Abstract: A system estimates flow parameters associated with a fluid flow encountering a bluff body. The system includes multiple sensors distributed on a surface of a bluff body. The system further includes input circuitry and a sensor processing unit. The input circuitry receives a signal from each of the multiple sensors. The sensor processing unit determines noise levels associated with each of the multiple sensors due to the fluid flow encountering the bluff body. The sensor processing unit further assigns weights to each of the multiple sensors based on the determined noise levels and estimates the fluid flow direction based on the assigned weights.

Abstract: The present invention presents a method for use with an acoustic sensor array comprised of a number of pressure-vector sensors capable of sensing the acoustic scalar field and acoustic vector field of an acoustic wave. The method is a signal processing technique that utilizes nonlinear processing of pressure-vector sensor signals in the acoustic sensor array. The method involves the steps of receiving the sensor output values, processing the output values using a non-linear algorithm to create a mathematical series of values, transforming the series, applying weighting to the series and performing a summation of the values in the series to calculate the array directivity response. The array directivity response can then be further processed where the array is part of a sonar system.

Abstract: A novel operation regime for capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (cMUTs). The collapse-snapback operation in which the center of the membrane makes intermittent contact with the substrate. This combines two distinct states of the membrane (in-collapse and out-of-collapse) to unleash unprecedented acoustic output pressures into the medium. The collapse-snapback operation utilizes a larger range of membrane defection profiles (both collapsed and released membrane profiles) and generates higher acoustic output pressures than the conventional operation. Collapse-snapback operation meets the extreme acoustic transmit pressure demands of the ultrasonic industry.

Abstract: The invention concerns a timepiece including a mechanical power source (1) coupled, on the one hand, to first means (5) displaying time related information and, on the other hand, to a generator (2), a regulator circuit (6) for enslaving the generator frequency to a reference frequency, said regulator circuit including switching means (7) arranged for electrically braking the generator when the generator frequency is higher than the reference frequency, and second power-reserve display means (12a) controlled by means for measuring the power-reserve (12b), said timepiece being characterized in that it further includes means (11) for accumulating the electrical energy dissipated during the generator braking periods and means (13) for actuating said second display means to display the power-reserve by means of the electrical energy accumulated.

Abstract: An oscillator circuit includes (2n+1) inverters connected in series when n is a natural number, an integrator circuit having an input terminal connected to an output terminal of a (2n+1)-th inverter and an output terminal connected to an input terminal of a first inverter, first and second p-type transistors connected in series between the input terminal of the first inverter and a first reference potential, and first and second n-type transistors connected in series between the input terminal of the first inverter and a second reference potential. An output voltage of a j-th inverter is applied to control electrodes of the first p-type transistor and the first n-type transistor. An output voltage of a k-th inverter is applied to control-electrodes of the second p-type transistor and the second n-type transistor. Symbol j is an odd number, k is an even number, and j<k=2n is satisfied.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium for thermo-magnetic printing has an ultra-high recording density and is resistant to thermal decay of magnetization. An intermediate layer of the medium is provided between a first recording layer using a low-noise Co alloy ferromagnetic substance and a second recording layer using a ferrimagnetic substance (e.g., a rare-earth element-transition metal compound) having a compensation temperature below an operation ambient temperature. A magnetic field is applied thereto to form a magnetization pattern on the first recording layer. It is then heated-up to be printed onto the second recording layer, which has a higher coercivity at the ambient temperature, and a recording field is suitably set to form a magnetization pattern only on the first recording layer. The magnetization pattern is printed from the first recording layer to the second recording layer.

Abstract: A record carrier has a servo track indicating an information track intended for recording information blocks, which servo track has a variation of a physical parameter, referred to as wobble. The wobble is modulated for encoding record carrier information, such as addresses. The servo track is subdivided in non-modulated and parts modulated parts in which the frequency and/or phase of the variation deviates from the wobble frequency. The slope of the wobble is substantially continuous at transitions between the modulated and non-modulated parts by using wobbles starting at the maxima or minima of the wobble.

Abstract: An optical disk unit of this invention includes a defocus detecting system for detecting a defocus of an objective lens, a thickness unevenness detecting system for detecting a thickness unevenness of a transparent resin layer provided nearest the objective lens of a recording medium, and a thickness unevenness correcting mechanism for changing the focusing characteristic of light impinging upon the objective lens based on a change in the thickness of the transparent resin layer detected by the thickness detecting system.

