Patents by Inventor Joseph Santoru
Joseph Santoru has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8332449Abstract: A method for generating a set of random numbers with statistics represented by a cumulative density function includes generating a set of uniformly spaced samples between an upper limit and a lower limit. Each of the uniformly spaced samples are then mapped to a corresponding value on a cumulative density function curve. The set of uniformly spaced samples are then scrambled to randomize the samples. Companding may also be incorporated in the sample generation process.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2008Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Ernest C. Chen, Paul R. Anderson, Joseph Santoru, Tammy G. Liu
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Publication number: 20120257697Abstract: Methods and apparatuses identifying a co-channel interference signal in communications systems are disclosed. An exemplary method comprises generating an interference signal by subtracting a reconstructed desired signal from an at least partially demodulated composite signal, and generating synchronization statistics of interference signal using different scrambling codes. The interference signal is identified as the signal associated with the scrambling code that was used to generate an interference signal having a desired synchronization statistic.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2012Publication date: October 11, 2012Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Guangcai Zhou, Ernest C. Chen, Joseph Santoru, Judith M. Wang
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Patent number: 8259641Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for feeder link configurations to layered modulation. One feeder link system employs feeder link spot beam to antennas in distinct coverage areas to enable frequency reuse. Another system employs narrow beam width feeder link antenna to illuminate individual satellites also enabling frequency reuse. Yet another system uses layered modulation in the feeder link. Another feeder link system employs a higher order synchronous modulation for the satellite feeder link than is used in the layered modulation downlink signals.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2008Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Paul R. Anderson, Joseph Santoru, Ernest C. Chen
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Patent number: 8213553Abstract: Methods and apparatuses identifying a co-channel interference signal in communications systems are disclosed. An exemplary method comprises generating an interference signal by subtracting a reconstructed desired signal from an at least partially demodulated composite signal, and generating synchronization statistics of interference signal using different scrambling codes. The interference signal is identified as the signal associated with the scrambling code that was used to generate an interference signal having a desired synchronization statistic.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2008Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Guangcai Zhou, Ernest C. Chen, Joseph Santoru, Judith M. Wang
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Patent number: 8023888Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for acquiring and demodulating a data stream transmitted in a communication system. A method in accordance with the present invention comprises finding a boundary of a physical layer frame (PLFrame) in the data stream, finding a first 26 bits of a Unique Word (UW) associated with the data stream, finding a scrambling code utilizing the UW, and using a decoding procedure to determine a modulation type and code rate used for desired signals within the data stream.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2010Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Santoru, Guangcai Zhou, Ernest C. Chen, Dennis Lai, Shamik Maitra
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Patent number: 7982687Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for receiving signals from communications satellites are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2008Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventor: Joseph Santoru
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Patent number: 7961880Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for determining scrambling codes for minimizing co-channel interference in a communication system. A method in accordance with the present invention comprises defining at least one initial default sequence, generating a scrambling code, scrambling a signal using the generated scrambling code, comparing the scrambled signal with all other scrambled signals meeting a specified criterion, and saving the scrambling code word if the comparison determines that the signal scrambled with the scrambling code also meets the specified criterion. The scrambling codes can be compared with each other for cross-correlation purposes to determine whether they meet the specified criterion based on laboratory testing.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2006Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Judith Wang, Guangcai Zhou, Joseph Santoru, Ernest C. Chen, Shamik Maitra, Dennis Lai, Tung-Sheng Lin
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Patent number: 7912427Abstract: Multiple embodiments of systems for testing the delivery of satellite and cable television signals are described.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2008Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Santoru, David J. Kuether, Benjamin Mui, Shamik Maitra, Dipak M. Shah, Romulo Pontual, James R. Butterworth, Philip J. Goswitz, Ernest C. Chen, Gustave R. Stroes, Bradley T. Ito
