Abstract: Improved techniques for acquiring symbol boundary timing at a receiver of a multicarrier data transmission system during a training sequence are disclosed. One aspect is symbol boundary determination at a receiver wherein minimal interference is used as a criterion in selecting from a plurality of potential symbol boundary timings. The symbol boundary determination at the receiver can be performed in a time domain or a frequency domain manner. Another aspect pertains to an improved training sequence wherein pairs of identical symbols are transmitted by a transmitter. These symbols can be supplied to the transmitter in a time domain or a frequency domain manner.

Abstract: A transform calculator includes a plurality of memories. A memory mapping rules module is configured to apportion points of a discrete time domain sequence among the plurality of memories. A pipelined data path is configured to iteratively process pairs of the points of the discrete time domain sequence received from the plurality of memories. A control module is configured to select the pairs of the points in the plurality of memories for processing by the pipelined data path, wherein only one point of each of the pairs of the points is selected at a given time.

Abstract: Improved techniques for acquiring symbol boundary timing at a receiver of a multicarrier data transmission system during a training sequence are disclosed. One aspect is symbol boundary determination at a receiver wherein minimal interference is used as a criterion in selecting from a plurality of potential symbol boundary timings. The symbol boundary determination at the receiver can be performed in a time domain or a frequency domain manner. Another aspect pertains to an improved training sequence wherein pairs of identical symbols are transmitted by a transmitter. These symbols can be supplied to the transmitter in a time domain or a frequency domain manner.

Abstract: A system includes a linked-list generator module that generates a linked list of tones based on tones and bit loads of the respective tones in a digital subscriber line (DSL) communication system, a trellis encoder module that encodes data bits associated with respective ones of the tones, and a bit application module that communicates the data bits to the trellis encoder module based on the linked list.

Abstract: An improved training sequence for acquiring symbol boundary timing at a receiver of a data transmission system is disclosed. One aspect pertains to an improved training sequence wherein groups of identical symbols are transmitted by a transmitter. These symbols can be supplied to the transmitter in a time domain or a frequency domain manner. The improved training sequence facilitates symbol boundary determination at a receiver.

Abstract: Improved techniques for concurrent channel equalization and far-end crosstalk channel compensation (e.g., estimation and/or cancellation) in a multicarrier data transmission system are disclosed. The improved techniques can produce coefficients for an electronic fitter that provide channel equalization and for an electronic filter that provides cancellation of the far-end crosstalk. These coefficients can be initially trained and then subsequently updated during data transmission. Optionally, common coefficient determination resources can be utilized for both far-end crosstalk and near-end crosstalk purposes. These improved techniques are particularly suitable for use with a digital multicarrier communication system having multiple-input multiple-output systems.

Abstract: An improved training sequence for estimating a channel (e.g., channel impulse response) in the time domain is disclosed. The improved training sequence enables time-domain estimation and eliminates the need for correct frequency-domain channel estimation at every frequency. By utilizing the training sequence according to the invention, estimation of each of a plurality of time-domain channel taps can be decoupled from each other. This enables a channel estimate to be performed with not only a higher convergence speed but also lower complexity.

Abstract: The invention includes an apparatus and the associated method to digitally process data communicated through a communication channel between a transceiver pair. A global control element and programmable algorithm control elements are used to implement an algorithm using a datapath. The control signal outputs of at least one programmable algorithm control element are coupled to the datapath. The datapath may use the control signals to drive transmission data down a computation path that implements the desired algorithm. The datapath may be duplicated to meet the requirements of a particular device and operate on a larger subset of data using the same control signals that are provided by the programmable algorithm control elements.

Abstract: A system includes M memories, wherein a first mapping assigns each point of an N-point input sequence to one of the M memories. A pipelined data path receives an input from each of the M memories, stores an output to each of the M memories, and iteratively processes pairs of points of the N-point input sequence. A control module designates the pairs of points from the M memories for processing by the data path, wherein only one point of each of the pairs is designated at one time.

Abstract: Improved techniques for acquiring symbol boundary timing at a receiver of a multicarrier data transmission system during a training sequence are disclosed. One aspect is symbol boundary determination at a receiver wherein minimal interference is used as a criterion in selecting from a plurality of potential symbol boundary timings. The symbol boundary determination at the receiver can be performed in a time domain or a frequency domain manner. Another aspect pertains to an improved training sequence wherein pairs of identical symbols are transmitted by a transmitter. These symbols can be supplied to the transmitter in a time domain or a frequency domain manner.

Abstract: Improved techniques for estimating a channel (e.g., channel impulse response) in the time domain are disclosed. The improved techniques can be used to estimate time-domain channel taps in a digital communication system. An improved training sequence enables time-domain estimation and eliminates the need for correct frequency-domain channel estimation at every frequency. By utilizing the improved training sequence, the estimation of each of the time-domain channel taps can be decoupled from each other. This enables a channel estimate to be performed with not only a higher convergence speed but also lower complexity.

