Abstract: Methods and systems for modifying DOCSIS-based transmission paths for communication in higher frequency and/or wireless environments, such as wireless terrestrial communication systems and satellite communication systems. An inner turbo-code is combined with a DOCSIS based Reed-Solomon (“RS”) forward error correction (“FEC”) coding scheme, to produce a concatenated turbo-RS code (other FEC codes can be utilized). In phase and quadrature phase (“I-Q”) processing is utilized to enable relatively low cost up-converter implementations. The I-Q processing is preferably performed at baseband, essentially pre-compensating for analog variations in the transmit path. Power amplifier on/off control capable of controlling on/off RF power control of remote transmitters is modulated on a transmit cable to reduce the need for a separate cable.

Abstract: In a DOCSIS based satellite gateway data is transmitted over a single downstream channel, at different throughput rates. Data destined for each subscriber/receiver is assigned a throughput rate depending upon the downstream signal quality of that subscriber/receiver. To accomplish this, the downstream DOCSIS MAC data is parsed to extract DOCSIS packets. The DOCSIS packets are then loaded into packet queues based on an identifier within such packets such as the MAC destination address or SID. Each of the queues represents a bandwidth efficiency or throughput rate that can be currently tolerated by specific subscribers based on the current signal quality being experienced at the subscriber location. A PHY-MAP describing the downstream data structure to be transmitted and inserted into the downstream data. Data is extracted from the packet queues in queue blocks as defined by the PHY-MAP.

Abstract: Satellite communications are carried out using the Data Over Cable Interface Specification (DOCSIS). Satellite modems are notified of upstream channel congestion by inserting a congestion notification message in a medium access protocol (MAP) message for the upstream channel. Specifically, the congestion notification message is inserted in an unused field of the MAP message, such as the explicit congestion notification (ECN) field. The MAP message can also carry other characteristics of the upstream channel, including priority threshold, multicast access burst availability, and available bandwidth.

Abstract: Provided is a method and system for transmitting MPEG frames between a DOCSIS based satellite modem termination system (SMTS) and a corresponding satellite modem (SM) system. The method includes identifying at least one data stream requiring transmission between the SMTS and the SM, the data stream including one or more MPEG frames. Next, the MPEG frames are organized within SMTS data queues based upon predetermined parameters and then transmitted based upon their organization within the data queues.

Abstract: In a DOCSIS based satellite gateway data is transmitted over a single downstream channel, at different throughput rates. Data destined for each subscriber/receiver is assigned a throughput rate depending upon the downstream signal quality of that subscriber/receiver. To accomplish this, the downstream DOCSIS MAC data is parsed to extract DOCSIS packets. The DOCSIS packets are then loaded into packet queues based on an identifier within such packets such as the MAC destination address or SID. Each of the queues represents a bandwidth efficiency or throughput rate that can be currently tolerated by specific subscribers based on the current signal quality being experienced at the subscriber location. A PHY-MAP describing the downstream data structure to be transmitted and inserted into the downstream data. Data is extracted from the packet queues in queue blocks as defined by the PHY-MAP.

Abstract: A system and method for providing upstream adaptive modulation. Burst parameters associated with a range of data interval usage codes (IUCs) are defined. Each of the data IUCs has a different modulation order and forward error correction (FEC). The SNR and codeword error rate for each satellite modem in the network are monitored. The data IUCs are dynamically assigned to different satellite modems within an upstream channel based on SNR and/or codeword error rate to enable each of the satellite modems in the upstream channel to achieve maximum bandwidth efficiency during upstream data transmissions. Bandwidth requests are received from the satellite modems and granted. The grant includes the assigned data IUC. The data bursts received in the upstream channel are each processed using the parameters from the assigned IUC for each of the satellite modems sending data in the upstream channel.