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Patent number: 7859330Abstract: Systems and methods for characterizing amplifiers. A system for characterizing an amplifier in accordance with the present invention comprises a Gaussian signal source for generating a signal in the frequency domain, a notch filter, coupled to the Gaussian Noise source, wherein the notch filter has a notch at a specified frequency and a frequency bandwidth, the frequency bandwidth encompassing the specified frequency, an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform device, coupled to an output of the notch filter, a normalization device, coupled to the Inverse Fast Fourier Transform device, an amplifier under test, coupled to the normalization device, for amplifying the signal generated by the Gaussian signal source, and a measurement device, coupled to an output of the amplifier, for measuring a power output of the amplifier in the frequency bandwidth and a noise output at the specified notch frequency, and for calculating the ratio between the power output and the noise output.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2009Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Guangcai Zhou, Tung-Sheng Lin, Dennis Lai, Joseph Santoru, Ernest C. Chen, Shamik Maitra, Cecilia Comeaux
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Patent number: 7844213Abstract: Systems for delivering a plurality of broadcast programs where the transmitter and receiver roll-off factors are mismatched. A system in accordance with the present invention comprises a transmitter comprising a modulator, and a plurality of receivers, each receiver in the plurality of receivers receiving the plurality of broadcast programs, each receiver in the plurality of receivers further comprising a demodulator; wherein the modulator has a first root-raised cosine filter having a first roll-off factor and each receiver has a second root-raised cosine filter having a second roll-off factor, the first roll-off factor being smaller than the second roll-off factor.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2007Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Ernest C. Chen, Joseph Santoru, Shamik Maitra, Dennis Lai, Tung-Sheng Lin, Guangcai Zhou
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Publication number: 20100157881Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for acquiring and demodulating a data stream transmitted in a communication system. A method in accordance with the present invention comprises finding a boundary of a physical layer frame (PLFrame) in the data stream, finding a first 26 bits of a Unique Word (UW) associated with the data stream, finding a scrambling code utilizing the UW, and using a decoding procedure to determine a modulation type and code rate used for desired signals within the data stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2010Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Santoru, Guangcai Zhou, Ernest C. Chen, Dennis Lai, Shamik Maitra
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Patent number: 7738587Abstract: Improvements to a layered modulation (LM) implementation are disclosed. The present invention discloses two implementations of LM, using single and multiple transponders per signal frequency, respectively. Layered hierarchical 8PSK (H-8PSK) is a special case of LM. By re-encoding the high-priority (HP) portion of an H-8PSK signal, LM can improve carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR) of a H-8PSK signal. LM can be computer-simulated and a two-layered signal can be sequentially demodulated with a predicted CNR performance. An LM signal can be simulated using live signals for off-line processing. In addition, a signal processing apparatus can process in real time LM signals emulated from live satellite signals.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2003Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Ernest C. Chen, Joseph Santoru
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Patent number: 7715786Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for acquiring and demodulating a data stream transmitted in a communication system. A method in accordance with the present invention comprises finding a boundary of a physical layer frame (PLFrame) in the data stream, finding a first 26 bits of a Unique Word (UW) associated with the data stream, finding a scrambling code utilizing the UW, and using a decoding procedure to determine a modulation type and code rate used for desired signals within the data stream.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2007Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Santoru, Guangcai Zhou, Ernest C. Chen, Dennis Lai, Shamik Maitra
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Patent number: 7706466Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving a coded signal having an upper layer signal and a lower layer signal is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of combining the upper layer signal and the lower layer signal, encoding the combined upper layer signal and lower layer signal, delaying the upper layer signal, modulating the delayed upper layer signal, modulating the lower layer signal, transmitting the delayed upper layer signal and transmitting the lower layer signal. The apparatus comprises an encoder, for encoding a combined upper layer signal and lower layer signal, a delay, communicatively coupled to the encoder, for delaying the upper layer signal, a first modulator, for modulating the delayed upper layer signal, a second modulator, for modulating the lower layer signal, a transmitter, communicatively coupled to the first modulator, for transmitting the delayed upper layer signal, and a second transmitter, communicatively coupled to the second modulator.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2008Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Ernest C. Chen, Weizheng W. Wang, Guangcai Zhou, Tung-Sheng Lin, Joseph Santoru
