Patent ID: 7260142

Claim:
A method for selecting an optimal hybrid in a modem having a plurality of hybrids, comprising: evaluating a cost function that is a function of both echo signal power and receive noise floor for each of the plurality of hybrids, wherein the cost function is given by, J = A * ∑ i ⁢ ⁢ ɛ ⁢ ⁢ S ⁢ log 2 ⁡ ( nf_quiet ⁢ ( i ) ) + B * f ⁡ ( nf_echo ) , where nf_echo is the transmit echo energy relative to the average noise floor in an adjacent receive band, nf_quiet is the quiet receive noise floor, and “A” and “B” are scalar factors that appropriately weigh the corresponding noise floor components; selecting the hybrid from among the plurality of hybrids that results in the minimum value for the cost function; switching the selected hybrid into a circuit to be used by the modem.