Method and apparatus for determining modulation levels that are supported on a channel
AssigneeGeneral Instrument Corporation
InventorsMichael J. Cooper, Charles S. Moore, John L. Moran, Brian Thibeault, Robert J. Thompson
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Abstract
A logical channel is configured to match a modulation profile of an active channel. A network element is assigned to the logical channel and a ping request is sent to the network element. A response from the network element is measured, such as measuring the MER. The modulation profile is increased in the logical channel and another ping request is sent to the network element. The response is measured again, and the process is repeated until a non-linearity is detected in the response. The acceptable modulation profiles are indicated before the non-linearity is detected in the response.
Claims16
An apparatus for monitoring a network comprising:
- a microprocessor configured to:
- configure a logical channel connectable to a test network element with a modulation profile that matches that of an active channel connected to the network, the logical channel separate from the active channel for coupling the test network element to a primary receiver,
- reconfigure the logical channel with a non-matching modulation profile, wherein the non-matching modulation profile varies from the modulation profile used on the active channel connected to the network,
- send a test signal to the test network element coupled to the logical channel configured with the non-matching modulation profile, and
- determine whether the non-matching modulation profile is acceptable for communicating with the test network element using one or more characteristics of a response from the test signal;
- and
- a receiver configured to receive the response to the test signal from the test network element via the logical channel.
A method of for testing a network, the method comprising:
- configuring a logical channel connectable to a test network element with a modulation profile that matches that of an active channel connected to the network for a selected network element, the active channel separate from the logical channel for coupling the selected network element to a primary receiver;
- assigning the selected network element to the logical communication channel;
- reconfiguring the logical channel with a non-matching modulation profile, wherein the non-matching modulation profile varies from the modulation profile used on the active channel connected to the network,
- sending a communication to the selected network element via the logical communication channel configured with the non-matching modulation profile;
- measuring one or more characteristics of a response received from the selected network element, the one or more characteristics describing transmission using the configured modulation profile;
- and
- determining acceptable modulation profiles for communicating with the selected network element based on the one or more characteristics of the response.
A non-transitory computer readable medium carrying instructions for a computer to perform a method of testing a network comprising:
- configuring a logical channel connectable to a test network element with a modulation profile that matches that of an active channel connected to the network for a selected network element, the active channel separate from the logical channel for coupling the selected network element to a primary receiver;
- assigning the selected network element to the logical communication channel;
- reconfiguring the logical channel with a non-matching modulation profile, wherein the non-matching modulation profile varies from the modulation profile used on the active channel connected to the network,
- sending a communication to the selected network element via the logical communication channel configured with the non-matching modulation profile;
- measuring one or more characteristics of a response received from the selected network element, the one or more characteristics describing transmission using the configured modulation profile;
- and
- determining acceptable modulation profiles for communicating with the selected network element based on the one or more characteristics of the response.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.