Abstract: A multithreaded microprocessor includes a thread scheduler and voltage-frequency scheduler (VFS). The thread scheduler uses application-specified QoS requirements, which include required instruction completion rates, and instruction completion information from execution units to schedule the priorities of the threads at which the thread scheduler issues instructions to the execution units. Concurrently, the VFS uses the instruction completion and QoS information to calculate an aggregate utilization of the microprocessor by all the active threads when it is time to scale the voltage-frequency. The aggregate utilization is an effective measure of the amount of work left to be performed relative to the rate requirements. The VFS scales the voltage-frequency based on the aggregate utilization.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for communicating in a point to multipoint DSL communication network. Preferably, the point to multipoint communication network is established in the environment of a home or small office, and the invention is realized through a computer that may dynamically establish both LAN and WAN communications. Broadly, the system and method are realized by a computer that is configured to assume a role as either a Master or a Slave on a LAN. If the computer is the first (or only) computer powered up on the LAN, then it assumes the role of Master. In this role, the computer establishes a communication link with a WAN (such as with an Internet Service Provider), and directs all WAN communications over the WAN, using a WAN frequency and protocol (such as DSL). As other computers join the LAN, then WAN communications from those computers are relayed through the Master to the WAN. These communications are relayed to the Master using a LAN frequency band.

Abstract: A system that provides a multi-drop local area network (LAN) data transfer with devices on a wide area network (WAN) via a communication network is disclosed. Two methods for managing data traffic flow between individual nodes on a LAN and a WAN are also disclosed. The point to multi-point communication system may be implemented with a digital subscriber line (DSL) transceiver and compatibly configured communication devices coupled with each node or computer on a LAN. In one embodiment, the system uses a master computer on the LAN to manage protocol stacks to control the flow of downstream and upstream data traffic between computers on the LAN and WAN data traffic on a DSL. In a second embodiment, the master computer assigns at least one asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) level virtual connection (VC) to each computer on the LAN.

Abstract: A multi-channel DSL communication link in accordance with the present invention may comprise a plurality of N DSL transceivers each configured with at least two bi-directional serial data interfaces with the first interface of a first transceiver coupled to a communication interface and the second interface of the first transceiver coupled to a first bi-directional serial data port of a second transceiver. Subsequent transceivers may be coupled in this manner with its Nth?1 and Nth+1 nearest transceivers. A method for transferring data between multiple transceivers is also disclosed, which can be described as follows: recovering a mapped portion of a downstream data stream at each of N DSL transceivers; communicating the portion to the next closest transceiver to a communication interface; and mapping an upstream data stream for transmission via the N transceivers; using each respective transceiver's second data interface to communicate a mapped portion to the next furthest transceiver.

Abstract: A method for determining the suitability of a copper line, used for transmitting voice band signals and having one or more user devices coupled thereto for transmitting signals on the copper line, for use in transmitting data signals out-of-band with the voice band signals is provided. The method includes applying a test signal at one point in the copper line. The test signal has a known relationship to a particular out-of-band data transmission scheme. A response of the copper line to the test signal is monitored, as influenced by the one or more user devices. The monitoring takes place at about the point where the test signal was applied. The suitability of the copper line for data transmission using the particular out-of-band data transmission scheme is determined based on the monitored response of the copper line. A method for determining the suitability of a communication line for transmitting data using an out-of-band data transmission protocol is provided.

Abstract: A system and method for modifying the spectrum allocation for DSL and LAN signals in accordance with bandwidth requirements of a small office, home office (SOHO) network is disclosed. After initiation of computers within the SOHO network, a handshake procedure is performed between the SOHO network and a wide area network (WAN). The handshake procedure discloses bandwidth requirements for the SOHO network to perform local communication between local area networks (LANs), and for the SOHO network to communicate with the WAN. As a result, the system modifies the spectrum allocation for digital subscriber line (DSL) and LAN signals associated with the SOHO network such that maximum bandwidth allocation is provided in accordance with actual bandwidth need.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a signal processing and amplifying system that uses advance knowledge of a digital signal, before it is converted to analog form and applied to the input stage of the amplifier stage, to “intelligently” amplify the signal with the maximum power efficiency and minimal distortion. This advance knowledge of the digital signal allows a switch control logic (SCL) unit to open and close solid state switches and seamlessly turn off and on the low and high power stages correctly to minimize the amplifier distortion while conserving power. In one embodiment, the system comprises a shift register, which receives the supplied digital signal to be amplified and delays the digital signal by a known amount, a digital to analog converter, an amplifying circuit, which is made up of at least two amplifiers, and an SCL unit. The SCL unit comprises control logic, and multiple solid state switches.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for upgrading a telecommunication system including a central office (CO), a digital loop carrier (DLC), and a plurality of customer premises equipment (CPE). Broadly, the present invention is realized by the retrofit of a DLC to enable the DLC to communicate with a CO through high bandwidth wireless transmissions. The high bandwidth wireless transmissions accommodate much larger data throughput than previously accommodated through the copper “backhaul” of multiple T1 circuits. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a telecommunications system comprises a CO, a DLC, and a plurality of CPE. Each of the plurality of CPE are electrically connected to the DLC. A radio frequency (RF) interface circuit is disposed at the DLC, along with one or more DSL line cards. A first wireless transceiver disposed at the DLC, and is electrically connected to the radio frequency interface circuit.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for establishing a point to multipoint communication network. Preferable, the point to multipoint communication network is established in the environment of a home of small office, and the invention is realized through a computer that may dynamically establish both LAN and WAN communications. Broadly, the system and method of the present invention are realized by a computer that is configured to assume a role as either a Master or a Slave on a LAN. If the computer is the first (or only) computer powered up on the LAN, then it assumes the role of Master. In this role, the computer establishes a communication link with a WAN (such as with an Internet Service Provider), and directs all WAN communications over the WAN, using a WAN frequency and protocol (such as DSL). As other computers join the LAN, then WAN communications from those computers are relayed through the Master to the WAN.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a computer system having novel circuitry for coupling peripheral cards to a power line network. In this regard, the computer includes a switching power supply having coupling circuitry for coupling an electrical signal with a power line, a filter circuit electrically connected to the coupling means for receiving an electrical signal from the coupling means and filtering the received signal, and an amplifier circuit electrically connected to the filter circuit for amplifying the filtered signal. The computer system also includes at least one peripheral circuit (e.g., PC card). An infrared transmitter is coupled to the amplifier circuit for transmitting an infrared signal. Finally, the computer includes an infrared receiver coupled to the peripheral circuit for receiving the scattered infrared signal. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a power line adapter is provided for communicating signals between a power line and a computer.

