Patents by Inventor Daniel H. Howard
Daniel H. Howard has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9350491Abstract: A system, method and computer program product is provided for mitigating the effects of burst noise on packets transmitted in a communications system. A transmitting device applies an outer code, which may include, for example, a block code, an exclusive OR (XOR) code, or a repetition code, to one or more packets prior to adaptation of the packets for transmission over the physical (PHY) layer of the communications system, wherein the PHY layer adaptation may include FEC encoding of individual packets. The outer coded packets are then separately transmitted over a channel of the communications system. A receiving device receives the outer coded packets, performs PHY level demodulation and optional FEC decoding of the packets, and then applies outer code decoding to the outer coded packets in order to restore packets that were erased during transmission due to burst noise or other impairments on the channel.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Bruce J. Currivan, Thomas J. Kolze, Daniel H. Howard, Thomas J. Quigley, Nambi Seshadri, Thomas L. Johnson, Scott Cummings, James Harrell, Fred Bunn, Joel Danzig, Stephen Hughey
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Patent number: 8774300Abstract: Signal processing under attenuated transmission conditions. Within an orthogonal signal space, the number of orthogonal signals that are used to transmit information from a transmitter to a receiver is reduced and the transmitted power of each of the now remaining orthogonal signals is modified; this may involve increasing the power of all of the remaining orthogonal signals equally or alternatively modifying them individually. The same modulation used before the reduction may also be used afterwards; within communication systems having multiple transmitter-receiver paths, this will ensure that the communication system's throughput and efficiency will remain unchanged even when one (or more) transmitter-receiver paths are highly attenuated. In addition, robust mode operation is provided for ranging and registering of transmitter devices when entering the communication system.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2013Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Bruce J. Currivan, Thomas J. Kolze, Daniel H. Howard, Gottfried Ungerboeck
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Publication number: 20140181611Abstract: A system, method and computer program product is provided for mitigating the effects of burst noise on packets transmitted in a communications system. A transmitting device applies an outer code, which may include, for example, a block code, an exclusive OR (XOR) code, or a repetition code, to one or more packets prior to adaptation of the packets for transmission over the physical (PHY) layer of the communications system, wherein the PHY layer adaptation may include FEC encoding of individual packets. The outer coded packets are then separately transmitted over a channel of the communications system. A receiving device receives the outer coded packets, performs PHY level demodulation and optional FEC decoding of the packets, and then applies outer code decoding to the outer coded packets in order to restore packets that were erased during transmission due to burst noise or other impairments on the channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2014Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Bruce J. Currivan, Thomas J. Kolza, Daniel H. Howard, Thomas J. Quigley, Nambi Seshadri, Thomas L. Johnson, Scott Cummings, James Harrell, Fred Bunn, Joel Danzig, Stephen Hughey
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Patent number: 8681615Abstract: Downstream synchronous multichannel (DSSM) communications are provided among a plurality of carriers, each being a completely DOCSIS™ 2.0-compliant downstream. The synchronous multichannels support communications with both DSSM-capable communications nodes and non-DSSM-capable communications nodes (e.g., legacy cable modems). Non-DSSM packets are transmitted on a single channel. DSSM packets are split into multiple pieces, which are transmitted simultaneously on all available channels. Since the physical delay variation (e.g., group delay change) across the adjacent carriers is small (on the order of a symbol time), the multiple pieces arrive at the receiving communications nodes at nearly the same time and can be reassembled with minimal buffering and no packet ordering problems. To avoid causing trouble for the non-DSSM-capable communications nodes, the packet pieces are encapsulated with a header that causes the non-DSSM-capable communications nodes to silently discard them.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2012Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Daniel H. Howard, Niki R. Pantelias, David M. Pullen, John D. Horton, Jr., Thomas J. Quigley, Richard S. Prodan
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Patent number: 8667362Abstract: A system, method and computer program product is provided for mitigating the effects of burst noise on packets transmitted in a communications system. A transmitting device applies an outer code, which may include, for example, a block code, an exclusive OR (XOR) code, or a repetition code, to one or more packets prior to adaptation of the packets for transmission over the physical (PHY) layer of the communications system, wherein the PHY layer adaptation may include FEC encoding of individual packets. The outer coded packets are then separately transmitted over a channel of the communications system. A receiving device receives the outer coded packets, performs PHY level demodulation and optional FEC decoding of the packets, and then applies outer code decoding to the outer coded packets in order to restore packets that were erased during transmission due to burst noise or other impairments on the channel.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2009Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Bruce J. Currivan, Thomas J. Kolze, Daniel H. Howard, Thomas J. Quigley, Nambi Seshadri, Thomas L. Johnson, Scott Cummings, James Harrell, Fred Bunn, Joel Danzig, Stephen Hughey
