Abstract: A method of prioritizing estimated fault locations within a network includes monitoring multiple different performance parameters for unacceptable threshold levels via communications with a set of terminal network elements and separately analyzing the different performance parameters to identify potential network fault locations on the network. Accordingly, a plurality of priority rankings of potential network fault locations can be generated, one for each performance parameter monitored, and then combined to generate an overall priority ranking of potential fault locations including at least a highest priority inspection point estimated as being a most likely source of a fault on the network.

Abstract: Methods and systems for displaying information in a hierarchical structure are disclosed. An embodiment provides a method for displaying HFC network monitoring information and alarms in a hierarchical, topological fashion within a network monitoring system.

Abstract: A method of mapping a network path in which a geographic path of cables of a network between a geographic location of a network component and a geographic location of a terminal network element is estimated electronically using walking directions data from a geodata services provider. A geographically accurate street map is populated with the geographic location of the network component, the geographic location of the terminal network element, and the estimated geographic path. The map is capable of being displayed with the use of geospatial software. A signal processing electronic device for populating a display of an interactive graphical user interface with network path mapping information and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer program instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the above referenced operations are also provided.

Abstract: A method of estimating a defect location within a network is provided. Information of pre-equalization coefficients of an adaptive pre-equalizer of a terminal network element on the network is received. A total amount of equalization applied by a negative delay portion of the adaptive pre-equalizer relative to a main tap level and a total amount of equalization applied by a positive delay portion of the adaptive pre-equalizer relative to the main tap level is determined. The terminal network element is determined as being affected by a defect if at least one of the total amount of equalization applied by the negative or positive delay portions relative to the main tap level is at an unacceptable level. If a defect is identified, a location of the defect is estimated differently depending upon whether the negative or positive delay portion of the adaptive pre-equalizer applies the greatest amount of equalization.

Abstract: A method of estimating a topology of a network in which an estimated geographic path of cables of a network between a geographic location of a network component and a geographic location of a terminal network element is automatically generated from data providing the geographic location of the network component and the geographic location of the terminal network element. If the estimated geographic path includes an intersection of separate branches of the path located a predetermined distance from the network component in a downstream direction extending from the network component to the terminal network element, the estimated geographic path is automatically adjusted by replacing the intersection in the estimated geographic path with separate non-intersecting paths extending from different outlet ports of the network component to the separate branches.

Abstract: A method of mapping a network path in which a geographic path of cables of a network between a geographic location of a network component and a geographic location of a terminal network element is estimated electronically using Keyhole Markup Language (KML) data. A geographically accurate street map is populated with the geographic location of the network component, the geographic location of the terminal network element, and the estimated geographic path. The map is capable of being displayed with the use of geospatial software implementing KML encoding. A signal processing electronic device for populating a display of an interactive graphical user interface with network path mapping information and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer program instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the above referenced operations are also provided.

Abstract: A method of estimating a physical location of a network fault is provided. Information is received concerning the physical topology of the network by data pulls of information concerning network components and terminal network elements and geographic locations thereof. A network fault is detected by monitoring at least one performance parameter transmitted via upstream communications from the terminal network elements, and a physical location of a network fault is estimated based on the performance parameter, the physical topology of the network, and the terminal network element or elements from which the performance parameter was received that indicated the network fault. A list of network components that require inspection and that may provide a source of the network fault is generated. A signal processing electronic device for mapping the network fault and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer program instructions are also provided.

Abstract: A method of estimating a level of severity of a network fault is provided. Performance parameters are monitored on upstream and downstream links to terminal network elements on a network to detect potential network faults. An alarm is raised with respect to a potential network fault automatically if at least one of the performance parameters as monitored crosses a preset threshold. After an alarm is raised, a level of severity is assigned to the alarm based on pre and post forward error correction (FEC) bit error rates (BER). In addition, the total number of terminal network elements that are impacted by the network fault is estimated and, when multiple alarms are raised of an equal level of severity, a higher priority is placed upon an alarm that affects service to a greatest number of terminal network elements.

Abstract: Methods and systems for displaying information in a hierarchical structure are disclosed. An embodiment provides a method for displaying HFC network monitoring information and alarms in a hierarchical, topological fashion within a network monitoring system.

Abstract: A method of mapping a network path in which a geographic path of cables of a network between a geographic location of a network component and a geographic location of a terminal network element is estimated electronically using walking directions data from a geodata services provider. A geographically accurate street map is populated with the geographic location of the network component, the geographic location of the terminal network element, and the estimated geographic path. The map is capable of being displayed with the use of geospatial software. A signal processing electronic device for populating a display of an interactive graphical user interface with network path mapping information and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer program instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the above referenced operations are also provided.

