Abstract: A communications card provides a miniport driver including a system interface abstraction layer (SIAL) that eliminates operating system (OS) specific and platform specific semantics from communication paths between a driver and the rest of the communications system. The SIAL provides a layer of software that connects an unspecified number of messaging channels to a single interface. The SIAL provides a message controller that is responsible for routing messages between various internal and external entities and contains multiple installable components, an operating system component which provides OS functions for the installable components and a platform module that supplies platform specific functions to the installable components.

Abstract: A method and system for performing sequence time domain reflectometry to determine the location of line anomalies in a communication channel is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system generates a sequence signal and transmits the sequence signal over a channel. The system receives one or more reflection signals, and performs reflection signal processing on the reflection. In one embodiment, the reflection signal is correlated with the original sequence signal to generate a correlated signal. The system determines a time value between the start of the reflection signal and the subsequent points of correlation to determine a location of a line anomaly. In one embodiment preprocessing and post-processing occurs to counter the effects of a communication device, such as a DMT modulator/demodulator. In one embodiment sampling of the sequence and reflection signal may occur at different times or at a different phase to provide greater resolution of the line anomaly location.

Abstract: A system, method, and signal are disclosed for line probing. The invention provides an improved signal for line probing having desirable characteristics. In various embodiments the signal comprises a periodic sequence having good autocorrelation characteristics. The periodic sequence of the invention provides a faster and more accurate evaluation of the channel. Another embodiment of the invention comprises processing of the received sequence to determine a desired or maximum data rate for the line or channel. The invention also provides an evaluation and calculation of the noise on the line or channel.

Abstract: A circuit for monitoring and controlling input to a VCO, comprises: (A) a monitoring sub-circuit for monitoring input; (B) a stepping sub-circuit for stepping the VCO's frequency range; (C) an input reduction sub-circuit for reducing input into the monitoring sub-circuit; and (D) a VCO.

Abstract: In a speech communications network, continuous play of audio packets is achieved using a jitter buffer in a receiver. Audio packets are stored in the jitter buffer before decoding the audio packets into an audible output. When the level of stored audio packets approaches the full capacity of the jitter buffer, the rate at which the audio packets are played out of the jitter buffer is increased signaling a compression operation in the decoder. When the level of stored audio packets approaches an empty level of the jitter buffer, the rate which the audio packets are played out of the jitter buffer is reduced signaling an expansion operation in the decoder. Audio packets are not modified when the level of stored audio packets is within a predetermined range. A speed controller is provided to instruct the decoder to decode the audio packets according to either a compressed, expanded or normal audio packet status.