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Publication number: 20140003545Abstract: Signal processing under attenuated transmission conditions. Within an orthogonal signal space, the number of orthogonal signals that are used to transmit information from a transmitter to a receiver is reduced and the transmitted power of each of the now remaining orthogonal signals is modified; this may involve increasing the power of all of the remaining orthogonal signals equally or alternatively modifying them individually. The same modulation used before the reduction may also be used afterwards; within communication systems having multiple transmitter-receiver paths, this will ensure that the communication system's throughput and efficiency will remain unchanged even when one (or more) transmitter-receiver paths are highly attenuated. In addition, robust mode operation is provided for ranging and registering of transmitter devices when entering the communication system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2013Publication date: January 2, 2014Inventors: Bruce J. Currivan, Thomas J. Kolze, Daniel H. Howard, Gottfried Ungerboeck
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Patent number: 8537861Abstract: A device for stacking signals in an expanded frequency range includes an upconverter and a multiplexer. The upconverter is configured to receive upstream signals that are in a first frequency range, upconvert some of the upstream signals that are in a first frequency sub-range of the first frequency range and pass some of the upstream signals that are in a second frequency sub-range of the first frequency range. The multiplexer is configured to stack the upconverted upstream signals and the upstream signals in the second frequency sub-range and output the stacked upstream signals.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2008Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: General Instrument CorporationInventors: Daniel H. Howard, Robert L. Howald, John M. Ulm
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Patent number: 8472541Abstract: Signal processing under attenuated transmission conditions. Within an orthogonal signal space, the number of orthogonal signals that are used to transmit information from a transmitter to a receiver is reduced and the transmitted power of each of the now remaining orthogonal signals is modified; this may involve increasing the power of all of the remaining orthogonal signals equally or alternatively modifying them individually. The same modulation used before the reduction may also be used afterwards; within communication systems having multiple transmitter-receiver paths, this will ensure that the communication system's throughput and efficiency will remain unchanged even when one (or more) transmitter-receiver paths are highly attenuated. In addition, robust mode operation is provided for ranging and registering of transmitter devices when entering the communication system.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2011Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Bruce J. Currivan, Thomas J. Kolze, Daniel H. Howard, Gottfried Ungerboeck
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Publication number: 20120269192Abstract: Downstream synchronous multichannel (DSSM) communications are provided among a plurality of carriers, each being a completely DOCSIS™ 2.0-compliant downstream. The synchronous multichannels support communications with both DSSM-capable communications nodes and non-DSSM-capable communications nodes (e.g., legacy cable modems). Non-DSSM packets are transmitted on a single channel. DSSM packets are split into multiple pieces, which are transmitted simultaneously on all available channels. Since the physical delay variation (e.g., group delay change) across the adjacent carriers is small (on the order of a symbol time), the multiple pieces arrive at the receiving communications nodes at nearly the same time and can be reassembled with minimal buffering and no packet ordering problems. To avoid causing trouble for the non-DSSM-capable communications nodes, the packet pieces are encapsulated with a header that causes the non-DSSM-capable communications nodes to silently discard them.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2012Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Daniel H. HOWARD, Niki R. PANTELIAS, David M. PULLEN, John D. HORTON, JR., Thomas J. QUIGLEY, Richard S. PRODAN
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Patent number: 8279987Abstract: A filter settings generation operation includes sampling a communication channel to produce a sampled signal. The sampled signal is spectrally characterized across a frequency band of interest to produce a spectral characterization of the sampled signal. This spectral characterization may not include a signal of interest. The spectral characterization is then modified to produce a modified spectral characterization. Filter settings are then generated based upon the modified spectral characterization. Finally, the communication channel is filtered using the filter settings when the signal of interest is present on the communication channel. In modifying the spectral characterization, pluralities of spectral characteristics of the spectral characterization are independently modified to produce the modified spectral characterization. Modifications to the spectral characterization may be performed in the frequency domain and/or the time domain.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2011Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Thomas J. Kolze, Bruce J. Currivan, Jonathan S. Min, Eric J. Ojard, James Chi Thi, Daniel H. Howard
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Patent number: 8130642Abstract: Downstream synchronous multichannel (DSSM) communications are provided among a plurality of carriers, each being a completely DOCSIS™ 2.0-compliant downstream. The synchronous multichannels support communications with both DSSM-capable communications nodes and non-DSSM-capable communications nodes (e.g., legacy cable modems). Non-DSSM packets are transmitted on a single channel. DSSM packets are split into multiple pieces, which are transmitted simultaneously on all available channels. Since the physical delay variation (e.g., group delay change) across the adjacent carriers is small (on the order of a symbol time), the multiple pieces arrive at the receiving communications nodes at nearly the same time and can be reassembled with minimal buffering and no packet ordering problems. To avoid causing trouble for the non-DSSM-capable communications nodes, the packet pieces are encapsulated with a header that causes the non-DSSM-capable communications nodes to silently discard them.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2008Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Daniel H. Howard, Niki R. Pantelias, David M. Pullen, John D. Horton, Thomas J. Quigley, Jr., Richard S. Prodan
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Publication number: 20110286473Abstract: Signal processing under attenuated transmission conditions. Within an orthogonal signal space, the number of orthogonal signals that are used to transmit information from a transmitter to a receiver is reduced and the transmitted power of each of the now remaining orthogonal signals is modified; this may involve increasing the power of all of the remaining orthogonal signals equally or alternatively modifying them individually. The same modulation used before the reduction may also be used afterwards; within communication systems having multiple transmitter-receiver paths, this will ensure that the communication system's throughput and efficiency will remain unchanged even when one (or more) transmitter-receiver paths are highly attenuated. In addition, robust mode operation is provided for ranging and registering of transmitter devices when entering the communication system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2011Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATIONInventors: Bruce J. Currivan, Thomas J. Kolze, Daniel H. Howard, Gottfried Ungerboeck
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Patent number: 7953170Abstract: Signal processing under attenuated transmission conditions. Within an orthogonal signal space, the number of orthogonal signals that are used to transmit information from a transmitter to a receiver is reduced and the transmitted power of each of the now remaining orthogonal signals is modified; this may involve increasing the power of all of the remaining orthogonal signals equally or alternatively modifying them individually. The same modulation used before the reduction may also be used afterwards; within communication systems having multiple transmitter-receiver paths, this will ensure that the communication system's throughput and efficiency will remain unchanged even when one (or more) transmitter-receiver paths are highly attenuated. In addition, robust mode operation is provided for ranging and registering of transmitter devices when entering the communication system.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2009Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Bruce J. Currivan, Thomas J. Kolze, Daniel H. Howard, Gottfried Ungerboeck
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Patent number: 7889821Abstract: A filter settings generation operation includes sampling a communication channel to produce a sampled signal. The sampled signal is spectrally characterized across a frequency band of interest to produce a spectral characterization of the sampled signal. This spectral characterization may not include a signal of interest. The spectral characterization is then modified to produce a modified spectral characterization. Filter settings are then generated based upon the modified spectral characterization. Finally, the communication channel is filtered using the filter settings when the signal of interest is present on the communication channel. In modifying the spectral characterization, pluralities of spectral characteristics of the spectral characterization are independently modified to produce the modified spectral characterization. Modifications to the spectral characterization may be performed in the frequency domain and/or the time domain.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2009Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Thomas J. Kolze, Bruce J. Currivan, Jonathan S. Min, Eric J. Ojard, James Chi Thi, Daniel H. Howard
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Publication number: 20100158049Abstract: A device for stacking signals in an expanded frequency range includes an upconverter and a multiplexer. The upconverter is configured to receive upstream signals that are in a first frequency range, upconvert some of the upstream signals that are in a first frequency sub-range of the first frequency range and pass some of the upstream signals that are in a second frequency sub-range of the first frequency range. The multiplexer is configured to stack the upconverted upstream signals and the upstream signals in the second frequency sub-range and output the stacked upstream signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2008Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: General Instrument CorporationInventors: Daniel H. Howard, Robert L. Howald, Johm M. Ulm
