Iterative mapping methods for ingress mitigation in cable communication systems

• US 8,811,191 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2012
• Issued: 08/19/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Certusview Technologies LLC (Dycom Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Certusview Technologies LLC (Dycom Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Nielsen, Steven, Totten, Ronald, Halky, Travis
• Primary Examiner(s): Phillips, Hassan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tsegaye, Saba
• Application Number:
  US13/669,092
• Publication Number:
  US 20130094369A1
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 370/216, 370/241, 370/242, 370/245, 370/248, 370/343, 398/66, 398/68, 398/115, 725/12, 725/108
• US Class Current: 370/242
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/03 Arrangements for fault recovery
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/0773 Network aspects, e.g. central monitoring of transmission parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/1143 Bidirectional transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/2575 Radio-over-fibre, e.g. radio frequency signal modulated onto an optical carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/25751 Optical arrangements for CATV or video distribution adaptations of television systems for optical transmission H04N7/22
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/46 Monitoring; Testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/50 Systems for transmission between fixed stations via two-conductor transmission lines H04B3/54 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/00 Time-division multiplex systems H04J14/00 takes precedence; relay systems H04B7/14; selecting techniques H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/1694 Allocation of channels in TDM/TDMA networks, e.g. distributed multiplexers Passive Optical Networks H04Q11/0062
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/08 Monitoring or testing based on specific metrics, e.g. QoS, energy consumption or environmental parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0823 Errors, e.g. transmission errors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 17/00 Diagnosis, testing or measuring for television systems or their details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 17/004 for digital television systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6118 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6168 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6175 involving transmission via Internet broadcast-related systems characterised by the transmission system being the Internet H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0067 Provisions for optical access or distribution networks, e.g. Gigabit Ethernet Passive Optical Network (GE-PON), ATM-based Passive Optical Network (A-PON), PON-Ring
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/225 Calculation of statistics, e.g. average, variance

Abstract

Methods for reducing ingress in a neighborhood node of a cable communication system. The node includes a hardline cable plant and multiple subscriber service drops to convey upstream information from multiple subscriber premises over an upstream path bandwidth. A mobile broadcast apparatus equipped with a transmitter is directed along a drive path proximate to the hardline plant, and a test signal having a frequency falling within the upstream path bandwidth is broadcast along the drive path. Respective positions of the broadcast apparatus, and signal amplitudes at the test signal frequency representing test signal ingress in the node due to one or more hardline plant-related and/or subscriber-related faults, are recorded, and a neighborhood node ingress map is generated. Following remediation of one or more faults based on the map, the process is repeated to generate one or more additional iterations of the map to document a progression of ingress mitigation efforts.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating a reduction of ingress in at least a first neighborhood node of a cable communication system, the cable communication system comprising a headend coupled to the first neighborhood node, the first neighborhood node comprising a first RF hardline coaxial cable plant, and a plurality of first subscriber service drops coupled to the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant, to convey to the headend at least first upstream information from a plurality of first subscriber premises over an upstream path bandwidth, the method comprising:

A) directing a mobile broadcast apparatus equipped with a transmitter along a first neighborhood node drive path proximate to the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant;

B) during A), broadcasting from the transmitter a test signal at a plurality of locations distributed along at least a substantial portion of the first neighborhood node drive path, the test signal having at least one test signal frequency falling within the upstream path bandwidth;

C) during A), electronically recording first geographic information corresponding to respective positions of the mobile broadcast apparatus along at least the substantial portion of the first neighborhood node drive path so as to generate a first record of the first geographic information;

D) during A) and throughout traversing at least the substantial portion of the first neighborhood node drive path, recording, via an analyzer at or communicatively coupled to the headend, a plurality of signal amplitudes at the test signal frequency so as to generate a second record, the plurality of signal amplitudes representing a strength of a received upstream test signal as a function of time, based on B) and test signal ingress of the test signal into at least one fault in at least one of the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant, the plurality of first subscriber service drops, and the plurality of first subscriber premises;

E) based on the first record generated in C) and the second record generated in D), electronically generating a first neighborhood node ingress map so as to illustrate the test signal ingress of the test signal into the at least one fault in the at least one of the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant, the plurality of first subscriber service drops, and the plurality of first subscriber premises; and

F) after a first remediation of the at least one fault based on E), repeating A), B), C), D) and E) at least once to generate at least a second iteration of the first neighborhood node ingress map.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant passes at least 200 premises;

the plurality of subscriber premises in the first neighborhood node includes at least 75 subscriber premises;

the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant includes at least 20 amplifiers;

a node mileage of the first neighborhood node is at least three miles; and

a cascade for the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant is at least five (NODE+5).

