Abstract: End-user software is used to select lists of values of control signals from a predetermined design of a processor, and a unique value of an opcode is assigned to each selected list of values of control signals. The assignments, of opcode values to lists of values of control signals, are used to create a new processor design customized for the end-user software, followed by synthesis, place and route, and netlist generation based on the new processor design, followed by configuring an FPGA based on the netlist, followed by execution of the end-user software in customized processor implemented by the FPGA. Different end-user software may be used as input to generate different assignments, of opcode values to lists of control signal values, followed by generation of different netlists. The different netlists may be used at different times, to reconfigure the same FPGA, to execute different end-user software optimally at different times.

Abstract: An optical signal return path system analog RF signals are sampled using a master clock frequency, and combined with digital data such as Ethernet data at a cable node. The cable node sends the combined signals on a return path over a fiber optic medium to the cable hub. The cable hub extracts an approximate in-frequency replicate of a master clock signal, and can use the replicate master clock signal to desample the digitized RF signals back to analog. The cable hub can further use the replicate of the master clock signal to serialize Ethernet data, and send the Ethernet data back to the cable node via an optical cable in the forward direction. Accordingly, a single master clock signal can be used on a CATV network for encoding/decoding, and transmitting a variety of data signals, which enhances the integrity and reliability of the data signals.

Abstract: A cable node and a cable hub that communicate on a CATV network are configured to switch communication modes without signal loss or degradation due to delays in switching communication modes. In particular, a cable node sends one or more mute commands in an outgoing data stream to the cable hub, causing the cable hub to disable the RF outputs. Afterward, or along with the one or more mute commands, the cable node can send a switch mode command, thereby causing the cable hub to switch to the appropriate next communication mode, such as a communication mode using a new compression rate. When the cable hub has switched to the appropriate next communication mode, the cable hub can then properly receive and decode a corresponding data stream using the next communication mode.

Abstract: An efficient means for transmitting digitized return path signals over a cable television return path is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, the cable television return path includes a node that receives an analog return signal from a subtree of the cable television system and generates a digital transport signal representative of the analog return path signal. The digital transport signal, however, is not a digitized form of the analog return signal. Rather, the digital transport signal is encoded such that fewer bits are used to represent the analog return signal without substantially impacting the accuracy and dynamic range of the signal. At the hub, the digital transport signal is decoded and converted to produce an analog signal that is a close approximation of the analog return signal.

Abstract: A cable node and a cable hub that communicate on a CATV network are configured to switch compression modes without signal noise or degradation due to excessive delays in switching compression modes. In particular, a cable node sends one or more mute commands in an outgoing data stream to the cable hub, causing the cable hub to disable the RF outputs. Afterward, or along with the one or more mute commands, the cable node can send a switch mode command, thereby causing the cable hub to switch to the appropriate next communication mode, such as a communication mode using a new compression rate. When the cable node and the cable hub have switched to the appropriate next communication mode, the cable hub can then properly receive a corresponding data stream from the cable node using the next communication mode.

Abstract: An efficient means for transmitting digitized return path signals over a cable television return path is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, the cable television return path includes a node that receives an analog return signal from a subtree of the cable television system and generates a digital transport signal representative of the analog return path signal. The digital transport signal, however, is not a digitized form of the analog return signal. Rather, the digital transport signal is encoded such that fewer bits are used to represent the analog return signal without substantially impacting the accuracy and dynamic range of the signal. At the hub, the digital transport signal is decoded and converted to produce an analog signal that is a close approximation of the analog return signal.