Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide a method and apparatus for mitigating layer-2 loops in home networking applications. One embodiment of a method for mitigating layer-2 loops in a network includes detecting a loop between a first terminal in the network and a second terminal in the network, and deactivating at least one active home networking interface at the first terminal.

Abstract: An encryption device includes a system processor having a first key for encrypting information. The system processor periodically generates random data strings that are also encrypted using the first key. The encryption device also includes a first output for communicating the encrypted information to an external location and a tamper detection module for receiving on a periodic basis the random data strings generated by the system processor. The tamper detection module includes a second key that is the same as the first key, an encryption engine for encrypting the random data strings using the second key, and a second output for communicating the encrypted data strings to the system processor. The tamper detection module is configured to alter the second key upon detection of a tampering event so that the second key is different from the first key.

Abstract: A method in a signal processor for filtering samples in a digital signal is provided. An approximate filtered sample is generated as a function of four samples of the digital signal. A correction is generated as a function of the four samples, and a filtered sample is generated by modifying the approximate filtered sample with the correction.

Abstract: A system for providing power to a network interface device (NID) includes a primary power supply device (PPSD), a battery backup device (BBD), and an electrical bus connecting the PPSD, the BBD, and the NID in parallel. The PPSD is operable to power the NID. The BBD is configured to provide power to the NID in response to a power loss event, such as the PPSD failing to provide adequate power to the NID.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide a mechanically integrated cable mesh antenna system. One embodiment of a wireless access device for a network includes a housing having at least one rib, beam forming electronics supported by the housing, and at least one antenna for providing subscribers of the network with a connection to the network, where the antenna is formed on the rib.

Abstract: Particular embodiments generally relate to automatically controlling an item. For example, items may include electronic devices, such as televisions, lights, etc, and/or virtual devices, such as applications, etc. In one embodiment, items may be configured using metatags. When a device is connected for operation, one or more metatags for the device are received. A metatag be used to classify the device. For example, the metatag may indicate uses, locations, connections, etc. The use of device (e.g., pathway, reading, etc.) classifies the item in way it can be used. For example, a user may use a pathway light in different ways, such as the user may turn on all lights with the pathway metatag at night. The location indicates the location of the item, such as in the living room, bedroom, etc. The connections indications a type of item, such as a bedroom light, lamp, TV, etc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for using voice commands to invoke a mode of operation of a broadband network device used in a broadband communication network implemented with VOIP, such as a communication gateway. The user can interface interactively with the device through voice commands or through touch-tone data entry, and the results of the tasks performed are reported back to the user in voice format.

Abstract: Simultaneous display of multiple audio/video (AV) programs transmitted over a digital link is described. At a source device, at least one non-composited digital transport stream is generated from the plurality of AV programs. The at least one non-composited digital transport stream is augmented with control information. The control information is operative to invoke simultaneous display of the plurality of AV programs on a display device. The at least one non-composited digital transport stream is then transmitted as augmented over the digital link. At a sink device, at least one non-composited digital transport stream having the plurality of AV programs is received over the digital link. Control information is extracted from the at least one non-composited digital transport stream. The plurality of AV programs are identified within said non-composited digital transport stream in response to the control information. The identified AV programs are then simultaneously displayed on the display device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for transmitting a WDM optical signal. The method begins by modulating an odd number of optical channels that are each located at a different wavelength from one another with (1) a respective one of a plurality of information-bearing electrical signals that all embody the same broadcast information and (2) a respective one of a plurality of RF signals having a common functional broadcast waveform, at least one of the RF signals being out of phase with respect to remaining ones of the plurality of RF signals. Each of the modulated optical channels are multiplexed to form a WDM optical signal. The WDM optical signal is forwarded onto an optical transmission path.

Abstract: A method for improving burst acquisition in a receiver includes receiving a signal, and performing a sync word search on the signal, wherein the sync word search includes performing a hybrid synchronization technique, the hybrid synchronization technique including both a lower order modulation (e.g., BPSK) detection and correlation process and a higher order modulation (e.g., QPSK) detection and correlation process.

Abstract: A method (400) for managing a data stream (30) encoded according to a digital transmission protocol and configured for broadcasting to a consumer network device (14) within a broadband communications network (10). A message relating to the data stream is encapsulated (402) within a transport layer data packet (502). The packet has a destination port number field. A value associated with a predetermined parameter of the digital transmission protocol is created (404) within the field. Based on the value, the packet is forwarded (406) to the consumer network device according to a network layer protocol. When the forwarded message is received by the consumer network device, the consumer network device processes the data stream based on the message, and establishes an application layer communication socket based on the destination port number value. The socket is usable to receive further messages associated with the predetermined parameter of the digital transmission protocol.

