An initialisation protocol for a CDMA based communications scheme for HFC CATV networks

An initialization protocol for a CDMA based communications system for hybrid fiber coax (HFC) central antenna television (CATV) networks is described. HFC CATV networks are shared medium access networks, employing the coaxial bus principle between an optical network terminator and the subscriber. To realize access in the upstream direction, a multiple access scheme based on CDMA can be used. However, before access is granted in the upstream direction, each cable modem connected to the coaxial bus needs to undergo a startup procedure at activation of the modem to determine timing and physical layer related settings. The initialization mechanism described performs time synchronization of a modem and the determination of the power the modem should use. Next to these physical layer settings, also the identity of a modem is determined during the initialization process.