Systems and methods for power savings in hfc amplifiers

Abstract

Methods and systems that reduce power usage in a CATV network. Power usage may be reduced by temporally adjusting the power output of amplifiers in the network. The power output of one or more amplifiers in the network are preferably adjusted based on patterns of temporal usage of the network.

1 . A method for adjusting the power usage of an amplifier in a CATV network, the method comprising:
 (a) determining a temporal pattern of usage for the CATV network; and   (b) temporally modulating the power of the amplifier using the temporal pattern.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  where the step of temporally modulating the power of the amplifier includes changing available capacity of the CATV network. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  where the step of temporally modulating the power of the amplifier includes consolidating channels and reducing the upper frequency bound. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  where the step of temporally modulating the power of the amplifier includes reducing the order of modulation of at least one channel. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  including the steps of using the temporal pattern of usage to send a signal to the amplifier, where the signal is used to modulate the power of the amplifier. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  where the temporal pattern of usage is determined at a head end and the head end sends the signal. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  where the amplifier is in a node, and the node includes a DOCSIS cable modem chip that sends the signal to the amplifier. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  where a head end independently determines the temporal pattern of usage and modulates a downstream signal to the node to communicate the mode of operation. 
     
     
         9 . A node in a CATV network, the node comprising:
 (a) an input for receiving a downstream signal from a head end based on a temporal pattern of usage of the CATV network;   (b) an amplifier for amplifying the downstream signal; and   (c) a controller capable of temporally modulating the power consumption of the amplifier based on the received downstream signal.   
     
     
         10 . The node of  claim 9  where the node includes a DOCSIS cable modem chip. 
     
     
         11 . The node of  claim 9  where the controller receives a signal modulated based on the temporal pattern of usage and modulates the power consumption of the amplifier using the signal. 
     
     
         12 . The node of  claim 12  where the signal is received in an OOB channel. 
     
     
         13 . The node of  claim 12  where the signal is received in a DOCSIS 3.1 PHY Link Control (PLC) channel. 
     
     
         14 . The node of  claim 12  where the signal is received in a DOCSIS 3.1 subcarrier. 
     
     
         15 . The node of  claim 12  where the signal is received in a DOCSIS 3.1 pilot. 
     
     
         16 . A node in a CATV network, the node comprising:
 (a) an amplifier for amplifying a downstream signal; and   (b) a controller capable of temporally modulating the power consumption of the amplifier based on information the controller obtains from the received downstream signal.   
     
     
         17 . The node of  claim 17  where the controller is capable of setting an upper frequency bound of node operation based on a detected presence or absence of channel carriers. 
     
     
         18 . The node of  claim 16  where the controller comprises a DOCSIS cable modem chip. 
     
     
         19 . The node of  claim 16  where the information is received from at least one of an OOB channel in the downstream signal, a DOCSIS 3.1 PHY Link Control Channel in the downstream signal, a DOCSIS 3.1 pilot, and a DOCSIS 3.1 subcarrier. 
     
     
         20 . The node of  claim 16  where the controller modulates the power of consumption of the amplifier by at least one of reducing the order of modulation of at least one channel and consolidating channels into a reduced number of said channels.