Abstract: An enhanced mobile communication device communicates directly with other enhanced mobile communication devices in an ad-hoc mode over a wireless medium. The device transmits and receives packets of digital data. The packets of digital data are such that when transmitted, the probability that they will be received by the other mobile communication devices is increased. The probability is further increased by transmitting the packets a multiple and variable number of times according activity in the wireless medium. Attempts to transmit are made periodically and the period of transmission is adjusted according to activity in the wireless medium. In a transportation application, the packets comprise vehicle traffic congestion update information. The device maintains a traffic database and a map database. Traffic congestion update information is exchanged with other devices.

Abstract: An enhanced mobile communication device communicates directly with other enhanced mobile communication devices in an ad-hoc mode over a wireless medium. The device transmits and receives packets of digital data. The packets of digital data are such that when transmitted, the probability that they will be received by the other mobile communication devices is increased. The probability is further increased by transmitting the packets a multiple and variable number of times according activity in the wireless medium. Attempts to transmit are made periodically and the period of transmission is adjusted according to activity in the wireless medium. In a transportation application, the packets comprise vehicle traffic congestion update information. The device maintains a traffic database and a map database. Traffic congestion update information is exchanged with other devices.

Abstract: High-speed data transfer rates are provided between a central office and customer premise equipment with a multiplexer that is interposed between the central office and the customer premise equipment, and that functions as a remote access node. The multiplexer communicates at high data rates via downstream data links such as twisted-pair conductors between the multiplexer and the customer premise equipment. By positioning the multiplexer physically close to the customer premise equipment, DSL data rates can be achieved. In one application, the multiplexer assigns a variable number of the upstream data links between the central office and the multiplexer on a dynamic, adaptive, and automatic basis to individual ones of the downstream data links. In this way, unused data link capacity of the upstream data links is used to provide high data transmission rates when required between the multiplexer and the central office.

Abstract: A universal broadband server connected between a plurality of subscriber lines, at least one upstream link, and a central office provides broadband service to a plurality of customer premise equipment devices connected to the plurality of subscriber lines. The universal broadband server may also provides analog modem service to the plurality of customer premise equipment devices connected to the plurality of subscriber lines. A dynamic bandwidth allocation method adjusts the transmit power and bandwidth at which the universal broadband server communicates with the plurality of customer premise equipment devices in consideration of the maximum available bandwidth provided by the at least one upstream link, and the maximum available power.

Abstract: A faster modem apparatus communicates with customer premise equipment according to a variety of communication protocols. The faster modem apparatus communicates with customer premise equipment comprising an analog soft-modem comprising a codec. A method utilizes an unused portion of the codec operating range to code and decode data signals having frequencies above 4 kHz. The faster modem apparatus also codes and decodes data signals above 4 kHz. The analog soft-modem and the faster modem apparatus transmit and receive coded analog signals at a signal level of greater than ?9 dBm. In one embodiment, the faster modem apparatus is also operative to communicate with additional modems such as dial-up modems and DSL modems. In one embodiment, the faster modem apparatus supports simultaneous voice and data communications.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a modular memory device is presented comprising a substrate, a memory array fabricated above the substrate, and first and second circuitry fabricated on the substrate and under the memory array. The first and second circuitry allow the modular memory device to interface with first and second varieties of host devices, respectively. In another embodiment, a modular memory device is presented comprising a substrate, a memory array fabricated above the substrate, memory array support circuitry fabricated on the substrate, and logic circuitry fabricated on the substrate and under the memory array.

Abstract: A physical layer router comprises a plurality of subscriber ports, a plurality of dsp pool ports, a switch, isolation circuitry, a tone detector, and control logic. The control logic comprises a microprocessor interface. The physical layer router couples at least some of the plurality of subscriber ports to at least some of the plurality of dsp pool pools. The physical layer router connects every subscriber port not coupled to a dsp pool port to a snoop bus. Tones are detected on the snoop bus. The tones comprise request tones from customer premise equipment devices connected to the plurality of subscriber ports. Exactly one subscriber port is isolated, whereby exactly one customer premise equipment device generating the request tone is isolated. A dsp pool port is coupled to the isolated subscriber port. A fast line acquisition method finds one subscriber port of the plurality of subscriber ports receiving the request tones.

Abstract: High-speed data transfer rates are provided between a central office and customer premise equipment with a multiplexer that is interposed between the central office and the customer premise equipment, and that functions as a remote access node. The multiplexer communicates at high data rates via downstream data links such as twisted-pair conductors between the multiplexer and the customer premise equipment. By positioning the multiplexer physically close to the customer premise equipment, DSL data rates can be achieved. In one application, the multiplexer assigns a variable number of the upstream data links between the central office and the multiplexer on a dynamic, adaptive, and automatic basis to individual ones of the downstream data links. In this way, unused data link capacity of the upstream data links is used to provide high data transmission rates when required between the multiplexer and the central office.

Abstract: A physical layer router comprises a plurality of subscriber ports, a plurality of dsp pool ports, a switch, isolation circuitry, a tone detector, and control logic. The control logic comprises a microprocessor interface. The physical layer router couples at least some of the plurality of subscriber ports to at least some of the plurality of dsp pool pools. The physical layer router connects every subscriber port not coupled to a dsp pool port to a snoop bus. Tones are detected on the snoop bus. The tones comprise request tones from customer premise equipment devices connected to the plurality of subscriber ports. Exactly one subscriber port is isolated, whereby exactly one customer premise equipment device generating the request tone is isolated. A dsp pool port is coupled to the isolated subscriber port. A fast line acquisition method finds one subscriber port of the plurality of subscriber ports receiving the request tones.

