Abstract: A method for automatic discovery of a communication network including a hub, a plurality of termination devices, and a plurality of network elements. The method includes (a) associating respective geographic information with each termination device, (b) determining a respective distance of each termination device from the hub, (c) grouping, at least partially based on diagnostic information from the communication network, two or more of the plurality of termination devices sharing a common characteristic, (d) determining a topology of the communication network, and (e) determining a respective characteristic of at least one network element of the plurality of network elements.

Abstract: Facilitating echo cancellation within communication networks is contemplated, such as but not necessarily limited to facilitating echo cancellation within full-duplex (FDX) communication networks. The echo cancellation may optionally be performed with an echo canceller included as part of or otherwise associated with an FDX node used to facilitate interfacing signaling between a digital domain and an analog domain of a FDX or other communication network.

Abstract: A method operable by a communication network gateway for providing communication services includes (a) supporting respective communication links with a plurality of communication service providers, (b) supporting a plurality of virtual local area networks (VLANs), (c) associating each virtual local area network (VLAN) with a respective communication service provider of the plurality of communication service providers, and (d) routing data between each VLAN and the respective communication link of the respective communication service provider associated with the VLAN.

Abstract: A method of modulating a series of input digital symbols of a first modulation scheme is provided. The method is implemented by a transmitter and includes receiving a sequential series of samples of the digital symbols in a first domain of the first modulation scheme. The first domain is one of the time domain and the frequency domain. The method further includes determining a dual of the first modulation scheme. The dual has a second modulation scheme in a second domain that is different from the first domain the second domain is the other of the time domain and the frequency domain. The method further includes applying a 90 degree rotational operation to the second modulation scheme to generate a rotational modulation format, modulating the series of digital symbols with the generated rotational modulation format, and outputting the modulated series of digital symbols to a receiver.

Abstract: A transmitter is configured to transmit data to a receiver over a communications network. The transmitter includes a memory for storing computer-executable instructions and a processor in operable communication with the memory. The processor is configured to (i) collect spectrum data of a spectral band over a first sampling interval, and (ii) store the collected spectrum data in the memory. The transmitter further includes a common path distortion (CPD) detection unit configured to (i) sample the collected spectrum data, over a second sampling interval less than the first sampling interval, for a plurality of sub-bands within the spectral band, (ii) analyze the spectral band and each sub-band for indications of common path distortion, and (iii) inject a test signal configured for detection at a headend of the communications network. The transmitter further includes a modem portion configured to operably communicate with the headend and the receiver.

Abstract: A railroad switch (in USA), turnout, or [set of] points (Europe) is a mechanical installation enabling railway trains to be guided from one track to another, such as at a railway junction or where a spur or siding branches off. This invention describes a rail transportation system that allows vehicles to change tracks at railroad switch locations while all supporting and guiding rails remain static. Vehicles have diverters that apply lateral force to direct the vehicle to go onto the desired track, right, left, or straight ahead. This is enabled by the diverters plus rail wheels that have inside flanges and wide cylindrical surfaces. This innovation allows rail vehicles to travel through a connected rail system like a highway system that is transporting trucks, buses, and cars on paved roads. This system may operate under a computerized traffic control system and allows mass transit systems to respond to ride requests, enabling 24-hour route-adaptive mass transit.

Abstract: A method for transmitting a digital frame by an optical network unit in a digital communications network includes steps of arranging received data into a series of symbols, installing a primary cyclic prefix immediately preceding the series of symbols in time, and inserting individual ones of a plurality of secondary cyclic prefixes between each adjacent pair of symbols in the series of symbols. A length of each secondary cyclic prefix corresponds to a first duration shorter than an amount of time needed to turn on a laser of the optical network unit. The method further includes a step of providing to the optical network unit the digital frame. The digital frame includes the primary cyclic prefix, the plurality of secondary cyclic prefixes, and the series of symbols. The method further includes a step of modulating the provided digital frame by a laser of the optical network unit.

Abstract: A system for detecting a failure along a transmission line of a cable plant is provided. The system includes a mobile vehicle configured to travel along a pathway substantially proximate to the cable plant along a span of the transmission line, and a transmitter disposed with the mobile vehicle. The transmitter is configured to emit (i) a test signal capable of ingressing the transmission line at a location of the failure, and (ii) an information signal containing location and velocity data of the mobile vehicle. The test signal is configured to provide phase shift and Doppler frequency information to a receiver operably connected to the transmission line at a location upstream from the location of the failure.

Abstract: A method for comparing communication links in a communication network includes (a) obtaining first raw equalizer coefficients in a frequency domain, the first raw equalizer coefficients corresponding to a first communication link, (b) obtaining second raw equalizer coefficients in the frequency domain, the second raw equalizer coefficients corresponding to a second communication link, (c) removing time delay from the first raw equalizer coefficients to generate first corrected equalizer coefficients, (d) removing time delay from the second raw equalizer coefficients to generate second corrected equalizer coefficients, and (e) comparing the first corrected equalizer coefficients to the second corrected equalizer coefficients to determine a relationship between the first and second communication links.

Abstract: Mitigation of satellite interference is contemplated. The mitigation may include processing satellite transmissions to remove interferences based on an amount of signal overlap, such as to facilitate mitigating interferences resulting from satellite spacing and/or ground antenna dish size.

