Method and Apparatus for Automatic Selection and Operation of a Subscriber Line Spectrum Class Technology

Abstract

Systems and methods for selecting an operating mode for a communication device are disclosed. The operating mode is compatible with one or more spectrum management classes. One such method includes measuring subscriber loop characteristics and identifying a first allowable class corresponding to the measured subscriber loop characteristics. The allowable class is chosen from a group of spectrum management classes. The method further includes selecting an operating mode from a group of possible operating modes. The selected operating mode is compatible with the first allowable class.

1 . A method for selecting an operating mode for a communication device capable of operating in a mode that is compatible with one or more spectrum management classes, the method comprising the steps of:
 measuring subscriber loop characteristics; identifying a first allowable class corresponding to the measured subscriber loop characteristics, where the allowable class is chosen from a group of spectrum management classes; and   selecting an operating mode from a group of possible operating modes, where the selected operating mode is compatible with the first allowable class.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each spectrum management class defines transmit power requirements. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each spectrum management class defines transmit power spectral density (PSD) requirements. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the spectrum management classes are defined by a standard. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 determining that the selected operating mode is not currently compatible with the first allowable class; and   ceasing line signaling upon such determination.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 determining that the selected operating mode is not currently compatible with the first allowable class;   identifying a second allowable class corresponding to the measured subscriber loop characteristics; and   selecting one of the operating modes that is compatible with the second allowable class.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 determining which one of the operating modes optimizes performance; and   selecting the one operating mode that optimizes performance.   
     
     
         8 . A computer-readable medium containing a program for determining whether a communication device is capable of operating in a mode that is compatible with one or more spectrum management classes, the program designed to perform the steps of: performing a test on a subscriber loop coupled to the communication device; and determining, responsive to the test, whether at least one of a plurality of operating modes is currently compatible with at least one of a plurality of spectrum management classes. 
     
     
         9 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein each spectrum management class defines transmit power requirements for the modem. 
     
     
         10 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein the spectrum management classes are defined by a standard. 
     
     
         11 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , the program further designed to perform the step of determining that none of the modes is currently compatible with any of the spectrum management classes, and to refrain from data transmission and reception upon such determination. 
     
     
         12 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , the program further designed to perform the step of measuring characteristics of the subscriber loop. 
     
     
         13 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 12 , the program further designed to perform the step of automatically selecting, based on the measured characteristics, one of the modes that is compatible with at least one of the spectrum management classes. 
     
     
         14 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 12 , wherein the measured characteristic is loop length. 
     
     
         15 . A modem coupled to a subscriber loop, the modem capable of operating in a plurality of modes that are each compatible with one or more spectrum management classes, each spectrum management class defining transmit power requirements to which the modem must adhere in order to be compatible with the class, the modem configured to determine whether at least one of the modes is currently compatible with at least one of the spectrum management classes. 
     
     
         16 . The modem of  claim 15 , wherein each spectrum management class defines transmit power spectral density (PSD) requirements. 
     
     
         17 . The modem of  claim 15 , wherein the spectrum management classes are defined by a standard. 
     
     
         18 . The modem of  claim 15 , the modem further configured to automatically select one of the modes that is compatible with at least one of the spectrum management classes. 
     
     
         19 . The modem of  claim 15 , wherein the modem is further configured to determine that none of the modes is currently compatible with any of the spectrum management classes, and to refrain from data transmission and reception upon such determination. 
     
     
         20 . The modem of  claim 15 , wherein the modem is further configured to measure subscriber loop length.