Radio frequency signal fault signature isolation in cable network environments

A method executed at an integrated circuit, the method comprising:

• searching in phase domain for an echo in a channel response characterizing a channel in a cable network, wherein the channel facilitates communication of a multi-tone signal in the cable network;
• identifying a phase in which the echo is found;
• calculating a tap amplitude corresponding to the identified phase, wherein the calculated tap amplitude is indicative of group delay in the channel;
• correcting for the group delay, comprising subtracting the calculated tap amplitude from the channel response to calculate a corrected signal;
• and
• identifying a fault signature when amplitude of the corrected signal is greater than a threshold, wherein the identified fault signature triggers operational maintenance of the cable network.

Non-transitory tangible computer-readable media that includes instructions for execution, which when executed by an integrated circuit, is operable to perform operations comprising:

• searching in phase domain for an echo in a channel response characterizing a channel in a cable network, wherein the channel facilitates communication of a multi-tone signal in the cable network;
• identifying a phase in which the echo is found;
• calculating a tap amplitude corresponding to the identified phase, wherein the calculated tap amplitude is indicative of group delay in the channel;
• correcting for the group delay, comprising subtracting the calculated tap amplitude from the channel response to calculate a corrected signal;
• and
• identifying a fault signature when amplitude of the corrected signal is greater than a threshold, wherein the identified fault signature triggers operational maintenance of the cable network.