Systems and methods for a multicarrier modulation system with a variable margin

Abstract

A multicarrier modem has a plurality of carriers over which data is transmitted. By assigning, for example, one or more different margins to the individual carriers the data rate and impairment immunity can be increased.

1 - 29 . (canceled)  
   
   
       30 . A method for multicarrier modulation communication over a plurality of subchannels comprising: 
 selecting a first number of the subchannels;    assigning a first margin to the first number of the subchannels;    selecting a second number of the subchannels; and    assigning a second margin to the second number of subchannels, wherein the first margin and the second margin are different.    
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the margins are based on at least one of changes in the levels of a crosstalk, impulse noise, temperature changes, wire line length, radio frequency interference, a bit error rate, a signal to noise ratio, a seasonal change, statistical information, time information, day information and data rate information.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the margins are at least one of an average margin and a subchannel specific margin.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the average margin is applied equally to a portion of either the first or second number of subchannels.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising a margin determiner that determines at least one margin.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising a margin storage device that stores at least one margin.  
   
   
       36 - 45 . (canceled)