Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for allowing an operating system to automatically configure and operate multiple types of the same component. According to various embodiments, characteristic information associated with a particular component, such as a tuner, can be written to a nonvolatile memory. An operating system can be configured to read characteristic information from the nonvolatile memory associated with the component. In one example, the characteristic information includes power characteristics associated with the component. By providing characteristic information in a nonvolatile memory, a single version of an operating system can configure and operate many different versions and types of the same component.

Abstract: A modular Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) includes a packet shelf operating a Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications (DOCSIS) Media Access Control (MAC) framer. One or more downstream Physical Interface (PHY) shelves receive DOCSIS data from the packet shelf over a packet switched network and modulate the DOCSIS data for sending on a downstream path of a cable plant. One or more upstream PHY shelves send DOCSIS data received from an upstream path of the cable plant over the packet switched network to the packet shelf. By separating the PHY components from the MAC and from the system software, the PHY components for a Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC) plant may be replaced with different PHY components for other access technologies such as wireless, Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL), Ethernet-to-the-Home, Fiber-to-the-Home, or fiber Passive Optical Networks (PONs).

Abstract: A modular Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) includes a packet shelf operating a Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications (DOCSIS) Media Access Control (MAC) framer. One or more downstream Physical Interface (PHY) shelves receive DOCSIS data from the packet shelf over a packet switched network and modulate the DOCSIS data for sending on a downstream path of a cable plant. One or more upstream PHY shelves send DOCSIS data received from an upstream path of the cable plant over the packet switched network to the packet shelf. By separating the PHY components from the MAC and from the system software, the PHY components for a Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC) plant may be replaced with different PHY components for other access technologies such as wireless, Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL), Ethernet-to-the-Home, Fiber-to-the-Home, or fiber Passive Optical Networks (PONs).

Abstract: A modular Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) includes a packet shelf operating a Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications (DOCSIS) Media Access Control (MAC) framer. One or more downstream Physical Interface (PHY) shelves receive DOCSIS data from the packet shelf over a packet switched network and modulate the DOCSIS data for sending on a downstream path of a cable plant. One or more upstream PHY shelves send DOCSIS data received from an upstream path of the cable plant over the packet switched network to the packet shelf. By separating the PHY components from the MAC and from the system software, the PHY components for a Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC) plant may be replaced with different PHY components for other access technologies such as wireless, Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL), Ethernet-to-the-Home, Fiber-to-the-Home, or fiber Passive Optical Networks (PONs).

Abstract: A memory controller and system for providing access to PCMCIA standard memory cards and non-standard memory cards. Non-standard memory cards are memory cards that are compliant with PCMCIA standards for sockets and are non-compliant in other respects. The memory controller has a register for storing a code that indicates whether a memory card is a PCMCIA card or a non-standard memory card. An access control circuit in the memory controller activates and deactivates memory card control signals at times required by the memory card and as indicated by the memory card type. An acknowledge control circuit generates an acknowledge signal to a requesting processor at a time prescribed by the type of memory card.