Device and method for improving home network infrastructure

• US 9,450,832 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2012
• Issued: 09/20/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Drooghaag, Benoit, Gacanin, Haris
• Primary Examiner(s): Gillis, Brian J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tokuta, Shean
• Application Number:
  US13/977,998
• Publication Number:
  US 20130290507A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,701 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/14 Network analysis or design
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0811 by checking connectivity

Abstract

A home network physical layer analysis platform includes a collection engine adapted for receiving information indicative for stability and performance of an existing home network physical layer configuration from one or more home network devices. Each of the network devices are connected in the home network by a respective network technology. An analysis engine is adapted for analyzing the information to identify whether substantial network connectivity problems exist in the home network, and for associating the information with a problem out of a set of predetermined problems, if connectivity problems exist. The platform also includes a communication means for communicating the problem to a user interface, such that the respective user is informed about the problem.

Claims

1. A home network analysis platform comprising:

a memory having computer readable instructions stored therein; and

a processor configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to, receive information corresponding to a stability and a performance of a home network physical layer configuration of a home network from one or more home network devices, the home network physical layer configuration including twisted pair phone lines, electrical power wires or coaxial cables for in house data transmission, each of the one or more home network devices configured to be connected to the home network via a respective network technology;

analyze said information to identify whether network connectivity problems associated with the home network physical layer configuration exists, the network connectivity problems including channel frequency response information, channel asymmetry information, channel non-linearity information and transceiver non-linearity information;

associate at least one identified network connectivity problem with a problem from a set of problems; and

communicate said problem to a user via a user interface to inform the user about said problem.

2. The home network analysis platform according to claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to analyze whether the one or more network connectivity problems exist in the home network by comparing said information with reference information accessible by said home network analysis platform.

3. The home network analysis platform according to claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to associate said information with a problem from the set of problems by comparing said information with a set of criteria, said set of criteria being associated with said set of problems.

4. The home network analysis platform according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to retrieve solution information for said problem and communicate said solution information together with said problem to said user via said user interface.

5. The home network analysis platform according to claim 1, wherein said information includes noise information.

6. The home network analysis platform according to claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to iteratively receive information corresponding to the stability and the performance of the home network physical layer configuration from the one or more home network devices, and subsequently perform the analyzing, the associating and the communicating of the problem to the user.

7. The home network analysis platform according to claim 1, wherein a home network gateway is integrated with said home network analysis platform.

8. The home network analysis platform according to claim 1, wherein a remote server, connected to the home network via a network, is integrated with said home network analysis platform.

9. The home network analysis platform according to claim 1, wherein the at least one home network device is integrated with said home network analysis platform.

10. The home network analysis platform according to claim 1, wherein said user interface is at a remote server connected to the home network via a network.

11. The home network analysis platform according to claim 1, wherein said user interface is at a home network gateway of said home network.

12. The home network analysis platform according to claim 1, wherein said user interface is integrated with at least one home network device.

13. A method for monitoring a home network, the method comprising:

receiving information corresponding to a stability and a performance of a home network physical layer configuration of a home network from one or more home network devices, the home network physical layer configuration including twisted pair phone lines, electrical power wires or coaxial cables for in house data transmission, each of the one or more home network devices configured to be connected to the home network via a respective network technology;

analyzing said information to identify whether network connectivity problems associated with the home network physical layer configuration exists, the network connectivity problems including channel frequency response information, channel asymmetry information, channel non-linearity information and transceiver non-linearity information;

associating at least one identified network connectivity problem with a problem from a set of problems; and

communicating said problem to a user via a user interface to inform the user about said problem.

14. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer-readable instructions which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to,

receive information corresponding to a stability and a performance of a home network physical layer configuration of a home network from one or more home network devices, the home network physical layer configuration including twisted pair phone lines, electrical power wires or coaxial cables for in house data transmission, each of the one or more home network devices configured to be connected to the home network via a respective network technology;

analyze said information to identify whether network connectivity problems associated with the home network physical layer configuration exists, the network connectivity problems including channel frequency response information, channel asymmetry information, channel non-linearity information and transceiver non-linearity information;

associate at least one identified network connectivity problem with a problem from a set of problems; and

communicate said problem to a user via a user interface to inform the user about said problem.