Abstract: Detecting an imminent failure of a power supply. The power supply may supply power to an Optical Line Terminal (OLT) node, an Ethernet switch, a Community Access television (CATV) plant, an optical node, a smart optical node, an outdoor Wi-Fi hot-spot, an 802.11n Wi-Fi Access Point, a wireless base station, and a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM). An internal computerized component periodically reads a set of measurements from one or more sensors affixed to a power supply. The internal computerized component and power supply may reside in a variety of different technical contexts. The internal computerized component analyzes the set of measurements using, at least in part, a weighted set of factors, to detect the imminent failure in the power supply. The weighted set of factors may be updated or revised over time and may be specifically tailored for use with specific types of power supplies.

Abstract: A single hardware device (“unified NDR core”) that supports a narrowband digital return (NDR) channel for a plurality of remote PHY devices. The unified NDR core may be located within a cable headend. The unified NDR core comprises a single digital-to-analog converter (DAC) which converts digital payloads carried by digital packets received from the plurality of Remote PHY devices into a RF signal. The unified NDR core further comprises a transmitter for sending the RF signal to an Out-of-Band (OOB) Termination System. The unified NDR core supports a plurality of narrowband digital return (NDR) channels for the plurality of remote PHY devices.

Abstract: Approaches for bracket for strand mounted equipment. The bracket comprises a body having a first end and a second end opposing the first end. The first end comprises one or more resting hooks sized to be positioned over a strand. The resting hooks allow for resting the strand mounted equipment temporarily onto the strand in a position that readily accommodates the permanent attachment of the strand mounted equipment to the strand. The first end of the bracket also comprises a clamp for securing the bracket to the strand, while the second end comprises a securing mechanism for securing the bracket to the strand mounted equipment. The bracket may be formed from a single piece of shaped metal. The strand mounted equipment may be a variety of equipment, such as CATV outdoor equipment and Internet access equipment.

Abstract: Dynamic adjustment of the power amplifier bias of a power amplifier. Circuitry, disposed within an apparatus, measures the power level presently being handled by the power amplifier. The circuitry adjusts the power amplifier bias for a power amplifier based on the measurement of the power level presently being handled by the power amplifier and a desired fidelity experienced by RF signals processed by the power amplifier. The adjustment in the power amplifier bias for the power amplifier causes an adjustment in a power consumption of the power amplifier, thereby enabling great saving in the DC power required by a power amplifier, and thus, substantially reduces the power consumption of the apparatus in which it operates, such as a Remote PHY node, a Remote MACPHY node, a HFC RF amplifier, a wireless communication device, cellular transmission equipment, or a satellite transponder, for example.

Abstract: Approaches for dynamic assignment of a MAC address. An article of manufacture may comprise a non-volatile memory and a network element that comprises a CPU. The network element may be a remote PHY device, an Ethernet switch, a Remote MACPHY Device (RMD), a Passive Optical Network (PON) Optical Line Terminal (OLT), a Passive Optical Network (PON) Optical Network Unit (ONU), a Wi-Fi hot spot router, a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) device, an O-Ran device, or a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) routing device. A communication link exists between the CPU of the network element and the non-volatile memory of the article of manufacture. A module on the network element causes the network element to retrieve, across the communication link, at least one MAC address from the non-volatile memory of the remote PHY node and adopt a MAC address to identify itself any time that the article of manufacture reboots.

Abstract: Detecting an imminent failure of a power supply. An internal computerized component periodically reads a set of measurements from one or more sensors affixed to a power supply. The internal computerized component and power supply may reside in a variety of different technical contexts. The internal computerized component analyzes the set of measurements using, at least in part, a weighted set of factors, to detect the imminent failure in the power supply. The weighted set of factors may be updated or revised over time and may be specifically tailored for use with specific types of power supplies.

Abstract: Propagating a downstream (DS) Out-of-Band (OOB) signal at a frequency receivable by a set of legacy set-top boxes (STBs) while supporting enhanced upstream peak data rates. At an input of an amplifier of a physical device, a portion of the DS-OOB signal is tapped to create a tapped DS-OOB signal, which comprises both the DS-OOB signal and all other downstream signals and channels sent from a head-end to a set of customer premises equipment (CPE) via the physical device. The tapped DS-OOB signal is introduced to a band-pass filter that passes the DS-OOB signal and attenuates all other radio frequency (RF) signals to create a filtered DS-OOB signal. The filtered DS-OOB signal is amplified and coupled to a low-pass side of a high-split diplex filter to propagate onto a transmission medium coupled to the CPE. The physical device may be a high-split RF amplifier or a high-split node.

