Abstract: Delivering a transport stream using a hybrid statistical multiplexer. Over a plurality of multiplexing cycles, a plurality of single program transport streams (SPTSs) are multiplexed onto a multiple program transport stream (MPTS). In each multiplexing cycle, it is determined whether any portion of the packets carried by the plurality of SPTSs may be delayed such that the delayed portion is multiplexed onto the MPTS in a future multiplexing cycle. For each multiplexing cycle, delay information that identifies how many packets were delayed is determined. The size of the bit rate pool for a subsequent allocation cycle is adjusted based on the delay information for a prior multiplexing cycle. Thereafter, the MPTS is delivered to one or more recipients.

Abstract: A virtualized Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) that provides high speed data services to one or more remote physical devices (RPDs). The CMTS comprises one or more first servers that each perform packet switching and routing as well as one or more second servers that each perform CMTS functions for the one or more remote physical devices (RPDs). Each of the one or more first servers and each of the one or more second servers are each implemented entirely on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware. Further, the CMTS functions comprise telemetry, displaying and supporting a dashboard that depicts historical events that occurred or ongoing events presently occurring at the virtualized CMTS, dynamic instantiation and deinstantiation of virtual machines in which software processes implementing the CMTS functions execute in proportion to demand at the virtual CMTS, logging, and analytics.

Abstract: Roughly described, a system and method for delivering video content to a user's client device in a video-on-demand (VOD) system, which includes providing a collection of video segments, the segments having a predefined default sequence; establishing a streaming video session according to a session-oriented protocol; transmitting toward the client device a script executable by the client device, the script operable to transmit navigational codes toward the head-end equipment in response to and indicating user selection among navigational choices; beginning transmission of the video segments in the collection toward the client device in accordance with the default sequence of segments; and in response to receipt of one of the navigational codes, and without tearing down the streaming video session, altering the transmission sequence to jump to the segment that the user selected.

Abstract: Increasing a dynamic range of a digital to analog converter (DAC). A signal analysis element is positioned prior to the DAC in a processing path. The element evaluates an instantaneous amplitude of a signal to be applied to the DAC. The DAC is capable of a first full scale value. An additional current source supports a second full scale value of the DAC, which is greater than the first full scale value. Upon the element determining that a condition is not satisfied, the element employs current steering to couple the additional current source to a current sink. However, upon the element determining that the condition is satisfied, the element employs current steering to couple the additional current source to an output of the DAC to support the second full scale value of the DAC.

Abstract: Dynamically adjusting upstream and/or downstream spectrum usage by a Remote PHY node. Cable modem association information for a Remote PHY node is dynamically determined remotely from across a network. The association information identifies which cable modems serviced by the Remote PHY node are physically connected to each of the Remote PHY node ports. Remote PHY node ports are remotely and dynamically assigned to upstream device port and/or downstream device port of a Remote PHY device comprised within the Remote PHY node. Based on the association information, each of the node port of the Remote PHY node may be reassigned to a different upstream device ports and/or downstream device ports of the Remote PHY device. This reassignment may be performed to achieve load balancing of upstream and/or downstream traffic sent between a plurality of cable modems served by the Remote PHY node and a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS).

Abstract: A communication system that may include a traffic management module and a communication interface module. The communication interface module is arranged to: estimate a status of multiple channels by utilizing hardware channel status estimators, generate filler packets in response to the status of the multiple channels; wherein the filler packets are associated with the multiple channels; send the filler packets to the traffic management module. The traffic management module is arranged to receive multiple input packets that are associated with multiple channels, receive the filler packets; apply a traffic management scheme on the multiple input packets and the filler packets to provide multiple intermediate packets that comprise (a) multiple filler traffic managed packets and (b) multiple non-filler traffic managed packets.

Abstract: Recovering a Remote PHY (R-PHY) device after a power interruption. A hardware component, upon detecting that input power to the R-PHY device will be imminently interrupted, provides an alarm signal to a central processing unit (CPU) in the R-PHY device. The CPU, in response to receiving the alarm, stores running parameter data for the R-PHY device in a non-volatile memory. The running parameter data is normally obtained through network communications during a boot operation of the R-PHY device. If certain conditions are satisfied, then the R-PHY device recovers from the interruption in input power using the stored running parameter data without obtaining the running parameter data through a normal boot operation, thus shortening the boot time.

Abstract: Scheduling of packets to be forwarded onto DOCSIS downstream channels as part of a Virtual Converged Cable Access Platform (CCAP). A packet to be forwarded onto a DOCSIS downstream channel is enqueued in a service flow queue. The packets stored in the service flow queue are associated with a single service flow. A request is propagated up a hierarchy of schedule elements to a scheduler process to schedule the packet for delivery. The scheduler process determines a grant of how much traffic to offer the DOCSIS downstream channel. The grant determined for the DOCSIS downstream channel may be expressed in units of symbols rather than in bytes. The scheduler process extends a particular grant to the service flow queue by translating symbols in the grant for the service flow queue which issued the request.

Abstract: Approaches for a virtualized Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) for providing high speed data services to a remote physical device (RPD). The virtualized Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) comprises a core routing engine (CRE) for performing packet switching and routing and one or more physical or virtual compute servers (CS) that each perform CMTS functions for the one or more remote physical devices (RPDs). The core routing engine may comprise one or more core routing engine members. The core routing engine (CRE) and the one or more physical or virtual compute servers (CS) are each implemented entirely on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware.

Abstract: Detecting an imminent failure of a power supply. An internal computerized component periodically reads a set of measurements from one or more sensors affixed to a power supply. The internal computerized component and power supply may reside in a variety of different technical contexts, such as a Remote PHY node. The internal computerized component analyzes the set of measurements using, at least in part, a weighted set of factors, to detect the imminent failure in the power supply. The weighted set of factors may be updated or revised over time and may be specifically tailored for use with specific types of power supplies.

Abstract: Approaches for encoding/transcoding of digital video based on subjective video quality preferences or display device characteristics or capabilities. A set of esthetic digital video preferences are received from a user via a user interface. The user may be associated with a supplier or provider of digital video or may be a viewer of the digital video. A video quality profile that describes the set of esthetic digital video preferences or the characteristics or capabilities of a display device is created and stored. Upon determining that a video quality profile is associated with a compressed digital video bit stream, a final rate of compression for the compressed digital video bit stream is determined using one or more video quality profiles. In this way, a user's subjective video quality preferences or the characteristics or capabilities of a display device can be considered in encoding/transcoding digital video.

Abstract: Approaches for compensating for RF imperfections in a system that comprises two or more independent modules. The two or more independent modules may be comprised within a remote PHY node (RPN). RF calibration data is stored in one or more non-volatile mediums for two or more independent modules. Each of the two or more independent modules are electronically coupled in a sequence via a transmission medium. A first independent module digital compensates a RF signal for a set of two or more modules that are coupled together in sequence via the transmission medium. The first independent module may correspond to a remote PHY device (RPD).

Abstract: Approaches for dynamic pre-filtering of digital video based on video complexity and output bit rate. An adaptive video preprocessor determines a current video complexity of the digital video and an output bit rate. Thereafter, the adaptive video preprocessor dynamically updates the strength of one or more preprocessing filters based on the current video complexity and the output bit rate for the digital video. The adaptive video preprocessor may update the strength of a preprocessing filter based, at least in part, upon selected values of a video quality preference category. A video quality preference category may be assigned natural language values which may each be translated into a particular strength value for at least one of the one or more preprocessing filters.

