Self-calibrating RF network and system and method for use of the same
A self-calibrating RF network and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the self-calibrating RF network includes multiple hospitality properties, wherein RF network includes a property server located in communication with a terminal device providing data services through distribution elements to end point devices, such as set-top boxes. Each of the property servers collects RF performance data relative to the terminal device, the distribution elements, and the end point devices. The RF performance data is analyzed by a remote central server that provides RF adjustment data, which is indicative of power and equalization adjustments to the terminal device, power and equalization adjustments to the plurality of distribution elements, and power and ranging adjustments to the plurality of end point devices.
1. A server for a self-calibrating RF network, the server comprising:
a processor, memory, storage, inputs, outputs, and a terminal device;
a busing architecture communicatively interconnecting the processor, the memory, the storage, the inputs, the outputs, and the terminal device;
the terminal device providing data services through a plurality of distribution elements to a plurality of end point devices, the plurality of end point devices subscribing to the data services;
the inputs receiving RF performance data relative to the terminal device, the plurality of distribution elements, and the plurality of end point devices;
the RF performance data including physical device location information, the RF performance data further comprises parameters selected from the group consisting of analog signal levels, carrier level, carrier to noise ratio (CNR), signal to noise ratio (SNR), power line hum modulation, modulation error ratio (MER), bit error rate (BER), digital signal level, frequency of lost packets, jitter, transmit time, power level, and ranging status; and
the memory accessible to the processor, the memory including processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:
receive at the inputs the RF performance data relative to the terminal device, the plurality of distribution elements, and the plurality of end point devices,
send at the outputs the RF performance data to a cloud-based central server located remote relative to the server,
receive, from the cloud-based central server, at the inputs RF adjustment data relative to the terminal device, the plurality of distribution elements, and the plurality of end point devices,
process the RF adjustment data, and
based on the processing, send at the outputs at least one of:
power and equalization adjustments to the terminal device,
power and equalization adjustments to the plurality of distribution elements, and
power and ranging adjustments to the plurality of end point devices.
2. The server as recited in claim 1 , wherein the RF performance data relates to a hospitality property selected from the group consisting of furnished multi-family residences, dormitories, lodging establishments, hotels, and hospitals.
3. The server as recited in claim 1 , wherein the terminal device further comprises point-to-multipoint transmission in a downstream direction and multipoint-to-point transmission in an upstream direction.
4. The server as recited in claim 1 , wherein the terminal device further comprises a device selected from the group consisting of cable modem termination systems and video distribution modulation devices.
5. The server as recited in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of distribution elements provides bi-directional RF signal distribution capability between the plurality of end point devices and the terminal device and provide self-generating upstream and downstream test signals for signal path diagnostic purposes.
6. The server as recited in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of distribution elements further comprises distribution amplifiers.
7. The server as recited in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of end point devices provides upstream maintenance on power adjustments through ranging requests.
8. The server as recited in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of end point devices further comprise a device selected from the group consisting of cable modem receivers and set-top boxes.
9. The server as recited in claim 1 , wherein the RF performance data further comprises analog and digital parameters.
10. The server as recited in claim 1 , wherein the RF performance data further comprises analogue parameters.
11. The server as recited in claim 1 , wherein the RF performance data further comprises digital parameters.
12. The server as recited in claim 1 , wherein the RF adjustment data further comprises adjustments to analogue parameters.
13. The server as recited in claim 1 , wherein the RF adjustment data further comprises adjustments to digital parameters.
14. The server as recited in claim 1 , wherein the RF adjustment data further comprises adjustments to parameters selected from the group consisting of analog signal levels, carrier level, carrier to noise ratio (CNR), signal to noise ratio (SNR), power line hum modulation, modulation error ratio (MER), bit error rate (BER), digital signal level, frequency of lost packets, jitter, transmit time, power level, and ranging status.
15. The server as recited in claim 1 , wherein the server comprises cloud-based functionality.
16. A server for a self-calibrating RF network, the server comprising:
a processor, memory, storage, inputs, outputs, and a terminal device;
a busing architecture communicatively interconnecting the processor, the memory, the storage, the inputs, the outputs, and the terminal device;
the terminal device providing data services through a plurality of distribution elements to a plurality of end point devices, the plurality of end point devices subscribing to the data services;
the terminal device including point-to-multipoint transmission in a downstream direction and multipoint-to-point transmission in an upstream direction, the terminal device being a device selected from the group consisting of cable modem termination systems and video distribution modulation devices;
the inputs receiving RF performance data relative to the terminal device, the plurality of distribution elements, and the plurality of end point devices;
the RF performance data including physical device location information, the RF performance data further comprises parameters selected from the group consisting of analog signal levels, carrier level, carrier to noise ratio (CNR), signal to noise ratio (SNR), power line hum modulation, modulation error ratio (MER), bit error rate (BER), digital signal level, frequency of lost packets, jitter, transmit time, power level, and ranging status; and
the memory accessible to the processor, the memory including processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:
receive at the inputs the RF performance data relative to the terminal device, the plurality of distribution elements, and the plurality of end point devices,
send at the outputs the RF performance data to a cloud-based central server located remote relative to the server,
receive, from the cloud-based central server, at the inputs RF adjustment data relative to the terminal device, the plurality of distribution elements, and the plurality of end point devices,
process the RF adjustment data, and
based on the processing, send at the outputs at least one of:
power and equalization adjustments to the terminal device,
power and equalization adjustments to the plurality of distribution elements, and
power and ranging adjustments to the plurality of end point devices.
17. The server as recited in claim 16 , wherein the RF performance data relates to a hospitality property selected from the group consisting of furnished multi-family residences, dormitories, lodging establishments, hotels, and hospitals.
18. The server as recited in claim 16 , wherein the plurality of distribution elements provides bi-directional RF signal distribution capability between the plurality of end point devices and the terminal device and provide self-generating upstream and downstream test signals for signal path diagnostic purposes.
19. A server for a self-calibrating RF network, the server comprising:
a processor, memory, storage, inputs, and outputs;
a busing architecture communicatively interconnecting the processor, the memory, the storage, the inputs, and the outputs;
the inputs receiving RF performance data relative to a terminal device, a plurality of distribution elements, and a plurality of end point devices, the inputs being located in communication with the terminal device, the terminal device providing data services through the plurality of distribution elements to the plurality of end point devices, the plurality of end point devices subscribing to the data services;
the RF performance data including physical device location information, the RF performance data further comprises parameters selected from the group consisting of analog signal levels, carrier level, carrier to noise ratio (CNR), signal to noise ratio (SNR), power line hum modulation, modulation error ratio (MER), bit error rate (BER), digital signal level, frequency of lost packets, jitter, transmit time, power level, and ranging status; and
the memory accessible to the processor, the memory including processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:
receive at the inputs the RF performance data relative to the terminal device, the plurality of distribution elements, and the plurality of end point devices,
send at the outputs the RF performance data to a cloud-based central server located remote relative to the server,
receive, from the cloud-based central server, at the inputs RF adjustment data relative to the terminal device, the plurality of distribution elements, and the plurality of end point devices,
process the RF adjustment data, and
based on the processing, send at the outputs at least one of:
power and equalization adjustments to the terminal device,
power and equalization adjustments to the plurality of distribution elements, and
power and ranging adjustments to the plurality of end point devices.
20. The server as recited in claim 19 , wherein the RF performance data relates to a hospitality property selected from the group consisting of furnished multi-family residences, dormitories, lodging establishments, hotels, and hospitals.