Abstract: A satellite interference canceling system cancels the interference between two or more signals received by a satellite receiver. The signals can be two signals experiencing cross polarization interference or signals that experience interference from other satellite signals. Gain and phase are applied to the received signals and then combined with the other signals to result in cancellation by subtraction. The gain and phase values needed to cancel the interference are derived from measurements of carrier-to-noise ratio (C/N) as an indication of the interference level. The C/N can be measured in the set-top box indoor unit. Coherency restoration is performed in receivers that downconvert the signals before performing interference cancellation.

Abstract: In a satellite receiving system, program channels are selected from one or more broadband signals and combined with other selected channels and transmitted from a first unit, for example an outdoor unit, to a second unit, for example a gateway, server, or set-top box, using a single cable. Channels can be selected by digitizing the broadband signal then digitally filtering to isolate the desired channels. The outputs of several LNBs can be selected and combined into one signal. Multiple set-top boxes can receive independent signals over a single cable from the outdoor unit.

Abstract: A broadband local area data network uses coaxial cable wiring for interconnection of terminal devices. Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) with bit loading is used to overcome channel impairments and provide a path for terminal devices to transmit to and receive from other terminal devices. Probe messages are sent between devices to characterize the communication channel and determine optimum bit loading. The data network shares the cable spectrum with other services and uses frequency bands not used by other services. Adaptive power control can be used to maintain signal to noise ratio in a communication between terminal devices. Frequency coordination can be used to avoid interference between the LAN communications and other services transmitted on the cable.

Abstract: In a satellite receiving system, program channels are selected from one or more broadband signals and combined with other selected channels and transmitted from a first unit, for example an outdoor unit, to a second unit, for example a gateway, server, or set-top box, using a single cable. Channels can be selected by digitizing the broadband signal then digitally filtering to isolate the desired channels. The outputs of several LNBs can be selected and combined into one signal. Multiple set-top boxes can receive independent signals over a single cable from the outdoor unit.

Abstract: Several local IEEE1394 buses are bridged together over a second bus type to create a global bus wherein each local bus node is able to address nodes across the global bus without the local nodes being aware of the bridging operation. A bridging device operates by translating local bus node addresses to a global bus for communication over the second bus type. Alternatively, the local bus node identification process is controlled by the bridging device operating as the root node to cause the local nodes to be identified with a node address that is unique for the global network. The second bus type operates as a backbone for the global network and can be any type of communication bus or network with capability to transport the local bus traffic. The bridging devices that interface the local IEEE1394 buses to the backbone contain portals specific to each bus type that can communicate data between the dissimilar buses.

Abstract: Several local IEEE1394 buses are bridged together over a second bus type to create a global bus wherein each local bus node is able to address nodes across the global bus without the local nodes being aware of the bridging operation. A bridging device operates by translating local bus node addresses to a global bus for communication over the second bus type. Alternatively, the local bus node identification process is controlled by the bridging device operating as the root node to cause the local nodes to be identified with a node address that is unique for the global network. The second bus type operates as a backbone for the global network and can be any type of communication bus or network with capability to transport the local bus traffic. The bridging devices that interface the local IEEE1394 buses to the backbone contain portals specific to each bus type that can communicate data between the dissimilar buses.

Abstract: A network utilizing two or more wiring systems with a bridging function to provide a signal interconnect for communication within and between wiring systems. The bridging function can translate the network signals to a different frequency.

Abstract: A method for managing data transmission comprising making a bandwidth on a network resource available to at least one requester for transmitting or receiving data according to a first request of a first type, the first type have a prescribed quality of service guarantee; transmitting first data in accordance with the first type to or from the at least one requestor on the network resource using a first portion of the bandwidth, if the first data are available to be transferred to or from the at least one requestor; transmitting second data according to a second request of a second type on the network resource to or from the at least one requestor or a second requester, the second data transmitted without a quality of service guarantee using a second portion of the bandwidth, if the first portion of the prescribed bandwidth is less than the entire bandwidth.

Abstract: In one embodiment a communication method comprises the steps of receiving a query at Layer 2 from an entry node by way of a coordinated network, the query requesting data rates of network resources of the coordinated network; transmitting a Layer 2 request for an available data rate to each of a plurality of nodes connected to the coordinated network in response to the query; receiving a first Layer 2 response to said request from one or more of the plurality of nodes, wherein the first response includes a data rate with which each of the one or more nodes is capable of transmitting or receiving data; and transmitting a list of the received data rates to at least the entry node on the coordinated network.

