Patent ID: 7162731
Filing Date: 2007-01-09
Classification: H03G,H04L,H04N

Abstract:
1. A bi-directional cable communication system configured to communicate information via a cable network, the cable communication system incorporating diagnostic and calibration logic, the cable communication system comprising: a first transceiver, coupled at a selected point of distribution of the cable network, that transmits a downstream test signal having predetermined characteristics on the cable network in a selected downstream channel at a predetermined power level, that receives corresponding downstream diagnostic information in a selected upstream channel, the downstream diagnostic information including a downstream power loss metric, and that calibrates downstream transmission power based on the downstream power loss metric; a second transceiver, coupled to the cable network at a selected downstream location, that receives the downstream test signal in the selected downstream channel, that compares the received downstream test signal with the predetermined characteristics and power level to determine the downstream diagnostic information including a downstream power loss metric and a downstream noise level metric for the selected downstream channel, and that transmits the downstream diagnostic information in the selected upstream channel; the second transceiver transmitting an upstream test signal with predetermined characteristics on the cable network in the selected upstream channel at a predetermined power level, that receives corresponding upstream power information in the selected downstream channel, and that calibrates upstream transmission power based on the upstream power information; and the first transceiver receiving the upstream test signal, comparing the received upstream test signal with the predetermined characteristics and power level to determine corresponding upstream diagnostic information including an upstream power loss metric and an upstream noise level metric in the selected upstream channel, determining the upstream power information based on the upstream power loss metric, and transmitting the upstream power information in the selected downstream channel.