Abstract: An approach is provided for storing and retrieving digital audio/video data. A system bus of fixed width transfers data bits. The data bits form a bit pattern. An interface is coupled to system bus and is configured to alter the bit pattern of the data bits, according to a prescribed scheme. A hard disk drive is coupled to the interface and is configured to store the altered data bits. The approach has particular applicability to a digital set-top box for a direct satellite television system.

Abstract: A host name query is received by a modem from a client computer. The host name query is simultaneously transmitted from the modem to a plurality of Domain Name System (DNS) servers. A response is returned to the client computer from the modem, where the response is based on the host name query and any responses received from the DNS servers. In a preferred embodiment at least one address associated with the host name query is acquired from the DNS servers. The client computer then sends a request for content to the address. If more than one address is returned, all but one of the addresses is eliminated. This can be done by rejecting all but the most recent address, or rejecting all addresses not provided by a service provider DNS server.

Abstract: A method of providing forward error correction for data services uses a parallel concatenated convolutional code which is a Turbo Code comprising a plurality of eight-state constituent encoders wherein a plurality of data block sizes are used in conjunction with said Turbo Code. A variation uses the method in a cellular radio system. Another variation uses the method in both forward and reverse likes of a cellular radio system.

Abstract: A method for remotely communicating with a Broadband modem is provided. Once a communication error is detected on a Broadband modem, a Plain Old Telephone System (POTS) connection is established between the Broadband modem and a remote server. Communication then occurs with the remote server via the POTS connection using Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) tones. The communication preferably comprises transmitting information associated with the communication error to the remote server via the POTS connection using DTMF tones and receiving a diagnosis from the remote server via the POTS connection in DTMF tones. A system for remotely diagnosing a Broadband modem as well as a Broadband modem is also provided.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communications system including a plurality of individual transponding platforms all in communication with a central processing hub. A signal processed by the central processing hub is radiated simultaneously through multiple paths to a plurality of the individual transponding platforms. The signal transmitted to each transponding platform by the hub is appropriately delayed by the hub so as to equalize the differential delay of all such signals from a given receiver location. The radiated signal is then re-radiated by each of the plurality of individual transponding platforms to a mobile satellite terminal that receives the re-radiated signal from the plurality of individual transponding platforms. The signals from the plurality of transponding platforms are all received coherently by the intended user, and incoherently by all other users.

Abstract: The system and method described herein is used to determine the type of multi-switch connected to a direct-to-home satellite integrated receiver/decoder. The system looks for a predetermined marker pattern on the first port of a multi-switch using a first type of control signal (e.g., DiSEqC control signals) not knowing if this type of control signal will work, because the type of multi-switch is undetermined. If the marker is found on the first port, the system changes the control signal to address the third port of the multi-switch. If the marker is also acquired from the third port, and the second marker is the same as the first marker, then the multi-switch is ignoring the control signals and the process is repeated using a different pair of multi-switch ports (e.g., ports two and four) and/or a different type of control signal (e.g., tone control signals). However, if a different marker (or no marker) is found on the third port, then the multi-switch is responding to the control signals (e.g.

Abstract: A Plain Old Telephone System (POTS) connection is established between a Broadband modem and a remote server. A configuration request is then transmitted from the Broadband modem to the remote server using DTMF tones. Subsequently a domain name associated with a Broadband Service Node (BSN) and a user identifier, such as a telephone number, is received from the remote server via the POTS connection using Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) tones. A PPPoE session is then established using the domain name, by firstly authenticating the Broadband modem for the PPPoE session and then configuring the DSL modem. This configuration is accomplished by transmitting a request for configuration details from the Broadband modem to the BSN having the domain name and then receiving configuration details from the configuration server. The Broadband modem then automatically configures itself using the configuration details.

Abstract: In a data communication system such as a high capacity DBS system, dynamic mapping of broadcast resources is provided to exploit occasional redundancy in the program content of two or more input data streams, freeing at least one broadcast resource to carry alternate bitstreams, such as additional programs or existing programs at higher quality. Transmission maps defining the correspondence between input data streams and broadcast resources, and reception maps defining the correspondence between broadcast resources and output data streams, are updated as needed to dynamically modify broadcast resource mapping to increase effective utilization of available bandwidth. Beneficial n:n?y:m mapping in a high capacity consumer DBS entertainment system is provided. Apparatus and methods for efficiently generating, maintaining and updating allocation maps with reduced overhead requirements, are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for transmitting data to a plurality of satellites is provided. A first satellite in an orbital slot has an associated receive antenna, and is configured to receive signals in a first range of frequencies. A second satellite in the orbital slot has an associated receive antenna. The second satellite is separated from the first satellite by at least a first separation angle, and is configured to receive signals in the first range of frequencies. A first earth uplink antenna, located at a first earth location, is capable of transmitting a first uplink beam at the receive antenna of the first satellite. A second earth uplink antenna, collocated at the first earth location, is capable of transmitting a second uplink beam at the receive antenna of the second satellite. The first uplink beam includes first signals at the first range of frequencies, and the second uplink beam includes second signals at the first range of frequencies.