Abstract: Preventing RF signal distortion and signal error producing memory events in a Radio Frequency (RF) power amplifier (RFPA). An element, disposed prior to the Radio Frequency (RF) power amplifier (RFPA) in a signal path of a RF signal input to the RFPA, may enforce a maximum allowable amplitude in a high PAPR instantaneous high peak of the RF signal. An element may also increase or supplement a bias of the Radio Frequency (RF) power amplifier (RFPA) when a high PAPR instantaneous high peak is detected in the RF signal prior to receipt by the RFPA. Additionally, a first element operable detects when an instantaneous output voltage of the Radio Frequency (RF) power amplifier (RFPA) is below a predetermined voltage, and in response, a second element supplies additional current to prevent the output voltage of the RFPA from falling below a predetermined threshold voltage.

Abstract: Performing distributed Remote PHY scheduling operations. A low latency scheduler is disposed within or in proximity to a Remote PHY node. Upon identifying that a particular data flow qualifies for processing by the low latency scheduler, the low latency scheduler performs upstream Remote PHY scheduling operations for the particular data flow using a one or more dedicated channels that are designated as low latency channels. The Remote PHY upstream scheduling operations define when data may be transmitted by a Cable Modem (CM) to a Converged Cable Access Platform (CCAP) Core. A centralized scheduler is also located at the CCAP Core. The centralized scheduler performs Remote PHY upstream scheduling operations for all data flows which have not been identified as qualifying for processing by the low latency scheduler.

Abstract: Recovering a hardware component, such as a Remote MACPHY node (RMN), a wireless base station, a CATV amplifier, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a microcell, or a PON switch, after a power interruption. A hardware component, upon detecting that input power to the R-PHY device will be imminently interrupted, provides an alarm signal to a central processing unit (CPU) in the R-PHY device. The CPU, in response to receiving the alarm, stores running parameter data for the R-PHY device in a non-volatile memory. The running parameter data is normally obtained through network communications during a boot operation of the R-PHY device. If certain conditions are satisfied, then the R-PHY device recovers from the interruption in input power using the stored running parameter data without obtaining the running parameter data through a normal boot operation, thus shortening the boot time.

Abstract: A directional coupler having coupling variability at separate portions of an operational frequency band. The coupler may be comprised within a Full Duplex (FDX) amplifier and itself may comprise input and output ports, a coupled port, a termination port, a first RF filter coupled to the coupled port, and a second RF filter coupled to the termination port. The first and second RF filters yield a first coupling value at one portion of the operational frequency band of the coupler and a second coupling value at a second portion of the operational frequency band. The first portion of the band corresponds to a range of frequencies at which higher coupling for the coupler is desired and greater loss in the signal is tolerable. The second portion of the band corresponds to a range of frequencies at which lower coupling for the coupler is tolerable and lower signal loss is desirable.

Abstract: Cable television (CATV) equipment having a specialized Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). The CATV equipment comprises a coaxial cable power input, one or more Remote PHY (R-PHY) devices, a main power supply designed to supply an entirety of the CATV equipment with power continuously while there is AC power supplied to the CATV equipment over the coaxial cable power input, and an internal UPS for supplying power to either the entirety of the CATV equipment or a set of subcomponents thereof when the CATV equipment is not supplied power over the coaxial cable power input. An energy storage element of the internal UPS includes one or more capacitors but not a battery. The internal UPS adjusts how power is supplied in response to determining that a configurable amount of time has passed since the interruption in power to the CATV equipment.

Abstract: A Remote PHY (R-PHY) node having a specialized Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). A R-PHY node comprises a coaxial cable input, one or more Remote PHY (R-PHY) devices, a node power supply designed to supply an entirety of the R-PHY node with power continuously while there is Quasi Square Wave (QSW) AC power supplied to the R-PHY node over the coaxial cable input, and an UPS for supplying power to either the entirety of the R-PHY node or a set of the one or more R-PHY devices when the R-PHY node is not supplied QSW power over the coaxial cable input. The internal UPS adjusts how power is supplied in response to determining that a configurable amount of time has passed since the interruption in QSW power to the R-PHY node.

