Abstract: A head-end in a data-over-cable system transmits a multicast message in a downstream channel to all the cable modems in a particular MAC layer. The message includes an address field that contains an upstream channel multicast MAC address that identifies a particular channel, and is used to send a multicast message for which only cable modems transmitting in the upstream direction in that channel are to respond. When the message is received by the cable modems, the cable modems compare the upstream channel multicast MAC address with addresses stored in a memory. If a match is found, indicating that the cable modem happens to transmit in the upstream direction in the particular channel, it processes the message. If no match is found, the message is discarded.

Abstract: A system and method for compressing and decompressing a binary code image includes preprocessing the image to separately group together the operation codes and the operands that make up the binary code image into a columnar format. The resultant preprocessed data is then compressed using any one of a plurality of compression codes. In turn, the resultant compressed image may be stored in a memory element or transferred using a transmission channel to a different device. The compressed image is then decompressed to reconstruct the binary code image.

Abstract: An upstream channel change for a cable modem in a data-over-cable system is achieved via an upstream bandwith allocation map message sent from a cable modem termination system to cable modems, instead of requiring an exchange of upstream channel change request and reply messages. The result is that the upstream channel change can be made essentially immediately, in a deterministic fashion. As such, the upstream channel change method is particularly useful for time-sensitive applications, such as Internet telephony, VoIP, and Internet video on demand services. Load balancing can also be achieved more efficiently.

Abstract: A system and method for testing memory systems in accordance with the present invention increases efficiency and reduces initial diagnostic and power up time for microprocessor-based units. The method includes copying a test process sequence into a memory system; updating an address indicative of the segment of the memory system being tested; comparing the address to an end of memory system address; copying the test process sequence to a next block of the memory system, and iterating through the method until the addresses are equal and the end of the memory system is reached.