Patent ID: 8428201

Claim:
A method, comprising: receiving, by a data processing apparatus, aggregate signal characteristic values for a plurality of signals being received over active channels of a power line communications network in which power lines are used to distribute power to customers located in designated geographic areas and to provide data channels for communicating the aggregate signal characteristic values, the aggregate signal characteristic values being a function of the distributed power and being computed based on measured signal characteristic values for each of the signals being received over the active channels, the active communications channels being communications channels that have been assigned to communications nodes; determining, by the data processing apparatus, that one or more of the aggregate signal characteristic values have been outside of a valid range of signal characteristic values over a specified period, the valid range of signal characteristic values specifying at least a high characteristic threshold and a low characteristic threshold; in response to determining that the aggregate signal characteristic values have been outside of the valid range, selecting, by the data processing apparatus, a receiver gain adjustment value based on the aggregate signal characteristic values; and adjusting, by the data processing apparatus, a receiver gain of a receiver that receives the signals over the power line communications network based on the receiver gain adjustment value.