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Publication number: 20090327845Abstract: A system, method and computer program product is provided for mitigating the effects of burst noise on packets transmitted in a communications system. A transmitting device applies an outer code, which may include, for example, a block code, an exclusive OR (XOR) code, or a repetition code, to one or more packets prior to adaptation of the packets for transmission over the physical (PHY) layer of the communications system, wherein the PHY layer adaptation may include FEC encoding of individual packets. The outer coded packets are then separately transmitted over a channel of the communications system. A receiving device receives the outer coded packets, performs PHY level demodulation and optional FEC decoding of the packets, and then applies outer code decoding to the outer coded packets in order to restore packets that were erased during transmission due to burst noise or other impairments on the channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2009Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Bruce J. CURRIVAN, Thomas J. Kolze, Daniel H. Howard, Thomas J. Quigley, Nambi Seshadri, Thomas L. Johnson, Scott Cummings, James Harrell, Fred Bunn, Joel Danzig, Stephen Hughey
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Patent number: 7631242Abstract: A system, method and computer program product is provided for mitigating the effects of burst noise on packets transmitted in a communications system. A transmitting device applies an outer code, which may include, for example, a block code, an exclusive OR (XOR) code, or a repetition code, to one or more packets prior to adaptation of the packets for transmission over the physical (PHY) layer of the communications system, wherein the PHY layer adaptation may include FEC encoding of individual packets. The outer coded packets are then separately transmitted over a channel of the communications system. A receiving device receives the outer coded packets, performs PHY level demodulation and optional FEC decoding of the packets, and then applies outer code decoding to the outer coded packets in order to restore packets that were erased during transmission due to burst noise or other impairments on the channel.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2002Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Bruce J. Currivan, Thomas J. Kolze, Daniel H. Howard, Thomas J. Quigley, Nambi Seshadri, Thomas L. Johnson, Scott Cummings, Jay Harrell, Fred Bunn, Joel Danzig, Stephen Hughley
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Publication number: 20090215403Abstract: Signal processing under attenuated transmission conditions. Within an orthogonal signal space, the number of orthogonal signals that are used to transmit information from a transmitter to a receiver is reduced and the transmitted power of each of the now remaining orthogonal signals is modified; this may involve increasing the power of all of the remaining orthogonal signals equally or alternatively modifying them individually. The same modulation used before the reduction may also be used afterwards; within communication systems having multiple transmitter-receiver paths, this will ensure that the communication system's throughput and efficiency will remain unchanged even when one (or more) transmitter-receiver paths are highly attenuated. In addition, robust mode operation is provided for ranging and registering of transmitter devices when entering the communication system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2009Publication date: August 27, 2009Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATIONInventors: Bruce J. Currivan, Thomas J. Kolze, Daniel H. Howard, Gottfried Ungerboeck
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Patent number: 7529289Abstract: Signal processing under attenuated transmission conditions. Within an orthogonal signal space, the number of orthogonal signals that are used to transmit information from a transmitter to a receiver is reduced and the transmitted power of each of the now remaining orthogonal signals is modified; this may involve increasing the power of all of the remaining orthogonal signals equally or alternatively modifying them individually. The same modulation used before the reduction may also be used afterwards; within communication systems having multiple transmitter-receiver paths, this will ensure that the communication system's throughput and efficiency will remain unchanged even when one (or more) transmitter-receiver paths are highly attenuated. In addition, robust mode operation is provided for ranging and registering of transmitter devices when entering the communication system.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2003Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Bruce J. Currivan, Thomas J. Kolze, Daniel H. Howard, Gottfried Ungerboeck
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Publication number: 20090092153Abstract: Downstream synchronous multichannel (DSSM) communications are provided among a plurality of carriers, each being a completely DOCSIS™ 2.0-compliant downstream. The synchronous multichannels support communications with both DSSM-capable communications nodes and non-DSSM-capable communications nodes (e.g., legacy cable modems). Non-DSSM packets are transmitted on a single channel. DSSM packets are split into multiple pieces, which are transmitted simultaneously on all available channels. Since the physical delay variation (e.g., group delay change) across the adjacent carriers is small (on the order of a symbol time), the multiple pieces arrive at the receiving communications nodes at nearly the same time and can be reassembled with minimal buffering and no packet ordering problems. To avoid causing trouble for the non-DSSM-capable communications nodes, the packet pieces are encapsulated with a header that causes the non-DSSM-capable communications nodes to silently discard them.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2008Publication date: April 9, 2009Applicant: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Daniel H. HOWARD, Niki R. Pantelias, David M. Pullen, John D. Horton, JR., Thomas J. Quigley, Richard S. Prodan