Abstract: A method of managing traffic in a communications channel includes the steps of receiving a subscriber ID corresponding to a subscriber, performing a spectral analysis on a signal received from the subscriber within a time interval identified by the subscriber ID, and adjusting transmission characteristics of the subscriber based on the spectral analysis.

Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods for enabling a physical layer (PHY) link signaling channel between a network termination modem and a cable modem in a cable network. The PHY link signaling channel is embedded within the same multi-carrier channel as the data and enables PHY link up between the network termination modem and cable modem without involvement of higher layers (e.g., MAC). The PHY link signaling channel can be implemented in the downstream (from the network termination modem to the cable modem(s)) or in the upstream from a cable modem to the network termination modem. Embodiments are applicable to any known cable network, and particularly to cable networks implementing the DOCSiS and EPoC standards.

Abstract: A number of features for enhancing the performance of a communication system, in which data is transmitted between a base station and a plurality of subscriber stations located different distances from the base station, are presented. The power transmission level, slot timing, and equalization of the subscriber stations are set by a ranging process. Data is transmitted by the subscriber stations in fragmented form. Various measures are taken to make transmission from the subscriber stations robust. The uplink data transmission is controlled to permit multiple access from the subscriber stations.

Abstract: A number of features for enhancing the performance of a communication system, in which data is transmitted between a base station and a plurality of subscriber stations located different distances from the base station, are presented. The power transmission level, slot timing, and equalization of the subscriber stations are set by a ranging process. Data is transmitted by the subscriber stations in fragmented form. Various measures are taken to make transmission from the subscriber stations robust. The uplink data transmission is controlled to permit multiple access from the subscriber stations.

Abstract: A system for mitigating impairment in a communication system includes a delay block, a signal level block, a moving average window block, an impulse noise detection block, and a combiner. The delay block receives and delays each chip of a plurality of chips in a spreading interval. The signal level block determines a signal level of each chip of the plurality of chips in the spreading interval. The moving average window block determines a composite signal level for a chip window corresponding to the chip. The impulse noise detection block receives the signal level, receives the composite signal level, and produces an erasure indication for each chip of the plurality of chips of the corresponding chip window. The combiner erases chips of the plurality of chips of the spreading interval based upon the erasure indication.

Abstract: A filter settings generation operation includes sampling a communication channel to produce a sampled signal. The sampled signal is spectrally characterized across a frequency band of interest to produce a spectral characterization of the sampled signal. This spectral characterization may not include a signal of interest. The spectral characterization is then modified to produce a modified spectral characterization. Filter settings are then generated based upon the modified spectral characterization. Finally, the communication channel is filtered using the filter settings when the signal of interest is present on the communication channel. In modifying the spectral characterization, pluralities of spectral characteristics of the spectral characterization are independently modified to produce the modified spectral characterization. Modifications to the spectral characterization may be performed in the frequency domain and/or the time domain.

Abstract: Characterization and assessment of communication channel average group delay variation. A signal having repeated signal components therein is received by a communication device, and that signal undergoes appropriate processing to determine respective amplitude and phase of a number of frequency bins. The phase difference from bin to bin (including respecting unwrapping, and proper normalization) is used to determine the group delay of a communication channel, or portion thereof, as a function of frequency. Multiple respective group delay measurements may be averaged to generate a wideband group delay of the communication channel as a function of frequency. Overlap between different respective band-edge portions of the communication channel may assist in generating a seamless continuous wideband spectrum estimation for use in determining the wideband group delay of the communication channel.

Abstract: Upstream burst noise measurement and characterization. One or more communication devices is implemented to detect and measure burst noise event(s) within channel(s) associated with communication link(s) within communication system(s) or network(s). Detection and measurement of a burst noise event may be made during active communications on one or more other channels, and may be made during active communications on two channels respectively adjacent to the channel on which the burst noise event is being detected and measured. The channel on which the burst noise event is detected and measured may be an unused channel. The detection and measurement of the burst noise event may be made during a quiet time slot within one of the channels. Correlation (e.g., with respect time) may be determined with respect to different respective layers within a communication device (e.g., with respect to MAC and PHY layers).

Abstract: Upstream frequency response measurement and characterization. Signaling is provided between respective communication devices within a communication system. Based upon at least one of these signals, one of the communication devices captures a number of sample sets corresponding thereto at different respective frequencies (e.g., a different respective center frequencies, frequency bands, etc.). Then, spectral analysis is performed with respect to each of the sample sets to generate a respective and corresponding channel response estimate there from. After this number of channel response estimates is determined, they are combined or splice together to generate a full channel response estimate. In implementations including an equalizer, different respective sample sets may correspond to those that have undergone equalization processing and those that have not.