Abstract: A system and method for minimizing the frequency error of satellite modem signals at a satellite gateway. The gateway downstream baud (symbol) clock and the elements that control the upstream frequency (i.e., local oscillators in the conversion chain, A/D sample clocks) are locked to a common frequency reference. The gateway sends upstream satellite frequency offset information, such as satellite ephemeris data from which to calculate Doppler offset, to the satellite modem. The satellite modem locks the frequency of the satellite modems master oscillator to the recovered baud rate using a frequency locked loop. The satellite modem uses its master oscillator as the carrier reference for the upstream frequency up conversion. The satellite modem uses or calculates the upstream satellite frequency offset and compensates for this offset by shifting its center frequency.

Abstract: A system and method for providing upstream adaptive modulation. Burst parameters associated with a range of data interval usage codes (IUCs) are defined. Each of the data IUCs has a different modulation order and forward error correction (FEC). The SNR and codeword error rate for each satellite modem in the network are monitored. The data IUCs are dynamically assigned to different satellite modems within an upstream channel based on SNR and/or codeword error rate to enable each of the satellite modems in the upstream channel to achieve maximum bandwidth efficiency during upstream data transmissions. Bandwidth requests are received from the satellite modems and granted. The grant includes the assigned data IUC. The data bursts received in the upstream channel are each processed using the parameters from the assigned IUC for each of the satellite modems sending data in the upstream channel.

Abstract: Satellite communications are carried out using the Data Over Cable Interface Specification (DOCSIS). Satellite modems are notified of upstream channel congestion by inserting a congestion notification message in a medium access protocol (MAP) message for the upstream channel. Specifically, the congestion notification message is inserted in an unused field of the MAP message, such as the explicit congestion notification (ECN) field. The MAP message can also carry other characteristics of the upstream channel, including priority threshold, multicast access burst availability, and available bandwidth.

Abstract: Satellite communications are carried out using the Data Over Cable Interface Specification (DOCSIS). Satellite modems are notified of upstream channel congestion by inserting a congestion notification message in a medium access protocol (MAP) message for the upstream channel. Specifically, the congestion notification message is inserted in an unused field of the MAP message, such as the explicit congestion notification (ECN) field. The MAP message can also carry other characteristics of the upstream channel, including priority threshold, multicast access burst availability, and available bandwidth.

Abstract: Methods and systems for blocking, from a user's email account, emails sent by an unknown sender. In one embodiment, a method may include determining if a sender of a received email message is a trusted sender; if the sender of the received email message is not a trusted sender, administering one or more tests to the sender; and if the sender passes the one or more tests, accepting the received email message into the user's email account. The method may also include if the e-mail is from an unknown sender who fails the one or more tests, providing for deleting or blocking the email without placing the email in the user's email account.

Abstract: Provided are a method and system for processing at least two consecutive MPEG Q-blocks in a communications system, one of the Q-blocks being low rate and the other being high rate. The method includes back-filling an empty portion in a first transmitted Q-block with a first portion of second type data, the remaining portion of data of the second type data being included in another Q-block prior to transmission. The second type data crosses a boundary between the first and the other Q-block when the actual number is less than a corresponding maximum number. Finally, the method includes receiving within an associated subscriber modem one of the first and the second type data and not receiving the other of the first and the second type data when the second type data crosses the boundary.

Abstract: Provided are a method and system for determining system time in a satellite based cable data communication system. The system includes a satellite modem termination system configured to transmit data frames to a receiver in a predetermined symbol rate. Each frame includes a corresponding number of symbols and has a time stamp (i) indicative of the frame's time of transmission and (ii) positioned within the frame at a location common to all of the frames. The method includes receiving at least two consecutively transmitted data frames within the receiver and registering the time stamp of the first received data frame within the receiver to produce a first time stamp. Also, the time stamp of the second received data frame is registered within the receiver to produce a second time stamp. The time of transmission of the second transmitted data frame is updated, wherein the updating is a function of the first time stamp, the second time stamp, the corresponding number of symbols, and the symbol rate.

