Abstract: Wireless communication systems and methods are provided that a) enable progressive beamforming with antenna arrays and subarrays, b) provide current and delayed versions of data-carrying signals, and c) provide time-of-arrival of data-carrying signals. The progressive beamforming substantially reduces computational complexity. The current and delayed versions of data-carrying signals facilitate optimization of spatial information and optimization of information from non-coherent delays (which are delays beyond the handling capability of a system's modulation). The time-of-arrival information is used to facilitate a single matrix inversion which substantially reduces the complexity of conventional beamforming computations.

Abstract: System and method for providing a multi-frequency upstream transmission channel to a network device. When a headend network entity generates an upstream channel descriptor message, the descriptor message includes at least two upstream frequencies available for upstream transmission, and a frequency hopping descriptor with a frequency-hopping pattern associated with the available frequencies for determining an upstream frequency for upstream transmission. The headend provides a timing reference for determining upstream transmission periods on the frequencies available on the network device. When the headend receives upstream transmission on one of the available upstream frequencies, the headend network entity determines frequency distortions. If the distortions exceed a threshold level, the headend may send a new upstream channel descriptor message that excludes the upstream frequency associated with the high frequency distortions, add a new upstream frequency, or defines a new frequency-hopping pattern.

Abstract: Wireless communications structures and methods are provided that utilize frequency domain spatial processing. Structure is included that receives and transmits signals from an array of M? antennas wherein the antennas are connected to M switches in groups of ?. Each switch is connected to a single spatial processing channel and ? antennas and each spatial processing channel is assigned complex multiplicative factor(s), or weight(s), that enhance overall system performance in the presence of interference and propagation-related impairments such as multipath fading.

Abstract: Wireless communication structures and methods are provided that enhance range and performance via managed access to a wireless communication medium between system clients. The access is configured to maintain the low equipment costs and widespread equipment availability of standards-based communication systems. In particular, the structures include at least one antenna, a processor that spatially processes receive signals from the antenna, a media access controller that compares the age of receive location information with a predetermined time coherence, a location-information transformer that transforms the receive location information into transmit location information, and a transmit spatial processor configured to provide a transmit signal to the antenna that is spatially processed in accordance with the transmit location information if the age is less than the time coherence and spatially processed in accordance with predetermined location information if the age exceeds the time coherence.

Abstract: Compact bidirectional repeaters are provided for wireless communication systems. Their compact size is realized with repeater structures that include different-polarization antennas, back lobe suppressing structures, circuit feedback paths, antenna-feedback detectors, and automatic gain control.

Abstract: Receiver systems and methods are provided for processing transmit signals Str that are received over a receive channel Crcv which is formed by a plurality of receive paths. Method embodiments comprise the steps of a) receiving the transmit signals Str with a plurality of spatially separated antennas to form respective receive signals Srcv, and b) spatially and temporally processing the receive signals Srcv to form a combined corrected signal Scrctcmb that reduces errors in at least one signal parameter. Exemplary signal parameters include signal preambles, codes, spreading codes and modulations.

Abstract: Wireless communications structures and methods are provided that utilize frequency domain spatial processing. Structure is included that receives and transmits signals from an array of M? antennas wherein the antennas are connected to M switches in groups of ?. Each switch is connected to a single spatial processing channel and ? antennas and each spatial processing channel is assigned complex multiplicative factor(s), or weight(s), that enhance overall system performance in the presence of interference and propagation-related impairments such as multipath fading.

Abstract: Compact bidirectional repeaters are provided for wireless communication systems. Their compact size is realized with repeater structures that include different-polarization antennas, back lobe suppressing structures, circuit feedback paths, antenna-feedback detectors, and automatic gain control.

Abstract: Local-oscillator systems for wireless communication systems are realized with oscillator networks that are phase locked to a bit timing clock. Two of the networks provide first and second phase coherent local-oscillator signals respectively to a receiver and transmitter of a transceiver. A third oscillator system forms a phase lock loop about one of the other networks and preferably includes a crystal to enhance short term stability. Because they track the bit timing clock, the first and second local-oscillator signals phase track all communication signals in the transceiver's communication system.

Abstract: Receiver systems and methods are provided for processing transmit signals Str that are received over a receive channel Crcv which is formed by a plurality of receive paths. Method embodiments comprise the steps of a) receiving the transmit signals Str with a plurality of spatially separated antennas to form respective receive signals Srcv, and b) spatially and temporally processing the receive signals Srcv to form a combined corrected signal Scrctcmb that reduces errors in at least one signal parameter. Exemplary signal parameters include signal preambles, codes, spreading codes and modulations.

Abstract: Wireless communication methods and structures are provided that enhance communication robustness while reducing cost. They communicate downstream data with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) transmission processes and upstream data with single carrier transmission processes. This combination of transmission processes is configured with various signal modulations (e.g., quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), m-ary phase shift keying (MPSK) and n-quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM)) to provide lower cost upstream communication from customer services equipments (CPEs) and more robust downstream communication from headends than has been achieved in conventional communication systems. Signal diversity is enhanced by receiving communication signals with multiple antennas that are spatially separated and have different polarizations to thereby enhance frequency diversity.

Abstract: Packet-based communication methods and systems are provided which improve data throughput and which respond to different error-rate conditions with modifications appropriate for those conditions. In method embodiments, data frames are initially formed to each have N data packets and a frame error code. Data frames are then transmitted and checked. In response to the check, data packets of error-free data frames are routed through the system and data frames that are in error are retransmitted. The checking, processing and retransmitting steps are repeated until all data packets are routed through the communication system. In another method embodiment, data packets of each data frame found to be in error in the checking step are inserted into a data frame of the forming step. In a feedback feature, a system error rate is determined and, in response, N is periodically updated to a value that realizes the best throughput under the current noise condition of the transmission link.

Abstract: Communication systems and methods are provided for communicating data signals over a plurality of different respective communication channels. The systems are realized with sets of signal filters wherein each filter set defines a respective communication channel. The filters of each set are distributed among transceivers which are coupled together with a two-conductor medium. The systems and methods provide communication to a significant number of communication end-users over a substantial number of communication channels without the need for complex modulation and demodulation hardware.

Abstract: Wireless communication methods and structures are provided that enhance communication robustness while reducing cost. They communicate downstream data with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) transmission processes and upstream data with single carrier transmission processes. This combination of transmission processes is configured with various signal modulations (e.g., quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), m-ary phase shift keying (MPSK) and n-quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM)) to provide lower cost upstream communication from customer services equipments (CPEs) and more robust downstream communication from headends than has been achieved in conventional communication systems. Signal diversity is enhanced by receiving communication signals with multiple antennas that are spatially separated and have different polarizations to thereby enhance frequency diversity.

Abstract: Television signals are converted from a first format to a plurality of different formats while retaining a common control data stream. A first television signal in a first format is separated into a first signal portion carrying television information and a second signal portion carrying control data. The first signal portion is reformatted into a second format. The second signal portion is combined with the reformatted first signal portion to provide a second television signal. In this manner, a plurality of television signals having different formats can be transmitted with common control data, e.g., for controlling access to television programming.