Method and apparatus for detecting and analyzing noise and other events affecting a communication system

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for effectively detecting and characterizing noise and other events affecting a communications system such as digital subscriber lines (DSL). According to certain aspects, the invention includes a noise analysis engine that is embedded in customer premises equipment that classifies noise sources according to their specific characteristics and tracks each noise source in a dynamic manner, in such a way as to provide visibility to the changing noise environment within the customer premises and/or report this environment to a remote entity.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of identifying noise sources in a digital subscriber line (DSL) system:
 identifying one or more noise events affecting communications over a DSL system;   collecting information regarding the one or more noise events; and   correlating the noise event against an internal database of noise signatures; and   identifying a type of the noise source for the noise event for cancellation.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the correlation is performed using fuzzy/comparison logic based on a primary signature of the noise event, the primary signature comprising a center frequency, a bandwidth, and an impulse repetition rate. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the correlation is performed using fuzzy/comparison logic based on a secondary signature of the noise event, the secondary signature including an underlying pulse rate. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the correlation is performed using fuzzy/comparison logic based on timing information, the timing information including at least one from the group consisting of: a time of appearance of the noise event and a time of disappearance of the noise event. 
     
     
         5 . A method of correlating noise comprising:
 monitoring noise in a CPE apparatus;   recording a noise event affecting communications to and from the CPE apparatus; and   performing correlation of the noise event.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the monitoring comprises producing 15 minute records of the noise event affecting communications to and from the CPE. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the performing correlation of the noise event comprises a cloud-based application that receives the records of the noise event and performs correlation of the noise event. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the correlation is performed across time for a single CPE apparatus. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the correlation is performed using fuzzy/comparison logic based on a primary signature of noise, the primary signature comprising a center frequency, a bandwidth, and an impulse repetition rate. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the correlation is performed using fuzzy logic based on a secondary signature of noise, the secondary signature comprising an underlying pulse rate. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the correlation is performed using fuzzy/comparison logic based on timing information, the timing information including a per minute hit or duration counters associated with the noise. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the correlation is performed across multiple CPE apparatuses. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the timing information is derived from the per minute hit or duration counters and a time stamp associated with the 15 minute record of the noise created by the CPE apparatus. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the correlation is performed against known external man-made or environmental events. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the correlation is performed using external information, the external information comprising cable binder information, or spatial location. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising a database of actual noise sources, and wherein the correlation is performed against the database. 
     
     
         17 . A customer premises equipment (CPE) apparatus comprising:
 an embedded noise analysis engine implemented by a modem chipset that collects information regarding a noise event affecting communications to and from the CPE apparatus and correlates the noise event against an internal database of noise signatures.   
     
     
         18 . The CPE apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the correlation is performed using fuzzy/comparison logic based on a primary signature of the noise event, the primary signature comprising a center frequency, a bandwidth, an impulse repetition rate. 
     
     
         19 . The CPE apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the correlation is performed using fuzzy/comparison logic based on a secondary signature of noise, the secondary signature including an underlying pulse rate. 
     
     
         20 . The CPE apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the correlation is performed using fuzzy/comparison logic based on timing information, the timing information including a time of appearance or disappearance of the noise event. 
     
     
         21 . A system comprising:
 a noise monitor that produces 15 minute records of a noise affecting communications to and from a customer premise equipment (CPE) apparatus; and   an analysis engine that receives the records and performs correlation of the noise.   
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the correlation is performed across time for a single CPE apparatus. 
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 22 , wherein the correlation is performed using fuzzy/comparison logic based on a primary signature of noise, the primary signature comprising a center frequency, a bandwidth, and an impulse repetition rate. 
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 22 , wherein the correlation is performed using fuzzy logic based on a secondary signature of noise, the secondary signature comprising an underlying pulse rate. 
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 22 , wherein the correlation is performed using fuzzy/comparison logic based on timing information, the timing information including a per minute hit or duration counters associated with the noise. 
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the correlation is performed across multiple CPE apparatuses. 
     
     
         27 . The system according to  claim 26 , wherein timing information is derived from per minute hit or duration counters and a time stamp associated with the 15 minute record of the noise created by the noise monitor. 
     
     
         28 . The system according to  claim 26 , wherein the correlation is performed using external information, the external information comprising cable binder information, or spatial location. 
     
     
         29 . The system according to  claim 21 , further comprising a database of actual noise sources, and wherein the correlation is performed against the database. 
     
     
         30 . The system according to  claim 21 , further comprising a noise database, and wherein the correlation is performed based on a Unique Identifier ID or Composite Noise Identifier of the noise in the database.