Abstract: In a fiber-to-the-curb telecommunications system a method of network synchronization is presented in which data is transmitted from a broadband network unit to devices in a residence on a downstream carrier frequency, where the downstream data rate and the downstream carrier frequency are integer multiples of a sub-harmonic of a master clock. In the upstream direction, where data is transmitted from the devices to the broadband network unit, upstream data is transmitted on an upstream carrier frequency and the upstream data rate and upstream carrier frequency are integer multiples of a sub-harmonic of a master clock. Digital downconversion is performed on the data received at the broadband network unit to produce baseband samples.

Abstract: A switched telecommunication access system for providing video data to gateway devices.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses the reception of a Very High Speed Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL) signal from a twisted wire pair drop cable and an amplification circuit for compensating losses encountered while the signal is traversing the transmission medium. The amplification circuit receives a control signal from a microcontroller for providing selective gain to the signal based on the loop length or the power of the received signal. The amplification circuit incudes at least one resonator circuit which can be selectively switched in and out of the amplification circuit.

Abstract: A residential gateway for distributing video, data and telephony services is disclosed. The gateway has a MPEG bus connected from a network interface module to a first and a second video processors. A microprocessor controls the first and second video processors by sending control signals across a control bus.

Abstract: A high potential/high efficiency amplifier contains at least two separate amplifiers. One amplifier is used for the typical inputs that are received from an input source and a second amplifier is used solely for peak inputs. Utilizing the second amplifier to handle the peak inputs allows the first amplifier to concentrate solely on the typical inputs. A small resistor tied to the output of the second amplifier reduces the output of the second amplifier. Thus, when the output of the first and second amplifiers are equal, the output of the first amplifier will be applied to the load. When the input exceeds the operational value for the first amplifier, the first amplifier logically disconnects itself from the load and the output of the second amplifier is applied to the load. Once the input returns to a value within the limits of the first amplifier, the first amplifier becomes operational again, and the resistor again becomes a barrier to the second output being applied to the load.

Abstract: A test circuit and method for determining the operating status of a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable including an internal conductor and an external conductor. The test circuit comprises a measurement terminal, a resistor coupled to the internal conductor adjacent a first end of the coaxial cable and the measurement terminal, a second resistor coupled to the internal conductor adjacent a second end of the coaxial cable and to a reference voltage, and a measurement device coupled to the measurement terminal for producing an output that is reflective of the operating status of the coaxial cable. In one embodiment, the measurement device comprises a voltage comparator logic output circuit. In another embodiment, the measurement device comprises an ohmmeter.

Abstract: The invention provides method and apparatus for identifying signals for a set of communication devices in a signal stream having signals for a number of different sets of communication devices. Some embodiments of the invention are methods and devices for extracting signals for a first set of communication devices from a signal stream having signals for a number of different sets of communication devices. Other embodiments of the invention are methods and devices for inserting into a signal stream signals from a first set of communication devices. Yet other embodiments of the invention are time division multiplexing and demultiplexing methods and apparatuses that use a content addressable memory to identify sets of signals for a particular set of communication devices. In addition, some embodiment of the invention are used in fiber optic telecommunication networks. These embodiments include an optical network unit that receives an integrated signal stream having signals for different types of applications.

Abstract: In a burst mode communication system bursts arrive at a receiver which must correctly acquire and track carrier and clock phases in order to recover the transmitted symbols. A burst mode receiver is used to recover the clock and carrier phase. The detection of an initiator pulse indicates the presence of a burst signal, and a cross-coupled fractionally spaced digital filter structure is used with a known preamble to perform symbol sampling phase recovery and carrier phase acquisition, and during the normal mode of operation results in a tracking of the symbol and carrier phases.

Abstract: In a burst mode communications system, bursts of information with a known preamble are transmitted from a burst mode transmitter and are received by a burst mode receiver which uses the preamble to determine the presence of a burst and to determine the correct carrier frequency, carrier phase, symbol clock frequency and symbol clock phase in order to correctly recover the symbols transmitted, and thus the information contained within the burst. The present invention comprises a method of burst transmission using a preamble which contains an initial pulse and a Barker sequence following the initial pulse separated by a dead time period equal to the transmission time of at least one symbol. The preamble can be transmitted on orthogonal carriers and the order of the Barker sequence can be reversed and multiplied by minus one on one of the carriers to reduce the probability that noise events on both carriers make the Barker sequence less detectable on each channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an in-home communication system based on the use of a telecommunications terminal of a Fiber-to-the-Curb (FTTC) network is described. In this system signals are sent from a first device in a home to the FTTC terminal over a subscriber coaxial cable network, and routed from the telecommunications terminal back to the home, where they are received by a second device in the same home. Signals are routed back to the home at the telecommunications terminal by recognizing a particular address which corresponds to in-home signals or by timing information. In the event that the information is contained within Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) cells, the Virtual Path Identifier (VPI) field of the ATM cells can be used to indicate that cells are to be redirected back to the home.

Abstract: A fiber to the curb communication system providing telephone service to subscribers using line cards which are pluggable into a broadband network unit. The line cards provide telephone service to up to six lines per card. The cards are programmable from a central location, and the system includes self-testing of the cards, ring generator testing and provides for testing of the telephone lines from the system to the subscriber's location.

Abstract: A cell grant mechanism is presented which allows a central device to control the transmission of cells from one or more remote devices connected to the central device over a physical medium. Grants are issued from a grant table in the central device to allow remote devices to transmit cells to the central device. The spacing of the grants are optimized to minimize cell delay variation. When there are unused cell opportunities, central device can issue grants to devices to utilize the unused cell opportunities on an available bit rate basis.

Abstract: In a communications system packets containing compressed digital signals are transported in multiple cells, typically in an Asynchronous Transfer Mode format. Upon reception of these cells, a determination is made as to whether cells have been lost, additional cells inserted, or whether there were bit errors in the transmission of the cells. If so, null packets are substituted for the erred packets and are sent to the video decompression layer.

Abstract: A line card is provided for a mechanical enclosure unit for an optical network unit. The line card includes a printed circuit board, a mechanical enclosure and a connector element. The mechanical enclosure substantially surrounds and support the printed circuit board. The connector element, which is coupled to provide access to the printed circuit board, is exposed at a surface of the mechanical enclosure. The line card further includes a fastener coupled to the mechanical enclosure. The fastener is adapted to hold the mechanical enclosure on an external support plate of the mechanical enclosure unit of the optical network unit.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a method for managing a plurality of network elements in a Fiber-to-the-Curb (FTTC) telecommunications system. The FTTC system includes a computer system. The computer system is coupled in communications with the plurality of network elements. The method comprises the following steps. Display a plurality of choices on the computer system. The plurality of choices corresponds to a provisioning equipment function, a provisioning telephony services functions and a provisioning broadband services function. Receive a selection identifying a choice and identifying one or more selected network elements. Provision the one or more selected network elements.