Abstract: A system and method is provided for enabling analysis of memory buffer usage. Initially, each of the buffer using system components are assigned a unique ownership tag. Next, upon buffer allocation to a particular component, the allocated buffer is tagged with the calling component's ownership tag. Once tagged, the system operates conventionally, with the calling component utilizing the buffer to perform any task it has been assigned. Following completion of its tasks(s), the calling component calls a buffer checker application which searches the buffer pool for the calling component's ownership tag. Next, upon search completion, the calling component determines whether the buffer checker has identified the calling component's ownership tag in its search. If so, a potential buffer leak is identified and a log of such occurrences is created. A system developer or administrator then periodically reviews the log for potential buffer leakage occurrences to assist is subsequent debugging and analysis.

Abstract: An integrated circuit design is provided capable of operating in multiple insertion orientations. In particular, the inventive circuit design includes an integrated circuit package having a plurality of contact elements extending from the integrated circuit package and arranged symmetrically thereon for enabling the integrated circuit to be inserted on a circuit board in at least two discrete orientations. A plurality of the contact elements are designated as orientation pins, the orientation pins being arranged such that, upon integrated circuit package power up, the orientation pins transmit orientation signals indicative of the integrated circuit packages insertion orientation in the circuit board. A plurality of multiplexer devices are provided for routing signals between the contact elements and integrated circuit functional circuitry in response to the orientation signals from the orientation pins.

Abstract: A method and system to minimize the potential of jitter buffer underflow/overflow resulting from a difference in sampling rates of an audio encoder and an audio decoder are disclosed herein. The difference in sampling rates, or clock skew, can be determined from a difference between an actual amount of data stored in a jitter buffer and the desired, or threshold, amount. A subset of packets from a sequence of packets output to the audio decoder can be altered to compensate for the clock skew, whereby the amount of data associated with the subset of packets is decreased when the sampling rate of the encoder is greater than the sampling rate of the decoder, and the amount of data is increased when the sampling rate of the encoder is less than the sampling rate of the decoder. The present invention finds particular advantage in providing audio data via a packet-switched network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for implementing: a rings architecture for communications and data handling systems; an enumeration process for automatically configuring the ring topology; automatic routing of messages through bridges; extending a ring topology to external devices; write-ahead functionality to promote efficiency; wait-till-reset operation resumption; in-vivo scan through rings topology; staggered clocking arrangement; and stray message detection and eradication. Other inventive elements conveyed include: an architectural overview of a packet processor; a programming model for a packet processor; an instruction pipeline for a packet processor; and use of a packet processor as a module on a rings-based architecture.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for implementing: a rings architecture for communications and data handling systems; an enumeration process for automatically configuring the ring topology; automatic routing of messages through bridges; extending a ring topology to external devices; write-ahead functionality to promote efficiency; wait-till-reset operation resumption; in-vivo scan through rings topology; staggered clocking arrangement; and stray message detection and eradication. Other inventive elements conveyed include: an architectural overview of a packet processor; a programming model for a packet processor; an instruction pipeline for a packet processor; and use of a packet processor as a module on a rings-based architecture.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a virtual Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) session between a client unable to support a PPPoE session and an access concentrator are disclosed herein. A gateway situated between the client and the access concentrator can act as a proxy PPPoE client between the client and the access concentrator, thereby allowing the client to send and receive data to/from the gateway in a protocol supported by the client, and the gateway provides this data to the access concentrator through a PPPoE session initiated and maintained by the gateway. Likewise, data from the access concentrator to the client is transmitted through the PPPoE session to the gateway, and the gateway reformats the data using a protocol supported by the client and then forwards the reformatted data to the client.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and system for sharing a single GPIO line of an integrated circuit (IC) between at least two circuit components connected concurrently, wherein at least one of the circuit components is to provide input via the GPIO line and at least one circuit component is to receive output via the GPIO line. The input and output can be provided at separate times with the status of the GPIO line changing accordingly or, provided that the input is provided at a lower frequency relative to the switching frequency of the GPIO line, an input to the IC can be provided concurrent with an output from the IC since the low frequency input typically persists until an input cycle of the GPIO line. The present invention finds particular benefit when implemented to interface with GPIO lines of a microprocessor.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating the scheduling and transmission of transmit protocol messages. Initially, a write credit count is maintained indicating the number of write credits available to a transmit message processor. Upon receipt of a data frame for transmission to a data pump, the transmit message processor determines whether the write credit count is greater than 0. Of so, the frame is dequeued and the message is sent to the data pump for transmission on the wire to a receiving peer end. However, if the write credit count is 0, a waiting_for_write_credit flag is set to true indicating that the transmit processor has a frame waiting for transmission, but lacks sufficient write credits to send the frame to the data pump. Once an additional write credit is received from the data pump, the write credit count is incremented and the waiting_for_write_credit flag is checked to see if any frames are waiting to be send.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for interfacing a protocol component with a physical layer component. Initially, a parameter setting message is sent to the physical layer indicating at least the mode of the processor. If the mode is nonframing, a handshaking tone or pattern detection request message is sent to the physical layer component enabling detection of specific handshaking tones or patterns. Next, a handshaking tone or pattern detection indicate message is received from the physical layer component indicating that a recognized tone or bit pattern has been detected in response to a detection request message. A signal request message is sent from the handshaking component to the physical layer component indicating that a handshaking message is to be transmitted as well as the content of that message. In addition, the signal request message also preferably includes parameters relating to the duration of the signal to be transmitted, such as a maximum and minimum symbol number.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for integrating the functionality of an interface to a power management driver for a communications system and the communications protocol which negotiates power management transitions. Initially, a driver power management request is received at the UPI component. In response, the UPI component, determines whether a port is open on which to send the state transition request. If it is determined that a port is open, it is next determined whether a suitable power management protocol is available. If it is determined that a port is open and the power management protocol is available, the UPI sends a power management state transition request through the EOC to the remote modem. Next, it is determined whether the remote modem has responded.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for reliably filtering out data frames from a line trace, wherein the frames include variable, vendor specific idle pattern bytes. Initially, a idle pattern buffer is filled with the default idle pattern. When the protocol identifies an actual received idle pattern, the content of the idle pattern buffer is replaced with the identified idle pattern. Subsequent receive buffers are compared to the idle pattern buffer, and only those received buffers that do not match (i.e. contain at least one bit different from the idle pattern buffer) are included within the line trace.

