Method and apparatus for allocating OFDM subcarriers for next codeword pointers or other signaling messages
An apparatus for communication. A headend supports a plurality of customer premises equipment (CPEs) in a cable service network. An NCP carrier selector selects at least one orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) subcarrier taken from a radio frequency (RF) spectrum available for broadcasting signals over the cable service network using a plurality of profiles, wherein each selected OFDM subcarrier comprises a corresponding bit loading for each supported profile that meets or exceeds a minimum number of bits used for delivering next codeword pointer (NCP) messages that is acceptable for each of a plurality of profiles used in the plurality of CPEs for receiving signals over the cable service network. A profile generator generates an NCP profile identifying one or more selected OFDM subcarriers, wherein the NCP profile indicates which OFDM subcarriers within the RF spectrum are usable to carry NCP messages, and an associated bit loading for each selected subcarrier.
Futurewei Technologies, Inc.
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Jim Jeng Dao Fanglin
Chen Pan Sun