Abstract: A mobile satellite payload 18 and a method for sampling communication signals 26 are provided. The mobile satellite payload 18 uses a plurality of receive radiating elements 24 within a phase array antenna 22 to convert the communication signals 26 to received signals [S(t)]. A plurality of low noise amplifiers (LNAs) 28 amplify the received signals [S(t)] to then be received by a plurality of analog-to-digital (A/D) converters 29. The A/D converters 29 transform the received signals [S(t)] into digital baseband signals [S?(t)].

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for communicating between a user terminal and a communications network based on an Internet protocol via multiple dynamic wireless communications linkages. A user terminal includes a multiple beam antenna, a plurality of amplifiers coupled to the multiple beam antenna, a plurality of bandpass filters coupled to the plurality of amplifiers, a modem coupled to the plurality of bandpass filters, a router & hub coupled to the modem, a transport layer coupled to the router & hub, and an estimation processor coupled to the router & hub.

Abstract: A modem that includes a configuration domain name associated with a configuration Broadband Service Node (BSN) is firstly provided. A PPPoE session is established, and an authentication request is transmitted, containing the identifier and a generic password, from the modem to a single configuration domain name over the PPPoE network. Authorization is then received from the configuration domain name. The authorization preferably comprises a temporary dynamic Internet Protocol (IP) address. Full configuration details, including a static IP address, are then obtained from an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The invention also provides a system and computer program product for provisioning broadband service in a Point-to-Point Protocol Over Ethernet (PPPoE) network.

Abstract: A method for communicating across divergent network segments in a network. The network has a first network segment and a second network segment. The first network segment includes a switch that is controlled by a module that has instructions encoding a method. In the method, an ARP request packet is received from a first device. The ARP request packet includes a request to locate a second device. The first device is coupled to the first network segment and the second device is coupled to the second network segment. The ARP request packet is broadcast to the network segments outside of the first network segment and, as a result, a reply from the second network segment is received. The reply is transmitted to the first device, such that in use, ARP tables are modified on the first device and the second device so that future communication between said first device and said second device is enabled using a layer two communication protocol without any requirement for a layer three communication protocol.

Abstract: A method for coherent phase synchronous CDMA communications between a gateway and multiple subscribers via multiple transponder platforms that includes the step of synchronizing a local reference clock for each subscriber in a service area to a single master reference clock for multiple transponder platforms wherein the distance separating the transponder platforms is constrained to a range wherein the local reference clocks for all subscribers have substantially the same phase with respect to the master reference clock.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a computer memory structure adaptively controlling a transmission signal from a satellite to at least one terrestrial receiver in a terrestrial region is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of receiving information describing a deleterious time-varying propagation characteristic of the transmission signal to the terrestrial region; generating the transmission signal having a transmission characteristic which mitigates the undesirable aspects of the time-varying propagation characteristic; and transmitting the generated transmission signal from the satellite to the terrestrial receiver. The article of manufacture comprises a controller device tangibly embodying instructions to perform the method steps described above.

Abstract: A communication system for transmitting encoded signals over a communication channel is disclosed. The system includes a transmitter, which has a source that is configured to output a message signal, and an encoder that is configured to generate a code word in response to the message signal. The code word is based upon a stacking construction that is generalized for the communication channel. The communication channel is characterized as a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) block fading channel. The transmitter also includes a modulator that is configured to modulate the code word for transmission over the communication channel. Further, the transmitter includes a plurality of transmit antennas that are configured to transmit the modulated code word over the communication channel. The system also includes a receiver, which has a plurality of receive antennas. The receiver is configured to receive the transmitted code word via the plurality of receive antennas.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transmission security is presented. A receiver communicatively coupleable to an identifiable conditional access module (CAM) to enable reception of the service uses an authenticator to control the operability of the receiver according to a comparison between the identified conditional access module and a list of conditional access modules.

Abstract: A system and method for providing program guide information to subscribers is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method is applied to a broadcasting system having a first service network broadcasting a first signal having a first set of programs, a second service network broadcasting a second signal having a second set of programs, and a third service network broadcasting a third signal having a third set of programs, wherein the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal each include service channels uniquely identified by a service channel identifier, a method of providing a unified program guide to a receiver station.

Abstract: A method for communicating and a communications system apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a communications platform and a gateway communicatively coupleable with a terrestrially-based network. The communications platform is disposed in a stratospheric location and transponds information between at least one of a plurality of user terminals and the gateway in essentially a bent pipe fashion. The method comprises the steps of receiving a first signal from the user terminal having an antenna in a stratospherically-based communication platform that maintains an apparent position relative to the user terminal within a beamwidth of a user terminal antenna and transponding the first signal from the stratospherically based communications platform to a gateway ground station.

Abstract: A first publically routable IP address and a second publically routable IP address (bypass IP address) is firstly received from an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that forms part of a public network. An instruction to assign the second publically routable IP address to the host computer is then received. The first publically routable IP address is assigned to a Network Address Translation (NAT) service on the gateway and the second publically routable IP address is allocated to the host computer. Finally, the second publically routable IP address is allocated to the host computer. This allows the host computer to be configured to enable it to receive unsolicited packets from the public network through the gateway. A gateway and computer program product are also provided.