Abstract: A system for mitigating impairment in a communication system includes a delay block, a signal level block, a moving average window block, an impulse noise detection block, and a combiner. The delay block receives and delays each chip of a plurality of chips in a spreading interval. The signal level block determines a signal level of each chip of the plurality of chips in the spreading interval. The moving average window block determines a composite signal level for a chip window corresponding to the chip. The impulse noise detection block receives the signal level, receives the composite signal level, and produces an erasure indication for each chip of the plurality of chips of the corresponding chip window. The combiner erases chips of the plurality of chips of the spreading interval based upon the erasure indication.

Abstract: A system for mitigating impairment in a communication system includes a delay block, a signal level block, a moving average window block, an impulse noise detection block, and a combiner. The delay block receives and delays each chip of a plurality of chips in a spreading interval. The signal level block determines a signal level of each chip of the plurality of chips in the spreading interval. The moving average window block determines a composite signal level for a chip window corresponding to the chip. The impulse noise detection block receives the signal level, receives the composite signal level, and produces an erasure indication for each chip of the plurality of chips of the corresponding chip window. The combiner erases chips of the plurality of chips of the spreading interval based upon the erasure indication.

Abstract: A method of parameter estimation in a shared channel communications system includes the steps of receiving a preamble including a first sequence corresponding to a sequence having zero autocorrelation, a second sequence having zero autocorrelation, and a third sequence having zero autocorrelation, performing a coarse carrier frequency estimate based on the first sequence, and performing a fine carrier frequency estimate based on the second and third sequences.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for performing ranging operations in a able modern 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 modern system.

Abstract: A filter settings generation operation includes sampling a communication channel to produce a sampled signal. The sampled signal is spectrally characterized across a frequency band of interest to produce a spectral characterization of the sampled signal. This spectral characterization may not include a signal of interest. The spectral characterization is then modified to produce a modified spectral characterization. Filter settings are then generated based upon the modified spectral characterization. Finally, the communication channel is filtered using the filter settings when the signal of interest is present on the communication channel. In modifying the spectral characterization, pluralities of spectral characteristics of the spectral characterization are independently modified to produce the modified spectral characterization. Modifications to the spectral characterization may be performed in the frequency domain and/or the time domain.

Abstract: A system and method are used to provide uncorrelated code hopping in a communications system. A shift register receives data. The shift register is clocked to shift the data. A scaler performs a scaling operation on the data with a numerical value of active codes. A truncator truncates the scaled data to its seven most significant bits to produce a pseudo random hop number. A code matrix shifter circularly shifts the active codes in a code matrix based on the pseudo random hop number to produce a circularly shifted code. A transmitter transmits the circularly shifted code.

Abstract: Hardware allocation techniques are described for use in a multi-channel communication environment. The techniques may be used to reduce the number of gates needed for processing and/or to improve the efficiency and/or speed of a communication system. For example, resources that are under-utilized may be removed or allocated to another operation or user. In an exemplary implementation, a receiver includes a plurality of signal processing modules corresponding to respective channels and a hardware allocation module. The hardware allocation module allocates resources in the signal processing modules based on utilization of at least one of the resources.

Abstract: A filter settings generation operation includes sampling a communication channel to produce a sampled signal. The sampled signal is spectrally characterized across a frequency band of interest to produce a spectral characterization of the sampled signal. This spectral characterization may not include a signal of interest. The spectral characterization is then modified to produce a modified spectral characterization. Filter settings are then generated based upon the modified spectral characterization. Finally, the communication channel is filtered using the filter settings when the signal of interest is present on the communication channel. In modifying the spectral characterization, pluralities of spectral characteristics of the spectral characterization are independently modified to produce the modified spectral characterization. Modifications to the spectral characterization may be performed in the frequency domain and/or the time domain.

Abstract: A number of features for enhancing the performance of a communication system, in which data is transmitted between a base station and a plurality of subscriber stations located different distances from the base station, are presented. The power transmission level, slot timing, and equalization of the subscriber stations are set by a ranging process. Data is transmitted by the subscriber stations in fragmented form. Various measures are taken to make transmission from the subscriber stations robust. The uplink data transmission is controlled to permit multiple access from the subscriber stations.

Abstract: A method of managing traffic in a communications channel includes the steps of receiving a subscriber ID corresponding to a subscriber, performing a spectral analysis on a signal received from the subscriber within a time interval identified by the subscriber ID, and adjusting transmission characteristics of the subscriber based on the spectral analysis.

Abstract: A number of features for enhancing the performance of a communication system, in which data is transmitted between a base station and a plurality of subscriber stations located different distances from the base station, are presented. The power transmission level, slot timing, and equalization of the subscriber stations are set by a ranging process. Data is transmitted by the subscriber stations in fragmented form. Various measures are taken to make transmission from the subscriber stations robust. The uplink data transmission is controlled to permit multiple access from the subscriber stations.