Abstract: A communication system and method including the steps of receiving a first request to initiate a guaranteed quality of service flow in a network, broadcasting a second request from a Network Coordinator to a plurality of nodes connected to the network and receiving a first response to the second request from at least one ingress node. The method further includes receiving a second response to the second request from at least one egress node indicating whether the at least one egress node has available resources to receive the guaranteed quality of service flow and allocating resources for the guaranteed quality of service flow if the at least one ingress node has available resources to transmit, and the at least one egress node has available resources to receive, the guaranteed quality of service flow.

Abstract: A communications system and method comprises the steps of performing at least one Layer 2 transaction comprising a plurality of wave cycles, each Layer 2 transaction including performing a first wave cycle, concatenating the received first responses from each of the one or more nodes, and performing a second wave cycle. The first wave cycle includes broadcasting a first request from a network coordinator to a plurality of nodes connected to a coordinated network, and receiving a first response from one or more of the nodes indicating that the nodes have opted to participate in a next subsequent wave cycle. The second wave cycle includes transmitting a subsequent request from the network coordinator to each of the one or more nodes based upon the concatenated first responses.

Abstract: The terminating impedance of a networked device in a wired communication channel is controlled to avoid an impedance discontinuity when power is applied and removed from the node or other event occurs that would change the impedance of the signal interface. When the node transmits or receives signals using the communication channel, the transmit or receive device presents a matched termination to the channel. When power is removed or the device is reset, the transmit and receive circuitry is not operational and the matched impedance is therefore maintained by a separate device. The impedance may be varied slowly from a match to a high impedance to allow other devices in the network to adapt to the change in multipath environment that results from the impedance change. Alternatively, the signal interface can be switched to a passive static impedance that is maintained while power is off or the disrupting event occurs.

Abstract: A broadband local area data network uses coaxial cable wiring for interconnection of terminal devices. Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) with bit loading is used to overcome channel impairments and provide a path for terminal devices to transmit to and receive from other terminal devices. Probe messages are sent between devices to characterize the communication channel and determine optimum bit loading. The data network shares the cable spectrum with other services and uses frequency bands not used by other services. Adaptive power control can be used to maintain signal to noise ratio in a communication between terminal devices. Frequency coordination can be used to avoid interference between the LAN communications and other services transmitted on the cable.

Abstract: Several local IEEE1394 buses are bridged together over a second bus type to create a global bus wherein each local bus node is able to address nodes across the global bus without the local nodes being aware of the bridging operation. A bridging device operates by translating local bus node addresses to a global bus for communication over the second bus type. Alternatively, the local bus node identification process is controlled by the bridging device operating as the root node to cause the local nodes to be identified with a node address that is unique for the global network. The second bus type operates as a backbone for the global network and can be any type of communication bus or network with capability to transport the local bus traffic. The bridging devices that interface the local IEEE1394 buses to the backbone contain portals specific to each bus type that can communicate data between the dissimilar buses.

Abstract: A broadband digital communication network transmits a signal with a shaped power spectrum to minimize interference with devices that share the communication medium. In one embodiment using coaxial wiring, devices such as cable converters and televisions that are not part of the network share the communication medium and are exposed to the network signal. Power levels across the network band are selected to reduce interference in the non-networked devices. One area of susceptibility is the tuner of cable channel receivers, which perform mixing and down conversion of RF signals. The power spectrum profile is selected to minimize the IF and base band interference after down conversion. The spectrum can be shaped within each 6 MHz band to further minimize the interference with a TV signal. The power levels can be optimized for both peak power limitation and quantization effects.

Abstract: A wireless link provides an extension to cable television signals for a television receiver that does not have access to a coaxial cable. Analog and digital cable channels are processed and transmitted over the wireless link. Security of the signal is provided by transmitting encrypted data and decrypting at the receiving node. The conditional access encryption inherent in the data can insure communication security or encryption may be performed at the transmitting node.

Abstract: In a satellite receiving system, program channels are selected from one or more broadband signals and combined with other selected channels and transmitted from a first unit, for example an outdoor unit, to a second unit, for example a gateway, server, or set-top box, using a single cable. Channels can be selected by digitizing the broadband signal then digitally filtering to isolate the desired channels. The outputs of several LNBs can be selected and combined into one signal. Multiple set-top boxes can receive independent signals over a single cable from the outdoor unit.