Abstract: Methods and systems capable of improving the transmission of data along an upstream path of a Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial Cable Network, from a transmitter in a node to a receiver in a Cable Modem Termination System.

Abstract: The disclosure herein relates to devices for improving combustion engine performance. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to ionizing devices and their use in reducing emissions, improving fuel efficiency, improving power, reducing turbo lag, and reducing engine deposits in combustion engines that utilizes a computer to control the air/fuel mixture.

Abstract: A motorized transitional shade system may move a covering material between open, closed, view, and privacy positions. The covering material may define respective pluralities of opaque and transparent sections that are arranged in an alternating pattern. A bottom bar that is movably supported by the covering material may define first and second portions of the covering material. The opaque and transparent sections in the first and second portions of the covering material may permit visibility through the covering material in a view position, and may impede visibility through the covering material in a privacy position. If movement of the covering material is halted at an intermediate position that is between the open and closed positions, the motorized transitional shade system may cause the motor to rotate the roller tube to move the covering material to a next lowest privacy position or to a next highest view position.

Abstract: Systems and methods of estimating a distance to a cause of a micro-reflection in a CATV network.

Abstract: An automated method of characterizing distortion detected by equalization on a channel of a network is provided. Equalization stress of an observed channel equalization response of an end device of the network is estimated, and equalization stress is calculated for a theoretical channel equalization response of the end device mathematically based on the observed channel equalization response and a theoretical removal of a suspected impairment from the network. The above referenced calculating step is separately repeated for each of a plurality of suspected impairments stored in a database of suspected impairments. A highest ranking suspected dominant impairment is determined from the database of suspected impairments such that removal of the highest ranking suspected dominant impairment from the network would provide a greatest reduction of equalization stress of a channel equalization response of the end device.

Abstract: The dynamic range of an optical link in a network is determined by simultaneously transmitting signals from two network elements at first and second frequencies, which create a combined signal at a third frequency. The transmission power levels of selected network elements is successively increased until the measured power from the third frequency no longer changes in a predictable manner, at which point the upper limit of the dynamic range of the optical link is determined.

Abstract: A motorized transitional shade system may move a covering material between open, closed, view, and privacy positions. The covering material may define respective pluralities of opaque and transparent sections that are arranged in an alternating pattern. A bottom bar that is movably supported by the covering material may define first and second portions of the covering material. The opaque and transparent sections in the first and second portions of the covering material may permit visibility through the covering material in a view position, and may impede visibility through the covering material in a privacy position. If movement of the covering material is halted at an intermediate position that is between the open and closed positions, the motorized transitional shade system may cause the motor to rotate the roller tube to move the covering material to a next lowest privacy position or to a next highest view position.

Abstract: Methods and systems capable of improving the transmission of data along an upstream path of a Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial Cable Network, from a transmitter in a node to a receiver in a Cable Modem Termination System.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for updating equalization coefficients of an adaptive pre-equalizer of a network element are provided. The method includes monitoring a communications channel to measure distortion of a communications signal received from the network element and detecting whether a transient impairment is present in the communication signal. When a transient impairment is not detected to be present, a pre-equalization coefficient update is transmitted to the network element. However, when a transient impairment is detected to be present, at least selected ones of the pre-equalization coefficients are scaled before the update is transmitted to the network element or the update is withheld from being transmitted to the network element. An apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for characterizing an impulse noise impairment impacting communications over data links of a network are provided. A test signal comprising a bit stream of a predetermined bit sequence and packet size is configured and transmitted over the data links. The test signal is received, and the bit stream of the test signal as transmitted is compared to a bit stream of the test signal as received to identify differences in bit sequence. Thereafter, characteristics of the impulse noise impairment impacting communications between the data links are estimated based on the detected differences in bit sequence.

Abstract: An automated method of characterizing distortion detected by equalization on a channel of a network is provided. Equalization stress of an observed channel equalization response of an end device of the network is estimated, and equalization stress is calculated for a theoretical channel equalization response of the end device mathematically based on the observed channel equalization response and a theoretical removal of a suspected impairment from the network. The above referenced calculating step is separately repeated for each of a plurality of suspected impairments stored in a database of suspected impairments. A highest ranking suspected dominant impairment is determined from the database of suspected impairments such that removal of the highest ranking suspected dominant impairment from the network would provide a greatest reduction of equalization stress of a channel equalization response of the end device.