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Patent number: 7663560Abstract: A satellite system 10 includes an outdoor unit that has an LNB 24. The antenna of the outdoor unit is aligned using a microwave energy-absorbing cap. The microwave-absorbing cap has microwave-absorbing material therein or thereon. A signal strength meter is used to measure the signal strength with the cap on so that the signal strength meter is less likely to be saturated during the alignment process.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2005Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: James R. Butterworth, Milton E. Studt, II, Joseph Santoru
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Patent number: 7639980Abstract: A system 10 that includes a first satellite 14 at a first orbital slot B includes a first transponder 32 generating a first downlink signal at a first frequency and a second downlink signal at a second frequency. An outdoor unit 50 is directed toward the first satellite 14. The outdoor unit includes a support structure 80 and a reflector 64 coupled to the support structure 80 and reflecting the first downlink signal from a first satellite. A first reflector reflects the second downlink signal from the first satellite. A first feed 66 is coupled to the support structure and receives the first downlink signal. A reflector 72 having frequency selective surface 74 coupled to the support structure 80 reflects the second downlink signal and passes the first downlink signal therethrough. The second feed 70B is coupled to the support structure 80 and receives the second downlink signal reflected from the frequency selective surface 74.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2006Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Gustave R. Stroes, Patrick J. Loner, Joseph Santoru, Ernest C. Chen, Navid Motamed
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Publication number: 20090224824Abstract: Systems and methods for characterizing amplifiers. A system for characterizing an amplifier in accordance with the present invention comprises a Gaussian signal source for generating a signal in the frequency domain, a notch filter, coupled to the Gaussian Noise source, wherein the notch filter has a notch at a specified frequency and a frequency bandwidth, the frequency bandwidth encompassing the specified frequency, an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform device, coupled to an output of the notch filter, a normalization device, coupled to the Inverse Fast Fourier Transform device, an amplifier under test, coupled to the normalization device, for amplifying the signal generated by the Gaussian signal source, and a measurement device, coupled to an output of the amplifier, for measuring a power output of the amplifier in the frequency bandwidth and a noise output at the specified notch frequency, and for calculating the ratio between the power output and the noise output.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2009Publication date: September 10, 2009Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Guangcai Zhou, Tung-Sheng Lin, Dennis Lai, Joseph Santoru, Ernest C. Chen, Shamik Maitra, Cecilia Comeaux
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Patent number: 7577213Abstract: A method and receiver systems for demodulating and decoding a hierarchically modulated signal, e.g. an 8PSK signal, are disclosed. An exemplary method includes demodulating and processing (502) the hierarchically modulated signal (202) to produce symbols (212) from the first modulation at the first hierarchical level, applying information (504) from a plurality of the symbols from the first modulation at the first hierarchical level in subtracting (214) from the demodulated hierarchically modulated signal to obtain the second modulation at the second hierarchical level and processing (506) the second modulation at the second hierarchical level to produce second symbols (222) from the demodulated second signal. The hierarchically modulated signal comprises a non-uniform 8PSK signal. Applying the information from the plurality of the symbols from the first modulation can be achieved by applying the symbols after error correction.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2008Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Ernest C. Chen, Joseph Santoru
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Publication number: 20090182796Abstract: A method for generating a set of random numbers with statistics represented by a cumulative density function includes generating a set of uniformly spaced samples between an upper limit and a lower limit. Each of the uniformly spaced samples are then mapped to a corresponding value on a cumulative density function curve. The set of uniformly spaced samples are then scrambled to randomize the samples. Companding may also be incorporated in the sample generation process.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2008Publication date: July 16, 2009Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Ernest C. Chen, Paul R. Anderson, Joseph Santoru, Tammy G. Liu
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Patent number: 7551736Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for minimizing co-channel interference in communications systems are disclosed. A method in accordance with the present invention comprises scrambling a first header of the first signal using a first scrambling code, scrambling a second header of the second signal using a second scrambling code, and transmitting the first signal and the second signal with the scrambled first header and the scrambled second header over different channels of the communication system.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2005Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Lin-Nan Lee, Feng-Wen Sun, Adam Von Ancken, Joseph Santoru, Ernest C. Chen, Shamik Maitra, Dennis Lai, Guangcai Zhou, Tung-Sheng Lin