Abstract: An optical disk unit of this invention includes a defocus detecting system for detecting a defocus of an objective lens, a thickness unevenness detecting system for detecting a thickness unevenness of a transparent resin layer provided nearest the objective lens of a recording medium, and a thickness unevenness correcting mechanism for changing the focusing characteristic of light impinging upon the objective lens based on a change in the thickness of the transparent resin layer detected by the thickness detecting system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a focus control apparatus having a controller which generates a control signal and performs focus operation when the peak timing of a focus sum signal based on reflected light and the zero-crossing timing of a focus error signal are detected to substantially coincide with each other in supplying a control signal to a lens actuator driver for supplying a driving signal to a lens actuator for driving a lens. The invention also relates to an optical disk apparatus using the focus control apparatus. By detecting coincidence of the two timings, two reflected waves are discriminated, and stable focus operation is achieved.

Abstract: An optical-disc driving apparatus for an optical disc includes a pickup; a detection unit for detecting a traverse signal by differential push-pull (DPP) detection for every radial tilt angle within a first range, the radial tilt angle being measured between the optical disc and the pickup; a determination unit for determining the radial tilt angle corresponding to a traverse signal within a second range including a maximum value among the detected traverse signals; and a control unit for controlling the orientation of the pickup with respect to the optical disc based on the determined radial tilt angle. The optical-disc driving apparatus controls driving of the optical disc based on the traverse signal by DPP detection generated from a preceding beam, a main beam, and a succeeding beam.

Abstract: On an optical disk in a recording and/or playback apparatus, the position at which the thickness error of a light transmission layer is in the optical axis of an objective lens 11, and the position at which the recording/playback of information is performed is in the optical axis of a two-group objective lens 20, so that they are spaced apart from each other, making it impossible to accurately detect the thickness error at the position where the recording/playback of information is performed. Further, to chronologically compensate for the space between them, an excess circuit is required. In view of this, a first reflection light 107a reflected by a medium surface 106a of the optical disk is received to detect the focal error with respect to the medium surface, and a second reflection light 107b reflected by the surface of a light transmission layer 106b formed on the medium surface 106a to detect the focal error with respect to the surface of the light transmission layer 106b.

Abstract: An optical pickup in which a plate 2 provided with a photodiode 22 is bonded to an optical bench 1 through an adhesive agent layer 3 in a state in which a minute gap ? is maintained between the plate 2 and the optical bench 1. Circular through holes 27 are formed in advance at a plurality of portions of the plate 2. The adhesive agent layer 3 is formed as an adhesive agent injected into the through holes 27 at the plurality of portions is forced out downward through the through holes 27 and is cured in the state of having reached an upper surface 12 of the optical bench 1. The amount of the adhesive agent injected with respect to each of the through holes is controlled so as to be fixed.

Abstract: An information recording medium according to an aspect of this invention includes a data area (A2) for recording user data and an address area (DMA address area) for recording address data that indicates the position of a defect management area that manages a defect present in the data area.

Abstract: In step S1, the address generator generates address information composed of a sync signal which is recorded on an optical disc, address data and an error correction code for the address data, pre-encodes and supplies it to a modulator. At the same time, a carrier signal generator generates a carrier signal which is to carry the address information, and supplies it to the modulator. In step S2, the modulator makes MSK modulation of the carrier signal supplied from the carrier signal generator on the basis of the pre-encoded address information supplied from the address generator, and supplies a resultant MSK modulation signal to a wobbling unit. In step S3, the wobbling unit forms, on the optical disc, a spiral groove wobbled adaptively to the MSK modulation signal supplied from the modulator. In this optical disc, a given address can be accessed quickly and accurately.

Abstract: A phase locked loop (PLL) for generating an output signal according to an input signal is disclosed. The PLL of the present invention includes a detector for generating a detection signal according to the logical difference between the input signal and a feedback signal, a signal mixer electrically connected to the detector for generating a control signal according to the detection signal and a mixing reference signal, a filtering device electrically connected to the signal mixer for generating an adjust signal according to the control signal, a controllable oscillator electrically connected to the filtering device for generating the output signal according to the adjust signal, and a frequency divider electrically connected to the controllable oscillator for generating the feedback signal and the mixing reference signal according to the output signal. The frequency of the output signal is at least twice the frequency of the input signal.

