Abstract: A scalable fault tolerant cable headend switching system using modular switching or multiplexing devices. A radio frequency switch connects a series of adjacent cable headend element to a series of output cables. At least one spare cable headend element is connected along with the series. Each cable headend element is configured to be readily swapped with adjacent elements. Output cables are cascaded away from a faulty element toward a spare element when a fault is detected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for power balancing an optical signal wavelength to be added to an OADM having at least one drop port and at least one add port. The method begins by monitoring a power level of a first signal wavelength being dropped on the drop port and a power level of a second signal wavelength being added on the add port. The power level of the first signal wavelength is compared to the power level of the second signal wavelength. Based on the step of comparing, the optical attenuation is adjusted along the add port so that the power level of the second signal wavelength becomes substantially equal to the power level of the first signal wavelength.

Abstract: A method for configuring an access device that is coupled to an Internet Protocol network enables the access device to apply a desired signal to an access line, which signal is requested by a local exchange. Upon receiving a V5 protocol message from the local exchange requesting the desired signal to be applied to the access line, a voice gateway or Internet Protocol Access Terminal maps the V5 protocol message into a text message in NCS format containing one or more parameters associated with the desired signal and sends the text message to the access device over the Internet Protocol network. Upon receipt of the text message, the access device or media access terminal adjusts its configuration in accordance with the received text message using the one or more parameters included in the text message and one or more default values stored in a management information base accessible to the access device that defines the desired signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring information of an optical information-bearing signal from a first wavelength to a second wavelength. The method is implemented in an all-optical wavelength converter circuit which includes a laser diode in communication with a polarization controller. An information-bearing signal having a first wavelength is input to the circuit. A polarization controller adjusts the polarization of the information-bearing signal. The laser diode receives the polarization-adjusted information-bearing signal and generates a converted information-bearing signal by transferring the information of the polarization-adjusted information-bearing signal from the first wavelength to the second wavelength. The polarization controller receives the converted information-bearing signal from the laser diode, and polarizes the converted information-bearing signal.

Abstract: A system and method for performing Lifetest over a cable network system is provided which minimizes bandwidth usage by the Lifetest procedure while increasing the number of devices that the EMS may support. In accordance with the system and method, the EMS obtains device state information from the CMTS. Since the CMTS is constantly ranging its device population for state information, and since this information is stored in the DOCSIS Radio Frequency MIB, the EMS may obtain device state information by going to the MIB instead of directly to the device. This approach utilizes the distributed process inherently built into the system by taking advantage of the ranging that is already being performed by the CMTS. Since the EMS does not have to interact with every device in the system while performing Lifetest, consumption of bandwidth and processing resources is minimized.

Abstract: This method and system allow a subscriber to a cable television service to receiving a listing or menu of programming available for that subscriber's set-top terminal to upgrade or enhance the features available over the cable system. A Directory of Services (DoS) message is transmitted over the cable system to the subscriber's set-top terminal. The terminal can then display for the subscriber the menu of programming available. This display may include a price for downloading each programming object. The subscriber can then, using a remote control unit or a user input device on the terminal, direct the set-top terminal to acquire a listed programming object. The DoS message will provide information enabling the set-top terminal to download the indicated programming object from the cable system in response to the subscriber's input. The subscriber can then have immediate access to upgraded or enhanced programming, the purchase of which is billed to the subscriber's account.

Abstract: A method for operating a telephony device accounts for variations in international standards for certain telephony operations, including hook flash functionality, pulse dialing operations, tone dialing operations, jitter buffer size, debounce characteristics, transmitter and receiver gain, caller identification functionality, pulse signaling operations, and ringing operations.

Abstract: A method of expandable network slot addressing to provide topological information for a network. The method includes providing a platform having addressable slots for data communication. A first tier device is located in one of the slots in the platform. At least one second tier device is connected to the first tier device. An extendable address is assigned to each of the first and second tier devices, with each address including a slot address segment which indicates which slot each of the devices resides in or is connected to at the modular platform, a depth segment which indicates a layer in the topology at which the device is located and a number of address bytes that are present, and an address byte segment which indicates where in the topology the device is located and provides each of the devices with a unique address so that each of the devices attached to the platform can be addressed and its topological position can be inferred from the address.

Abstract: A temperature controlled arrangement is provided for housing an optical component such as a laser diode that may be employed in a CATV system. The arrangement includes a package having an enclosure through which a plurality of electrical connections extend. At least one optical component is located in the enclosure and electrically connected to at least one of the electrical connections. A first thermoelectric cooler is also located in the enclosure and in thermal conduction with the optical component. A temperature sensor is located in the enclosure and electrically connected to at least one of the electrical connections. A second thermoelectric cooler, which is located external to the enclosure, is in thermal conduction with the enclosure.