Abstract: A network element employing multiple namespaces in performing IP packet routing. The network element maintaining two or more namespaces. A first namespace corresponds to an in-band network domain and a second namespace corresponds to an out-of-band network domain. The network element performing IP packet routing over the in-band network domain and the out-of-band network domain using said two or more namespaces. Embodiments allow operators to more easily implement separate routing tables for “in-band” and “out-of-band” communication. Having separate routing tables for in-band and out-of-band communication prevents malicious CPEs and hacked CMs from directly communicating to servers on the out-of-band network, thereby increasing security for CMTS operators.

Abstract: Approaches for dynamically allocating CPU cycle resources to a video encoder. A resource allocator assesses an amount of available CPU cycle resources on the hardware device on which it executes. The resource allocator determines that a change in the amount of available CPU cycle resources has occurred. The resource allocator, adjusts, in real-time, which particular cycle profile, in a plurality of cycle profiles, is assigned to at least one of a plurality of video modules. The plurality of cycle profiles each allocate, to video modules, a particular amount CPU cycle resources for processing digital video. The plurality of cycle profiles also each specify a set of configuration settings and are arranged in a sequence based upon the video quality and density achievable by video modules using configuration settings associated with each cycle profile when processing digital video.

Abstract: Configurable adjustment of a power amplifier bias for a power amplifier. The power amplifier may be comprised within a variety of different apparatuses, such as without limitation a remote PHY node, a remote MACPHY node, and a wireless communication device. A processing unit, disposed within an apparatus, instructs an electrical circuit, also disposed within said apparatus, to change an RF signal output power carrying capability of the power amplifier based on a configuration. The configuration may, but need not, be maintained within the apparatus. The change in the RF signal output power carrying capability of the power amplifier causes an adjustment in a power consumption of the power amplifier.

Abstract: Approaches for processing video in a smart small form-factor pluggable (SFP) transceiver. The smart SFP transceiver may dynamically select, from a plurality of codecs available to the smart SFP transceiver, an appropriate codec for use in processing the video prior to the video being transmitted over a link. The selection of the codec may be based, at least in part, on assessed environmental attributes. The smart SFP transceiver may then use the codec selected by the smart SFP transceiver to process the video, e.g., the video may be encoded, compressed, or timing information generated.

Abstract: Dynamically managing an operation of a content delivery network (CDN) to address excessive load upon an upload link for updating data thereto and/or upon particular portions of the CDN. A network optimizer may receive bit rate utilization data that identifies a current bit rate amount being utilized by the upload link and what digital video data is being uploaded to the CDN thereon. The network optimizer may also receive, from an analytic server, consumption information about the current load being experienced throughout different regions of the CDN. The network optimizer analyses the bit rate utilization data and the consumption information to dynamically render any changes necessary to the bit rate utilization of the upload link and to the representations of digital video propagated to some or all portions of the CDN to ensure the load remains below a predetermined threshold in both the upload link and throughout the CDN.

Abstract: Approaches for allocating bit rates to multiple digital video streams. Bit rates may be allocated to digital video streams by permitting any unit of digital video carried by the digital video streams to be a member of a set of digital content that is constrained by a sum of bit rates assigned to members of the set. To do so, a first set of bit rates to assign to each of the digital video streams is determined. Thereafter, a second set of bit rates to assign to each shared unit of digital video, which appears in two or more of the digital video streams, is determined. This may involve identifying the lowest bit rate assigned to each shared unit of digital video across the two or more bit rate pools. A remaining bit rate allotment is allocated to non-shared units of digital video within the digital video streams.

Abstract: Approaches for transcoding on-the-fly (TOTF). A digital video is encoded to produce a set of encoding decisions. A video quality profile is created that describes the set of encoding decisions. Upon determining that the video quality profile is associated with a compressed digital video bit stream, a final rate of compression is determined, frame by frame, for the compressed digital video bit stream using the video quality profile. The final rate of compression may be determined either internal or external to an encoder/transcoder. The video quality profile may be created by reviewing a plurality of encoding decisions to determine which encoding decisions merit inclusion based on a variety of criteria.