Abstract: An information storage apparatus characterized in that provided with: a data writing unit that writes the data in a data-storable information recording medium; a control information writing unit that writes control information in a predetermined region of the information recording medium, the control information being related to the data-writing by said data writing unit; and a conditional control information writing unit that, while the data writing unit is writing the data in the information recording medium, if a predetermined condition is satisfied, writes the control information in the predetermined region of the information recording medium, the control information being related to the data-writing for the meantime by the data writing unit. If the predetermined condition is satisfied, the control information is written in the predetermined region of the information recording medium.

Abstract: An information storage medium and an apparatus for recording and/or reproducing the information storage medium capable of controlling optimal recording power without an influence of an optimal power control (OPC) area in a layer upon an OPC area in a different layer. The information storage medium includes at least one information storage layer including an optimal power control area for obtaining an optical recording condition. OPC areas in adjacent information storage layers are disposed within different radiuses of the information storage medium. Accordingly, even when the information storage medium is made eccentric or has a manufacturing error, a recording property of the information storage medium is prevented from being degraded due to an influence of an OPC area in an information storage layer upon an OPC area in an adjacent information storage layer.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk having a plurality of data tracks, wherein each data track comprises a plurality of data sectors, and a head is actuated over the disk. A suspect sector list (SSL) stores a plurality of SSL entries, wherein each SSL entry identifies at least one suspect data sector. The disk drive further comprises a disk controller for executing an access command received from a host computer to access at least one of the data sectors. If an error is detected while executing the access command, the disk controller generates an SSL entry having a priority level selected from at least three priority levels and adds the SSL entry to the SSL. A verification operation is executed for each suspect data sector identified by each SSL entry, wherein the SSL entries are processed relative to the priority level assigned to each SSL entry.

Abstract: A disc type determining apparatus in a disc recording and reproducing apparatus in which vibrations generated by rotations of a disc occur in a focus and tracking control actuator includes an error gain adjusting unit, which adjusts an amplitude of a focus and tracking error in order to maintain a constant amplitude of the focus and tracking error; a loop gain adjusting unit which compares the closed loop phase of the focus and tracking control loop and a predetermined reference closed loop phase, and maintains a constant gain of the focus and tracking control loop; a vibration measuring unit which measures vibrations using the adjusted error and the output of a controller; and a disc type determining unit which extracts a predetermined signal to determine the type of a disc using the measured vibrations, measures the deflection, eccentricity, and mass eccentricity of a disc using the extracted signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for a replay or recording appliance for optical recording media having an inclination control system for vertical alignment of the scanning beam with respect to optical recording media. In order to exclude other factors which, in addition to the inclination of the scanning beam, influence the radio-frequency signal which is detected by the recording medium, without any additional inclination sensors from the disadvantageous influence of the inclination control, an inclination control system is provided which uses the lower envelope curve signal of a radio-frequency signal which is detected by the optical recording medium and represents the dark value of the detected radio-frequency signal.

Abstract: A recording medium having at least a lead-in area, a data recording area to which data is recorded, and a lead-out area, wherein the data recording area comprises a first recording area portion to which data that has been encoded with an error correction code is recorded; and a second recording area portion to which at least data that has been encoded with a plurality of types of generation polynomials as error correction codes.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an information recording and reproducing technique capable of improving the reliability of information recorded on a recording medium. A recording condition comprising amplitude information and the ratio of the amplitude to the recording power is previously recorded on the recording medium. Using this previously recorded information, information is recorded and then immediately reproduced to calculate the optimum recording power from the amplitude information obtained from the reproduced signal. By adapting the recording condition accordingly, it is possible to secure reliability of information in performance.

Abstract: When a bias power level of a recording pulse waveform is varied entirely or partially, a shape of the recording pulse wave form is varied according to the variation. For example, when the bias power level is increased, a width or an edge position of a top pulse or a multi-pulse of the recording pulse waveform is varied correspondingly. Thereby, a total heat quantity of a recording laser light is not increased, and a preferable recording characteristic is maintained.

