Abstract: A novel approach for transferring management functions between participants generally involves the use of an associate master participant that assumes responsibilities for functions assigned to the master participant if the master participant can no longer perform the functions. A participant in a communications arrangement is designated as the master participant and is responsible for performing one or more functions. Another participant from the communications arrangement is designated as an associate master participant. The associate master participant assumes the role of master participant, i.e., performs the functions previously assigned to master participant, if any of a set of handoff criteria are satisfied. The particular handoff criteria used may vary depending upon the requirements of a particular application and the invention is not limited to any particular handoff criteria.

Abstract: An update mechanism and approach are provided for configuring a communications receiver. According to the approach, a time domain equalizer and a frequency domain equalizer in a communications receiver are dynamically updated based upon performance data that indicates the performance of a communications channel from which the communications receiver receives data. This approach accounts for changes in the communications channel attributable to changes in the transmission medium or changes in interference sources.

Abstract: A multiple access wireless communications architecture provides selective, simultaneous communications with wireless devices located in different sections of a spatial area around a communications apparatus referred to as “sectors”. This includes communications between wireless devices in a single sector, between wireless devices in different sectors and between wireless devices and a wired network or wireless backhaul network. The wireless communications architecture generally includes two or more wireless antenna arrangements that are each configured to provide communications with wireless devices located in a particular sector. Each wireless antenna arrangement is further configured to determine whether signals are being communicated on a communications channel before transmitting on the communications channel. This may be implemented, for example, using a carrier sense or energy detection mechanism.

Abstract: A novel approach for selecting communications channels and participants with which to communicate based on channel performance and transferring management functions between participants in a communications arrangement is disclosed. According to one aspect of the invention, a particular channel is selected based on channel performance and channel identification data is provided to a participant that sends a response on a channel selected based on the channel identification data. According to another aspect of the invention, a particular participant is selected from a group of participants based on the performance of a particular channel. According to yet another aspect, an associate master participant is selected to assume responsibilities for functions assigned to the master participant if any of a set of handoff criteria are satisfied. For example, the associate master participant may assume the role of the master participant if the master participant can no longer perform the functions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for assigning bits to a discrete multi-tone modulation communications system. In an embodiment, one or more channels in the plurality of channels are assigned a number of bits based on a performance characteristic of that channel. One or more channels in the plurality of channels may also be assigned a gain value based on the performance characteristic of that channel.

Abstract: A multiple access wireless communications architecture provides selective, simultaneous communications with wireless devices located in different sections of a spatial area around a communications apparatus referred to as “sectors”. In one embodiment, channel allocation techniques for increasing one or more of throughput and coverage in a wireless communications environment.

Abstract: Bits are assigned to channels of a discrete modulation communications system. A first set of channels and a second set of channels are selected from a plurality of channels in the communications system. The first and second set of channels are selected in order to re-assign one or more bits from the first set of channels to the second set of channels so as to cause a performance characteristic of one or more channels in the communications system to improve.

Abstract: An approach for selecting sets of communications channels involves determining the performance of communications channels. A set of channels is selected based on the results of performance testing and specified criteria. The participant generates data that identifies the selected set of channels and provides that data to other participants of the communications network. The participants communicate over the set of channels, such as by using a frequency hopping protocol. When a specified time expires or monitoring of the performance of the channel set identifies poor performance of the set of channels, the participant selects another set of channels for use in communications based on additional performance testing. By selecting channels based on the initial performance testing and performance monitoring, the communications network adaptively avoids channels with poor performance.

Abstract: An approach for processing data received from a communications channel that minimizes noise power and optimizes impulse response length to reduce interference, such as from inter-symbol interference (ISI) and inter-channel interference (ICI), is disclosed. For example, finite impulse response (FIR) filtering may be used with FIR coefficients that are determined by optimizing a function of the impulse response length and the noise power. The impulse response length is optimized based on the communications channel transfer function to reduce interference. The noise power is minimized based on the noise covariance as determined using the total noise power density. The approach accounts for noise from a variety of interference sources besides ISI and ICI. The result is a superior equalizer for use in communications receivers employing orthogonal frequency division multiplexing or discrete multitone modulation in communications protocols employing Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, G.

Abstract: A novel approach for managing power for a plurality of communications channels based on communications channel performance is disclosed. According to one aspect of the invention, a first power and a second power that is different than the first power are determined based on performance data for the plurality of communications channels. The first power is used for communications that use a first communications channel, and the second power is used for communications that use a second communications channel. According to another aspect of the invention, a noise power is generated based on an error output of an equalizer that receives input from a communications channel, and a signal power is generated based on a signal output of the equalizer. A signal to noise ratio is determined based on the noise power and the signal power.

Abstract: An approach for processing data received from a communications channel in finite precision arithmetic applications generally involves equalizing received data in the time domain prior to demodulation using finite impulse response (FIR) filtering. FIR coefficients used in FIR filtering are selected to minimize SNR degradation attributable to ISI and roundoff errors due to finite precision arithmetic, thereby maximizing channel capacity. The approach considers the communications channel noise attributable to crosstalk, white noise and analog to digital converter quantization noise, ISI attributable to failure of the equalizer coefficients to completely eliminate ISI, round off noise due to the use of finite precision arithmetic in the equalizer and roundoff noise due to the use of finite precision arithmetic in the FFT algorithm.

Abstract: An approach for processing data received from a communications channel generally involves equalizing received data in the time domain prior to demodulation by an approach that incorporates mitigation of interference. Oversampling of the received signal provides improved equalization performance and mitigation of interference, such as crosstalk. A receiver oversamples a received signal and splits the signal into a set of observation sequences. The set of observation sequences are processed to provide an estimate of the input to the communications channel, while providing at least partial rejection of any interfering signal. Exact knowledge of the parameters of the interference signal is not required.

Abstract: A computer-implemented approach for reducing distortion in digital communications systems generally involves obtaining an optimal estimation of the original data using a Kalman filter with an increased length state to remove substantially all ISI in the time domain. The use of an increased length state in the Kalman filter provides a more accurate estimate of the transmitted data with relatively little additional computational cost. Subsequent equalization may also be performed in the frequency domain to correct any residual amplitude and phase distortion.