Abstract: A method of estimating a topology of a network in which an estimated geographic path of cables of a network between a geographic location of a network component and a geographic location of a terminal network element is automatically generated from data providing the geographic location of the network component and the geographic location of the terminal network element. If the estimated geographic path includes an intersection of separate branches of the path located a predetermined distance from the network component in a downstream direction extending from the network component to the terminal network element, the estimated geographic path is automatically adjusted by replacing the intersection in the estimated geographic path with separate non-intersecting paths extending from different outlet ports of the network component to the separate branches.

Abstract: A method of estimating a defect location within a network is provided. Information of pre-equalization coefficients of an adaptive pre-equalizer of a terminal network element on the network is received. A total amount of equalization applied by a negative delay portion of the adaptive pre-equalizer relative to a main tap level and a total amount of equalization applied by a positive delay portion of the adaptive pre-equalizer relative to the main tap level is determined. The terminal network element is determined as being affected by a defect if at least one of the total amount of equalization applied by the negative or positive delay portions relative to the main tap level is at an unacceptable level. If a defect is identified, a location of the defect is estimated differently depending upon whether the negative or positive delay portion of the adaptive pre-equalizer applies the greatest amount of equalization.

Abstract: A method of prioritizing estimated fault locations within a network includes monitoring multiple different performance parameters for unacceptable threshold levels via communications with a set of terminal network elements and separately analyzing the different performance parameters to identify potential network fault locations on the network. Accordingly, a plurality of priority rankings of potential network fault locations can be generated, one for each performance parameter monitored, and then combined to generate an overall priority ranking of potential fault locations including at least a highest priority inspection point estimated as being a most likely source of a fault on the network.

Abstract: A method of estimating a location of a fault in a network including the detection of a status of nodes connected to a head end of the network via a trunk of the network as being in-service or out-of-service. A node is considered out-of-service when the head end loses communication with all terminal network devices associated with the node. In addition, a status of head end network components is monitored for faults occurring therein. The location of a fault is automatically estimated as being on the trunk of the network when the head end network components are without a monitored fault condition and when at least one node on the trunk is detected as being out-of-service.

Abstract: A method of mapping a network fault is provided. Information is received concerning geographical coordinates of terminal network elements and their association with shared network components. A performance parameter is transmitted via upstream network communications from the terminal network elements is monitored. Terminal network elements from which the monitored performance parameter are unacceptable relative to a predetermined threshold for the performance parameter are identified, and a cluster of terminal network elements estimated to be subject to a common network fault is defined. The cluster includes terminal network elements that are identified as reporting an unacceptable performance parameter, as being within a predetermined geographic distance from each other, and as being associated with a common shared network component. A geographic map is populated with a single cluster alarm and includes an identification of the terminal network elements within the cluster.

Abstract: A method of mapping a network path in which a geographic path of cables of a network between a geographic location of a network component and a geographic location of a terminal network element is estimated electronically using Keyhole Markup Language (KML) data. A geographically accurate street map is populated with the geographic location of the network component, the geographic location of the terminal network element, and the estimated geographic path. The map is capable of being displayed with the use of geospatial software implementing KML encoding. A signal processing electronic device for populating a display of an interactive graphical user interface with network path mapping information and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer program instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the above referenced operations are also provided.

Abstract: A method of estimating a level of severity of a network fault is provided. Performance parameters are monitored on upstream and downstream links to terminal network elements on a network to detect potential network faults. An alarm is raised with respect to a potential network fault automatically if at least one of the performance parameters as monitored crosses a preset threshold. After an alarm is raised, a level of severity is assigned to the alarm based on pre and post forward error correction (FEC) bit error rates (BER). In addition, the total number of terminal network elements that are impacted by the network fault is estimated and, when multiple alarms are raised of an equal level of severity, a higher priority is placed upon an alarm that affects service to a greatest number of terminal network elements.

Abstract: A method of estimating a physical location of a network fault is provided. Information is received concerning the physical topology of the network by data pulls of information concerning network components and terminal network elements and geographic locations thereof. A network fault is detected by monitoring at least one performance parameter transmitted via upstream communications from the terminal network elements, and a physical location of a network fault is estimated based on the performance parameter, the physical topology of the network, and the terminal network element or elements from which the performance parameter was received that indicated the network fault. A list of network components that require inspection and that may provide a source of the network fault is generated. A signal processing electronic device for mapping the network fault and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer program instructions are also provided.

Abstract: A method of mapping a network fault is provided. Information is received concerning geographical coordinates of terminal network elements and their association with shared network components. A performance parameter is transmitted via upstream network communications from the terminal network elements is monitored. Terminal network elements from which the monitored performance parameter are unacceptable relative to a predetermined threshold for the performance parameter are identified, and a cluster of terminal network elements estimated to be subject to a common network fault is defined. The cluster includes terminal network elements that are identified as reporting an unacceptable performance parameter, as being within a predetermined geographic distance from each other, and as being associated with a common shared network component. A geographic map is populated with a single cluster alarm and includes an identification of the terminal network elements within the cluster.