Abstract: The presence of micro-reflections is determined in a network by determining micro-reflections from amplifier and diplex filter impedance mismatches and micro-reflections from drop cable impedance mismatches. The micro-reflections from impedance mismatches are determined by instructing network element to transmit a test signal at a first symbol rate and a first resolution for amplifier and diplex filter impedance mismatches and a second frequency with a second symbol rate and second resolution for micro-reflections from drop cable impedance mismatches. The tests are performed with several frequencies and the channels with the least micro-reflections are identified.

Abstract: A system estimates impairment contributions for upstream communications in a cable television system. The system receives equalization coefficients used by end devices in the cable television system. The equalization coefficients are used by equalizers to mitigate distortion in upstream channels for the end devices. The system analyzes the coefficients based on impairment thresholds to determine whether impairment problems exist and to identify the types of impairment problems that exist.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for updating equalization coefficients of an adaptive pre-equalizer of a network element are provided. The method includes monitoring a communications channel to measure distortion of a communications signal received from the network element and detecting whether a transient impairment is present in the communication signal. When a transient impairment is not detected to be present, a pre-equalization coefficient update is transmitted to the network element. However, when a transient impairment is detected to be present, at least selected ones of the pre-equalization coefficients are scaled before the update is transmitted to the network element or the update is withheld from being transmitted to the network element. An apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A logical channel is configured to match a modulation profile of an active channel. A network element is assigned to the logical channel and a ping request is sent to the network element. A response from the network element is measured, such as measuring the MER. The modulation profile is increased in the logical channel and another ping request is sent to the network element. The response is measured again, and the process is repeated until a non-linearity is detected in the response. The acceptable modulation profiles are indicated before the non-linearity is detected in the response.

Abstract: Methods are described for identifying a dominant impairment on a communication channel impaired by an interference issue. The methods include systematic examination of total power loading, systematic examination of signal power reduction, statistical examination of communication channel noise power, and systematic examination of interleaver effectiveness. Each relates to automatically diagnosing and characterizing distortion-based interference issues by monitoring the performance of a communication channel during a testing procedure. These methods enable a technician or engineer to remotely diagnose distortion-based interference issues relatively quickly without having to use external test equipment and without having to deploy technicians to various locations within the cable plant. A system by which these methods can be implemented is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a device which includes an antenna and circuitry. The antenna may receive a circularly-polarized signal as first and second linearly-polarized signals. The circuitry is connected to the antenna and is configured for combining the first and second linearly-polarized signals to produce at least two reception patterns. The reception patterns are created by summing the first and second linearly-polarized signals via phase shifting. The reception patterns are optimized for at least two substantially different directional orientations. Further, the antenna may simultaneously allow/provide spec-compliant Global Positioning System operation and spec compliant Height of Burst operation.

Abstract: Methods are described for identifying a dominant impairment on a communication channel impaired by an interference issue. The methods include systematic examination of total power loading, systematic examination of signal power reduction, statistical examination of communication channel noise power, and systematic examination of interleaver effectiveness. Each relates to automatically diagnosing and characterizing distortion-based interference issues by monitoring the performance of a communication channel during a testing procedure. These methods enable a technician or engineer to remotely diagnose distortion-based interference issues relatively quickly without having to use external test equipment and without having to deploy technicians to various locations within the cable plant. A system by which these methods can be implemented is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system estimates impairment contributions for upstream communications in a cable television system. The system receives equalization coefficients used by end devices in the cable television system. The equalization coefficients are used by equalizers to mitigate distortion in upstream channels for the end devices. The system analyzes the coefficients based on impairment thresholds to determine whether impairment problems exist and to identify the types of impairment problems that exist.

Abstract: The available modulation schemes of a network are analyzed to determine which ones contain excessive phase noise or narrowband interference. A network element is selected and assigned to a test channel at a first modulation scheme at a predetermined power level to achieve a predetermined PER. The network element transmits a test signal and the network controller measures the signal to noise ratio (SNR) in the received test signal. If the SNR is not within a predetermined tolerance range of an estimated SNR for the modulation scheme at the predetermined PER, the modulation scheme is determined to have excessive phase noise or narrowband interference. Each available modulation scheme is tested by instructing the network element to transmit the test signal using each modulation scheme and assigning the power level of each modulation scheme. The suitable modulation schemes may be determined.