Abstract: A spare receiver in a CMTS is used to non-invasively test the upstream signal quality of a network without disrupting a subscriber's operations. A modem registered with a receiver on the network is selected as a testing modem. The spare receiver is RF connected to the receiver and the testing modem is tuned to the spare receiver. The testing modem is used to test the signal quality of the network, such as by using a SNR test. The testing modem remains registered with the network during the testing operation. Other modems are prevented from registering with the spare receiver. If other modems attempt to register on the spare receiver, the system overrides their attempts and moves them back to another receiver. The testing modem is returned to its original receiver when testing is completed.

Abstract: A spare receiver in a CMTS is used to non-invasively test the signal quality of an original channel frequency of a receiver which has been tuned to another channel frequency so the operator can retune the receiver to its original channel frequency without disrupting subscriber operations. The spare receiver is RF connected to the receiver and performs RSSI testing on the channel frequency. If the channel frequency is sufficiently noise free, a modem is registered on the spare receiver as a testing modem. The testing modem is used to test the signal quality of the network, such as by using a SNR test. When the original channel frequency is determined to have a sufficient SNR value, the receiver is retuned to its original channel frequency.