Abstract: A method of controlling FPA system stabilization includes calculating FPA adjustments as a function of FPA temperature and adjusting a TEC set point to assist the FPA adjustments in attaining a predetermined level of FPA performance. Adjusting the TEC set point can include adjusting the TEC set point as a function of at least one of ambient temperature, FPA temperature, or disparity between the predetermined level of FPA performance and a level of FPA performance obtainable by calculating the FPA adjustments as a function of FPA temperature alone without adjusting the TEC set point.

Abstract: A method includes writing sample data from a media recording device to a digital memory card, wherein the sample data includes predetermined characteristics, determining a length of write time to write the sample data to the digital memory card, and calculating actual write speed between the media recording device and the digital memory card. In certain embodiments, writing the sample data can include writing the sample data from a sample module of a media recording device to the digital memory card.

Abstract: A method of controlling FPA system stabilization includes calculating FPA adjustments as a function of FPA temperature and adjusting a TEC set point to assist the FPA adjustments in attaining a predetermined level of FPA performance. Adjusting the TEC set point can include adjusting the TEC set point as a function of at least one of ambient temperature, FPA temperature, or disparity between the predetermined level of FPA performance and a level of FPA performance obtainable by calculating the FPA adjustments as a function of FPA temperature alone without adjusting the TEC set point.

Abstract: An improved multi-channel receiver for satellite broadcast applications or the like. In an exemplary embodiment, a primary AGC loop controls an analog sub-receiver adapted to simultaneously receive multiple signals. Multiple digital demodulators, coupled to the sub-receiver, demodulate the multiple received signals. Multiple secondary AGC loops, one for each received signal, compensate for variations in demodulated signal strengths caused by the primary AGC loop. A feed-forward AGC compensation technique generates scalar control values for scaling the demodulated signals before the demodulated signals are processed by the secondary AGC loops. This at least partially compensates for gain variations caused by the primary AGC, reducing received signal drop-outs before the secondary AGC loops can compensate for the gain variations.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a satellite radio receiver is capable of simultaneously processing (i) a first radio channel that is playing on a first speaker and (ii) a second radio channel, different from the first radio channel, that is not playing on the first speaker. The second radio channel can simultaneously be playing on a second speaker, be recorded onto a non-volatile memory, and/or have its processing modified. A user can control the satellite radio receiver using vocal commands, while the first channel is playing on the first speaker. The radio receiver has a microphone connected to a voice-recognition command interpreter that includes an interfering-sound canceller, which reduces sounds interfering with the vocal commands, and a command-recognition module, which recognizes vocal commands and provides a control signal to a multi-channel control processor, which processes and controls the first and second radio channels, received from corresponding decoders connected to a satellite radio receiver antenna.

Abstract: An improved multi-channel receiver for satellite broadcast applications or the like. In an exemplary embodiment, a primary AGC loop controls an analog sub-receiver adapted to simultaneously receive multiple signals. Multiple digital demodulators, coupled to the sub-receiver, demodulate the multiple received signals. Multiple secondary AGC loops, one for each received signal, compensate for variations in demodulated signal strengths caused by the primary AGC loop. A feed-forward AGC compensation technique generates scalar control values for scaling the demodulated signals before the demodulated signals are processed by the secondary AGC loops. This at least partially compensates for gain variations caused by the primary AGC, reducing received signal drop-outs before the secondary AGC loops can compensate for the gain variations.

Abstract: An improved multi-channel receiver for satellite broadcast applications or the like. In an exemplary embodiment, a primary AGC loop controls an analog sub-receiver adapted to simultaneously receive multiple signals. Multiple digital demodulators, coupled to the sub-receiver, demodulate the multiple received signals. Multiple secondary AGC loops, one for each received signal, compensate for variations in demodulated signal strengths caused by the primary AGC loop. A feed-forward AGC compensation technique generates scalar control values for scaling the demodulated signals before the demodulated signals are processed by the secondary AGC loops. This at least partially compensates for gain variations caused by the primary AGC, reducing received signal drop-outs before the secondary AGC loops can compensate for the gain variations.

Abstract: Advance training information is provided to a receiving Home network station via auxiliary coding, synchronized and/or included in the relevant Ethernet type packet. The advance training information may be, e.g., past equalizer, timing recovery circuit, AGC circuit, echo canceler values resulting from the reception of a previous frame. The training information may be, e.g., an early identity of the source of the packet, with a subsequent lookup performed by the receiving station for predetermined training value(s), or the training values themselves may be transmitted to the home network receiver via auxiliary coding. The auxiliary coding information may be transmitted before and/or during the frame training period of the relevant frame.

Abstract: An improved multi-channel receiver for satellite broadcast applications or the like. In an exemplary embodiment, the receiver has an adaptive equalizer configurable to operate with QPSK or 8PSK modulated signals. In the equalizer, a slicer table memory responsive to an 8-level quantizer (slicer) and a select signal is configured to map the output of the quantizer into QPSK or 8PSK symbol coordinates depending on whether the QPSK or the 8PSK signal is being received. The slicer table memory may be loaded with the symbol coordinates calculated from data in the 8PSK signal. A pattern matcher determines if the 8PSK or the QPSK signal is being received and asserts the select signal to configure the slicer table memory accordingly.

