Assessment in an information network

Abstract

A method for assessing channel performance in a home communication network is provided. The home communication network is operable over a plurality of channels. The home communication network includes a network controller and a plurality of nodes. Each of the network controller and the plurality of nodes is in communication over a coax backbone. The method preferably includes selecting a channel for assessment and allocating a first probe operation for use with the plurality of nodes. The method may also include, in response to the allocating, sending a first probe operation report message from each of the plurality of nodes to the network controller. In response to receiving the first probe operation report messages, the method may further include using the network controller to select a node to be a channel assessment operation node. In addition, the method may include selecting at least a portion of the plurality of nodes to participate in a channel assessment operation signal exchange. The method may also include moving the selected nodes to a different channel to perform a channel assessment operation on the different channel and using the channel assessment operation node to allocate a second probe operation on each of the selected nodes.

1 . A method for assessing channel performance in a home communication network, the home communication network operable over a plurality of channels, the home communication network comprising a network controller and a plurality of nodes, each of the network controller and the plurality of nodes in communication over a coax backbone, the method comprising;
 selecting a channel for assessment;   allocating a first probe operation for use with the plurality of nodes;   in response to the allocating, sending a first probe operation report message from each of the plurality of nodes to the network controller;   in response to receiving the first probe operation report messages, using the network controller to select a node to be a channel assessment operation node;   selecting at least a portion of the plurality of nodes to participate in a channel assessment operation signal exchange; and   moving the selected nodes to a different channel to perform a channel assessment operation on the different channel.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising using the network controller to replace the channel assessment node with a second channel assessment node from the plurality of nodes. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising using the second channel assessment node to allocate the second probe operation on each of the selected nodes. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising providing using a second probe report, from the channel assessment node to the network controller, an estimation of the achievable capacity in the assessed channel. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising providing using a second probe report, from the second channel assessment node to the network controller, an estimation of the achievable capacity in the assessed channel. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising using the network controller to select a third channel for assessment. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said allocating a first probe operation comprises using the network controller to prevent the plurality of nodes from sending information on the network during the first probe operation. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising using the channel assessment operation node to allocate a second probe operation on each of the selected nodes. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising identifying, in the Media Access Plan (“MAP”), the channel assessment operation as a link state. 
     
     
         10 . A home communication network operable over a plurality of channels, the home communication network comprising:
 a network controller;   a plurality of nodes; and   a coax backbone, each of the network controller and the plurality of nodes in communication over the coax backbone, the network controller configured to:
 select a channel for assessment; 
 allocate a first probe operation for use with the plurality of nodes; 
   wherein each of the plurality of nodes is configured to, in response to the allocating, send a first probe operation report message to the network controller;   wherein, in response to receiving the first probe operation report messages from the plurality of nodes, the network controller is further configured to:
 select a node to be a channel assessment operation node; 
 select at least a portion of the plurality of nodes to participate in a channel assessment operation signal exchange; 
 move the selected nodes to a different channel to perform a channel assessment operation on the different channel; and 
 use the channel assessment operation node to allocate a second probe operation on each of the selected nodes. 
   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein, the network controller is further configured to replace the channel assessment node with a second channel assessment node from the plurality of nodes. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein, the second channel assessment node is configured to allocate the second probe operation on each of the selected nodes. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein, the channel assessment node is configured to send a second probe report to the network controller, the second probe report comprising a calculated full mesh rate on the different channel. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein, the second channel assessment node is configured to send a second probe report to the network controller, the second probe report comprising a calculated full mesh rate on the different channel. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the network controller is further configured to select a third channel for assessment. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the network controller is further configured to prevent the plurality of nodes from sending information on the network during the first probe operation. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the channel assessment operation node is further configured to allocate a second probe operation on each of the selected nodes. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the network controller is further configured to identify, in a Media Access Plan (“MAP”), the channel assessment operation as a link state. 
     
     
         19 . A method for assessing channel performance in a home communication network, the home communication network operable over a plurality of channels, the home communication network comprising a network controller and a plurality of nodes, each of the network controller and the plurality of nodes in communication over a first channel over a coax backbone, the method comprising;
 selecting a second channel for assessment;   allocating a first probe operation for use with at least one of the plurality of nodes;   allocating a transition time for the at least one node to move to the second channel;   maintaining the ability of the at least one node to continue to transmit on the first channel during the transmission time.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising, in response to the allocating a first probe operation, sending a first probe operation report message from the at least one node to the network controller.