Patents by Inventor Thomas L. Johnson

Thomas L. Johnson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9350491
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product is provided for mitigating the effects of burst noise on packets transmitted in a communications system. A transmitting device applies an outer code, which may include, for example, a block code, an exclusive OR (XOR) code, or a repetition code, to one or more packets prior to adaptation of the packets for transmission over the physical (PHY) layer of the communications system, wherein the PHY layer adaptation may include FEC encoding of individual packets. The outer coded packets are then separately transmitted over a channel of the communications system. A receiving device receives the outer coded packets, performs PHY level demodulation and optional FEC decoding of the packets, and then applies outer code decoding to the outer coded packets in order to restore packets that were erased during transmission due to burst noise or other impairments on the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce J. Currivan, Thomas J. Kolze, Daniel H. Howard, Thomas J. Quigley, Nambi Seshadri, Thomas L. Johnson, Scott Cummings, James Harrell, Fred Bunn, Joel Danzig, Stephen Hughey
  • Patent number: 8831024
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for creating dynamic custom headers and for controlling flow rate of Downstream External Physical layer Interface (DEPI) packets are described herein. The method comprises concatenating or fragmenting a packet descriptor of a DEPU packet based on one or more of associated packet size, maximum transmission unit, packet type, channel configuration information and flow control mode. The method further comprises creating a header for the packet based on data in a programmable header template and storing the header in a header buffer, determining whether to transmit the packet based on one of a flow meter or a maximum transmission unit size and transmitting the packet by sending the packet descriptor to an output direct memory access (DMA) controller. A flow meter flow control mode determines if a packet is to be transmitted based on packet size, bucket size, a low threshold and a high threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Michael R. Robinson, Joel I. Danzig, Thomas L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8767776
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for supporting data transfer protocols that extend beyond standard protocols used in conventional data over cable systems. A subscriber station in accordance with the invention determines, during registration, whether a base station with which it communicates is capable of supporting an extended protocol, and if it is, transfers data to the base station in accordance with the extended protocol. Additionally, a base station in accordance with the invention is notified during registration whether or not a subscriber station supports an extended protocol and stores this information. When a request for transmission opportunity is subsequently received from the subscriber station, the base station accesses the stored information to determine if the cable modem supports the extended protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Fred A. Bunn, Thomas L. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20140181611
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product is provided for mitigating the effects of burst noise on packets transmitted in a communications system. A transmitting device applies an outer code, which may include, for example, a block code, an exclusive OR (XOR) code, or a repetition code, to one or more packets prior to adaptation of the packets for transmission over the physical (PHY) layer of the communications system, wherein the PHY layer adaptation may include FEC encoding of individual packets. The outer coded packets are then separately transmitted over a channel of the communications system. A receiving device receives the outer coded packets, performs PHY level demodulation and optional FEC decoding of the packets, and then applies outer code decoding to the outer coded packets in order to restore packets that were erased during transmission due to burst noise or other impairments on the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce J. Currivan, Thomas J. Kolza, Daniel H. Howard, Thomas J. Quigley, Nambi Seshadri, Thomas L. Johnson, Scott Cummings, James Harrell, Fred Bunn, Joel Danzig, Stephen Hughey
  • Patent number: 8667362
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product is provided for mitigating the effects of burst noise on packets transmitted in a communications system. A transmitting device applies an outer code, which may include, for example, a block code, an exclusive OR (XOR) code, or a repetition code, to one or more packets prior to adaptation of the packets for transmission over the physical (PHY) layer of the communications system, wherein the PHY layer adaptation may include FEC encoding of individual packets. The outer coded packets are then separately transmitted over a channel of the communications system. A receiving device receives the outer coded packets, performs PHY level demodulation and optional FEC decoding of the packets, and then applies outer code decoding to the outer coded packets in order to restore packets that were erased during transmission due to burst noise or other impairments on the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce J. Currivan, Thomas J. Kolze, Daniel H. Howard, Thomas J. Quigley, Nambi Seshadri, Thomas L. Johnson, Scott Cummings, James Harrell, Fred Bunn, Joel Danzig, Stephen Hughey
  • Publication number: 20110058540
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for supporting data transfer protocols that extend beyond standard protocols used in conventional data over cable systems. A subscriber station in accordance with the invention determines, during registration, whether a base station with which it communicates is capable of supporting an extended protocol, and if it is, transfers data to the base station in accordance with the extended protocol. Additionally, a base station in accordance with the invention is notified during registration whether or not a subscriber station supports an extended protocol and stores this information. When a request for transmission opportunity is subsequently received from the subscriber station, the base station accesses the stored information to determine if the cable modem supports the extended protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Fred A. Bunn, Thomas L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7849489
