# US 12,003,282 B2 · Channel predictive behavior and fault analysis > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,003,282 B2 - Document ID: US12003282B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/172,430 - Filed: 2023-02-22 - Published: 2023-06-22 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2021-06-08 - Assignees: Cisco Technology, Inc. - Applicants: Cisco Technology, Inc. - Inventors: Amendra Koul; David Nozadze; Mike Sapozhnikov; Joel Goergen; Arnav Shailesh Shah - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12003282B2 ## CPC - G01R 31/11: using pulse reflection methods - H04B 17/191: {Over-the-air testing} - H04B 10/071: using a reflected signal, e.g. using optical time domain reflectometers [OTDR] - H04B 17/24: with feedback of measurements to the transmitter - H04B 17/309: Measuring or estimating channel quality parameters - H04B 17/364: Delay profiles - G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12) - H04B: TRANSMISSION ## Abstract Channel predictive behavior and fault analysis may be provided. A forward time value may be determined comprising a time a forward signal takes to travel from a transmitter over a channel to the receiver. Next, a reflected time value may be determined comprising a time a reflected signal takes to travel to the receiver. The reflected signal may be associated with the forward signal. A discontinuity may then be determined to exist on the channel based on the forward time value and the reflected time value. The reflected signal may be caused by the discontinuity and a high impedance or low impedance at the transmitter present after the forward signal is sent. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising: determining, by a receiver, a forward time value comprising a time a forward signal takes to travel from a transmitter over a channel to the receiver; determining, by the receiver, a reflected time value comprising a time a reflected signal takes to travel to the receiver, wherein the reflected signal is associated with the forward signal; and determining that a discontinuity exists on the channel based on the forward time value and the reflected time value, wherein the reflected signal is caused by the discontinuity and a high impedance or low impedance at the transmitter present after the forward signal is sent wherein the high impedance is higher than a nominal impedance of the transmitter and the low impedance is lower than the nominal impedance of the transmitter. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the discontinuity exists further comprises determining that the reflected signal has a magnitude greater than a predetermined value. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a location of the discontinuity based on the forward time value and the reflected time value. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein determining the location of the discontinuity comprises determining a distance in the channel from the receiver to the discontinuity. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the reflected signal is a reflected version of the forward signal that reflects off of the discontinuity, travels back to the transmitter, reflects off the transmitter due to the high impedance or low impedance, and travels to the receiver through the discontinuity. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising using the determined discontinuity to predict link performance on another system. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising using the determined discontinuity to determine if a lower power level can be maintained on the channel. ### Claim 8 A system comprising: a memory storage; and a processing unit disposed in a receiver, the processing unit coupled to the memory storage, wherein the processing unit is operative to: determine a forward time value comprising a time a forward signal takes to travel from a transmitter over a channel to the receiver; determine a reflected time value comprising a time a reflected signal takes to travel to the receiver, wherein the reflected signal is associated with the forward signal; and determine that a discontinuity exists on the channel based on the forward time value and the reflected time value, wherein the reflected signal is caused by the discontinuity and a high impedance or low impedance at the transmitter present after the forward signal is sent wherein the high impedance is higher than a nominal impedance of the transmitter and the low impedance is lower than the nominal impedance of the transmitter. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the processing unit being operative to determine that the discontinuity exists further comprises the processing unit being operative to determine that the reflected signal has a magnitude greater than a predetermined value. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, further comprising the processing unit being operative to determine a location of the discontinuity based on the forward time value and the reflected time value. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the processing unit being operative to determine the location of the discontinuity comprises the processing unit being operative to determine a distance in the channel from the receiver to the discontinuity. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the reflected signal is a reflected version of the forward signal that reflects off of the discontinuity, travels back to the transmitter, reflects off the transmitter due to the high impedance or low impedance, and travels to the receiver through the discontinuity. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the processing unit is further operative to use the determined discontinuity to predict link performance on another system. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the processing unit is further operative to use the determined discontinuity to determine if a lower power level can be maintained on the channel. ### Claim 15 A non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores a set of instructions which when executed perform a method executed by the set of instructions comprising: determining, by a receiver, a forward time value comprising a time a forward signal takes to travel from a transmitter over a channel to the receiver; determining, by the receiver, a reflected time value comprising a time a reflected signal takes to travel to the receiver, wherein the reflected signal is associated with the forward signal; and determining that a discontinuity exists on the channel based on the forward time value and the reflected time value, wherein the reflected signal is caused by the discontinuity and a high impedance or low impedance at the transmitter present after the forward signal is sent wherein the high impedance is higher than a nominal impedance of the transmitter and the low impedance is lower than the nominal impedance of the transmitter. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, further comprising determining a location of the discontinuity based on the forward time value and the reflected time value, wherein determining the location of the discontinuity comprises determining a distance in the channel from the receiver to the discontinuity. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the reflected signal is a reflected version of the forward signal that reflects off of the discontinuity, travels back to the transmitter, reflects off the transmitter due to the high impedance or low impedance, and travels to the receiver through the discontinuity. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, further comprising using the determined discontinuity to predict link performance on another system. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, further comprising using the determined discontinuity to determine if a lower power level can be maintained on the channel. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein determining that the discontinuity exists further comprises determining that the reflected signal has a magnitude greater than a predetermined value.