Method and system for allocating bandwidth based on transmission power of devices transmitting over communications channels in a network

摘要

A method performed by a central network device, such as a network edge device, or a CMTS, determines whether some of a plurality of user devices coupled to a communication device are transmitting at substantially their respective maximum power output level over a given channel. If the central device determines that some of the devices are operating at near their maximum output level (“power pegged,) the central device searches for another channel that can carry the traffic of the power pegged devices at reduced data rate. If another channel can accommodate transmission of signals of the power pegged device, the central device instructs the power pegged devices to tune to the new channel at a reduced data rate compared to the data rate of the current channel.

主权项

1. A method operable to tune customer premise devices from a first upstream transmission profile to a second upstream transmission profile based on transmit power levels, comprising:
identifying a transmission power level associated with an existing customer premise device transmitting information to a network edge device; measuring a receive power level associated with the existing customer premise device, the receive power being measured at the network edge device; determining whether the transmission power level associated with the existing customer premise device exceeds a threshold of the receive power level associated with the existing customer premise device; scanning transmission characteristics of at least one other upstream transmission profile; selecting from the at least one other scanned upstream transmission profiles a second upstream transmission profile that can accommodate upstream transmissions from the existing customer premise device without adversely affecting upstream transmissions from customer premise devices that are not operating in excess of the threshold of their respective transmission and receive power levels; instructing the existing customer premise device transmitting upstream at a power level exceeding a threshold of the receive power level to begin transmitting upstream on the second upstream transmission profile; and modifying characteristics of the first upstream transmission profile.