Abstract: A reproduction signal processing apparatus includes: a reproduction unit, an A/D converter for sampling a reproduction signal to obtain a multi-bit digital signal, a phase-locked loop controller for outputting a reproduction clock that is in phase with clock components included in the reproduction signal from an oscillator, a frequency divider for frequency-dividing the reproduction clock, an operation clock switching unit for selecting an operation clock, a filter for performing digital equalization, a filter coefficient learning unit for adaptively controlling the filter coefficients to minimize an equalization error, and an equalization error correcting unit for performing correction so as not to output an abnormal equalization error, thereby performing the adaptive equalization control with stability not only in the channel rate mode but also in the half rate mode that is introduced to suppress the power consumption.

Abstract: As an object lens for an optical pickup, applied is a single-lens and both-side-convex configuration is applied. Further, specific conditional formulas are created with respect to a particular numerical aperture NA, for a paraxial curvature radius R1 on the surface on the light source side; the working distance WD, the refractive index nd with respect to the d-line, and the focal length f. Furthermore, specific conditional formulas are created for the refractive index nd with respect to the d-line and the Abbe's number ?d.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for recording data on an optical recording medium form a mark or a space by using a recording waveform having an erase pattern containing a multi-pulse. The method and the apparatus prevent distortion of the mark or the space and improve a mark shape such that a recording/reproducing characteristic of the optical recording medium is improved.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser drive circuit of the present invention reduces the number of wires, solves the out-of-timing problem of pulses due to differences in wire length, and emit short light pulses at a high transfer rate. A common emitter circuit (18) converts a voltage signal (J1) input at an input port (18a) into a current signal and, when reading information, adds the current signal to a signal output from a high-frequency oscillator circuit (20). High frequency components of the current signal converted from the voltage signal (J1) within a bandwidth of a transistor (Q6) are boosted. Degradation of the output signal of the high-frequency oscillator circuit (20) is kept at a minimum by a common base circuit including the transistor (Q6). A current switch circuit (16) cuts off or lets through the output current of a current mirror circuit (12).

Abstract: A holographic ROM system of the present invention includes a lens unit for filtering and collimating an output radiation diffracted from a holographic disk in order to produce an output data beam. The lens unit includes an objective lens for collimating the output radiation and a filtering film for filtering the output radiation. The objective lens and the filtering film are formed in a single body.

Abstract: A rodent repellent device of random working frequency is disclosed, which comprises: an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC); a deterring module, electrically connected to the ASIC, capable of emitting a wave emission selected from the group consisting of an ultrasonic wave, a seismic wave and a sound, being used for repelling rodents; and a power source, electrically connected to the ASIC, for providing power to the ASIC and the deterring module. Wherein the ASIC further comprises: an internal precision oscillator; a center processing unit (CPU); a wake-up module, being employed as an activation means for enabling the rodent repellent device to have randomized lasting time of wave emission and randomized intermission between two consecutive wave emissions; a read-only memory (ROM), for storing a program controlling the randomization of each intermission between two consecutive wave emissions and the lasting time of each wave emissions; and a random-access memory (RAM).

Abstract: An optical recording medium has a user data area and a lead-out area, wherein the user data area and the lead-out area each has grooves and lands formed thereon. Wobbles are formed on at least one lateral surface of grooves of the user data area and the lead-out area, and configured such that wobble characteristics are made different between the user data area and the lead-out area. Different types of wobbles are formed on the grooves of either the user data area or the lead-out area, thereby preventing an optical pickup that performs recording/reproduction from deviating from the user data area. Also, in a multi-layer optical recording medium, a whole area of a recording layer is configured to have a same condition, thereby preventing deterioration in reproduction and/or recording due to a difference in light power transmittance of another recording layer.

Abstract: A dual packet configuration for wireless communications including a first portion that is modulated according to a serial modulation and a second portion that is modulated according to a parallel modulation. The serial modulation may be DSSS whereas the parallel modulation may be OFDM. The first portion may include a header, which may further include an OFDM mode bit and a length field indicating the duration the second portion. The first portion may be in accordance with 802.11b to enable dual mode devices to coexist and communicate in the same area as standard 802.11b devices. The dual mode devices can communicate at different or higher data rates without interruption from the 802.11b devices. The packet configuration may include an OFDM signal symbol which further includes a data rate section and a data count section. In this manner, data rates the same as or similar to the 802.11a data rates may be specified between dual mode devices.

