Abstract: A system for redistributing a broadband audio-visual-data signal to a multiplicity of receiver units within a multiple dwelling unit (MDU) includes a main receiving antenna that receives a broadband video/audio/data signal having a number of individual program multiplex signals therein and a transmodulator device that transmodulates a selected subset of the individual program multiplex signals associated with the broadband signal from a first modulation scheme to a second modulation scheme. The transmodulated signals are broadcast over a cable network, along with terrestrial signals, to individual receiver units at the MDU. The receiver units send requests for user-selected ones of the individual program multiplex signals to the transmodulator device, demodulate the transmodulated and/or terrestrial signals and provide user-specified channels to television sets for display.

Abstract: Encoding of prototype waveform components applicable to telecommunication systems provides improved voice quality enabling a dual-channel mode of operation which permits more users to communicate over the same physical channel. A prototype word (PW) gain is vector quantized using a vector quantizer (VQ) that explicitly populates a codebook by representative steady state and transient vectors of PW gain for tracking the abrupt variations in speech levels during onsets and other non-stationary events, while maintaining the accuracy of the speech level during stationary conditions.

Abstract: A method, and apparatus for accomplishing the method, of compressing data for transmission over a communications channel by receiving one or more data symbols comprising a current data string and at least one subsequent symbol, matching a longest previous data string with the current data string, the previous data string being defined by a code word, placing the code word into a compressed data stream, attempting to extend the current data string by a plurality of symbols, placing, in the event the current data string is extended, a string-extension length indicative of the plurality of symbols into the compressed data stream, and transmitting the compressed data stream though the communications channel.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing an integrated forward error correction (FEC) scheme to perform multi-rate encoding on different priority data bits of a channel access message transmitted on a random access channel between devices of a communications network, such as between an access terminal and a base station of a satellite-based communications network. The channel access message includes a first data group representing first information and a second data group representing second information, which is transmitted between an access terminal and a base station in a satellite-based communications network. The system and method encodes the second data group at an encoding rate to provide a second encoded data group, and encodes the first data group at the same encoding rate to provide a first encoded data group. The encoding of the first and second data groups is performed by a single encoder, such as a rate ¼ convolutional encoder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for monitoring a non-tracking satellite antenna terminal's pointing accuracy in three situations. First, the pointing accuracy is monitored after initial installation of the antenna within a geo-synchronous satellite communications system. Secondly, the method is employed to determine mis-pointing of the antenna terminal as a result of a long term event such as building settlement. Lastly, the method is employed to detect mis-pointing of the non-tracking antenna terminal due to a short term event, such as an earthquake, wind storm, or hurricane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for perceptibly masking acquisition time in a digital broadcast system transmitting programs on multiple channels is incorporated in a receiver for the information signal transmission system. The apparatus and the method generate a reduced time response, independent of the acquisition time for complete video images, and provide an output for portraying a masking display from the receiver before the acquisition time has expired. A generator and the output display are easily employed with known video transmission systems by suing a microcontroller switch to select channels and retrieve audio or visual cues in response to an output response less than that necessary for communicating the entire program image.

Abstract: A hybrid gateway includes functionality that allows bandwidth on a network (such as a satellite link) to be dynamically allocated and enforced. The hybrid gateway compares the thresholds defined for a requesting terminal's level of service and its measured running average data throughput to determine if the requesting terminal's bandwidth should be reduced (throttled). The hybrid gateway intercepts requests made by the requesting terminals and, if necessary, reduces the advertized window size of requests made by the requesting terminal, thereby reducing the transmission speed of the link and therefore the bandwidth of the link.

Abstract: An antenna mast for a multi-satellite system includes a base mounted at a lower end of the mast. The base is intended to be mounted to a surface. The antenna mast has a first adjustment mechanism that allows the mast to be adjusted in a y-direction. The antenna mast also has a second adjustment mechanism that allows the mast to be adjusted in an x-direction such that the uppermost portion of the antenna mast is straight.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an antenna arrangement including a plurality of antennas employed in, for example, a user terminal of a communications network, to provide a selected antenna pattern from among different antenna patterns based on, for example, the strength of a communications signal being received by the antenna arrangement of the user terminal, in order to satisfy desired gain and beamwidth requirements. The system and method can employ a switch that can be manually switched to control the antenna arrangement to provide the selected antenna pattern. The switch also can include a plurality of diodes that are controlled automatically or by a manual switch to select the antenna pattern. The plurality of antennas can be selectively activated and deactivated to provide the selected antenna pattern. Also, the plurality of antennas can be stacked vertically in relation to each other, or can include a first antenna and a second antenna disposed within said first antenna.

Abstract: An improved noise reduction algorithm is provided, as well as a voice activity detector, for use in a voice communication system. The voice activity detector allows for a reliable estimate of noise and enhancement of noise reduction. The noise reduction algorithm and voice activity detector can be implemented integrally in an encoder or applied independently to speech coding application. The voice activity detector employs line spectral frequencies and enhanced input speech which has undergone noise reduction to generate a voice activity flag. The noise reduction algorithm employs a smooth gain function determined from a smoothed noise spectral estimate and smoothed input noisy speech spectra. The gain function is smoothed both across frequency and time in an adaptive manner based on the estimate of the signal-to-noise ratio. The gain function is used for spectral amplitude enhancement to obtain a reduced noise speech signal.