Abstract: A combined cable/digital subscriber line (DSL) modem and method for data transmission. Upstream data is transmitted to a data communications network through a two wire pair to a central office using unidirectional DSL transmission. Downstream data is transmitted from the data communications network to the combined cable/DSL modem via a cable network using unidirectional cable transmission. Thus, bi-directional data communications is established using two unidirectional transmission links for faster and more efficient data communication.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for communicating in a point to multipoint DSL communication network. Preferably, the point to multipoint communication network is established in the environment of a home or small office, and the invention is realized through a computer that may dynamically establish both LAN and WAN communications. Broadly, the system and method are realized by a computer that is configured to assume a role as either a Master or a Slave on a LAN. If the computer is the first (or only) computer powered up on the LAN, then it assumes the role of Master. In this role, the computer establishes a communication link with a WAN (such as with an Internet Service Provider), and directs all WAN communications over the WAN, using a WAN frequency and protocol (such as DSL). As other computers join the LAN, then WAN communications from those computers are relayed through the Master to the WAN. These communications are relayed to the Master using a LAN frequency band.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring a local network from particular nodes of a remote network is provided. A transmission medium forms a local network by connecting the nodes within the customer premise. The transmission medium also forms a remote network through a subscriber line which connects the customer premise to the remote service provider. The transmission medium is used for voice band communication between the customer premise and the remote service provider, for data band communication within the local network, and for data band communication between the local network and the remote service provider. A master node is coupled between the local network within the customer premise and the subscriber line to control data band communications between the local network and the remote service provider.

Abstract: An adaptive computing device includes a processing unit connected to receive instructions for execution and a random access memory storing microcode for access by the processing unit to carry out steps for executing the instructions. The microcode is loaded into the random access memory from a source of microcodes tailored for efficient execution of the instructions received by the processing unit. The adaptive computing unit may further include control logic responsive to the instructions for execution to request a loading of microcode into the random access memory from the source of microcodes. The adaptive computing unit may further include control logic responsive to signals generated external to the computing unit to request loading of microcode into the random access memory from the source of microcodes.

Abstract: An improved network adapter and architecture which combines the Ethernet bus access protocol with a digital subscriber line-based physical layer driver to provide improved performance. The use of a digital subscriber line-based physical layer driver, such as the DSL physical layer, in conjunction with the Ethernet protocol provides low cost and compatibility advantages associated with Ethernet in conjunction with the improved reliability, robustness, bandwidth, and noise resistance of the DSL layer. This allows standard Ethernet networking on noisy transmission media such as category 3 twisted pair, power lines, and other previously unusable channels.

Abstract: A communication system includes a network of nodes connected in a multipoint configuration. Each of the nodes is configured to concurrently communicate with the other nodes on a point-to-point basis using, for example, a channelization characterization protocol such as DMT or CAP. The network may be a local area network in which the nodes are connected to each other via telephone wiring. Other telephone equipment may also use the telephone wiring concurrently, including a telephone using the telephone wiring for voice communication or a modem using the telephone wiring for data communication.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing concurrent local and remote network data transfers on a common data transmission link using frequency bandwidth partitioning and reservation is provided. Multiple frequency bandwidth segments are configured for remote data transmissions between the local network and the remote service provider. Selected frequency bandwidth segments are reserved for local data transmissions by preventing, under the control of the local network, the reserved frequency bandwidth segment from being configured for the remote data transmissions. Concurrent local and remote data transmissions are allowed on the common transmission medium, where the local data transfers occur on the reserved frequency bandwidth segments, and the remote data transfers occur on the remaining non-reserved frequency bandwidth segments.

Abstract: A device and system for isolating voice and data signals transmitted on an internal telephone wire network is disclosed. The device further includes voice and/or data connectors coupled to the network. One or more filters are coupled between the network and the voice and data connectors to respectively filter out data and voice signals being transmitted on the network. The internal telephone wire network may be used as a transmission medium for local data transfers. The local data transfers may be performed using digital subscriber line data transmission technologies. The device may be adapted to connect to a standard telephone connector of the network.

Abstract: An arrangement and method using power more efficiently for signal amplification. The approach is particularly advantageous in application environments where digital information is converted to the analog domain and carried at a variety of different magnitudes. One embodiment involves a signal processing and amplifying arrangement including a digital-to-analog converter, an amplifier and a control signal selection circuit. The digital-to-analog converter receives a digital signal and outputs, in response to the digital signal, an analog signal. The amplifier amplifies the analog signal using power received from a high-level supply and a low-level supply, at least one of which has a variable setting in response to a control signal. The amplifier is configured and arranged to amplify the analog signal. The control signal selection circuit is responsive to the digital signal, and is used for selecting the control signal to cause the supplies to the amplifier to track the expected magnitude of the analog signal.