Abstract: A hub for use in a passive optical network (PON) includes a transmission fiber on which an information-bearing optical signal is received, a double-cladded, rare-earth doped fiber located along the transmission fiber for imparting gain to the information-bearing optical signal, and a combiner having an output coupled to the transmission fiber and a plurality of inputs. The output is coupled to the transmission fiber such that optical energy at pump energy wavelengths but not signal wavelengths are communicated therebetween. At least one pump source is optically coupled to one of the inputs of the combiner for providing optical pump energy to the double-cladded, rare-earth doped fiber. An optical splitter is also provided. The optical splitter has an input coupled to the transmission fiber for receiving an amplified, information-bearing optical signal and a plurality of outputs for directing portions of the amplified, information-bearing optical signal to remote nodes in the PON.

Abstract: An optical amplifier including: an amplifier having an input port and an output port, which is disposed along a main signal line of the optical amplifier; a dummy laser generation circuit having an output coupled to the main signal line and operative for inputting a dummy signal into the amplifier; a first optical detector for detecting a power level of the dummy signal into the amplifier and outputting a first power level signal; a second optical detector for detecting an amplified power level of the dummy signal output by the amplifier and outputting a second power level signal; a memory device for storing calibration data regarding the gain characteristics of the amplifier; and a gain control circuit which receives inputs from the first optical detector and second optical detector, and has an output coupled to the amplifier. The gain control circuit operates to control the gain of the amplifier based on the first power level signal, the second power level signal and the calibration data.

Abstract: A cable telephony network for providing a communications path connecting a first device and a second device. The communications path is selectable between a first communications path and a second communications path. The network comprises a broadband cable system, providing the first communications path and a wireless telephone network, providing the second communications path.

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: 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 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: 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: In a video on demand (VOD) system, methods and apparatus are provided for seamlessly switching back and forth between two pre-encrypted files having changing encryption keys. Such switching back and forth may be required when a VOD server stores both a “normal” copy of a movie and a “special” copy such as a “trick-play” version for, e.g., fast forward and rewind effects. Instead of using keys with changing parities in both streams, the special stream is encrypted with keys using the same parity (even or odd), while the normal stream is encrypted with one dynamic key (odd or even) and one fixed key (even or odd). Other special streams, such as scene branch streams and alternate angle streams can also be accommodated.

Abstract: A method and system of encoding and decoding digital video content. The digital video content comprises a stream of pictures which can each be intra, predicted, or bi-predicted pictures. Each of the pictures comprises macroblocks that can be further divided into smaller blocks. The method entails encoding and decoding each of the smaller blocks in each picture in said stream of pictures in either frame mode or in field mode.

Abstract: A single decryption engine is used for decrypting a plurality of encrypted transport streams. Packets in each of the plurality of encrypted transport streams are tagged with a tag value to indicate their origin stream. The tagged packets from the plurality of encrypted transport streams are merged into a merged transport stream. The packets in the merged transport stream are decrypted with the decryption engine to produce a decrypted merged transport stream. The decrypted merged transport stream is split into a plurality of decrypted transport streams, equal in number to the plurality of encrypted transport streams, by routing packets in the decrypted merged transport stream to specific decrypted transport streams according to their tag value. A null-packet padding technique, a gapped-clock technique and a multi-port static RAM controller technique are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system of encoding and decoding digital video content. The digital video content comprises a stream of pictures which can each be intra, predicted, or bi-predicted pictures. Each of the pictures comprises macroblocks that can be further divided into smaller blocks. The method entails encoding and decoding each of the smaller blocks in each picture in said stream of pictures in either frame mode or in field mode.

Abstract: A method and system of encoding and decoding digital video content. The digital video content comprises a stream of pictures which can each be intra, predicted, or bi-predicted pictures. Each of the pictures comprises macroblocks that can be further divided into smaller blocks. The method entails encoding and decoding each of the smaller blocks in each picture in said stream of pictures in either frame mode or in field mode.

Abstract: A method and system of encoding and decoding digital video content. The digital video content comprises a stream of pictures which can each be intra, predicted, or bi-predicted pictures. Each of the pictures comprises macroblocks that can be further divided into smaller blocks. The method entails encoding and decoding each of the smaller blocks in each picture in said stream of pictures in either frame mode or in field mode.

Abstract: A system is described for uniquely mating components of a communication network such as a smartcard and a set-top box. When mated, the smartcard and set-top box are tied together and have a single identity. Further, the smartcard operates properly only when inserted into an authorized set-top box. Exchanges of information between both components are secured by encryption and authentication to guard against piracy of the exchanged information. The system provides the same authentication key to the set-top box and the smartcard. This key is used for authenticating communication between the set-top box and the smartcard. First, the authentication key is encrypted by a set-top box mating key. The set-top box employs this mating key to decrypt the authentication key. After it is derived, the authentication key is stored in the set-top box's memory. Further, the same authentication key is encrypted by a smartcard mating key.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a network address for an Media Terminal Adapter (MTA) associated with a given Cable Modem (CM) in a cable data network. The CM is embedded in the MTA. The method begins by providing a network address for the CM and identifying a first Management Information Base (MIB) table for the CM and MTA that includes information pertaining to interfaces of the CM and the MTA. Next, a first entry is located in the first MIB table, which first entry denotes an MTA-type interface. Based on the first entry, a second entry is located in the first MIB table associated with the MTA. The second entry uniquely identifies an interface of the MTA. A second MIB table is identified for the CM and MTA that includes addressing information pertaining to network addresses of the CM and MTA. A third entry is located in the second MIB table that is equal in value to the second entry in the MIB table. Based on the third entry, a fourth entry is located in the second MIB table.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed toward an optical transmission system comprising a primary path disposed between a first end and a second end. The primary path is configured to transmit optical signals between the first end and the second end. A secondary path is disposed between the first end and the second end. The secondary path is configured to transmit optical signals between the first end and the second end, e.g., in the event of a break in the primary path. A first variable ratio coupler is coupled to the primary path and the secondary path between the first end and the second end. The first variable ratio coupler is configured to adjust a coupling ratio between the primary path and the secondary path.

Abstract: A temperature compensated variable tilt equalizer configured to operate over a defined frequency range. The equalizer includes an RF input, an automatic temperature compensation circuit and a manual alignment circuit. The RF input receives an RF signal having a wide passband. The automatic temperature compensation circuit has an adjustable compensation range used to correct temperature-related tilt variances that occur on the passband of the RF signal over the defined frequency range. The manual alignment circuit is used to manually adjust tilt of the passband of the RF signal over the defined frequency range at a normal temperature. The variable tilt equalizer does not require a power source other than the RF signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for transmitting a WDM optical signal. The method begins by modulating a plurality 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.