Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes a method for controlling a gain of a wideband signal. The method comprises adding a virtual channel to the wideband signal, the wideband signal comprising at least one channel. The method also comprises monitoring an output power associated with the wideband signal that includes the at least one channel and the virtual channel. The method further comprises setting a gain factor to achieve a predetermined output power of the wideband signal and amplifying the wideband signal based on the gain factor.

Abstract: A novel apparatus for and method of upstream power control for multiple transmit channels. The invention is particularly useful in environments that include two level amplification, wherein the first level corresponds to each channel separately and the second level corresponds to the joint sum of all the channels. When working with two-level amplification, changing the joint sum amplification is permitted during specific time periods known as “CMTS re-configuration time” in the DOCSIS specification. The mechanism functions to maintain an optimal transmit power operating point of the PGA using self-configuration without any need to receive permission from an exterior control entity such as the cable head-end thus bypassing the prior art requirement of waiting for a global reconfiguration time from the CMTS (i.e. when the specification assures that there is sufficient time to change the PGA gain).

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes a method for controlling a gain of a wideband signal. The method comprises adding a virtual channel to the wideband signal, the wideband signal comprising at least one channel. The method also comprises monitoring an output power associated with the wideband signal that includes the at least one channel and the virtual channel. The method further comprises setting a gain factor to achieve a predetermined output power of the wideband signal and amplifying the wideband signal based on the gain factor.

Abstract: A novel apparatus and method of differential decoding for use in a communication system such as a cable system. The differential decoding mechanism of the present invention enables the use of the Chase algorithm for Reed Solomon (RS) codes (i.e. non-binary codes). The mechanism is well suited for use in systems employing QAM data modulation/demodulation techniques and that also incorporate use of a differential encoder such as in DOCSIS capable cable modem systems. The differential decoding mechanism is operative to analyze the input to the differential decoder and adjust the decoding action accordingly. The mechanism generates the first and second candidate constellation points needed by the Chase algorithm. Considering the differential encoding, there are four possible constellation candidates. The differential decoder reduces these four possible options to two by eliminating from consideration two of them.

Abstract: A sampling method implements direct RF sampling of the down-stream DOCSIS and Euro-DOCSIS cable plant signals present at the customer premises equipment (CPE).

Abstract: A sampling method implements direct RF sampling of the down-stream DOCSIS and Euro-DOCSIS cable plant signals present at the customer premises equipment (CPE).