3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant is underground.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the upstream path bandwidth includes a range of frequencies from approximately 5 MHz to at least approximately 42 MHz.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein F) further comprises:

generating the first neighborhood node ingress map and the second iteration of the first neighborhood node ingress map as an electronic visual rendering having a plurality of independently selectable and independently viewable layers comprising;

a first layer corresponding to the first neighborhood node ingress map; and

a second layer corresponding to the second iteration of the first neighborhood node ingress map.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first neighborhood node ingress map and the second iteration of the first neighborhood node ingress map comprise one of a heat map and a contour map based at least in part on the plurality of signal amplitudes representing the strength of the received upstream test signal, so as to illustrate the test signal ingress of the test signal into the at least one fault in the at least one of the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant, the plurality of first subscriber service drops, and the plurality of first subscriber premises.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

G) after a second remediation of at least one additional fault of the at least one fault in the at least one of the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant, the plurality of first subscriber service drops, and the plurality of first subscriber premises based on the second iteration of the first neighborhood node ingress map generated in F), repeating A), B), C), D) and E) at least once to generate at least a third iteration of the first neighborhood node ingress map to provide a time series of at least three first neighborhood node ingress maps.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein:

in E), the first neighborhood node ingress map includes a visual code for at least the plurality of signal amplitudes representing the strength of the received upstream test signal, so as to illustrate the test signal ingress of the test signal into the at least one fault in the at least one of the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant, the plurality of first subscriber service drops, and the plurality of first subscriber premises;

the visual code comprises a color code including a plurality of colors; and

respective colors of the plurality of colors represent different signal amplitudes of the plurality of signal amplitudes.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein:

in E), the first neighborhood node ingress map includes a visual code for at least the plurality of signal amplitudes representing the strength of the received upstream test signal, so as to illustrate the test signal ingress of the test signal into the at least one fault in the at least one of the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant, the plurality of first subscriber service drops, and the plurality of first subscriber premises;

the visual code comprises a gray-tone scale including a plurality of shades of gray; and

respective shades of gray of the plurality of shades of gray represent different signal amplitudes of the plurality of signal amplitudes.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein:

in E), the first neighborhood node ingress map includes a visual code for at least the plurality of signal amplitudes representing the strength of the received upstream test signal, so as to illustrate the test signal ingress of the test signal into the at least one fault in the at least one of the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant, the plurality of first subscriber service drops, and the plurality of first subscriber premises; and

the visual code includes at least one of;

a plurality of different hatching styles, wherein respective hatching styles of the plurality of different hatching styles represent different signal amplitudes of the plurality of signal amplitudes;

a plurality of different shading styles, wherein respective shading styles of the plurality of different shading styles represent different signal amplitudes of the plurality of signal amplitudes; and

a plurality of different symbols, wherein respective symbols of the plurality of different symbols represent different signal amplitudes of the plurality of signal amplitudes.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein in E), the first neighborhood node ingress map comprises:

a first graphical representation of the first neighborhood node drive path; and

a second graphical representation, overlaid on the first graphical representation, of the plurality of signal amplitudes, at least along the substantial portion of the first neighborhood node drive path, so as to illustrate the test signal ingress of the test signal into the at least one fault in the at least one of the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant, the plurality of first subscriber service drops, and the plurality of first subscriber premises.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein in E):

the first neighborhood node ingress map comprises a graph having a first axis and a second axis;

the first graphical representation of the first neighborhood node drive path corresponds to the first axis, wherein a first scale of the first axis represents a distance or a time along the first neighborhood node drive path;

a second scale of the second axis represents respective signal amplitude values of the plurality of signal amplitudes; and

the second graphical representation of the plurality of signal amplitudes comprises a plot on the graph of the plurality of signal amplitudes as a function of the distance or the time along the first neighborhood node drive path.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein E) comprises generating the first neighborhood node ingress map as a three-dimensional map having three coordinate axes, and wherein:

latitude and longitude coordinates for the first geographic information corresponding to the respective positions of the mobile broadcast apparatus are plotted along a first axis and a second axis, respectively, of the three coordinate axes; and

the three-dimensional map further includes a graph of respective values of the plurality of signal amplitudes, wherein the respective values of the plurality of signal amplitudes are plotted along a third axis of the three coordinate axes.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the three-dimensional map further includes a two-dimensional representation in the first plane of the three-dimensional map, the two-dimensional representation including a visual code for at least the plurality of signal amplitudes rendered.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein E) further comprises:

E1) merging the first record and the second record so as to generate a third record including at least the first geographic information corresponding to respective positions of the mobile broadcast apparatus and the plurality of signal amplitudes representing the strength of the received upstream test signal as a function of time; and

E2) generating the first neighborhood node ingress map based at least in part on the third record.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein:

E1) comprises;

adding to the third record second geographic information relating to additional locations in the first neighborhood node beyond the first neighborhood node drive path so as to generate an expanded third record; and

interpolating the plurality of signal amplitudes representing the strength of the received upstream test signal as a function of time so as to include in the expanded third record estimated signal amplitudes corresponding to the additional locations; and

E2) comprises;

generating the first neighborhood node ingress map based at least in part on the expanded third record.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein in E2), the first neighborhood node ingress map comprises a two-dimensional heat map based at least in part on the expanded third record.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein in E2):

the heat map comprises a color code including a plurality of colors; and

respective colors of the plurality of colors represent different signal amplitudes of the plurality of signal amplitudes.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein:

in A), the mobile broadcast apparatus is further equipped with an antenna and a receiver configured to measure ambient ingress;

C) further comprises;

during A), electronically recording, in tandem with the first geographic information, ambient ingress information corresponding to a strength of the ambient ingress as measured by the receiver along at least the substantial portion of the first neighborhood node drive path; and

E) comprises generating the first neighborhood node ingress map to further include a graphical representation of the ambient ingress information.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein E) comprises generating the first neighborhood node ingress map as an electronic visual rendering having a plurality of independently selectable and independently viewable layers comprising at least two of:

a first layer corresponding to a first graphical representation of the first neighborhood node drive path;

a second layer corresponding to a second graphical representation of the plurality of signal amplitudes;

a third layer corresponding to a third graphical representation of a cable facilities map showing at least a portion of an infrastructure of the first neighborhood node;

a fourth layer corresponding to a fourth representation of subscriber information showing respective locations of the plurality of first subscriber premises;

a fifth layer corresponding to a fifth graphical representation of at least one of an aerial image and a street map; and

a sixth layer corresponding to a sixth representation of ambient ingress information in the first neighborhood node.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein:

E) comprises electronically processing the second record of the plurality of signal amplitudes so as to automatically determine;

     1) a plurality of potential points of first neighborhood node ingress due to the at least one fault in the at least one of the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant, the plurality of first subscriber service drops, and the plurality of first subscriber premises, and

     2) a relative severity of the plurality of potential points of first neighborhood node ingress, so as to prioritize remediation activities for the first remediation; and

the first neighborhood node ingress map comprises;

a first graphical representation of the plurality of signal amplitudes; and

a second graphical representation, overlaid on the first graphical representation, of the relative severity of the plurality of potential points of first neighborhood node ingress.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein:

the plurality of potential points of first neighborhood node ingress comprises;

at least one hardline plant-related point corresponding to at least one hardline plant-related fault in the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant; and

at least one subscriber-related point corresponding to at least one subscriber-related fault in at least one of the plurality of first subscriber service drops or at least one of the plurality of first subscriber premises; and

the first neighborhood node ingress map comprises;

the first graphical representation of the plurality of signal amplitudes;

the second graphical representation, overlaid on the first graphical representation, of the relative severity of the plurality of potential points of first neighborhood node ingress; and

a third graphical representation, overlaid on the first graphical representation and the second graphical representation, of the plurality of potential points of first neighborhood node ingress, wherein the third graphical representation includes different visual codes for the at least one subscriber-related point and the at least one hardline plant-related point, respectively.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises, prior to F):

G) identifying the at least one fault in the at least one of the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant, the plurality of first subscriber service drops, and the plurality of first subscriber premises based at least in part on the first neighborhood node ingress map generated in E); and

H) conducting the first remediation of the at least one fault based at least in part on G), wherein conducting the first remediation comprises repairing, replacing or adjusting the at least one fault so as to significantly reduce the noise power associated with the first neighborhood node ingress in at least a portion of the upstream path bandwidth.

24. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

I) after F), identifying at least one additional fault in the at least one of the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant, the plurality of first subscriber service drops, and the plurality of first subscriber premises based at least in part on the second iteration of the first neighborhood node ingress map generated in F); and

J) conducting a second remediation to remediate the at least one additional fault so as to further reduce the noise power associated with the first neighborhood node ingress in at least a portion of the upstream path bandwidth.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the at least one additional fault includes at least one time-dependent or intermittent fault in the at least one of the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant, the plurality of first subscriber service drops, and the plurality of first subscriber premises.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the upstream path bandwidth includes at least one first modulated carrier wave having a first carrier frequency of less than or equal to 19.6 MHz, the at least one first modulated carrier wave being modulated with at least some of the first upstream information and defining a first upstream physical communication channel in the upstream path bandwidth, the at least one upstream physical communication channel having a first upstream average channel power;

and

J) comprises repairing, replacing or adjusting the at least one additional fault such that;

J1) a highest value of an average noise power associated with the first neighborhood node ingress in at least a portion of the upstream path bandwidth below approximately 20 MHz, as measured over at least a 24 hour period at the headend, is at least 30 decibels (dB) below the first upstream average channel power;

J2) the highest value for the average noise power associated with the first neighborhood node ingress in at least the portion of the upstream path bandwidth below approximately 20 MHz, as measured over at least the 24 hour period at the headend, is less than 15 decibels (dB) above a noise floor associated with the upstream path bandwidth below approximately 20 MHz, as measured over at least the 24 hour period i;

J3) a carrier-to-noise-plus-interference (CNIR) ratio of the first upstream physical communication channel is at least 31 dB; and

/or

J4) an unequalized modulation error ratio of the first upstream physical communication channel is at least 24 dB.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein:

at least one of the at least one fault and the at least one additional fault includes at least one hardline plant fault in the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant;

the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant includes;

at least one fitting;

at least one hardline coaxial cable; and

at least one electronics component; and

the at least one hardline plant fault includes at least one of;

at least one loose and/or defective fitting;

at least one hardline coaxial cable flaw; and

a compromised ground of at least one electronics component.

28. A method for facilitating a reduction of ingress in at least a first neighborhood node of a cable communication system, the cable communication system comprising a headend coupled to the first neighborhood node, the first neighborhood node comprising a first RF hardline coaxial cable plant, and a plurality of first subscriber service drops coupled to the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant, to convey to the headend at least first upstream information from a plurality of first subscriber premises over an upstream path bandwidth, the method comprising:

A) directing a mobile broadcast apparatus equipped with a transmitter along a first neighborhood node drive path proximate to the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant;

B) during A), broadcasting from the transmitter a test signal at a plurality of locations distributed along at least a substantial portion of the first neighborhood node drive path, the test signal having at least one test signal frequency falling within the upstream path bandwidth;

C) during A), electronically recording first geographic information corresponding to respective positions of the mobile broadcast apparatus along at least the substantial portion of the first neighborhood node drive path so as to generate a first record of the first geographic information;

D) during A) and throughout traversing at least the substantial portion of the first neighborhood node drive path, recording, via an analyzer at or communicatively coupled to the headend, a plurality of signal amplitudes at the test signal frequency so as to generate a second record, the plurality of signal amplitudes representing a strength of a received upstream test signal as a function of time, based on B) and test signal ingress of the test signal into at least one fault in at least one of the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant, the plurality of first subscriber service drops, and the plurality of first subscriber premises;

E) based on the first record generated in C) and the second record generated in D), electronically generating a first neighborhood node ingress map so as to illustrate the test signal ingress of the test signal into the at least one fault in the at least one of the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant, the plurality of first subscriber service drops, and the plurality of first subscriber premises, wherein;

the first neighborhood node ingress map comprises a two-dimensional heat map;

the two-dimensional heat map comprises a color code including a plurality of colors; and

respective colors of the plurality of colors represent different signal amplitudes of the plurality of signal amplitudes; and

F) after a first remediation of the at least one fault based on E), repeating A), B), C), D) and E) at least once to generate at least a second iteration of the first neighborhood node ingress map.