Abstract: A node size estimation tool for calculating a node size for interactive video, voice or data services placed on a system is provided. The estimation tool includes a computer processor, a data storage device, and the data entry device. Inputs are provided for receiving data on bandwidths for downstream and upstream passbands and for receiving data on node splitting information. Inputs are provided for receiving data on any limitations on the upstream and downstream passbands that are unavailable for use by the system. Inputs are provided for receiving data on requirement information for various services, and for receiving data on estimated service penetration rates, estimated simultaneous use rates, and a desired downstream data rate. Also, inputs are provided for processing data received to calculate the node size. A method of calculating node size utilizing the tool is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for dynamically adjusting f-codes for a digital picture header of a coded picture. A video encoder having at least one motion estimation stages is provided for encoding the current picture. Motion vectors are determined for one motion estimation stage of the encoder. The motion vectors are analyzed to determine a maximum motion vector range for the picture. A corresponding minimum f-code is determined for the maximum range. The minimum f-code is then inserted into the digital picture header. In this manner, the f-codes carried in the digital picture header can be reduced to the minimum required value, thus reducing the number of bits needed to encode the f-codes.

Abstract: A method and system that processes voice and non-voice data is configured to insure that the processing of the voice data is given priority over the processing of the non-voice data, to ensure that callers experience smooth, uninterrupted conversations. An estimate of processing load dedicated to processing only non-voice data is calculated. A plurality of quota data objects are established to monitor and control the allocation of the processing load dedicated to processing only the non-voice data during a current quota period.

Abstract: A power supply is configured to accept battery and external power sources, and is adapted for use in equipment in a broadband communications network. A first voltage detector detects a first voltage signal at an electrical path associated with the battery power source and a second voltage detector detects a second voltage signal at an electrical path associated with the external power source. A processor is responsive to the first and second voltage detectors and adapted to generate an electrical signal indicating whether the battery power source is present, charged and being used. A light emitting diode, responsive to the processor, displays, in an order of priority, whether the battery power source is present, charged or being used.

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 method and apparatus for digitizing multiple data streams having different clocks spreads an error due to clock drift is spread across many clock cycles in extremely small amounts. To combine two data streams, the method interpolates one or more samples between existing samples of one of the two data streams and then adjusts a number of samples of said one of the two data streams to maintain balance in a downstream synchronizing buffer. This occurs prior to combining the two data streams. The adjusting may be performed by adding or decimating samples from the interpolated samples. To combine two asynchronous data streams having clocks offset in frequency, first, a first data stream is clocked into and out of a first buffer using a first clock associated with the first data stream. Second, a second data stream is clocked into a second buffer using a second clock associated with the second data stream and clocking the second data stream out of the second buffer using the first clock.

Abstract: A dynamic arrangement for reducing the presence of ingress noise in the upstream signal path of a two-way cable system utilizes a variable attenuation element and amplifier disposed along the upstream signal path. The amplifier includes a bypass switch so that the amplifier may be switched in to or out of the upstream path. A signal processor associated with the communications gateway functions to calculate the upstream loss present at the gateway and control the operation of the attenuation element, amplifier and bypass switch accordingly. Upstream attenuation is selected to be as large as possible, yet still allow in-building cable devices to communicate with their associated head end (HE) receiver equipment, after accounting for maximum transmit limitations.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for monitoring telephone communications from the customer premises equipment (CPE) (and the subscriber telephone equipment attached thereto) in a VoIP system. The apparatus comprises a real time protocol mirror. The real time protocol (RTP) mirror is included in the CPE and can be controllably altered between two mirror states. The RTP mirror provides for original RTP packet transmission between a plurality of CPEs in both the first mirror state and the second mirror state. In the first mirror state the RTP mirror limits the transmission of a copy RTP packet from the RTP mirror. In the second mirror state the RTP mirror provides for transmission of the copy RTP packet. The apparatus may also include a network and a RTP server. The network transfers copy RTP packets to or from the CPE to the RTP server. The RTP server is located on the network to receive the copy RTP packets generated by the RTP mirror.

Abstract: A system for hierarchically storing packetized data and transferring the packetized data includes an input configured to receive packets of data, a memory coupled to the input and configured to store packets of data, an output coupled to the memory and configured to transfer packets of data from the memory, and a controller coupled to the memory and configured to control the memory to store packets of data in queues associated with a hierarchy in which a first level of the hierarchy includes a group of queue group components, wherein at least one of the queue group components in the group at the first level includes a group of queue group components associated with a second level of the hierarchy that is different from the first level of the hierarchy.

Abstract: Optical switches are provided in an optical transmission system having at least two optical nodes in optical communication over a primary optical path and a backup optical path. An optical switch is located in each of the optical nodes. Each of the optical switches includes a switching element having an input port and a plurality of output ports coupled to the primary and backup optical paths, respectively. The switching element has a first state optically coupling an optical signal from the input port to the primary path and a second state optically coupling an optical signal from the input port to the backup path. First and second optical taps are located in the primary optical path. Third and fourth optical taps are located in the backup optical path. A first photodetector is optically coupled to the second optical tap for receiving a portion of the optical signal traveling in the primary optical path.

Abstract: A system for reducing tilt effects in a radio frequency (RF) attenuator includes an RF attenuator having at least one series diode, and at least one shunt branch including at least one shunt diode, the shunt branch being electrically coupled to the series diode, and a parallel resonant circuit electrically coupled to each of the at least one shunt branch, wherein the parallel resonant circuit is configured to compensate for a parasitic reactance in the RF attenuator.