Cable Modem Transmit Power Adjustment via Channel Set Dynamics

Solution Overview

Problem

Cable modems face limitations in increasing transmit power due to the dynamic range window constraints, which can lead to signal degradation, especially in noisy conditions, as they cannot proactively reduce the number of channels in the transmit channel set to enhance per-channel power levels.

Innovation Solution

The Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) dynamically adjusts the number of channels in the transmit channel set or chooses channels with higher transmit power capability based on signal quality metrics like SNR, allowing the cable modem to transmit at higher power levels to mitigate signal degradation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the cable modem transmits at higher power levels, then the signal-to-noise ratio improves, but the dynamic range window constraints prevent proactive power adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal-to-noise ratioVSAvoiddynamic range window constraints

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the transmit channel set configuration based on real-time signal quality conditions. The CMTS modifies the number of channels and their power levels adaptively, transitioning from static power levels to dynamic power management that responds to actual signal degradation conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameters of the transmit channel set by adjusting the number of active channels and their individual power levels. The system modifies these parameters based on signal quality metrics, allowing higher per-channel power levels when fewer channels are active, thereby resolving the contradiction between power level and channel number.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If the number of channels in the transmit channel set is reduced, then the per-channel power level increases, but the overall transmission capacity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveper-channel power levelVSAvoidoverall transmission capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the transmit channel set configuration based on real-time signal quality conditions. The CMTS modifies the number of channels and their power levels adaptively, transitioning from static power levels to dynamic power management that responds to actual signal degradation conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameters of the transmit channel set by adjusting the number of active channels and their individual power levels. The system modifies these parameters based on signal quality metrics, allowing higher per-channel power levels when fewer channels are active, thereby resolving the contradiction between power level and channel number.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If the cable modem uses existing channel configurations, then the setup is simple, but signal degradation occurs in noisy conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel configuration simplicityVSAvoidsignal quality in noisy conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the transmit channel set configuration based on real-time signal quality conditions. The CMTS modifies the number of channels and their power levels adaptively, transitioning from static power levels to dynamic power management that responds to actual signal degradation conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The CMTS monitors signal quality metrics such as signal-to-noise ratio and uses this feedback to adjust the transmit channel set configuration. This closed-loop control allows the system to respond to noisy conditions and maintain reliable communication while starting from simple existing configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9480028B1Adjusting transmission power in customer premise equipment

Publication Date: 2016.10.25 ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and apparatuses operate to adjust transmission power of a customer premise equipment device using a transmit channel set parameter. Power characteristics associated with a received signal from a customer premise equipment device can be identified, and a determination is made whether to adjust a transmission power associated with transmission of the signal. Based upon the determination, an adjustment can be made to the transmission power using a transmit channel set parameter, thereby adjusting the channels used by the customer premise equipment device to transmit the signal.