Abstract: Provided is a method and system for transmitting MPEG frames between a DOCSIS based satellite modem termination system (SMTS) and a corresponding satellite modem (SM) system. The method includes identifying at least one data stream requiring transmission between the SMTS and the SM, the data stream including one or more MPEG frames. Next, the MPEG frames are organized within SMTS data queues based upon predetermined parameters and then transmitted based upon their organization within the data queues.

Abstract: A system and method for requesting additional bandwidth in a communications channel between one or more first satellite terminal devices and a second satellite terminal device, are provided. The method includes identifying an available field in a header to be transmitted from the one or more first devices to the second device and allocating at least a portion of the available field for requesting the additional bandwidth. A size of the available field is reconfigurable. The method also includes forwarding the extend header to the second device.

Abstract: A system and method for providing upstream adaptive modulation. Burst parameters associated with a range of data interval usage codes (IUCs) are defined. Each of the data IUCs has a different modulation order and forward error correction (FEC). The SNR and codeword error rate for each satellite modem in the network are monitored. The data IUCs are dynamically assigned to different satellite modems within an upstream channel based on SNR and/or codeword error rate to enable each of the satellite modems in the upstream channel to achieve maximum bandwidth efficiency during upstream data transmissions. Bandwidth requests are received from the satellite modems and granted. The grant includes the assigned data IUC. The data bursts received in the upstream channel are each processed using the parameters from the assigned IUC for each of the satellite modems sending data in the upstream channel.

Abstract: A satellite communication system includes a satellite earth station operably coupled to a data network, and a plurality of satellite modems, each satellite modem of the plurality of satellite modems communicating in an upstream and downstream data communication mode with the satellite earth station via at least one servicing satellite.

Abstract: In a DOCSIS based satellite gateway data is transmitted over a single downstream channel, at different throughput rates. Data destined for each subscriber/receiver is assigned a throughput rate depending upon the downstream signal quality of that subscriber/receiver. To accomplish this, the downstream DOCSIS MAC data is parsed to extract DOCSIS packets. The DOCSIS packets are then loaded into packet queues based on an identifier within such packets such as the MAC destination address or SID. Each of the queues represents a bandwidth efficiency or throughput rate that can be currently tolerated by specific subscribers based on the current signal quality being experienced at the subscriber location. A PHY-MAP describing the downstream data structure to be transmitted and inserted into the downstream data. Data is extracted from the packet queues in queue blocks as defined by the PHY-MAP.

Abstract: A system and method for minimizing the frequency error of satellite modem signals at a satellite gateway. The gateway downstream baud (symbol) clock and the elements that control the upstream frequency (i.e., local oscillators in the conversion chain, A/D sample clocks) are locked to a common frequency reference. The gateway sends upstream satellite frequency offset information, such as satellite ephemeris data from which to calculate Doppler offset, to the satellite modem. The satellite modem locks the frequency of the satellite modems master oscillator to the recovered baud rate using a frequency locked loop. The satellite modem uses its master oscillator as the carrier reference for the upstream frequency up conversion. The satellite modem uses or calculates the upstream satellite frequency offset and compensates for this offset by shifting its center frequency.

Abstract: Methods and systems for modifying DOCSIS-based transmission paths for communication in higher frequency and/or wireless environments, such as wireless terrestrial communication systems and satellite communication systems. An inner turbo-code is combined with a DOCSIS based Reed-Solomon (“RS”) forward error correction (“FEC”) coding scheme, to produce a concatenated turbo-RS code (other FEC codes can be utilized). In phase and quadrature phase (“I-Q”) processing is utilized to enable relatively low cost up-converter implementations. The I-Q processing is preferably performed at baseband, essentially pre-compensating for analog variations in the transmit path. Power amplifier on/off control capable of controlling on/off RF power control of remote transmitters is modulated on a transmit cable to reduce the need for a separate cable.