Patents by Inventor Niki R. Pantelias
Niki R. Pantelias 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: 9455842Abstract: A communication device is configured to receive a message that indicates request opportunity parameter(s). Based on the request opportunity parameter(s), the communication device is configured to generate and transmit a transmission request within one of two or more request opportunities (e.g., 2, 3, 4, etc. or generally N request opportunities such that N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2) indicated by the request opportunity parameter(s). The two or more request opportunities are included within mini-slot(s) that span OFDM sub-carrier(s) of OFDM or OFDMA framing. A given mini-slot spans an OFDM or OFDMA frame, and a mini-slot is divided into any desired number of portions (e.g., 2, 3, 4, etc. or generally N portions) such that each of the request opportunities within that mini-slot occupies a common fraction of the mini-slot (e.g., each occupies ½, ?, ¼, etc. or generally 1/N of the mini-slot).Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2014Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: BROADCOM CORPORATIONInventor: Niki R. Pantelias
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Patent number: 8953445Abstract: Embodiments herein provide systems and methods of transferring data in a communication system. An embodiment transfers data by assigning a portion of data among groups of channels coupled to a remote node, such assigning being based on the respective flows to which the portion is associated. The portion of data across is at least two channels in the assigned group of channels, and the split portions are transferred substantially simultaneously among the channels to which they are assigned.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2013Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Richard S. Prodan, Joel Danzig, Thomas J. Quigley, Niki R. Pantelias
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Publication number: 20140241377Abstract: A communication device is configured to receive a message that indicates request opportunity parameter(s). Based on the request opportunity parameter(s), the communication device is configured to generate and transmit a transmission request within one of two or more request opportunities (e.g., 2, 3, 4, etc. or generally N request opportunities such that N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2) indicated by the request opportunity parameter(s). The two or more request opportunities are included within mini-slot(s) that span OFDM sub-carrier(s) of OFDM or OFDMA framing. A given mini-slot spans an OFDM or OFDMA frame, and a mini-slot is divided into any desired number of portions (e.g., 2, 3, 4, etc. or generally N portions) such that each of the request opportunities within that mini-slot occupies a common fraction of the mini-slot (e.g., each occupies ½, ?, ¼, etc. or generally 1/N of the mini-slot).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATIONInventor: Niki R. Pantelias
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Patent number: 8681615Abstract: Downstream synchronous multichannel (DSSM) communications are provided among a plurality of carriers, each being a completely DOCSIS™ 2.0-compliant downstream. The synchronous multichannels support communications with both DSSM-capable communications nodes and non-DSSM-capable communications nodes (e.g., legacy cable modems). Non-DSSM packets are transmitted on a single channel. DSSM packets are split into multiple pieces, which are transmitted simultaneously on all available channels. Since the physical delay variation (e.g., group delay change) across the adjacent carriers is small (on the order of a symbol time), the multiple pieces arrive at the receiving communications nodes at nearly the same time and can be reassembled with minimal buffering and no packet ordering problems. To avoid causing trouble for the non-DSSM-capable communications nodes, the packet pieces are encapsulated with a header that causes the non-DSSM-capable communications nodes to silently discard them.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2012Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Daniel H. Howard, Niki R. Pantelias, David M. Pullen, John D. Horton, Jr., Thomas J. Quigley, Richard S. Prodan
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Publication number: 20140016636Abstract: Embodiments herein provide systems and methods of transferring data in a communication system. An embodiment transfers data by assigning a portion of data among groups of channels coupled to a remote node, such assigning being based on the respective flows to which the portion is associated. The portion of data across is at least two channels in the assigned group of channels, and the split portions are transferred substantially simultaneously among the channels to which they are assigned.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Richard S. Prodan, Joel Danzig, Thomas J. Quigley, Niki R. Pantelias
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Patent number: 8537680Abstract: Embodiments herein provide systems and methods of transferring data in a communication system. An embodiment transfers data by assigning a portion of data among groups of channels coupled to a remote node, such assigning being based on the respective flows to which the portion is associated. The portion of data across is at least two channels in the assigned group of channels, and the split portions are transferred substantially simultaneously among the channels to which they are assigned.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2010Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Richard S. Prodan, Joel Danzig, Thomas J. Quigley, Niki R. Pantelias
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Patent number: 8537696Abstract: A system and method are presented for changing physical layer (PHY) parameters in a PHY device of a communications system. New parameters are written to a first-in first-out queue in a serial interface, while the scheduled time for the changeover is written to a control register in the serial interface. When the time for the changeover occurs, the parameters are written to the PHY device via a port of the serial interface.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2007Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: A. Scott Hollums, Niki R. Pantelias, David A. Ferguson