Abstract: A hierarchical QAM system allows the transmission of different sources by embedding the relative constellation points. A QAM transmitting system, includes a source of a level 1 and a level 2 data stream, each data stream carrying successive symbols. A hierarchical QAM transmitter, coupled to the level 1 and level 2 data stream source, generates a hierarchical QAM signal in which a level 1 symbol is represented by a data point in one of four quadrants in the I-Q plane, and a level 2 symbol is represented by the data point in one of four sub-quadrants surrounding a center point of the quadrant containing the level 1 data point. The level 2 data point is spaced away from the center point by a grouping factor set to more closely match the bit error rate performance of the level 1 and level 2 data streams.

Abstract: A method for sharing a backup path in a MultiProtocol Label Switching (MPLS) network, a label switching router (LSR) for setting a backup path in an MPLS network, a system for setting a backup path in an MPLS network, and a recording medium therefor are provided. The method includes the steps of acquiring link configuration information of links included in a working path when the working path is set between a source node and a destination node, and allocating bands for a backup path using the link configuration information when the backup path is set between the source node and the destination node. In the method, an optimal band is allocated to each of links included in a backup path by calculating a band using information, which is obtained during setting of a working path, about at least one other working path sharing links with the working path when the backup path is set, thereby efficiently managing network resources without wasting them.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for rehoming a digital subscriber line access multiplexer between a first data switch and a second data switch or ports on a single data switch. An extension permanent virtual circuit is established between the first data switch and the second data switch and a physical loop-back circuit is established at the second data switch for routing data from an output port of the second data switch to a temporary input port. A permanent virtual circuit between a data switch servicing a network service provider and the first data switch is removed, and a permanent virtual circuit between the data switch servicing the network service provider and the second data switch is established.

Abstract: A failure protection between interconnected adjacent Resilient Packet Rings (RPRs) in a multiple RPR network is provided. Two paths, a regular message path and a protection path, are provided between two adjacent RPRs. The regular path is used for routing inter-ring messages when no failure has occurred on the path. Messages are rerouted through the protection path when a failure occurs on the regular path. Each of these paths has two RPR interface nodes (one for each RPR) that are connected to an interconnection device (a layer 2 bridge or a layer-3 router) through interconnection links. Procedures for detecting failures and generating notifications for message rerouting and fault reports are executed at the interconnection devices. The procedures use periodic keep alive messages for diagnosing network segment and interconnection device failures. The fault detection and message rerouting are accomplished in less than 50 ms.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing redundancy in an asynchronous data transfer and source traffic control system include configuring a primary client and a backup client with the same receive address but different transmit addresses. This allows both clients to receive the same traffic flows by utilizing a common receive address while maintaining independent transmit identity allowing each client to communicate with other clients in the system. The methods of the present invention are compatible with a CellBus® system operating in either 16-client mode or 32-client mode.

Abstract: A routing mechanism, service or system operable in a distributed networking environment. One preferred environment is a content delivery network (CDN) wherein the present invention provides improved connectivity back to an origin server, especially for HTTP traffic. In a CDN, edge servers are typically organized into regions, with each region comprising a set of content servers that preferably operate in a peer-to-peer manner and share data across a common backbone such as a local area network (LAN). The inventive routing technique enables an edge server operating within a given CDN region to retrieve content (cacheable, non-cacheable and the like) from an origin server more efficiently by selectively routing through the CDN's own nodes, thereby avoiding network congestion and hot spots.

Abstract: A system for servicing streaming media requests. The system includes stream director nodes and intelligent stream engine nodes, such as permanent storage devices with network interfaces. The stream director node receives a streaming media request and enqueues the request until all resources on a path from the stream engine node having the media object being requested to the user/client system have been reserved. Once reserved, the enqueued request is then serviced by requesting the stream object from the stream engine node, which then transfers the requested stream object between the stream engine node and the user/client system over the prepared path without involving the stream director node. Upon completion, the prepared path is torn down. In one embodiment the prepared path is a Label Switched Path. A provision is made for balancing the load among the stream engine nodes by duplicating stream objects on other stream engine nodes.

