Abstract: A method for controlling gain in a network is provided. The method includes receiving signals for transmission over a network and adjusting the level of the received signals. The method further includes inserting an additional signal indicative of the level adjustment and transmitting the signals and the additional signal over the network. The method also includes extracting the additional signal after transmission over the network and compensating for the level adjustment based on the extracted signal.

Abstract: A method for monitoring at least one telephony communication n-bit channel, wherein one of the bits is a parity bit, includes sampling the parity bit of the n-bit channel. A probable bit error rate is derived from the sampling of the parity bit. The probable bit error rate can be compared to a pre-determined bit error rate value to determine if the at least one telephony communication n-bit channel is corrupted. If the at least one telephony communication n-bit channel is corrupted, the at least one telephony communication n-bit channel is re-allocated to an uncorrupted and unallocated telephony communication n-bit channel. Further, at least one unallocated telephony communication channel can be periodically monitored and error data accumulated to indicate the quality thereof.

Abstract: The communication system includes a hybrid fiber/coax distribution network. A head end provides for downstream transmission of telephony and control data in a first frequency bandwidth over the hybrid fiber/coax distribution network and reception of upstream telephony and control data in a second frequency bandwidth over the hybrid fiber/coax distribution network. The head end includes a head end multicarrier modem for modulating at least downstream telephony information on a plurality of orthogonal carriers in the first frequency bandwidth and demodulating at least upstream telephony information modulated on a plurality of orthogonal carriers in the second frequency bandwidth. The head end further includes a controller operatively connected to the head end multicarrier modem for controlling transmission of the downstream telephony information and downstream control data and for controlling receipt of the upstream control data and upstream telephony information.

Abstract: A detector circuit for radio-frequency signals is formed of a pair of matched diodes disposed on a common substrate which is heated by a temperature responsive feedback circuit to stabilize the temperature of the substrate and the diodes. A capacitor is connected to one or both of the diodes to form a detector of the detector circuit. A bias circuit provides equal bias currents to the two diodes, and an amplifier is connected to the two diodes to extract voltages associated with the bias currents, and to subtract these voltages in a differential manner so as to exclude the effect of bias voltage from an output signal of the amplifier. The amplifier is also coupled to an output terminal of the detector to isolate the detector from subsequent stages of signal processing, as well as to amplify detected signals. The diodes are each, preferably, Schottky diodes for improved dynamic range of signal detection.