Method and apparatus for dynamically changing the preamble length of a burst communication
First Claim
1. An apparatus for communicating with network elements comprising:
- a transmission unit capable of transmitting signals to network elements;
a receiver unit capable of receiving signals from the network elements;
an equalizer unit configured to determine a change in distortion characteristics of the network in an affected network element'"'"'s communication; and
a microprocessor configured to adjust the length of preambles associated with a signal to be transmitted by the network elements to provide preambles of a first length to a first group of communication signals to be transmitted by the network elements and to provide preambles of a second length to a second group of communication signals to be transmitted by the network elements,wherein the first length is longer than the second length, and if the distortion characteristics have not changed, providing preambles of a first length to a first group of communication signals to be transmitted by the network elements and providing preambles of a second length to a second group of communication signals to be transmitted by the network elements.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Preamble length of burst communication signals dynamically changed to compensate in changes to linear distortion of a communication channel. Pre-equalization coefficients are provided to network element which pre-equalize communications with the CMTS. Long preamble lengths are used for a select few communications while short preamble lengths are used for the rest of the communication signals. When change in distortion characteristics is detected, a station maintenance is performed on the affected network element and new pre-equalization coefficients are determined and provided to the network element. Alternatively, all communications may be provided with long preamble lengths and communications may continue while the CMTS determines new pre-equalization coefficients.
73 Citations
29 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for communicating with network elements comprising:
-
a transmission unit capable of transmitting signals to network elements; a receiver unit capable of receiving signals from the network elements; an equalizer unit configured to determine a change in distortion characteristics of the network in an affected network element'"'"'s communication; and a microprocessor configured to adjust the length of preambles associated with a signal to be transmitted by the network elements to provide preambles of a first length to a first group of communication signals to be transmitted by the network elements and to provide preambles of a second length to a second group of communication signals to be transmitted by the network elements, wherein the first length is longer than the second length, and if the distortion characteristics have not changed, providing preambles of a first length to a first group of communication signals to be transmitted by the network elements and providing preambles of a second length to a second group of communication signals to be transmitted by the network elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method of communicating with network elements which perform pre-equalization using pre-equalization coefficients comprising the steps of:
-
determining if the distortion characteristics of a network associated with an affected network element have changed; and if the distortion characteristics have not changed, providing preambles of a first length to a first group of communication signals to be transmitted by the network elements and providing preambles of a second length to a second group of communication signals to be transmitted by the network elements, further comprising the step of instructing a SM to be scheduled for the affected network element if a change in distortion characteristics is detected, wherein the first length is longer than the second length. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A computer readable medium containing instructions for a computer to perform a method of communicating with network elements which perform pre-equalization using pre-equalization coefficients comprising the steps of:
-
determining if the distortion characteristics of a network associated with an affected network element have changed; and if the distortion characteristics have not changed, providing preambles of a first length to a first group of communication signals to be transmitted by the network elements and providing preambles of a second length to a second group of communication signals to be transmitted by the network elements, further comprising the step of instructing a SM to be scheduled for the affected network element if a change in distortion characteristics is detected, wherein the first length is longer than the second length. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
Specification