Abstract: In one example embodiment, a method of adaptive video streaming includes receiving, by a server, a request for a video segment from an end user device and determining, by the server, a plurality of variables, the plurality of variables including at least one of a download time of a previously requested video segment by the end user device, a fullness of a buffer at the end user device and a size of the buffer. The method further includes determining, by the server, a rate of the requested video segment based on one or more of the determined plurality of variables and sending, by the server, the requested video segment at the determined rate to the end user device.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a method for enabling a network based rate determination for adaptive video streaming includes receiving, by a server, a request for a video segment from an end user device and determining, by the server, a plurality of variables, the plurality of variables including at least one of a download time of a previously requested video segment by the end user device, a fullness of a buffer at the end user device and a size of the buffer. The method further includes determining, by the server, a rate of the requested video segment based on one or more of the determined plurality of variables and sending, by the server, the requested video segment at the determined rate to the end user device.

Abstract: A method for amplifying a time-varying optical signal comprising the steps of: generating an auxiliary optical signal the amplitude of which is chosen to be complementary to at least the envelope of the amplitude of the optical signal, superimposing the auxiliary optical signal to the optical signal resulting in a compound signal having an amplitude which is constant at least on average, amplifying the compound signal, and removing the amplified auxiliary optical signal from the amplified compound signal; as well as an optical amplification unit for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A method for amplifying a time-varying optical signal comprising the steps of: generating an auxiliary optical signal the amplitude of which is chosen to be complementary to at least the envelope of the amplitude of the optical signal, superimposing the auxiliary optical signal to the optical signal resulting in a compound signal having an amplitude which is constant at least on average, amplifying the compound signal, and removing the amplified auxiliary optical signal from the amplified compound signal; as well as an optical amplification unit for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A method to divide upstream timeslots in a multiple access system that couples a line terminator (LT) via a tree-like network to a plurality of network terminators (NT1, NT2, . . . , NT16) and that distributes downstream data packets by the line terminator to the plurality of network terminators. The method includes the following steps: inclusion by the line terminator in a downstream data packet at a predefined place of a grant (TEA1; TEA2; . . . ; TEA16) being associated to one of the plurality of network terminators and distributing that downstream packet, reacting by the network terminator upon reception and recognition of its own grant by transmitting an upstream data packet in a predefined upstream timeslot. In the event when the network terminator is a lower order network terminator and the predefined place is a predefined first place, the upstream data packet are transmitted in a lower order timeslot.