Abstract: Systems and methods for performing neighbor discovery in a network (100) including a number of nodes are provided. A first node (110) in the network (100) generates a spread signal for alerting other nodes in the network (100) of the presence of the first node (110). The first node (110) broadcasts the signal and a second node (120) receives the signal and calculates an energy associated with the received signal. The second node (120) also determines whether the energy is greater than a threshold and identifies the first node (110) as a neighbor node when the energy is greater than the threshold.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating the location of an injection point of foreign signals in a network comprises the steps of measuring signal samples at two points along the cable network distribution system, correlating the two signal samples to estimate propagation delay differences between the measurement locations and the source, and calculating the location and magnitude of the ingress. The propagation delay, or time correlation, is proportional to the offset of the injection point from the midpoint between the measurement sites, where the two parameters are related by the velocity of propagation in the cable. The amplitude of the correlation peaks represent the magnitude of the ingress at that location. Sensitivity may be increased by time-averaging the output of the correlation step. Multiple sources and/or ingress and egress sites may be measured simultaneously.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring transmission signal interference in a bi-directional transmission/reception system in which a modulated signal received at a receiver location is subjected at the receiver location to analog to digital (A/D) conversion by an A/D converter 3, an output of which is routed to an input of a digital demodulator 6 for demodulation. The method includes the steps of accessing the output of the A/D converter 3 before the output is subjected to demodulation by the demodulator 6 and storing the accessed data in a storage buffer 7. The data stored in the storage buffer 7 is available for inspection to assist in determining the presence of signal interference.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring the reflection coefficient of a network are disclosed. The methods and systems measure the reflection coefficient by exciting a device under test with a driving signal. The driving signal incident on the device under test is measured and the source providing the driving signal is removed thereafter. A signal reflected from the device under test is sampled at a sample rate that may differ from the frequency of the driving signal. The reflection coefficient of the device under test is calculated by dividing the measured level of the reflected signal by the measured level of the driving signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for assessing signal coupling and radiation from cable networks by exciting the network with multiple broadband signals modulated by a common source, the networks having a plurality of channels, including a noise generator to generate a plurality of test signals, a plurality of modulators, each coupled to one of the plurality of channels, for modulating the plurality of test signals, and a control apparatus coupled to the plurality of modulators for controlling coupling and decoupling of each of the plurality of channels to the signal generating means.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating the location of an injection point of foreign signals in a network comprises the steps of measuring signal samples at two points along the cable network distribution system, correlating the two signal samples to estimate propagation delay differences between the measurement locations and the source, and calculating the location and magnitude of the ingress. The propagation delay, or time correlation, is proportional to the offset of the injection point from the midpoint between the measurement sites, where the two parameters are related by the velocity of propagation in the cable. The amplitude of the correlation peaks represent the magnitude of the ingress at that location. Sensitivity may be increased by time-averaging the output of the correlation step. Multiple sources and/or ingress and egress sites may be measured simultaneously.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring the reflection coefficient of a network are disclosed. The methods and systems measure the reflection coefficient by exciting a device under test with a driving signal. The driving signal incident on the device under test is measured and the source providing the driving signal is removed thereafter. A signal reflected from the device under test is sampled at a sample rate that may differ from the frequency of the driving signal. The reflection coefficient of the device under test is calculated by dividing the measured level of the reflected signal by the measured level of the driving signal.

Abstract: A connector for cutting and connecting an insulated cable having an insulation layer encasing at least one conductor that includes an upper member, and a lower member adapted for receiving the upper member including at least one insulation displacement connector to establish electrical connection with the conductor of the insulated cable, an instrument with a sharp edge to sever the conductor, and a rigid member to separate one end of the severed conductor from the other end of the severed conductor, wherein the upper member and the lower member secure both ends of the severed cable, to electrically connect a distribution cable to local terminals of access lines or subscriber lines and simultaneously cut the distribution cable to remove a bridged tap from the subscriber lines.