System and method for detecting signal ingress interferences

A method for locating a signal ingress point within a cable distribution network, the signal ingress point having a location, the cable distribution network comprising a head station for receiving from subscribers upstream transmissions at frequencies within an upstream band, the method comprising:

• repeatedly transmitting at a given rate from a vehicle a pilot signal and geo-location information indicating a geographical position of the vehicle in a radio signal for entering the cable distribution network through the signal ingress point and traveling in the cable distribution network, the radio signal having a carrier frequency within the upstream band;
• synchronizing a receiver at the head station of the cable distribution network, the receiver being adapted to receive said pilot signal;
• receiving the radio signal at the head station of the cable distribution network through the cable distribution network;
• and
• extracting geo-location information from said radio signal to determine the location of the signal ingress point within the cable distribution network;
• wherein synchronizing a receiver comprises receiving the pilot signal traveling in a channel of the cable distribution network on a RF matrix pre-detection circuit through which a plurality of channels pass, and switching the channel in which the pilot signal is traveling to a signal analyzer for receiving the radio signal comprising geo-location information.

A kit for locating a signal ingress point within a cable distribution network, the cable distribution network comprising a head station for receiving from subscribers upstream transmissions at frequencies within an upstream band, the kit comprising:

• a transmitter for mounting on a vehicle for repeatedly transmitting a radio signal at a given rate for entering the cable distribution network through the signal ingress point and traveling in the cable distribution network, the radio signal comprising geo-location information indicating a geographical position of the vehicle, the radio signal using a carrier frequency within the upstream band, the transmitter being adapted for transmitting a pilot signal prior to each transmitting of the radio signal;
• a receiver for installing at the head station of said cable distribution network for receiving said radio signal through the cable distribution network, and extracting said geo-location information, and prior to receiving the radio signal, receiving the pilot signal for synchronization;
• and
• a memory having recoded thereon statements and instructions for execution by a computer to cause the computer to process the geo-location information to determine an approximate location of said signal ingress point within the cable distribution network;
• wherein the receiver comprises a RF matrix pre-detection circuit through which a plurality of channels pass for receiving the pilot signal traveling in one of the channels, wherein the RF matrix pre-detection circuit switches the channel in which the pilot signal is traveling to a signal analyzer for receiving the radio signal.