Abstract: Static balancing of cable modems across upstream channels is made based on the channel's current bandwidth demand compared to a first and/or second CAC threshold level. If both threshold levels are exceeded, the modem is assigned to the channel having the lowest bandwidth demand. After registration, predictive balancing modems according to whether an MTA is part of a given modem avoids concentration of modems having MTAs on certain channels while other channels serve only moderns without MTAs. Modems are also predictively balanced according to whether they have associated a DSA_use_history profile. Modems associated with certain subscribers may be balanced according to the time of day balancing is occurring based on the profile. Thus, light users during working hours may be balanced as heavy users at night if they typically download video content or use VoIP features during the evening.

Abstract: A voltage controller increases a DC input voltage in response to a ring instruction received from a processor in a control signal. The increased voltage is converted to an AC ring signal that causes a telephone to ring. The ring signal voltage is generated at a battery high node (“VBH”) and may be routed to a SLIC before being sent to an on-hook telephone. The voltage at VBH is kept low during off-hook and other periods when a ring instruction is not present. Thus, voltages internal to an indoor device that houses the controller are kept below a predetermined safe threshold, thereby allowing the periods of high voltage to be deemed as transient. Accordingly, if the device is unearthed, or not grounded to the earth, the device may nevertheless obtain listing by a certifying and testing organization without being subjected to abnormal testing and possible failure thereof.

Abstract: The clocks of one or more edgeQAM devices are synchronized with a master clock at the remotely located CMTS. A master clock signal may be transmitted via a dedicated gigabit Ethernet link. Alternatively, master clock information contained in a time synchronization message may be transmitted for use in adjusting local oscillators that drive local clocks at respective edgeQAM devices. In another embodiment, the downstream sample rate to particular edgeQAM devices may be sampled and used to lock a local clock at respective canary modems dedicated to each edgeQAM device. A canary modem's clock is compared to the master clock, and a resulting phase error is communicated to the respective edgeQAM device for use in adjusting its local clock. Or, TDMA upstream ranging burst average trends are used to estimate edgeQAM clock error. Each respective edgeQAM uses this error to adjust its clock.

Abstract: Current to a relay causes a telephone to be connected to a SLIC. Following LOOP, a sleep switch opens to interrupt current to the power supply converter after a first predetermined period expires. If the telephone is on-hook, loss of current to the relay causes disconnection from the SLIC, but causes connection to a battery. Current sensed from the battery through an off-hook hook switch generates a current signal. The current signal closes a current switch, which is in parallel with the open sleep switch, thereby providing a current path to the converter. The sleep switch then makes and then the current switch breaks. After awakening, a ring-back signal informs a user that telephony service has been restored and a message may indicate that telephony service is being sought. When the telephone is placed back on-hook, counting of a second predetermined period starts, after which the sleep switch opens again.