Abstract: Session Inter-Device (SID) mobility networks (50, 100, 150) are described in which a seamless transfer of a communication session from a first device (56, 106, 116) to a second device (66, 116, 166) can be achieved without interrupting the active session. According to the SID mobility network (50), the transfer can be accomplished by transferring away from the Transferring Node or first device (56) the IP address associated with the active session (58) so that the network (50) will route the session to the desired Target Node or second device (66). The Transferring Node (56) transfers its IP address (58) to the Agent (60) and stops requesting data packets addressed to its IP address (58). The Agent (60) then begins to request and eventually receive the packets addressed to the Transferring Node's IP address (58). The Agent (60) then transfers the packets to the Target Node (66).

Abstract: A mixer apparatus (60), such as an integrated circuit (IC) mixer is provided for improving the physical layout of devices containing mixers. The mixer includes a multiplier (62) with an input port (64), an output port (66), a first switchable local oscillator input port (68) and a second switchable local oscillator input port (72). The dual switchable local oscillator ports are located on either side of the mixer, between the input side and the output side. The dual switchable local oscillator ports allow the mixer to provide more flexibility in integrated circuit and printed circuit board design layouts involving mixer apparatus. For example, in dual channel devices, a local oscillator can be coupled to a pair of the mixers using transmission lines that do not have to be routed around the integrated circuit, to a different level of the printed circuit board or underneath one of the mixers.

Abstract: The practice and need for active network measurement is well established, however, current tools are not well suited to this task, mostly because the protocols which they employ have not been designed for measurement of the modern Internet. The IP Measurement Protocol (IPMP) is based on packet-probes, and is designed to allow routers to participate in measurements by the insertion of path information as the probe passes between a pair of hosts.

Abstract: A device selects a mode and communicates data based on the selected mode. The device comprises at least one interface circuit configured to monitor analog audio signals from a customer premise equipment device and a processor circuit. The processor circuit assigns a first band mode for converting the analog audio signals to data packets if the analog audio signals do not have frequency components outside the first band of frequencies and assigns a second band mode for the conversion otherwise. The assignment of the second band mode for the conversion enables the output circuit to use a larger bandwidth of the communication channel to a network.

Abstract: The practice and need for active network measurement is well established, however, current tools are not well suited to this task, mostly because the protocols which they employ have not been designed for measurement of the modem Internet. The IP Measurement Protocol (IPMP) is based on packet-probes, and is designed to allow routers to participate in measurements by the insertion of path information as the probe passes between a pair of hosts.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, apparatus and systems for delivery of digital data to stationary receivers over a terrestrial wireless link at a low data rate using a new coded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (COFDM) scheme. Digital data is encoded and modulated using coded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (COFDM) to produce a data stream. The data stream is communicated to a stationary receiver via a terrestrial wireless link having a ratio of (i) 50% coherence bandwidth to (ii) allocated channel bandwidth of not greater than 50%. The COFDM scheme employed by the present invention overcomes the degradation of multipath fading induced by terrestrial channels, such as the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) broadcast channel.

Abstract: This anti clipping circuit is for a laser transmitter used to transmit sub-carrier multiplexed signals for CATV applications. The circuit design is based on actual clipping measurements showing the specific time and duration of the clipping events is random. The individual clipping pulses interval is fixed, every 4 us. A PHEMT peak detection circuit is used in conjunction with a missing pulse detector/timer to catch all the clipping events. Thus the laser bias current is adjusted automatically at the specific time of the clipping event and for the duration of all the clipping pulses in the event. The controlled increase and decrease of the lasers bias current is DC coupled back into the normal DC bias path via a diode. This gives the anti clipping circuit noise isolation when there are no clipping events and avoids laser clipping during the laser current recovery time as when using an AC coupling scheme.

Abstract: Method and apparatus providing program information to client devices for at least one multicast stream of digital content is described. In one embodiment, session description messages for the at least one multicast stream of digital content are generated. Each of the session description messages includes at least one content access parameter. The at least one content access parameter may include digital rights management (DRM) data, channel key identification data associated with the at least one channel of the at least one multicast stream of digital content, and/or data indicative of whether each session description message is associated with a channel, a program, or a program segment. Each of the session description messages is signed using a cryptographic key. The session description messages are then multicasted to the client devices using a predefined multicast address.