Abstract: System and method for generating location-based alerts. An alert generation server communicates with official alert systems and a plurality of mobile devices operating a mobile alert application. The alert generation server receives alert data from the official alert systems and defines a plurality of alert events by extracting corresponding alert location information and assigning official alert types to the alerts in the received official alert data. The alert generation server also receives user-generated alert data defining alert events identified by mobile device users. The user-generated alert data is used to update and/or modify the defined alert events. Each alert event has a geographic region code corresponding to extracted alert location information. The mobile alert application determines, based on mobile device location data that the mobile device is within the geographic region of an alert event and generates an alert notification for that mobile device.

Abstract: Preamble length of burst communication signals dynamically changed to compensate in changes to linear distortion of a communication channel. Pre-equalization coefficients are provided to network element which pre-equalize communications with the CMTS. Long preamble lengths are used for a select few communications while short preamble lengths are used for the rest of the communication signals. When change in distortion characteristics is detected, a station maintenance is performed on the affected network element and new pre-equalization coefficients are determined and provided to the network element. Alternatively, all communications may be provided with long preamble lengths and communications may continue while the CMTS determines new pre-equalization coefficients.