Abstract: A Residential Gateway (RG) for distributing video, data and telephone services to multiple devices within a residence is disclosed. The RG receives signals from a telecommunications network, converts the signals to formats compatible with the multiple devices, and transmits the appropriate signals to the appropriate devices. Wireless remote control devices (RCs) associated with remotely located televisions (TVs) transmit channel select commands to the RG as wireless signals. The wireless signals are received by Remote Antennae Packages (RAPs) coupled to the remotely located TVs. The RAPs transmit the wireless signals over coaxial cable to a Media Interface Device (MID) coupled to the RG. The MID extracts the channel select commands and forwards them to the RG. The MID is also capable of combining and splitting TV signals, and adjusting the impedance of network signals so that they can be transmitted over the coaxial cable.

Abstract: A method for handling missing or untimely synchronization signals in digital communications systems. Upon detecting the absence of a synchronization signal, an estimation of the absent synchronization signal is made based on a plurality of previously received synchronization signals, and the estimated synchronization signal is used in place of the absent synchronization signal. The estimated synchronization signal is corrected upon the receipt of a subsequent synchronization signal.

Abstract: Transmitting caller identification data to residential equipment within a digital transport stream is provided. Telephony signals that include caller identification data are received and the caller identification data is extracted from the telephony signals. The caller identification data in is then embedded the digital transport stream. The digital transport stream, including the caller identification data, is transmitted to residential equipment. The residential equipment extracts the data from the digital stream and presents the caller ID data to a subscriber overlaid on video.

Abstract: A rapid channel changer for use in a digital broadband access system. The subject rapid channel changer includes a cache buffer for storing the video data and a processor for detecting and pointing to the synchronization frames. When a subscriber's channel change request is received by the processing unit, the corresponding video signal can be quickly accessed and directed downstream to the subscriber, since the processor can immediately synchronize the video data without having to wait for the next synchronization frame.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for establishing and adapting communication link parameters in xDSL transmission systems. The method determines a frequency allocation scheme that makes the delivery of both xDSL services and traditional telecommunications services possible, and uses information about service bit-rate requirements and the deployment characteristics of a given local loop to select an optimal combination of symbol rate and transmission modulation density that is capable of delivering desired xDSL services. The method includes the steps of establishing communication between xDSL termination units, and determining a maximum transmission modulation density that can be used for a plurality of predetermined symbol rates. One method of performing these steps is a symbol rate stepping method in which communication is initiated at a fraction of the final symbol rate, and the symbol rate is iteratively stepped up until the final symbol rate is reached.

Abstract: A residential gateway (RG) for distributing video, data and telephony services to multiple devices within a residence is disclosed. The RG receives signals from a telecommunications network, converts the signals to formats compatible with the multiple devices, and transmits the appropriate signals to the appropriate devices. Wireless remote control devices associated with remotely located televisions (TVs) transmit channel select commands as wireless signals to the RG. The wireless signals are received by a Remote Antennae Package (RAP) that transmits the wireless signal over cable. A Remote Antennae Module (RAM) receives the wireless signal and extracts the channel select command.

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 method for handling missing or untimely synchronization signals in digital communications systems. Upon detecting the absence of a synchronization signal, an estimation of the absent synchronization signal is made based on a plurality of previously received synchronization signals, and the estimated synchronization signal is used in place of the absent synchronization signal. The estimated synchronization signal is corrected upon the receipt of a subsequent synchronization signal.

Abstract: In a residential environment with more than one analog television set a residential gateway has a network interface module which receives signals from a telecommunications network. The signals contain compressed digital video information which is routed within the gateway to a video module for the generation of an analog video signal for a television set located near the residential gateway, and to a wireless module for transmission to a remote receiver using spread spectrum communications.

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 method for handling missing or untimely synchronization signals in digital communications systems. Upon detecting the absence of a synchronization signal, an estimation of the absent synchronization signal is made based on a plurality of previously received synchronization signals, and the estimated synchronization signal is used in place of the absent synchronization signal. The estimated synchronization signal is corrected upon the receipt of a subsequent synchronization signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for using existing wiring or cabling in a residence or other customer premises both (a) to transmit network telecommunications to a gateway or similar device for processing, and (b) to distribute processed signals from the device to video, telephony and data receivers. The invention enables and facilitates the receipt by telephone company subscribers of high-speed digital telecommunications over twisted-wire pair cabling historically installed and used for voice telephone service. In an embodiment, the system of the present invention comprises a bidirectional transmission facility, a first diplexer, and a second diplexer; the first diplexer receives network signals and transmits them or passes them on, using the bidirectioal transmission facility, to the second diplexer; and the second diplexer receives distribution signals and transmits them or passes them on, using the bidirectional transmission medium, to the first diplexer.

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 Unified Access Platform capable of providing telephone and high speed data services in a number of different local loop configurations. In a first embodiment, a broadband digital terminal (BDT receives high speed data and telephony signals, and combines them into a cell based signal which is transported to an access multiplexor. At the access multiplexor, a first linecard generates an analog telephone signal, and a second linecard generates a high-speed data signal. Analog telephone service is provided over a first twisted wire pair drop cable, while the high speed data service is provided over a second twisted wire pair drop cable. In an alternate embodiment, the BDT's cell based signal is transported to two separate terminals. Analog telephone service is provided to a subscriber location from the first terminal, while high speed data service is provided to a second subscriber location from the second terminal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing analog telephony services over a digital subscriber loop access system is presented. Digital subscriber loop technologies including Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Loop (ADSL) leave existing POTs services undisturbed by utilizing spectrum above the POTs band for data services. An Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) cell mapping is utilized on an ADSL linecard which permits flexible mapping of compressed or uncompressed voice signals into ATM cells along with overhead and signaling channels. Echo cancellation is used to enhance the voice quality in compressed voice signals. The ATM cells can be transmitted to a subscriber residence or a business and one to four additional analog telephony lines supported a receiving units, in addition to data services.

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.