Access CPE Device Impulse Response Analysis for Cable Plant Fault Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in accurately detecting and analyzing cable plant impairments within customer premises, particularly in determining whether faults are inside or outside the home network, and in collecting data on operational status and performance degradation of network components.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a field-deployed device that collects proactive network maintenance (PNM) management information base (MIB) data, parses it for OFDMA channels, removes phase rotation, performs inverse Fourier transforms, and determines impulse response and group delay, which are then sent to a machine learning model for analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If field-deployed RF amplifiers, coaxial splitters, and inline coaxial taps are used in the cable plant, then network coverage and signal transmission are improved, but the ability to detect and locate cable plant faults is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidfault detection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously collecting proactive network maintenance (PNM) MIB data before faults occur, and by pre-configuring the access CPE device with diagnostic capabilities including impulse response measurement and machine learning models that are ready to analyze cable plant conditions without requiring manual intervention or specialized test equipment during fault detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The access CPE device serves as an intermediary between the cable plant components (RF amplifiers, splitters, taps) and the service provider network. It collects diagnostic data from these components, processes impulse response measurements, and transmits analyzed information to the streaming and analytics platform, enabling fault detection without requiring direct access to or modification of the cable plant infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If extensive network components are deployed to serve millions of subscribers, then service coverage is improved, but the complexity of collecting adequate information about impairments and faults is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice coverageVSAvoidinformation collection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The access CPE device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a customer premises equipment for providing internet access and as a diagnostic tool for collecting cable plant fault information. It performs multiple functions including data collection, impulse response measurement, machine learning analysis, and communication with the service provider network, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture by consolidating diagnostic capabilities in existing devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by having the access CPE device autonomously collect and process diagnostic information about cable plant conditions. The device automatically performs impulse response measurements, analyzes data using embedded machine learning models, and transmits relevant information without requiring manual testing or specialized diagnostic equipment, thereby reducing the complexity of information collection across the extensive network

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If conventional cable plant monitoring is used, then basic network operation is maintained, but the ability to determine impairment location and characteristics is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork operationVSAvoidimpairment location determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces conventional mechanical or manual fault detection methods with automated electronic signal processing and machine learning analysis. It uses impulse response measurements combined with machine learning models to automatically determine impairment location and characteristics, substituting manual diagnostic procedures with automated digital signal analysis that provides precise measurement capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the measurement parameters by collecting and analyzing multiple characteristics including impulse response, group delay, and PNM MIB data across different OFDMA channels. By measuring and analyzing these parameters comprehensively, the system achieves precise determination of impairment location and characteristics that go beyond basic network operation monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250047550A1Method and System to Mitigate Cable Plant Faults using Access CPE Device

Publication Date: 2025.02.06 CHARTER COMM OPERATING LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods of a field deployed access CPE device with smart and efficient agent integrated with an agile software architecture to collect and analyze proactive network maintenance (PNM) management information base (MIB) data. The access CPE device may determine the OFDMA channel's impulse response and group delay, stream the collected data to the operator's streaming and analytics platform to identify cable plant faults, determine whether the identified faults are located inside or outside the customer's home, and mitigate the impact of the identified faults via machine learning models.