Abstract: A system and method for determining fault path behavior in a computer software system. An error or event, the occurrence of which is to be tested, is assigned a probability value and an array of elements populated by pseudo-random numbers. Upon each operation of the system under test the current array value is compared against the probability value. If the current array value is greater than or equal than the probability value, the error or event is simulated within the software. Otherwise, the event is not simulated and the software is left to operate conventionally. The array is incremented upon each occurrence of the system under test.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for facilitating robust reception of multiple frame protocol messages. Initially, a first frame of data is received including therein a first segment of a multi-frame protocol message. Next, the received frame is placed into a data buffer. The buffer is then examined and the message contained therein is parsed to determine whether the received message is a complete message or not. If it is determined that the received message contained in the buffer is an incomplete message, a continuation message is sent to the remote transceiver ATU. However, if the message is determined to be complete, the message is parsed again and the complete message information contained therein is extracted and processed in accordance with the handshaking requirements. Upon receipt of the next frame in the message, this frame is concatenated onto the existing frames in the data buffer. The entire buffer is then re-parsed to determine its completeness.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for providing land-line access to customer premises equipment devices. In particular, a system and method is provided including at least one computer network service provider. A customer premises equipment device is operatively connected to the at least one service provider over a computer network, with the customer premises equipment device being configured to include a broadband modem and an analog modem. A computer is then operatively connected to the customer premises equipment device for obtaining access to the computer network through the customer premises equipment device. In accordance with the present invention, the at least one service provider may monitor and configure the customer premises equipment device by exchanging information with the analog modem, thus enabling the service providers to access and remotely monitor and configure the CPE device to meet various required protocols.

Abstract: A system and method for providing symmetrical connectivity between at least two consumer premises equipment (CPE) telecommunications devices is provided. At least two consumer premises equipment telecommunications devices are operatively connected over an asynchronous transfer mode telecommunications network. The at least two consumer premises equipment telecommunications devices are configured to perform local tone generation, local tone detection and decoding, and direct transfer and decoding of dialed digits using channel associated signaling secondary service packets and dialed digit packets to transition between various states. By providing symmetrical connectivity of CPE devices, central office involvement may be eliminated.

Abstract: A system and method for scheduling the transmission of ATM cells is provided which includes two discrete processors. One processor examines the virtual channels and their traffic parameters, and calculates the times at which cells should be transmitted from each channel. The second processor manages multiple ATM network ports, performs low-level cell handling and the majority of cell switching, and transmits cells when instructed by the first.