Charter Communications Operating, LLC

David Claussen

Roger Graham Stafford

Matthew Petersen

Matt Petersen

Kevin Kwasny

Apparatus and methods for optimizing bandwidth utilization and services in a data network infrastructure. In one embodiment, the data network is a managed Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC) cable network, and the network infrastructure is configured to enable dynamic allocate of frequency bands to individual consumer premises device (e.g., DOCSIS-compliant cable modems). In one variant, the improved network infrastructure enables creation of virtual Service Groups (vSGs), and allocation of individual ones of the CM to such vSGs, to some degree irrespective of topological or 'hardwired' location within the network. The allocations can be dynamic, and based on factors such as load balancing, evacuation of portions of the physical network topology (such as to support infrastructure upgrades or replacement), or for yet other reasons such as relating to subscriber tier or service level agreement (SLA).

Apparatus and methods for optimizing capacity in wireline cable networks with virtual service groups

Systems and methods for evaluating a customer premise equipment (CPE) device. A network element management system may send an alteration request to a configurable coaxial tap that includes a radio frequency modulator-demodulator combination. The alteration request include information that causes the configurable coaxial tap to directly examine packets that are sent to or received from the CPE device.

System and method for evaluating a customer premise equipment (CPE) device

Systems and methods for evaluating a customer premise equipment (CPE) device. A network element management system may send an alteration request to a configurable coaxial tap. The alteration request may cause the configurable coaxial tap to alter the characteristics of the configurable coaxial tap and/or to manipulate the radio frequency (RF) characteristics of a CPE device coupled to the configurable coaxial tap. The network element management system may receiving impaired operation reports from a cable modem termination system (CMTS), and send an un-alteration request to the configurable coaxial tap. The un-alteration request may cause the configurable coaxial tap to undo the alterations to the characteristics of the configurable coaxial tap or to undo the manipulated RF characteristics of the CPE. The network element management system may receive and use information the CMTS to determine modem-tap-port correlations and the physical location of the CPE.

System and method for remotely identifying physical location of communications device

An assembly includes a ring frame having first and second open sides and an electrical connector block; a mounting structure to which the ring frame is secured; a plurality of power and signal cable connection points defined on the ring frame; and a plurality of power and signal cables coupled to the power and signal cable connection points and the connector block. First and second covers are secured to the ring frame. Each of the first and second covers is open on one side facing the ring frame and defines a mounting cavity. A plurality of heat-dissipating electronic components are mechanically and thermally coupled to the first and second covers and located in the mounting cavities. The heat-dissipating electronic components are releasably electrically coupled to the electrical connector block.

Modular communications equipment support

Systems and methods for evaluating a customer premise equipment (CPE) device. A network element management system may send an alteration request to a configurable coaxial tap that cause the configurable coaxial tap to alter the characteristics of the configurable coaxial tap and/or to manipulate the radio frequency (RF) characteristics of a customer premise device (CPE) coupled to the configurable coaxial tap. The network element management system may then receive impaired operation reports from a cable modem termination system, sending an un-alteration request to the configurable coaxial tap to undo the alterations, and receive restored operation reports from the cable modem termination system. The network element management system may use any or all of the received information to generate and use modem-tap-port correlations to determine the physical location of the CPE.

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Evergreen, CO, United States of America

David Claussen