MoCA Quality Index Measurement for Coax Network Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods are inefficient for determining the suitability of coax cable networks to support MoCA communications, as they often require installing MoCA equipment first and may not accurately identify segments needing upgrade or repair, especially in degraded networks.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for quantifying the suitability of coax network segments to support MoCA communications by transmitting test signals with specific power levels and frequencies, determining frequency response functions, calculating subcarrier degradation, and generating a MoCA Quality Index (MQI) to assess network performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If MoCA networking equipment is installed first to test network suitability, then network performance can be directly measured, but the process becomes inefficient and may fail in degraded networks where equipment cannot acquire connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring RF signal characteristics (power levels, frequency response) before installing MoCA networking equipment. This allows the system to assess network suitability in advance using simple RF measurements rather than requiring complex MoCA equipment to be installed and configured first, thereby improving testing efficiency while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Productivity
If standard RF signal tests are performed to evaluate coax network segments, then simple measurements can be taken, but MoCA protocol performance cannot be accurately determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming standard RF signal measurements into MoCA-specific performance predictions. It measures RF power levels and frequency response at multiple subcarrier frequencies, then processes these parameters to calculate MoCA Quality Index scores that predict actual MoCA performance. This allows simple RF measurements to accurately determine MoCA suitability without requiring complex MoCA equipment.
3Reliability
If coax network segments are tested before MoCA equipment installation to identify deficient segments, then proactive upgrades can be planned, but traditional methods lack the capability to accurately assess network suitability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using RF signal characteristics as a mediator to predict MoCA performance. Instead of directly measuring complex MoCA protocol performance or requiring sophisticated testing equipment, the system uses simple RF power level and frequency response measurements as intermediaries that correlate with MoCA performance, thereby achieving reliable network suitability assessment with simpler testing systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for quantifying the suitability of a coax network segment to support MoCA communications, comprising: transmitting a test signal associated with MoCA communications through the segment's first end; receiving the test signal through the segment's second end; determining a response function; determining a channel degradation reference based on the highest power level of the response function and a predetermined reference; calculating subcarrier degradation for each MoCA subcarrier, in accordance with the difference between the channel degradation reference and the subcarrier response function; and quantifying the suitability of the segment to support MoCA communications from the first end to the second end in accordance with the subcarrier degradation of all subcarriers in the response function.