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Publication number: 20120269192Abstract: Downstream synchronous multichannel (DSSM) communications are provided among a plurality of carriers, each being a completely DOCSIS™ 2.0-compliant downstream. The synchronous multichannels support communications with both DSSM-capable communications nodes and non-DSSM-capable communications nodes (e.g., legacy cable modems). Non-DSSM packets are transmitted on a single channel. DSSM packets are split into multiple pieces, which are transmitted simultaneously on all available channels. Since the physical delay variation (e.g., group delay change) across the adjacent carriers is small (on the order of a symbol time), the multiple pieces arrive at the receiving communications nodes at nearly the same time and can be reassembled with minimal buffering and no packet ordering problems. To avoid causing trouble for the non-DSSM-capable communications nodes, the packet pieces are encapsulated with a header that causes the non-DSSM-capable communications nodes to silently discard them.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2012Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Daniel H. HOWARD, Niki R. PANTELIAS, David M. PULLEN, John D. HORTON, JR., Thomas J. QUIGLEY, Richard S. PRODAN
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Patent number: 8223661Abstract: A method and system for creating an ethernet-formatted packet from an upstream DOCSIS packet. The upstream packet is first received along with packet characteristic data that is contained in physical layer prepend data and in the packet header. A packet tag is then created, based on the packet characteristic data. The packet characteristic data includes identifiers for the transmitting remote device and the channel over which the transmission is sent. Packet characteristic data also includes information about the physical characteristics of the transmission signal, such as the power level and time offset. The packet characteristic data also includes administrative information, such as the minislot count at which the packet is received and whether the packet was received in contention. The packet tag is appended to the payload of the upstream packet. Also appended to the payload is an encapsulation tag, and source and destination address headers. The result is a packet in an ethernet format.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2006Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Gerald Grand, Niki R. Pantelias, R. Jeff Lee, Michael R. Zelnick, Francisco J. Gomez
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Patent number: 8130642Abstract: Downstream synchronous multichannel (DSSM) communications are provided among a plurality of carriers, each being a completely DOCSIS™ 2.0-compliant downstream. The synchronous multichannels support communications with both DSSM-capable communications nodes and non-DSSM-capable communications nodes (e.g., legacy cable modems). Non-DSSM packets are transmitted on a single channel. DSSM packets are split into multiple pieces, which are transmitted simultaneously on all available channels. Since the physical delay variation (e.g., group delay change) across the adjacent carriers is small (on the order of a symbol time), the multiple pieces arrive at the receiving communications nodes at nearly the same time and can be reassembled with minimal buffering and no packet ordering problems. To avoid causing trouble for the non-DSSM-capable communications nodes, the packet pieces are encapsulated with a header that causes the non-DSSM-capable communications nodes to silently discard them.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2008Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Daniel H. Howard, Niki R. Pantelias, David M. Pullen, John D. Horton, Thomas J. Quigley, Jr., Richard S. Prodan
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Patent number: 7974532Abstract: A system and method for management of bandwidth in a fiber optic, ethernet-based, TDMA communications system. A request/grant process is used to control the use of upstream bandwidth. A sense of time must therefore be shared by a headend and remote end-user devices. The invention provides for a gigabit media-independent interface in a media access controller to detect start-of-frame delimiters in incoming data. This allows for synchronization of a headend and end-user devices. The invention also allows for phase locking a transmit bit rate, at a headend, to the headend's clock. Transmitted data can the be used downstream to derive a local clock. Synchronization can also be maintained by the use of synchronization bytes in MPEG frames and/or variable length frames. Efficient bandwidth usage can also be facilitated by the use of maximum data units in allocating bandwidth in unsolicited grants, and by allowing flexible fragmentation and/or prioritization of internet protocol (IP) packets.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2009Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Dolors Sala, Ajay Chandra V. Gummalla, Niki R. Pantelias
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Patent number: 7856049Abstract: A cable modem communication system includes a plurality of Cable Modems (CMs), a CM network segment, and a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS). The CMTS segregates the plurality of CMs into a first group of CMs with which standard registering and ranging operations are performed and a second group of CMs with which attenuated transmission registering and ranging operations are performed. Each CM of the first group of CMs operable to perform registering and ranging operations by transmitting a ranging burst of a first format. Each CM of the second group of CMs operable to perform registering and ranging operations by transmitting a ranging burst of a second format that differs from the ranging burst of the first format. The CMTS may include a rake receiver that receives and demodulates a plurality of multi-path copies of the ranging burst of the second format.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2004Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Bruce J. Currivan, Richard S. Prodan, Niki R. Pantelias, Thomas J. Kolze
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Publication number: 20100296511Abstract: Embodiments herein provide systems and methods of transferring data in a communication system. An embodiment transfers data by assigning a portion of data among groups of channels coupled to a remote node, such assigning being based on the respective flows to which the portion is associated. The portion of data across is at least two channels in the assigned group of channels, and the split portions are transferred substantially simultaneously among the channels to which they are assigned.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Richard S. Prodan, Joel Danzig, Thomas J. Quigley, Niki R. Pantelias
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Patent number: 7792034Abstract: A communication system that includes a supervisory node (e.g., a headend) and one or more remote nodes (e.g., cable modems). Packets are transmitted between the supervisory node and the one or more remote nodes via RF channels. A plurality of the RF channels are bonded, such that packets may be transmitted via any one or more of the RF channels that are bonded. Bonding may include higher-layer bonding and/or lower-layer bonding. In higher-layer bonding, the communication system further includes a forwarder and a plurality of edge modulators. Each edge modulator is connected to a different RF channel or group of RF channels. The forwarder determines to which edge modulator one or more packets or flows are to be transmitted. In lower-layer bonding, a packet is split into pieces. The pieces are assigned to respective RF channels that are associated with an edge modulator for transmission to a remote node.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2005Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Richard S. Prodan, Joel Danzig, Thomas J. Quigley, Niki R. Pantelias