Abstract: A method (120) and system (20) for reporting satellite receiver diagnostic information to a remote location is provided. A satellite receiver (24) includes an interface for receiving a service request for diagnostic information, a controller (69) for gathering the diagnostic information in response to the request, and a modem (66) for transferring the diagnostic information over a telephone network (32). This arrangement permits remote trouble-shooting by service technicians located at customer service centers.

Abstract: A low noise block down converter adapter for an antenna includes a Y-shaped housing that is mated to one end of a support bracket, as well as a plurality of low noise block down converters with feed (LNBFs). The adapter incorporates a plurality of ports for connecting to the LNBFs, a plurality of outputs to a plurality of integrated receiver-decoders (IRDs), and a multi-switch for selecting among the connectors to connect a selected one of the plurality of LNBFs to a selected one of the outputs.

Abstract: A system and method for demodulating slots having a mixed slot formation including differential and coherently encoded slots is disclosed. The method includes pre-phase encoding data and a predetermined sequence in a slot at a transmitter such that the encoded data and the predetermined sequence have equal reference phases from a reference symbol of a previous slot having a reference phase. Another method includes pre-phase encoding the predetermined sequence with a phase determined from a reference symbol from the previous slot at the transmitter. Yet another method includes differentially phase encoding the predetermined sequence according to IS-136A standards using a reference phase of π 4 . In another method pre-phase encoding data includes phase shifting data using one of a group of different phase angles, each of the different phase angles an integer multiple of π 2 .

Abstract: An Out Door Unit (ODU) provides the capability to aggregate signals received from more than one satellite before providing the signals to a multi-switch for selection 0by an integrated decoder-receiver (IRD). The signals from a first satellite are relocated by means of a local oscillator and multiplier to frequencies of unused channels in the signals from a second satellite. The relocated signals from the first satellite are then summed with the unused channels in the signals from the second satellite.

Abstract: A system for directing an antenna for transmission over a two-way satellite network is disclosed. A transceiver is coupled to the antenna; the transceiver transmits and receives signals over the two-way satellite network. A user terminal is coupled to the transceiver and executes an antenna pointing program. The program instructs a user to initially point the antenna to a beacon satellite using predefined pointing values based upon the location of the antenna. The program receives new antenna pointing parameters that are downloaded from a hub over a temporary channel that is established via the beacon satellite. The program displays the new antenna pointing parameters and instructs the user to selectively re-point the antenna based upon the downloaded new antenna pointing parameters.

Abstract: An approach for immediate channel assignment in a wireless communications system involves receiving a channel request message from a wireless transceiver, the channel request message including a dialed party number; forming an immediate assignment message including a channel assignment; transmitting the immediate assignment message to the wireless transceiver; and establishing a communications channel between the wireless transceiver and a called party by establishing a channel between the wireless transceiver and the called party.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling access to confidential data are disclosed. The disclosed apparatus includes a non-volatile memory for storing data and a logic circuit for controlling access to the data contained in the memory. The logic circuit selectively accesses the memory to determine whether at least a portion of the data contained in the memory comprises confidential data by analyzing a property inherent in the accessed data. The disclosed method includes the steps of: defining a predetermined section of the programmable memory as a repository for confidential data; addressing the predetermined section of the programmable memory; calculating a number of data blocks in the predetermined section having a predetermined characteristic; comparing the calculated number to a threshold value; and defining the memory as including confidential data in the predetermined section if the calculated number has a predetermined relationship to the threshold value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining if useful auxiliary information in an auxiliary time slot is available for subscriber unit use. The present invention includes a receiver that receives data from both an auxiliary time slot and a dedicated time slot. Data from the receiver is coupled to a computation function that calculates a metric comparing the data from the auxiliary time slot and the dedicated time slot. The calculated metric is coupled to a threshold comparator that compares the calculated metric to a threshold. Based on the results of the comparison, a determination is made on the presence or absence of useful auxiliary data in an auxiliary time slot.

Abstract: A satellite data receiver, a satellite data receiver controller, a method, an article of manufacture, and a propagated signal, which process polarization information from another satellite data receiver in order to permit multiple types of signals to be received by a conventional outdoor unit of a satellite reception system. The satellite data receiver, satellite data receiver controller, method, article of manufacture, and propagated signal also utilize decoding techniques to ensure no data is lost during a polarization switch. The satellite data receiver, satellite data receiver controller, method, article of manufacture, and propagated signal provide upgraded service without upgrading the outdoor unit and without requiring an installer to enter the consumer's home.

Abstract: A method of providing forward error correction for data services uses a parallel concatenated convolutional code which is a Turbo Code comprising a plurality of constituent encoders wherein a plurality of data block sizes are used in conjunction with said Turbo Code. A variation uses the method in a cellular radio system. Another variation uses the method in both forward and reverse links of a cellular radio system.