Method and apparatus for automatic selection and operation of a subscriber line spectrum class technology
View Patent ↗The present invention provides a communication device, such as a modem, that is capable of detecting whether it is capable of operating in a mode that is compatible with one or more of the Spectrum Management Classes. The modem automatically selects a mode of operation that is compliant with one or more of the Spectrum Management Classes. The communication device also determines whether it is capable of operating in multiple modes that are compliant with multiple Spectrum Management Classes, and is capable of selecting the modes of operation that optimizes the performance of the communication device. Furthermore, the communication device is capable of determining when it is not capable of operating in a mode that is compliant with at least one of the Spectrum Management Classes and which prevents operation of itself upon determining that it is not capable of operating in a mode that is compliant with at least one of the Spectrum Management Classes.
1. A method comprising:
measuring subscriber loop characteristics;
identifying a first allowable class corresponding to the measured subscriber loop characteristics, where the allowable class is chosen from a group of predefined spectrum management classes
selecting an operating transceiver from a group of transceivers within a device, where each transceiver is configured to communicate in a respective at least one of the predefined spectrum management classes, and where the selected operating transceiver is configured to communicate in the first allowable class; and
enabling the operating transceiver.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein each spectrum management class defines transmit power requirements.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein each spectrum management class defines transmit power spectral density (PSD) requirements.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the spectrum management classes are defined by a standard.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining that the selected operating transceiver is not currently compatible with the first allowable class; and
ceasing line signaling upon such determination.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining that the selected operating transceiver is not currently compatible with the first allowable class; and
identifying a second allowable class corresponding to the measured subscriber loop characteristics; and
selecting a transceiver that is compatible with the second allowable class.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining which one of the transceivers optimizes performance;
selecting the one transceiver that optimizes performance.
8. A computer-readable medium containing a program designed to perform the steps of:
performing a test on a subscriber loop coupled to the communication device; and
determining, responsive to the test, whether at least one of a group of transceivers within a device is currently compatible with at least one of a plurality of predefined spectrum management classes;
selecting an operating transceiver from the group of transceivers, where each transceiver is configured to communicate in a respective at least one of the predefined spectrum management classes, and where the selected operating transceiver is configured to communicate in the first allowable class; and
enabling the operating transceiver.
9. The computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein each spectrum management class defines transmit power requirements for the modem.
10. The computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the spectrum management classes are defined by a standard.
11. The computer-readable medium of claim 8 , the program further designed to perform the step of determining that none of the transceivers is currently compatible with any of the spectrum management classes, and to refrain from data transmission and reception upon such determination.
12. The computer-readable medium of claim 8 , the program further designed to perform the step of measuring characteristics of the subscriber loop.
13. The computer-readable medium of claim 12 , the program further designed to perform the step of automatically selecting, based on the measured characteristics, one of the transceivers that is compatible with at least one of the spectrum management classes.
14. The computer-readable medium of claim 12 , wherein the measured characteristic is loop length.
15. A device, comprising:
a group of transceivers that are each compatible with a respective at least one of a predefined spectrum management classes; and
a modem coupled to a subscriber loop, the modem capable of operating with the group of transceivers, wherein each spectrum management class defines transmit power requirements to which the modem must adhere in order to be compatible with the class, wherein the modem is configured to determine whether at least one of the transceivers is currently compatible with at least one of the spectrum management classes and configured to select an operating transceiver from the group of transceivers, and where the selected operating transceiver is configured to communicate in the first allowable class.
16. The modem of claim 15 , wherein each spectrum management class defines transmit power spectral density (PSD) requirements.
17. The modem of claim 15 , wherein the spectrum management classes are defined by a standard.
18. The modem of claim 15 , the modem further configured to automatically select one of the transceivers that is compatible with at least one of the spectrum management classes.
19. The modem of claim 15 , wherein the modem is further configured to determine that none of the transceivers is currently compatible with any of the spectrum management classes, and to refrain from data transmission and reception upon such determination.
20. The modem of claim 15 , wherein the modem is further configured to measure subscriber loop length.
21. The modem of claim 15 , wherein the modem is further configured to measure characteristics of the subscriber loop.
22. The modem of claim 21 , wherein the modem is further configured to automatically select, based on the measured characteristics, one of the transceivers that is compatible with at least one of the spectrum management classes.