Abstract: A multi-processor multi-node system having access to a low skew clock to synchronize processing events. This system uses a SCI network to distribute a low skew signal to synchronize the time of century clock counters on the different nodes. These counters are periodically synchronized with a signal from a selected master counter, so that all nodes will maintain approximately equal counter values. A single bit in a SCI header of send, echo, or idle packet is routed to all nodes via a SCI ring. Since the bit is inserted in existing packets, the creation of a special synchronizing packet is not required. Moreover, since the bit travels over existing lines, additional signal paths or extra wire are not needed.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed having a controller at each of several network es, each controller monitoring cooling fan output, ambient temperature and electrical load. Each controller includes a network interface and microcontroller for responding to requests for the values of monitored parameters. In response to such a request, the controller processes a procedure that retrieves a requested monitored parameter value and that transfers that value onto the network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing memory arbitration which allows multiple hardware functions implemented in a single ASIC to utilize a single shared memory unit or multiple shared memory units. The memory arbitration technique establishes a priority among multiple memory access requesters and is particularly well-suited for use in a set top box processing system. A plurality of memory access requests are received from a plurality of processing elements in a set top box processing system. The processing elements include a transport stream demultiplexer, a host central processing unit and a graphics processor. The processing elements are permitted to access a shared memory in accordance with an established priority. The established priority assigns a higher priority to the graphics processor than to the host central processing unit, and may be in the order of graphics processor, transport stream demultiplexer, and central processing unit.

Abstract: An information display system has an information distribution apparatus (a server) for storing information, upon receipt of an information distribution demand, to distribute requested information to an information distribution requesting source, and an information display apparatus (a client) for displaying information distributed from the server on a display screen through requesting of the server information distribution. In the information display system, only a partial information to be displayed first at the client end is transmitted in form of a non-compression from the server to the client, and the remaining partial information is transmitted in form of a compression from the server to the client.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for active structural acoustic control (ASAC) of sound radiation from and noise transmission through a structure. The method derives acoustic far-field information, corresponding to a `virtual` planar array of microphones, from a vibrational field induced on the structure. The far-field information is used to compute error signals which are provided to an adaptive controller which controls actuators mounted on or embedded in the structure so as to suppress the flexural modes of structure vibration generating acoustic energy. The method is generally applicable to any structure and set of environment boundary conditions. An implementation of the method includes an array of accelerometers mounted on one face of a planar panel, an array of piezoceramic actuators mounted on an opposite panel face, and a frequency-domain adaptive controller utilizing a set of wavenumber-space algorithms.