Abstract: Flow control in a distributed switch fabric (100, 200) includes detecting at least one of a congestion condition (238) in a downstream transceiver port (205) and an oversubscribing condition (257) of a channel buffer (230), where the downstream transceiver port (205) and the channel buffer (230) both correspond to a channel (231) of a traffic manager (208). Packets begin accumulating in the channel buffer (230). Per-flow flow control (254) operates to modify transmission of the packets over the channel (231) to the channel buffer (230) if the channel buffer (230) reaches a threshold value (256). Link level flow control (252) operates transparently to the traffic manager (208) if the congestion condition (238) is detected and the channel buffer (230) fails to reach the threshold value (256).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for client-side detection of network congestion in a best-effort packet network comprising streaming media traffic is disclosed. Said method and apparatus provide for quality streaming media services in a congested network with constrained bandwidth over the last-mile link. A client media buffer detects at least one level of congestion and signals a server to enact at least one error mechanism. Preferred error mechanisms include packet retransmissions, stream prioritization, stream acceleration, changes in media compression rate, and changes in media resolution. Said method and apparatus allow distributed management of network congestion for networks comprising multiple clients and carrying significant streaming media traffic.

Abstract: Segmented resource reservation is performed for at least one call. Network resources associated with a first network are reserved according to that network's own reservation policy and based on an indication from a calling party. For the at least one call, network resources associated with a second network are reserved according to its own reservation policy and based on an indication from a called party. The second network is coupled to the first network.

Abstract: A system for determining network characteristics includes a processor including a packet generation component and a packet evaluation component. The packet generation component generates send test packets for communication into the network. The packet evaluation component is responsive to receive test packets for determining network speed and utilization; upon detecting that the network streaming utilization is not significantly high, evaluates the test packet sequences for a first discard pattern representing actual discard red rate; and upon detecting that the network streaming utilization is significantly high, evaluates the test packet sequences for a second discard pattern representing effective discard yellow rate and effective non-discard green rate.

Abstract: A communication transaction or use case is broken down into constituent parts having different class of service (COS) requirements. The parts are matched to different links or channels having respective COS characteristics and communicated over the links or channels, and then aggregated at the receiver.

Abstract: A system and method of packet storm control includes a storm control device configured to count designated packets and drop any such packets that are in excess of a threshold value per a specified time internal. The packet storm control system and method may be implemented with both ingress and egress designated packet traffic. A user may provide a maximum percentage of line speed for designated packet traffic, and the storm control device may determine an appropriate threshold value in response.

Abstract: A flow control method and system including an algorithm for deciding to transmit an arriving packet into a processing queue or to discard it, or, in the case of instructions or packets that must not be discarded, a similar method and system for deciding at a service event to transmit an instruction or packet into a processing queue or to skip the service event. The transmit probability is increased or decreased in consideration of minimum and maximum limits for each flow, aggregate limits for sets of flows, relative priority among flows, queue occupancy, and rate of change of queue occupancy. The effects include protection of flows below their minimum rates, correction of flows above their maximum rates, and, for flows between minimum and maximum rates, reduction of constituent flows of an aggregate that is above its aggregate maximum. Practice of the invention results in low queue occupancy during steady congestion.

Abstract: A method of providing network access across a shared communications medium between competing users includes the steps of monitoring network access usage by each user for a past time interval and, based on the monitored network access usage, allocating network access for each user for a future time interval. Features include forecasting network access of the users in a future time interval, and prioritizing the users for allocating network access to the users. The network access allocations represent network access allowances available to the users during the future time interval, and further may represent network access usage.

Abstract: In an application layer, time txn necessary for packet transmission is calculated, and a packet pkn is transferred together with the time txn for packet transmission to the device driver of a data link layer. Then, in the data link layer, the amount of data is controlled based on the time transferred together with the packet. Thus, the amount of data transmitted per unit time from a transmission terminal on a packet network to the network can be controlled.

Abstract: Various aspects of apparatuses and methods for enabling a subscriber premise network interface device (NID) to facilitate communication services including digitally derived voice services to be facilitated between a central office and a subscriber premise are disclosed herein. In accordance with one embodiment of the disclosures herein, such a method includes facilitating a downstream DSL voice channel transmission process at a subscriber premise Network Interface Device (NID) and facilitating an upstream DSL voice channel transmission process at the subscriber premise NID. The downstream DSL voice channel transmission process facilitates converting a voice component of a downstream DSL data stream to a corresponding downstream analog voice signal. The upstream DSL voice channel transmission process facilitates converting an upstream analog voice signal to an upstream voice component of an upstream DSL data stream.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for evaluating performance of a network that supports packetized communications. A network test protocol that is associated with the packetized communication is initiated and network performance data is obtained based on the initiated network test protocol. An overall network quality rating is generated based on the obtained performance data and a network impairment indicator is calculated based on the overall network quality rating.