29. A method for facilitating a reduction of ingress in at least a first neighborhood node of a cable communication system, the cable communication system comprising a headend coupled to the first neighborhood node, the first neighborhood node comprising a first RF hardline coaxial cable plant, and a plurality of first subscriber service drops coupled to the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant, to convey to the headend at least first upstream information from a plurality of first subscriber premises over an upstream path bandwidth, the method comprising:

A) directing a mobile broadcast apparatus equipped with a transmitter along a first neighborhood node drive path proximate to the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant;

B) during A), broadcasting from the transmitter a test signal at a plurality of locations distributed along at least a substantial portion of the first neighborhood node drive path, the test signal having at least one test signal frequency falling within the upstream path bandwidth;

C) during A), electronically recording first geographic information corresponding to respective positions of the mobile broadcast apparatus along at least the substantial portion of the first neighborhood node drive path so as to generate a first record of the first geographic information;

D) during A) and throughout traversing at least the substantial portion of the first neighborhood node drive path, recording, via an analyzer at or communicatively coupled to the headend, a plurality of signal amplitudes at the test signal frequency so as to generate a second record, the plurality of signal amplitudes representing a strength of a received upstream test signal as a function of time, based on B) and test signal ingress of the test signal into at least one of at least one hardline plant-related fault in the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant, and at least one subscriber-related fault in at least one of the plurality of first subscriber service drops and/or the plurality of first subscriber premises;

E) based on the first record generated in C) and the second record generated in D), electronically generating a first neighborhood node ingress map including a representation of the test signal ingress of the test signal into the at least one of the at least one hardline plant-related fault and the at least one subscriber-related fault, wherein the representation includes different visual codes for the at least one subscriber-related fault and the at least one hardline plant-related fault, respectively; and

F) after a first remediation of the at least one of the at least one hardline plant-related fault and the at least one subscriber-related fault based on E), repeating A), B), C), D) and E) at least once to generate at least a second iteration of the first neighborhood node ingress map.

30. A method for facilitating a reduction of ingress in at least a first neighborhood node of a cable communication system, the cable communication system comprising a headend coupled to the first neighborhood node, the first neighborhood node comprising a first RF hardline coaxial cable plant, and a plurality of first subscriber service drops coupled to the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant, to convey to the headend at least first upstream information from a plurality of first subscriber premises over an upstream path bandwidth, the method comprising:

A) directing a mobile broadcast apparatus equipped with a transmitter along a first neighborhood node drive path proximate to the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant;

B) during A), broadcasting from the transmitter a test signal at a plurality of locations distributed along at least a substantial portion of the first neighborhood node drive path, the test signal having at least one test signal frequency falling within the upstream path bandwidth;

C) during A), electronically recording first geographic information corresponding to respective positions of the mobile broadcast apparatus along at least the substantial portion of the first neighborhood node drive path so as to generate a first record of the first geographic information;

D) during A) and throughout traversing at least the substantial portion of the first neighborhood node drive path, recording, via an analyzer at or communicatively coupled to the headend, a plurality of signal amplitudes at the test signal frequency so as to generate a second record, the plurality of signal amplitudes representing a strength of a received upstream test signal as a function of time, based on B) and test signal ingress of the test signal into at least one fault in at least one of the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant, the plurality of first subscriber service drops, and the plurality of first subscriber premises;

E) based on the first record generated in C) and the second record generated in D), electronically generating a first neighborhood node ingress map so as to illustrate the test signal ingress of the test signal into the at least one fault in the at least one of the first RF hardline coaxial cable plant, the plurality of first subscriber service drops, and the plurality of first subscriber premises, wherein the first neighborhood node ingress map includes a graphical representation of a cable facilities map showing at least a portion of an infrastructure of the first neighborhood node; and

F) after a first remediation of the at least one fault based on E), repeating A), B), C), D) and E) at least once to generate at least a second iteration of the first neighborhood node ingress map.