Abstract: Improved techniques for concurrent channel equalization and far-end crosstalk channel compensation (e.g., estimation and/or cancellation) in a multicarrier data transmission system are disclosed. The improved techniques can produce coefficients for an electronic filter that provide channel equalization and for an electronic filter that provides cancellation of the far-end crosstalk. These coefficients can be initially trained and then subsequently updated during data transmission. Optionally, common coefficient determination resources can be utilized for both far-end crosstalk and near-end crosstalk purposes. These improved techniques are particularly suitable for use with a digital multicarrier communication system having multiple-input multiple-output systems.

Abstract: A discrete multitone modulation transmission system is described in which frame synchronization is monitored at the receiver by correlating frequency domain complex amplitudes of a synchronizing frame with a stored synchronizing pattern. If the correlation result falls below a threshold, indicating a loss of frame synchronization, a plurality of correlations are performed, in each case using the stored complex amplitudes of the synchronizing frame multiplied by a respective complex value representing a respective complex derotation corresponding to a respective possible time shift of the synchronizing frame. The best correlation result, if it exceeds another threshold, indicates a time shift for restoring frame synchronization, this being possible before the next synchronizing frame is received.

Abstract: A discrete multitone modulation transmission system is described in which frame synchronization is monitored at the receiver by correlating frequency domain complex amplitudes of a synchronizing frame with a stored synchronizing pattern. If the correlation result falls below a threshold, indicating a loss of frame synchronization, a plurality of correlations are performed, in each case using the stored complex amplitudes of the synchronizing frame multiplied by a respective complex value representing a respective complex derotation corresponding to a respective possible time shift of the synchronizing frame. The best correlation result, if it exceeds another threshold, indicates a time shift for restoring frame synchronization, this being possible before the next synchronizing frame is received.

Abstract: Improved approaches to provide flexibility in setting user data rates and managing delay in data transmission systems using a superframe structure and Time Division Duplexing (TDD) are disclosed. These improved approaches operate to provide intelligent insertion of dummy words (bits or bites) into a data stream to be transmitted. By inserting the dummy words, the invention is able to render codewords, symbols and superframes independent from user data rates. As a result, a wide range of user data rates are available in data transmission systems using a superframe and TDD.

Abstract: A discrete multitone modulation transmission system is described in which frame synchronization is monitored at the receiver by correlating frequency domain complex amplitudes of a synchronizing frame with a stored synchronizing pattern. If the correlation result falls below a threshold, indicating a loss of frame synchronization, a plurality of correlations are performed, in each case using the stored complex amplitudes of the synchronizing frame multiplied by a respective complex value representing a respective complex derotation corresponding to a respective possible time shift of the synchronizing frame. The best correlation result, if it exceeds another threshold, indicates a time shift for restoring frame synchronization, this being possible before the next synchronizing frame is received.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting multiple bit allocations in a multicarrier modulation system arc disclosed. Hence, symbols being transmitted or received can make use of different bit allocations. By supporting the multiple bit allocations, the multicarrier modulation system is able to support bit allocation on a superframe basis. Also disclosed are techniques for selection and alignment of superframe formats to improve system performance. In the case of data transmission systems involving different transmission schemes, different bit allocations can be used to reduce undesired crosstalk interference.

Abstract: A discrete multitone modulation transmission system is described in which frame synchronization is monitored at the receiver by correlating frequency domain complex amplitudes of a synchronizing frame with a stored synchronizing pattern. If the correlation result falls below threshold, indicating a loss of frame synchronization, a plurality of correlations are performed, in each case using the stored complex amplitudes of the synchronizing frame multiplied by a respective complex value representing a respective complex derotation corresponding to a respective possible time shift of the synchronizing frame. The best correlation result, if it exceeds another threshold, indicates a time shift for restoring frame synchronization, this being possible before the next synchronizing frame is received.

Abstract: Improved initialization techniques for initializing data transfer between a pair of transceivers in a multicarrier modulation transmission system are disclosed. The multicarrier modulation transmission system normally includes a central office and a remote unit, with the central office having at least one transceiver and the remote unit having a transceiver. For each pair of transceivers, the transceiver at either the central office or the remote unit controls the determining of bit allocations for both upstream and downstream data transmissions without assistance from the other transceiver of the pair. The initialization processing for the pair of transceivers is thus performed efficiently and with better centralized control.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting multiple bit allocations in a multicarrier modulation system are disclosed. Hence, symbols being transmitted or received can make use of different bit allocations. By supporting the multiple bit allocations, the multicarrier modulation system is able to support bit allocation on a superframe basis. Also disclosed are techniques for selection and alignment of superframe formats to improve system performance.