Abstract: A bit loading for a channel of a multi-carrier data communication system is generated. The bit loading has a target bit rate and satisfies predetermined performance criteria. When the channel is loaded according to the bit loading, a minimal number of sub-channels of the channel are active.

Abstract: A system for executing real-time tasks, such as a multi-line modem, on a client-server network includes a control unit and multiple processing units. The control unit is implementable by the server and each processing unit is implementable by a client or by the server. For the modem, the processing units can either modulate outgoing data and demodulate incoming samples per line or can implement one stage of the modem. For the former embodiment, the control unit assigns one processing unit to each active communication between one modem application on the network and one phone line. For the latter embodiment, the control unit moves the data and samples from one stage to the next.

Abstract: A telephony method and system for enabling a logical telephone line for a telephone station coupled to a personal computer coupled to a high-bandwidth channel is provided. A telephony method and system for enabling a logical telephone line for at least one telephone station coupled to an unused internal telephone line, which is coupled to a personal computer coupled to a high-bandwidth channel is also provided.

Abstract: A modem includes symbol converting unit and processing unit. The symbol converting unit converts between binary data and symbol data in accordance with a first constellation which is a transformed version of a standard constellation and the processing unit process the symbol data for transmission and produce symbol data from received signals. Alternatively, the symbol converting unit has at least two constellations to be selected.

Abstract: A manager for a personal computer for managing the operation of modem tasks while the personal computer also performs other tasks includes at least one driver and a task service manager. The driver activates and controls the modem tasks and the task service manager allocates time between the modem tasks and the other tasks, selects the service levels of the modem tasks in response to the activity levels of the other tasks and invokes the driver to activate and control the modem tasks at the selected service levels.

Abstract: Apparatus for data communications includes at least one modem front end, adapted to receive an incoming communication signal conveying incoming information over a communication medium, and at least one modem host. The front end includes front-end circuitry, which is coupled to receive the signal from the communication media and to process the signal so as to generate a stream of incoming digitized samples, and a local area network (LAN) interface unit, which is coupled to receive the incoming digitized samples and to frame the samples in data frames for transmission over a LAN. The modem host receives the data frames from the LAN and processes the incoming digitized samples so as to extract the information from the signal.

Abstract: A real-time manager for a personal computer manages the operation of real-time tasks while the personal computer also performs other tasks. The real-time manager includes at least one real-time kernel and a task service manager. The real-time kernel activates and controls the real-time tasks. The task service manager allocates time between the real-time tasks and the other tasks, selects the service levels of the real-time tasks in response to the activity levels of the other tasks, and invokes the real-time kernel to activate and control the real-time tasks at the selected service levels.

Abstract: A combined audio and modem interface unit includes a standard audio component and an audio/modem signal processing unit. The audio component has two internal input and two internal output channels and is selectably connectable to at least an audio left port, an audio right port and a telephone port. The signal processing unit separately processes the modem and audio signals received from the audio component. The modem and one stereo audio signal can also be modulated and sent on a single output channel.