a cable network including cable modems, the system comprising:
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means for detecting a test initiation event;
means for identifying cable modems selected from the cable modems on the upstream side of the cable network to participate in a test;
means for requesting signal power measurements on the upstream side of the cable network from the identified cable modems;
means for receiving the requested signal power measurements from the identified cable modems; and
means for identifying at least one of the identified cable modems as the noise signal source based on the received requested signal power measurements. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for identifying a noise signal source on a cable network comprising:
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means for receiving over a downstream side of the cable network at a cable modem a request for signal power measurements on an upstream side of the cable network at the cable modem;
means for measuring a signal power on the upstream side of the cable network at the cable modem; and
means for providing the measured signal power to a remote location over the cable network. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification