Abstract: A desired signal having a wide frequency band and including sequential symbols representing digital values is discriminated from a narrow band interfering signal having a carrier frequency in the wide band by initially applying both signals to a filter so both signals are passed to an output of the filter. In response to the filter output, estimates of the values of received symbols of the desired signal are derived and compared to the filter output to derive an error representing signal. A characteristic of the filter is controlled in response to the error representing signal so the filter is adjusted to reject the interfering signal and pass the desired signal.

Abstract: A network utilizing two or more wiring systems with a bridging function to provide a signal interconnect for communication within and between wiring systems. The bridging function can translate the network signals to a different frequency.

Abstract: A local area network uses coaxial cable wiring for interconnection of terminal devices. A frequency selective network interface device is placed at the building point of entry or another point in the wiring to reflect network signals transmitted by terminal devices back into the building distribution to be received by other terminal devices. By reflecting network upstream signals back into the building as downstream signals, the network interface provides a path for terminal devices to transmit to and receive from other terminal devices.

Abstract: An equalizer for equalizing channel multi-path distortion includes digital filters. To improve the convergence speed and tracking ability of the equalizer while lowering noise and power consumption, the digital filters are divided into sections. Various parameters of the sections, such as step-size, shutdown and update rates can be controlled. Control of the various parameters can be realized either in software on an embedded or external processor or by dedicated hardware.

Abstract: A desired signal having a wide frequency band and including sequential symbols representing digital values is discriminated from a narrow band interfering signal having a carrier frequency in the wide band by initially applying both signals to a filter so both signals are passed to an output of the filter. In response to the filter output, estimates of the values of received symbols of the desired signal are derived and compared to the filter output to derive an error representing signal. A characteristic of the filter is controlled in response to the error representing signal so the filter is adjusted to reject the interfering signal and pass the desired signal.

Abstract: A desired signal having a wide frequency band and including sequential symbols representing digital values is discriminated from a narrow band interfering signal having a carrier frequency in the wide band by initially applying both signals to a filter so both signals are passed to an output of the filter. In response to the filter output, estimates of the values of received symbols of the desired signal are derived and compared to the filter output to derive an error representing signal. A characteristic of the filter is controlled in response to the error representing signal so the filter is adjusted to reject the interfering signal and pass the desired signal.

Abstract: A digital video conversion system housing multiple converter chains of units in a single main box chassis. A preferred embodiment uses only a single conditional access unit to authorize decryption of premium channels in response to a smartcard. The conversion system allows a single converter box sharing consolidated decryption (access control) circuitry and a single remote control receiver to provide video output for multiple television sets on the subscriber's premises. In addition to reducing the subscriber's hardware costs per television set, a common access control allows the video service provider to grant a multiple-set discount on a single smartcard.

Abstract: A demodulator responsive to a symbol containing analog signal includes a pair of relatively inexpensive analog-to-digital converters for sampling I and Q channels of the signal only once per symbol. A derotator responsive to outputs of the converters and a digital signal representing frequency and phase corrections for an input to the demodulator operates in accordance with a CORDIC function to derive I and Q channel digital signals that are compensated by the corrections. A digital phase shifter responsive to at least one of the digital I and Q signals controls when the input is sampled by the converter.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency (RF)-band tuner stage is combined with a quadrature downconverter stage in a single shielded enclosure as an RF-to-baseband pulse amplitude modulated tuner suitable for receiving RF-band signals from an LNB or the like and converting the signals directly to signals in a desired digital format. The bandwidths within the two stages are optimized for digital PAM demodulation, such as PSK or QAM, and certain functions are shared, such as automatic gain control and carrier tracking information. Electronically switchable attenuators and voltage-variable gain controlled amplifiers, in connection with a low-phase-noise local oscillator employing a microstrip resonator, provide for over 70 dB of dynamic range. The IF frequency and bandwidth are selected so that voltage-variable tunable bandpass filters of conventional design may be used to obtain over 40 dB of radio frequency image rejection necessary for reception of PAM signals.

Abstract: L-band tuner stage is combined with a quadrature downconverter stage in a single shielded enclosure as an L-band-to-baseband PSK tuner suitable for receiving L-band signals from an LNB and converting the signals directly to signals in a desired digital format. The bandwidths within the two stages are optimized for digital PSK demodulation, and certain functions are shared, such as automatic gain control and carrier tracking information. Electronically switchable attenuators and voltage-variable gain controlled amplifiers, in connection with a low-phase-noise local oscillator employing a microstrip resonator, provide for over 70 dB of dynamic range. The IF frequency and bandwidth are selected so that voltage-variable tunable bandpass filters of conventional design may be used to obtain over 40 dB of radio frequency (RF) image rejection necessary for reception of PSK signals.

Abstract: A variable digital filter employs a variable rate sample clock with combinations of various digital filter elements such as an efficient implementation of decimation to achieve various filter realizations allowing a selectable output bandwidth. More specifically, a digital filter apparatus is coupled to receive input analog signals from a fixed anti-aliasing analog filter and optionally includes one or several stages of digital decimation filters, a low-pass filter, an optional equalizer, and an optional high-pass filter each of which may be programmed so as to configure the device with a variety of transfer characteristics. The filter device employs an input sample clock in the range of F-K*F, where, in a specific embodiment K is selected to be 2. The selectable combination of elements and stages used to form the filter needed is operative at a broad range of sample rates over a predetermined bandwidth range without loss of resolution.

Abstract: A finite field parallel multiplier in GF(q.sup.m) including a router for directing 2m-1 components in m groups of m single-component signal lines towards m computing circuits for performing multiply and add modulo-q. The router guides m components from a first finite field element along with an additional m-1 components generated from linear combinations of the m components of the first finite field element. Each of the computing circuits receives all of the components from the second finite field element and m components provided by one set of signal lines through the router. Each computing circuit generates a single component for the resultant finite field element. These resulting components may be input through a basis change circuit to obtain a result in the desired basis.

Abstract: A system for data communication between ground stations using an orbiting satellite as a relay includes a technique for avoiding the loss of signals from the satellite during periods of heavy precipitation. Data is communicated from an orbiting satellite to a plurality of earth stations on a single transmission frequency. The data is communicated on two separate transmission channels on that one frequency by using orthogonal channels of a coherent phase quadrature transmission system. The overall data rate on one of the two transmission channels is much lower than the overall data rate on the other of the two channels. The data on the lower data rate channel is less likely to be affected by heavy precipitation occurring in the line of sight between the satellite and the ground station, and the lower data rate channel is thus used to communicate data to a ground station located in an area of heavy precipitation.