Abstract: A method for extending a tracking range of a PLL includes the steps of: establishing an initial tracking window of the PLL, the tracking window having a first width associated therewith; and dynamically adjusting the tracking window of the PLL within an extended tracking range when a frequency of an input signal supplied to the PLL is outside of the tracking window, the extended tracking range having a second width associated therewith which is greater than the first width.

Abstract: A method for extending a tracking range of a PLL includes the steps of: establishing an initial tracking window of the PLL, the tracking window having a first width associated therewith; and dynamically adjusting the tracking window of the PLL within an extended tracking range when a frequency of an input signal supplied to the PLL is outside of the tracking window, the extended tracking range having a second width associated therewith which is greater than the first width.

Abstract: An improved multi-channel receiver for satellite broadcast applications or the like. In an exemplary embodiment, an AGC loop, under the control of an AGC processor, controls the gain of an analog sub-receiver adapted to simultaneously receive multiple signals to achieve a desired AGC setpoint signal intensity from the sub-receiver. Multiple digital demodulators, coupled to the sub-receiver by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), demodulate the multiple received signals. The AGC controller, based upon which of the received signals are being demodulated, selects the desired AGC setpoint from a table of setpoints. The AGC controller may also provide selective power control to circuitry in the receiver and select the resolution of the ADC. The controller updates the AGC loop with step values selected from a group of values by an AGC control algorithm. Different groups of step values may be used by the controller depending on whether the signals are fading or not.

Abstract: A back-up solution is presented for a DSL modem that guarantees essentially uninterrupted data connections in the event of a failure in the DSL connection. When a DSL data connection fails, e.g., due to changes of the local loop characteristics in the high frequency band, a voice-band modem is used in conjunction with an amplitude modulator/demodulator to keep the data connection uninterrupted by shifting the voice-band modem signal up to DSL frequencies, transmitting the data at this higher frequency over the local loop between the subscriber and a DSLAM, and then shifting the voice-band modem signal back to a “normal” frequency and demodulating this signal using the voice-band modem before it enters the data network. Since the frequency band used is at a frequency higher than that of voice communications, the subscriber can continue to use the local loop to conduct voice communications or any other communications that require use of the voice band frequencies, such as facsimile and V.

Abstract: A self calibrating network comprises a first node and a second node. The first node transmits a calibration data packet. The second node receives the calibration data packet and determines a calibration value for the second node to optimize the transfer of data from the first node to the second node.

Abstract: An improved multi-channel receiver for satellite broadcast applications or the like. In an exemplary embodiment, an AGC loop, under the control of an AGC processor, controls the gain of an analog sub-receiver adapted to simultaneously receive multiple signals to achieve a desired AGC setpoint signal intensity from the sub-receiver. Multiple digital demodulators, coupled to the sub-receiver by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), demodulate the multiple received signals. The AGC controller, based upon which of the received signals are being demodulated, selects the desired AGC setpoint from a table of setpoints. The AGC controller may also provide selective power control to circuitry in the receiver and select the resolution of the ADC. The controller updates the AGC loop with step values selected from a group of values by an AGC control algorithm. Different groups of step values may be used by the controller depending on whether the signals are fading or not.

Abstract: A system and method, associated with a receiver, for increasing the range or bandwidth of a wireless digital communication network and a receiver incorporating the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a service class detector configured to determine a service class of a PDU received by the receiver from the wireless digital communication network and (2) a frame check sequence checker coupled to the service class detector and configured to disregard error-checking information in the PDU when the service class indicates that the PDU is a streaming media PDU.

Abstract: A self calibrating network comprises a first node and a second node. The first node transmits a calibration data packet. The second node receives the calibration data packet and determines a calibration value for the second node to optimize the transfer of data from the first node to the second node.

Abstract: An improved multi-channel receiver for satellite broadcast applications or the like. In an exemplary embodiment, the receiver has an adaptive equalizer configurable to operate with QPSK or 8PSK modulated signals. In the equalizer, a slicer table memory responsive to an 8-level quantizer (slicer) and a select signal is configured to map the output of the quantizer into QPSK or 8PSK symbol coordinates depending on whether the QPSK or the 8PSK signal is being received. The slicer table memory may be loaded with the symbol coordinates calculated from data in the 8PSK signal. A pattern matcher determines if the 8PSK or the QPSK signal is being received and asserts the select signal to configure the slicer table memory accordingly.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a satellite radio receiver is capable of simultaneously processing (i) a first radio channel that is playing on a first speaker and (ii) a second radio channel, different from the first radio channel, that is not playing on the first speaker. The second radio channel can simultaneously be playing on a second speaker, be recorded onto a non-volatile memory, and/or have its processing modified. A user can control the satellite radio receiver using vocal commands, while the first channel is playing on the first speaker. The radio receiver has a microphone connected to a voice-recognition command interpreter that includes an interfering-sound canceller, which reduces sounds interfering with the vocal commands, and a command-recognition module, which recognizes vocal commands and provides a control signal to a multi-channel control processor, which processes and controls the first and second radio channels, received from corresponding decoders connected to a satellite radio receiver antenna.

Abstract: A self calibrating network comprises a first node and a second node. The first node transmits a calibration data packet. The second node receives the calibration data packet and determines a calibration value for the second node to optimize the transfer of data from the first node to the second node.