Real time monitoring and control of communications networks and radio frequency distribution networks
First Claim
1. A system for monitoring a communications network including a plurality of communication cables, comprising(a) radio frequency controller for transmitting downlink data communication signals from a host communication system and requests for measurement via the communication cables;
- (b) a plurality of sensors each having a unique identifier connected with the communication cables at sequentially spaced locations along the communication cables and configured to monitor and measure an amplitude of said bi-directional modulated radio frequency signals at said locations within the network and to transmit the measured amplitudes via uplink signals, respectively, in response to said requests for measurement, wherein said requests for measurement and said measurement information do not interfere with data signals transmitted within the communications network; and
(c) a central computer connected with said radio frequency controller and including a comparator configured to receive said uplink signals from said sensors, analyze the amplitude of said bi-directional modulated radio frequency signals from said sensors, compare said measured amplitudes with a baseline amplitude for said signals, and generate a fault signal when a measured amplitude of said signals detected at one of said sensors deviates from the baseline amplitude by a predetermined amount, whereby separate quantitative measurements of gains and losses in uplink and in downlink modulated radio frequency signals are obtained.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for monitoring a communications network having a plurality of wired communication cables is characterized by a central computer and a plurality of remote sensors connected with the cables at spaced locations for sampling data at the locations and providing an indication when a fault occurs. The central computer transmits measurement request signals to each remote sensor. In response to a request, the remote sensor samples data on the network at the unit location and sends a measurement of the sample to the central computer where the measurement is compared with baseline measurements for the location. If the measured data from the unit deviates from the baseline measurement, a fault is indicated.
24 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring a communications network including a plurality of communication cables, comprising
(a) radio frequency controller for transmitting downlink data communication signals from a host communication system and requests for measurement via the communication cables; -
(b) a plurality of sensors each having a unique identifier connected with the communication cables at sequentially spaced locations along the communication cables and configured to monitor and measure an amplitude of said bi-directional modulated radio frequency signals at said locations within the network and to transmit the measured amplitudes via uplink signals, respectively, in response to said requests for measurement, wherein said requests for measurement and said measurement information do not interfere with data signals transmitted within the communications network; and (c) a central computer connected with said radio frequency controller and including a comparator configured to receive said uplink signals from said sensors, analyze the amplitude of said bi-directional modulated radio frequency signals from said sensors, compare said measured amplitudes with a baseline amplitude for said signals, and generate a fault signal when a measured amplitude of said signals detected at one of said sensors deviates from the baseline amplitude by a predetermined amount, whereby separate quantitative measurements of gains and losses in uplink and in downlink modulated radio frequency signals are obtained. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for monitoring a communications network having a plurality of wired communication cables for transmitting data communications signals, comprising the steps of
(a) tapping the communication cables at spaced locations; -
(b) monitoring and measuring the amplitude of downlink data communication signals via sensors at each of said spaced locations; (c) comparing the monitored measured amplitude of the data communication signals from uplink signals from said spaced locations with a baseline amplitude for the data communication signals in a computer; and (d) generating a fault indication from the computer when said measured amplitude for the data communication signals at one of said locations varies from said baseline amplitude for the data communication signals. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification