the present invention provides a system and method for performing ranging operations in a cable modem system . in accordance with embodiments of the present invention , transmission times , transmission power levels , transmission carrier frequencies , and pre - equalization parameters are adjusted to provide for robust operation of the cable modem system . more particularly , iterative processing steps are used to provide coefficient ordering , scaling , and aligning between the multiple cable modems and the cable modem termination system present in a cable modem system .