Abstract: A directional coupler having coupling variability at separate portions of an operational frequency band. A frequency selective coupler comprises an input port, an output port, a coupled port, a termination port, a first RF filter coupled to the coupled port, and a second RF filter coupled to the termination port. The first and second RF filters yield a first coupling value at a first portion of the operational frequency band of the coupler and a second coupling value at a second portion of the operational frequency band. The first portion of the band corresponds to a range of frequencies at which higher coupling for the coupler is desired and greater loss in the signal is tolerable. The second portion of the band corresponds to a range of frequencies at which lower coupling for the coupler is tolerable and lower loss in the signal is desirable.

Abstract: Propagating a leakage test signal at a frequency receivable by traditional leakage test systems while supporting enhanced upstream peak data rates. At an input of an amplifier of a device, a portion of the leakage test signal is tapped to create a tapped signal, which comprises both the leakage test signal and all other downstream signals and channels sent from a head-end to a set of customer premises equipment (CPE) via the device. The tapped signal is introduced to a filter that passes the leakage test signal and attenuates all other radio frequency (RF) signals to create a filtered leakage test signal. The filtered leakage test signal is amplified and coupled to a low-pass side of a high-split diplex filter to propagate onto a transmission medium coupled to the HFC plant receivable by a traditional leakage test system. The device may be a high-split RF amplifier or a high-split node.

Abstract: Increasing an analog to digital converter (ADC) dynamic range for a communications device. In the communications device, a reference threshold is established for a peak to average power ratio (PAPR) improvement factor for RF signals received by the communications device. A digital to analog converter (DAC) adjustment factor is established for a DAC to account for inaccuracies of a pre-cancellation DAC and fine tuning of an analog gain of received RF signals. A peak amplitude separation element evaluates an absolute value of a portion of a particular RF signal against the reference threshold. Upon the peak amplitude separation element determining that the portion is smaller than the reference threshold, the element assigns a zero value to a DAC signal current sample; otherwise, the element assigns a quantized value of the sample to the DAC signal current sample, used in adjusting a post-cancellation signal sample.

Abstract: Approaches for bracket for strand mounted equipment. The bracket comprises a body having a first end and a second end opposing the first end. The first end comprises one or more resting hooks sized to be positioned over a strand. The resting hooks allow for resting the strand mounted equipment temporarily onto the strand in a position that readily accommodates the permanent attachment of the strand mounted equipment to the strand. The first end of the bracket also comprises a clamp for securing the bracket to the strand, while the second end comprises a securing mechanism for securing the bracket to the strand mounted equipment. The bracket may be formed from a single piece of shaped metal. The strand mounted equipment may be a variety of equipment, such as CATV outdoor equipment and Internet access equipment.

Abstract: Preventing RF signal distortion and signal error producing memory events in a Radio Frequency (RF) power amplifier (RFPA). An element, disposed prior to the Radio Frequency (RF) power amplifier (RFPA) in a signal path of a RF signal input to the RFPA, may enforce a maximum allowable amplitude in a high PAPR instantaneous high peak of the RF signal. An element may also increase or supplement a bias of the Radio Frequency (RF) power amplifier (RFPA) when a high PAPR instantaneous high peak is detected in the RF signal prior to receipt by the RFPA. Additionally, a first element operable detects when an instantaneous output voltage of the Radio Frequency (RF) power amplifier (RFPA) is below a predetermined voltage, and in response, a second element supplies additional current to prevent the output voltage of the RFPA from falling below a predetermined threshold voltage.

Abstract: Approaches for dynamic assignment of a MAC address. An article of manufacture may comprise a non-volatile memory and a network element that comprises a CPU. The network element may be a remote PHY device, an Ethernet switch, a Remote MACPHY Device (RMD), a Passive Optical Network (PON) Optical Line Terminal (OLT), a Passive Optical Network (PON) Optical Network Unit (ONU), a Wi-Fi hot spot router, a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) device, an O-Ran device, or a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) routing device. A communication link exists between the CPU of the network element and the non-volatile memory of the article of manufacture. A module on the network element causes the network element to retrieve, across the communication link, at least one MAC address from the non-volatile memory of the remote PHY node and adopt a MAC address to identify itself any time that the article of manufacture reboots.

Abstract: Approaches for bracket for strand mounted CATV outdoor equipment. The bracket comprises a body having a first end and a second end opposing the first end. The first end comprises one or more resting hooks sized to be positioned over a strand. The resting hooks allow for resting the CATV outdoor equipment temporarily onto the strand in a position that readily accommodates the permanent attachment of the CATV outdoor equipment to the strand. The first end of the bracket also comprises a clamp for securing the bracket to the strand, while the second end comprises a securing mechanism for securing the bracket to the CATV outdoor equipment. The bracket may be formed from a single piece of shaped metal.