Abstract: A universal broadband server connected between a plurality of subscriber lines, at least one upstream link, and a central office provides broadband service to a plurality of customer premise equipment devices connected to the plurality of subscriber lines. The universal broadband server may also provides analog modem service to the plurality of customer premise equipment devices connected to the plurality of subscriber lines. A dynamic bandwidth allocation method adjusts the transmit power and bandwidth at which the universal broadband server communicates with the plurality of customer premise equipment devices in consideration of the maximum available bandwidth provided by the at least one upstream link, and the maximum available power.

Abstract: High-speed data transfer rates are provided between a central office and customer premise equipment with a multiplexer that is interposed between the central office and the customer premise equipment, and that functions as a remote access node. The multiplexer communicates at high data rates via downstream data links such as twisted-pair conductors between the multiplexer and the customer premise equipment. By positioning the multiplexer physically close to the customer premise equipment, DSL data rates can be achieved. In one application, the multiplexer assigns a variable number of the upstream data links between the central office and the multiplexer on a dynamic, adaptive, and automatic basis to individual ones of the downstream data links. In this way, unused data link capacity of the upstream data links is used to provide high data transmission rates when required between the multiplexer and the central office.

Abstract: An enhanced mobile communication device communicates directly with other enhanced mobile communication devices in an ad-hoc mode over a wireless medium. The device transmits and receives packets of digital data. The packets of digital data are such that when transmitted, the probability that they will be received by the other mobile communication devices is increased. The probability is further increased by transmitting the packets a multiple and variable number of times according activity in the wireless medium. Attempts to transmit are made periodically and the period of transmission is adjusted according to activity in the wireless medium. In a transportation application, the packets comprise vehicle traffic congestion update information. The device maintains a traffic database and a map database. Traffic congestion update information is exchanged with other devices.

Abstract: A faster modem apparatus communicates with customer premise equipment according to a variety of communication protocols. The faster modem apparatus communicates with customer premise equipment comprising an analog soft-modem comprising a codec. A method utilizes an unused portion of the codec operating range to code and decode data signals having frequencies above 4 kHz. The faster modem apparatus also codes and decodes data signals above 4 kHz. The analog soft-modem and the faster modem apparatus transmit and receive coded analog signals at a signal level of greater than −9 dBm. In one embodiment, the faster modem apparatus is also operative to communicate with additional modems such as dial-up modems and DSL modems. In one embodiment, the faster modem apparatus supports simultaneous voice and data communications.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a modular memory device is presented comprising a substrate, a memory array fabricated above the substrate, and first and second circuitry fabricated on the substrate and under the memory array. The first and second circuitry allow the modular memory device to interface with first and second varieties of host devices, respectively. In another embodiment, a modular memory device is presented comprising a substrate, a memory array fabricated above the substrate, memory array support circuitry fabricated on the substrate, and logic circuitry fabricated on the substrate and under the memory array.

Abstract: A modular memory device includes a support element, a memory unit comprising a three-dimensional memory array carried by the support element, a device interface unit carried by the support element and coupled with the memory unit, and an electrical connector carried by the support element and coupled with the device interface unit. The memory array is well suited for use as a digital medium storage device for digital media such as digital text, digital music, digital image or images, and digital video. The device interface unit is not required in all cases.

Abstract: A low-cost memory cell array includes multiple, vertically-stacked layers of memory cells. In one form, each memory cell is characterized by a small cross-sectional area and a read current less than 6.3 microamperes. The resulting memory array has a slow access time and is well-suited for digital media storage, where access time requirements are low and the dramatic cost reductions associated with the disclosed memory arrays are particularly attractive. In another form, each memory cell includes an antifuse layer and diode components, wherein at least one diode component is heavily doped (to a dopant concentration greater than 1019/cm3), and wherein the read current is large (up to 500 mA).

Abstract: A low-cost memory cell array includes multiple, vertically-stacked layers of memory cells. In one form, each memory cell is characterized by a small cross-sectional area and a read current less than 6.3 microamperes. The resulting memory array has a slow access time and is well-suited for digital media storage, where access time requirements are low and the dramatic cost reductions associated with the disclosed memory arrays are particularly attractive. In another form, each memory cell includes an antifuse layer and diode components, wherein at least one diode component is heavily doped (to a dopant concentration greater than 1019/cm3), and wherein the read current is large (up to 500 mA).

Abstract: A very high density field programmable memory is disclosed. An array is formed vertically above a substrate using several layers, each layer of which includes vertically fabricated memory cells. The cell in an N level array may be formed with N+1 masking steps plus masking steps needed for contacts. Maximum use of self alignment techniques minimizes photolithographic limitations. In one embodiment the peripheral circuits are formed in a silicon substrate and an N level array is fabricated above the substrate.

Abstract: A very high density field programmable memory is disclosed. An array is formed vertically above a substrate using several layers, each layer of which includes vertically fabricated memory cells. The cell in an N level array may be formed with N+1 masking steps plus masking steps needed for contacts. Maximum use of self alignment techniques minimizes photolithographic limitations. In one embodiment the peripheral circuits are formed in a silicon substrate and an N level array is fabricated above the substrate.

Abstract: A method of approximating the pixel intensity values of a current block using the pixel intensity values of a search window, wherein the precision of the number of bits used to represent the pixel intensity values is reduced. The pixel intensity values of the pixels in the current block are averaged to determine a first average pixel intensity value. The pixel intensity values of the current block which have a pixel intensity value less than the first average pixel intensity value are averaged to determine a second average pixel intensity value. The pixel intensity values of the current block which have a pixel intensity value greater than the first average pixel intensity value are averaged to determine a third average pixel intensity value. The first, second and third average pixel intensity values are used to determine thresholded pixel intensity values for the current block pixels and the search window pixels, thereby creating a thresholded current block and a thresholded search window.