Abstract: An amplification subsystem for a communication system includes a downstream amplifier configured to transmit a downstream signal within a first frequency range, an upstream amplifier configured to transmit an upstream signal within a second frequency range, and a bidirectional amplifier configured to selectively transmit a mid-band signal in either of the upstream and downstream direction.

Abstract: A method for equalizer correction in a communication network includes (a) obtaining raw equalizer coefficients in a frequency domain, (b) removing time delay from the raw equalizer coefficients to generate corrected equalizer coefficients in a time domain such that a direct current (DC) corrected equalizer coefficient of the corrected equalizer coefficients has a phase of zero, and (c) converting the corrected equalizer coefficients from the time domain to the frequency domain.

Abstract: A method is provided for calibrating a terminal device connected to a transmission line containing an impairment. The method includes steps of obtaining a sequence of frequency domain samples for a digital signal transmitted to the terminal device, determining a reflection coefficient from the obtained frequency domain sequence and a reflection signal arising from the impairment, converting the sequence of frequency domain samples and the frequency domain reflection signal into the time domain to generate a complex time domain sample sequence having a real I time component and an imaginary Q time component, correcting the time domain sample sequence into a corrected time sequence having a phase value of the Q component corresponding to a phase value of the I component, calculating a correcting spin coefficient from the corrected time sequence, and calibrating the terminal device with the correcting spin coefficient to mitigate a rotation of the reflection coefficient.

Abstract: Generating an assessment of the suitability of cables, ducts, tubes, pipes and/or other hollow-type of conduits to extraction of cores, conductors, insulation, etc. included therein while still buried in the ground or otherwise positioned out-of-sight so as to be unavailable for visual and/or physical inspection is contemplated. The assessment may be used to indicate a suitability of a cable buried in the ground of a hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) cable plant to extraction of the type whereby a core of the cable may be extracted using hydraulics while still buried.

Abstract: A method for transmitting a digital frame by an optical network unit in a digital communications network includes steps of arranging received data into a series of symbols, installing a primary cyclic prefix immediately preceding the series of symbols in time, and inserting individual ones of a plurality of secondary cyclic prefixes between each adjacent pair of symbols in the series of symbols. A length of each secondary cyclic prefix corresponds to a first duration shorter than an amount of time needed to turn on a laser of the optical network unit. The method further includes a step of providing to the optical network unit the digital frame. The digital frame includes the primary cyclic prefix, the plurality of secondary cyclic prefixes, and the series of symbols. The method further includes a step of modulating the provided digital frame by a laser of the optical network unit.

Abstract: A railroad switch (in USA), turnout, or [set of] points (Europe) is a mechanical installation enabling railway trains to be guided from one track to another, such as at a railway junction or where a spur or siding branches off. This invention describes a rail transportation system that allows vehicles to change tracks at railroad switch locations while all supporting and guiding rails remain static. Vehicles have diverters that apply lateral force to direct the vehicle to go onto the desired track, right, left, or straight ahead. This is enabled by the diverters plus rail wheels that have inside flanges and wide cylindrical surfaces. This innovation allows rail vehicles to travel through a connected rail system like a highway system that is transporting trucks, buses, and cars on paved roads. This system may operate under a computerized traffic control system and allows mass transit systems to respond to ride requests, enabling 24-hour route-adaptive mass transit.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for a network test that by capturing in-phase values of a reflected signal off a transmission medium or irregularity therein. The in-phase values are converted to time-domain, which is then halved and converted back to the frequency domain to identify calculated quadrature values associated with the measured in-phase values. The measured in-phase values and calculated quadrature values may be used to determine impedance reflection/transmission characteristics of transmission medium or an irregularity therein. The measured in-phase values and calculated quadrature values may be used to determine if the transmission medium is minimum phase.

Abstract: A method for automatically identifying an impairment of a communication medium includes (1) obtaining a spectrum response of communication signals traveling through the communication medium, (2) converting the spectrum response from a frequency domain to a time domain, to generate an impulse response, and (3) identifying the impairment of the communication medium at least partially based on one or more characteristics of the impulse response.

Abstract: A method for transmitting a digital frame by an optical network unit in a digital communications network includes steps of arranging received data into a series of symbols, installing a primary cyclic prefix immediately preceding the series of symbols in time, and inserting individual ones of a plurality of secondary cyclic prefixes between each adjacent pair of symbols in the series of symbols. A length of each secondary cyclic prefix corresponds to a first duration shorter than an amount of time needed to turn on a laser of the optical network unit. The method further includes a step of providing to the optical network unit the digital frame. The digital frame includes the primary cyclic prefix, the plurality of secondary cyclic prefixes, and the series of symbols. The method further includes a step of modulating the provided digital frame by a laser of the optical network unit.

Abstract: A track system for transporting people and goods with two support rails plus a side stabilizer mechanism associated with one or both rails. The side stabilizer is employed to provide lateral stability and keep a vehicle's rail wheels on the support rails. The side stabilizer may be a protruding bar or a recessed groove. This track system enables vehicles to change support rails at a junction with stationary non-switching rails. Rail wheels roll over the support rails and support the weight of the vehicle while on the rails. Interior side rollers contact the interior of the bar side stabilizer and maintain the vehicle's rail wheels centered over the support rails. Exterior side rollers contact an exterior of one of the bar side stabilizers and forces the vehicle to stay on the current track or to change to a different track. Recessed grooves and dual-flange wheels can alternately provide side stabilization.