    Abstract: A cable modem system and method is provided for supporting data transfer protocols that extend beyond standard protocols used in conventional data over cable systems. A cable modem in accordance with the invention determines, during registration, whether a CMTS with which it communicates is capable of supporting an extended protocol, and if it is, transfers data to the CMTS in accordance with the extended protocol. Additionally, a CMTS in accordance with the invention is notified during registration whether or not a cable modem supports an extended protocol and stores this information. When a request for transmission opportunity is subsequently received from the cable modem, the CMTS accesses the stored information to determine if the cable modem supports the extended protocol. If the cable modem supports the extended protocol, the CMTS processes data received from the cable modem during the transmission opportunity in accordance with that protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Fred A. Bunn, Thomas L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7693186
    Abstract: A method and computer program product for providing RTP suppression across a DOCSIS network. An index number and a set of rules are sent to a receiver. The index number indicates the type of header suppression technique (i.e., RTP header suppression) to be performed, and the set of rules define how to recreate the RTP packets on the receiving end. At least one complete RTP packet is transmitted upstream for enabling a receiver to learn the RTP header. Subsequent RTP packets are transmitted upstream for reconstruction at the receiving end. The subsequent RTP packets are comprised of delta values representing fields that dynamically change from packet to packet in an RTP header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Fred A. Bunn, Thomas L. Johnson, Joel Danzig
  • Publication number: 20090327845
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product is provided for mitigating the effects of burst noise on packets transmitted in a communications system. A transmitting device applies an outer code, which may include, for example, a block code, an exclusive OR (XOR) code, or a repetition code, to one or more packets prior to adaptation of the packets for transmission over the physical (PHY) layer of the communications system, wherein the PHY layer adaptation may include FEC encoding of individual packets. The outer coded packets are then separately transmitted over a channel of the communications system. A receiving device receives the outer coded packets, performs PHY level demodulation and optional FEC decoding of the packets, and then applies outer code decoding to the outer coded packets in order to restore packets that were erased during transmission due to burst noise or other impairments on the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce J. CURRIVAN, Thomas J. Kolze, Daniel H. Howard, Thomas J. Quigley, Nambi Seshadri, Thomas L. Johnson, Scott Cummings, James Harrell, Fred Bunn, Joel Danzig, Stephen Hughey
  • Patent number: 7631242
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product is provided for mitigating the effects of burst noise on packets transmitted in a communications system. A transmitting device applies an outer code, which may include, for example, a block code, an exclusive OR (XOR) code, or a repetition code, to one or more packets prior to adaptation of the packets for transmission over the physical (PHY) layer of the communications system, wherein the PHY layer adaptation may include FEC encoding of individual packets. The outer coded packets are then separately transmitted over a channel of the communications system. A receiving device receives the outer coded packets, performs PHY level demodulation and optional FEC decoding of the packets, and then applies outer code decoding to the outer coded packets in order to restore packets that were erased during transmission due to burst noise or other impairments on the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce J. Currivan, Thomas J. Kolze, Daniel H. Howard, Thomas J. Quigley, Nambi Seshadri, Thomas L. Johnson, Scott Cummings, Jay Harrell, Fred Bunn, Joel Danzig, Stephen Hughley
  • Publication number: 20080304490
    Abstract: A method and computer program product for providing RTP suppression across a DOCSIS network. An index number and a set of rules are sent to a receiver. The index number indicates the type of header suppression technique (i.e., RTP header suppression) to be performed, and the set of rules define how to recreate the RTP packets on the receiving end. At least one complete RTP packet is transmitted upstream for enabling a receiver to learn the RTP header. Subsequent RTP packets are transmitted upstream for reconstruction at the receiving end. The subsequent RTP packets are comprised of delta values representing fields that dynamically change from packet to packet in an RTP header.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Fred A. Bunn, Thomas L. Johnson, Joel Danzig
  • Patent number: 7451235
    Abstract: A method and computer program product for recognizing and optimizing the transmission of TCP/IP style traffic across a DOCSIS network. According to the method of the present invention, a full TCP protocol packet is initially transmitted across a DOCSIS network to be learned by the CMTS. Redundant fields in the TCP protocol packet are entirely suppressed when subsequent TCP protocol packets are transmitted across the DOCSIS network. Non-redundant fields in the TCP protocol packet are delta-encoded using a delta-encoded value when subsequent TCP protocol packets are transmitted. The delta-encoded values represent the change in value of the current TCP packet from the previous TCP packet for a non-redundant field. This enables the CMTS to provide an exact reconstruction of all subsequently transmitted compressed TCP protocol packets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Fred A Bunn, Thomas L Johnson
  • Patent number: 7428247
    Abstract: A method and computer program product for providing RTP suppression across a DOCSIS network. An index number and a set of rules are sent to a receiver. The index number indicates the type of header suppression technique (i.e., RTP header suppression) to be performed, and the set of rules define how to recreate the RTP packets on the receiving end. At least one complete RTP packet is transmitted upstream for enabling a receiver to learn the RTP header. Subsequent RTP packets are transmitted upstream for reconstruction at the receiving end. The subsequent RTP packets are comprised of delta values representing fields that dynamically change from packet to packet in an RTP header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Fred A. Bunn, Thomas L. Johnson, Joel Danzig