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Publication number: 20090268751Abstract: A supervisory communications system (such as, a headend cable modem termination system) manages communications with a plurality of remote communications devices (such as, a cable modem). The supervisory system enables each of its physical channels to have multiple logical channels, with each logical channel having differing channel parameters or operating characteristics. As a result, different types of communication devices are permitted to coexist on the same physical spectrum. In other words, a communications device using, for example, spread spectrum modulation technologies require different operating characteristics than a communications device using, for example, time division multiplexing technologies.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2009Publication date: October 29, 2009Applicant: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Niki R. Pantelias, Yushan Lu
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Patent number: 7577129Abstract: A supervisory communications system (such as, a headend cable modem termination system) manages communications with a plurality of remote communications devices (such as, a cable modem). The supervisory system enables each of its physical channels to have multiple logical channels, with each logical channel having differing channel parameters or operating characteristics. As a result, different types of communication devices are permitted to coexist on the same physical spectrum. In other words, a communications device using, for example, spread spectrum modulation technologies require different operating characteristics than a communications device using, for example, time division multiplexing technologies.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2002Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Niki R Pantelias, Yushan Lu
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Publication number: 20090180491Abstract: A system and method for management of bandwidth in a fiber optic, ethernet-based, TDMA communications system. A request/grant process is used to control the use of upstream bandwidth. A sense of time must therefore be shared by a headend and remote end-user devices. The invention provides for a gigabit media-independent interface in a media access controller to detect start-of-frame delimiters in incoming data. This allows for synchronization of a headend and end-user devices. The invention also allows for phase locking a transmit bit rate, at a headend, to the headend's clock. Transmitted data can the be used downstream to derive a local clock. Synchronization can also be maintained by the use of synchronization bytes in MPEG frames and/or variable length frames. Efficient bandwidth usage can also be facilitated by the use of maximum data units in allocating bandwidth in unsolicited grants, and by allowing flexible fragmentation and/or prioritization of internet protocol (IP) packets.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2009Publication date: July 16, 2009Applicant: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Dolors Sala, Ajay Chandra V. Gummalla, Niki R. Pantelias
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Publication number: 20090092153Abstract: Downstream synchronous multichannel (DSSM) communications are provided among a plurality of carriers, each being a completely DOCSIS™ 2.0-compliant downstream. The synchronous multichannels support communications with both DSSM-capable communications nodes and non-DSSM-capable communications nodes (e.g., legacy cable modems). Non-DSSM packets are transmitted on a single channel. DSSM packets are split into multiple pieces, which are transmitted simultaneously on all available channels. Since the physical delay variation (e.g., group delay change) across the adjacent carriers is small (on the order of a symbol time), the multiple pieces arrive at the receiving communications nodes at nearly the same time and can be reassembled with minimal buffering and no packet ordering problems. To avoid causing trouble for the non-DSSM-capable communications nodes, the packet pieces are encapsulated with a header that causes the non-DSSM-capable communications nodes to silently discard them.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2008Publication date: April 9, 2009Applicant: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Daniel H. HOWARD, Niki R. Pantelias, David M. Pullen, John D. Horton, JR., Thomas J. Quigley, Richard S. Prodan
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Patent number: 7450579Abstract: Downstream synchronous multichannel (DSSM) communications are provided among a plurality of carriers, each being a completely DOCSIS™ 2.0-compliant downstream. The synchronous multichannels support communications with both DSSM-capable communications nodes and non-DSSM-capable communications nodes (e.g., legacy cable modems). Non-DSSM packets are transmitted on a single channel. DSSM packets are split into multiple pieces, which are transmitted simultaneously on all available channels. Since the physical delay variation (e.g., group delay change) across the adjacent carriers is small (on the order of a symbol time), the multiple pieces arrive at the receiving communications nodes at nearly the same time and can be reassembled with minimal buffering and no packet ordering problems. To avoid causing trouble for the non-DSSM-capable communications nodes, the packet pieces are encapsulated with a header that causes the non-DSSM-capable communications nodes to silently discard them.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2004Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Daniel H. Howard, Niki R. Pantelias, David M. Pullen, John D. Horton, Jr., Tom Quigley, Richard S. Prodan
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Patent number: 7379469Abstract: A system and method are presented for changing physical layer (PHY) parameters in a PHY device of a communications system. New parameters are written to a first-in first-out queue in a serial interface, while the scheduled time for the changeover is written to a control register in the serial interface. When the time for the changeover occurs, the parameters are written to the PHY device via a port of the serial interface.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2001Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: A. Scott Hollums, Niki R Pantelias, David A Ferguson