Channel diagnostic systems and methods
AssigneeBroadcom Corporation
InventorsSang T Bui, Mark Berman, Oscar E Agazzi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system includes an adaptive filter coupled to a communication channel. The adaptive filter includes a set of adaptive filter coefficients. A memory stores a predetermined set of filter coefficient thresholds. The filter coefficient thresholds may be indicative of channel faults or a length of the channel. A controller is configured to compare the set of filter coefficients to the predetermined set of filter coefficient thresholds. The controller is configured to determine the information about the channel based on compare results.
Claims33
A method of determining information about a communication channel including a cable using an adaptive filter coupled to the channel, the adaptive filter including a set of filter coefficients, the method comprising:
- (a) determining if a valid communication link exists between the adaptive filter and a communication link partner coupled to a portion of the communication channel remote from the filter;
- (b) bypassing a filter convergence operation that converges the set of filter coefficients if a valid communication link does exist;
- (c) comparing the set of filter coefficients to a predetermined set of filter coefficient thresholds;
- and
- (d) determining the information about the cable based on said comparing step (c).
A method of determining information about a communication channel having a cable using an adaptive filter coupled to the channel, the adaptive filter including a set of filter coefficients, the method comprising:
- determining if a valid communication link exists between the adaptive filter and a communication link partner coupled to a portion of the communication channel remote from the filter;
- bypassing a filter convergence operation that converges the set of filter coefficients if a valid communication link does exist;
- and
- determining the information about the cable based on a comparison between the set of filter coefficients and a predetermined set of filter coefficient thresholds.
A system for determining information about a communication channel having a cable, comprising:
- an adaptive filter coupled to the cable and including a set of filter coefficents;
- a memory for storing a predetermined set of filter coefficient thresholds;
- and
- a controller including:
- control logic configured to determine if a valid communication link exists between the adaptive filter and a communication link partner coupled to a portion of the communication channel remote from the equalizer and to bypass a filter convergence operation that converges the set of filter coefficients if a valid communication link does exist,
- a compare module configured to compare the set of filter coefficients to the predetermined set of filter coefficient thresholds, and
- a determining module configured to determine the information about the cable based on compare results from the compare module.
A system for determining information about a communication channel having a cable, comprising:
- an adaptive filter coupled to the cable and including a set of filter coefficents;
- a memory for storing a predetermined set of filter coefficient thresholds;
- and
- a controller including:
- a compare module configured to compare the set of filter coefficients to the predetermined set of filter coefficient thresholds,
- a determining module configured to determine the information about the cable based on compare results from the compare module, and
- control logic configured to cause the adaptive filter to converge the set of filter coefficients prior to when the compare module and determining module perform their respective functions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.