  • Patent number: 7423975
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product is provided for classifying a target data packet entering a network interface. For each of a plurality of received classification parameters, at least one program module is generated. Each program module tests a pre-defined field(s) of the target data packet for adherence to the classification parameter(s) with which the program module is associated. A pre-classification header is generated wherein an indication is made of where one or more pre-defined fields are located in the data packet if the field is present. Maintaining locations of the pre-defined fields of the target data packet in the pre-classification header prevents having to recalculate the addresses of the pre-defined fields of the target data packet. Eliminating the need for re-calculating the addresses of the pre-defined field(s) can allow the classification process of the present invention to obtain an optimal execution speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas L Johnson, Joel Danzig, Paul Burrell
  • Publication number: 20080159140
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for creating dynamic custom headers and for controlling flow rate of Downstream External Physical layer Interface (DEPI) packets are described herein. The method comprises concatenating or fragmenting a packet descriptor of a DEPU packet based on one or more of associated packet size, maximum transmission unit, packet type, channel configuration information and flow control mode. The method further comprises creating a header for the packet based on data in a programmable header template and storing the header in a header buffer, determining whether to transmit the packet based on one of a flow meter or a maximum transmission unit size and transmitting the packet by sending the packet descriptor to an output direct memory access (DMA) controller. A flow meter flow control mode determines if a packet is to be transmitted based on packet size, bucket size, a low threshold and a high threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Michael R. ROBINSON, Joel I. DANZIG, Thomas L. JOHNSON
  • Patent number: 7389527
    Abstract: A cable modem system and method is provided for supporting data transfer protocols that extend beyond standard protocols used in conventional data over cable systems. A cable modem in accordance with the invention determines, during registration, whether a CMTS with which it communicates is capable of supporting an extended protocol, and if it is, transfers data to the CMTS in accordance with the extended protocol. Additionally, a CMTS in accordance with the invention is notified during registration whether or not a cable modem supports an extended protocol and stores this information. When a request for transmission opportunity is subsequently received from the cable modem, the CMTS accesses the stored information to determine if the cable modem supports the extended protocol. If the cable modem supports the extended protocol, the CMTS processes data received from the cable modem during the transmission opportunity in accordance with that protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Fred A Bunn, Thomas L Johnson
  • Patent number: 7275115
    Abstract: A cable modem system and method are provided for using a data compression dictionary to transmit compressed payload data in a DOCSIS network while utilizing conventional cable modem termination system (CMTS) equipment. A cable modem system in accordance with the invention includes a cable modem and a CMTS adapted to send and receive compressed payload data. In one example, the cable modem is adapted to compress PDU payload data using a data compression dictionary and the CMTS is adapted to reconstruct the compressed PDU payload data that is received from the cable modem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Fred A Bunn, Thomas L Johnson
  • Patent number: 7130314
    Abstract: A method and computer program product for providing RTP suppression across a DOCSIS network. An index number and a set of rules are sent to a receiver. The index number indicates the type of header suppression technique (i.e., RTP header suppression) to be performed, and the set of rules define how to recreate the RTP packets on the receiving end. At least one complete RTP packet is transmitted upstream for enabling a receiver to learn the RTP header. Subsequent RTP packets are transmitted upstream for reconstruction at the receiving end. The subsequent RTP packets are comprised of delta values representing fields that dynamically change from packet to packet in an RTP header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Fred A. Bunn, Thomas L. Johnson, Joel Danzig
  • Patent number: 7089478
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product is provided for mitigating the effects of burst noise on packets transmitted in a communications system. A transmitting device applies an outer code, which may include, for example, a block code, an exclusive OR (XOR) code, or a repetition code, to one or more packets prior to adaptation of the packets for transmission over the physical (PHY) layer of the communications system, wherein the PHY layer adaptation may include FEC encoding of individual packets. The outer coded packets are then separately transmitted over a channel of the communications system. A receiving device receives the outer coded packets, performs PHY level demodulation and optional FEC decoding of the packets, and then applies outer code decoding to the out6r coded packets in order to restore packets that were erased during transmission due to burst noise or other impairments on the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Cummings, Joel Danzig, Stephen Hughey, Thomas L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6963931
    Abstract: A cable modem system and method is provided for the transfer and processing of data in accordance with specialized data transfer protocols while utilizing conventional cable modem termination system (CMTS) equipment. A cable modem system in accordance with the invention includes a cable modem that provides for the modification of data packets in accordance with one or more proprietary protocols and the addressing of the modified data packets to a CMTS. The CMTS is adapted to reconstruct the data packets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Fred A. Bunn, Thomas L. Johnson