Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc.

Verizon Services Corporation

Verizon Corporation Services Group Inc.

Allan Schneider

Bruce W Kostreski

Kamran Sistanizadeh

James Everett Sylvester

Aaron Joseph Dagen

W Tim Campbell

Frederick G Hofman

Bruce Kostresti

Zinovy Grinbaum

A technique for qualification of loops for new digital subscriber line services (DSL) involves use of an expert system, such as a neural network. A database of loop characteristic information and performance data enables the expert system to train or learn how to predict performance for future loops. In response to data characterizing a new loop to be qualified, the trained expert system predicts digital subscriber line performance for the new loop. Typically, the prediction enables classification of service capacity for the new loop into one of several classes corresponding to levels of DSL service offered through the network. The database for use by the expert system is updated as each newly qualified loop is brought into service and actual performance for that loop is known.

Expert system for loop qualification of XDSL services

A system and method for providing telephone type services over the internetwork commonly known as the Internet. Wireless digital telephones in communication with wireless digital communications systems have speech coders that generate digital voice samples, and encoders that encode the digital voice samples to minimize bit errors during RF transmission. The wireless digital communications system demodulates the received modulated wireless signal transmitted by the digital telephone to recover the encoded, digital voice samples. The error correction codes within the encoded, digital voice samples are removed to recover the original digital voice samples generated by the vocoder in the digital telephone. The decoded digital voice samples are then supplied to a gateway interface that packetizes the decoded digital voice samples into digital voice sample segments, assigns a packet address corresponding to the destination telephone number, and outputs the digital voice sample segments as data packets onto a packet switched network, such as the Internet, for reception by a network node corresponding to the destination address.

Internet telephone service using cellular digital vocoder

The present invention involves a transmission of a known signal over a line intended for a digital subscriber line (xDSL) service, measurement of a resulting waveform received through the line and processing of the received signal to derive a set of eigenvalues characterizing the transfer function of the line. In the preferred embodiment, a transmitter applies a known test signal waveform to the transmission line. The test signal corresponds to a desired one of several available xDSL services. At the receiving end of the line, the output signal from the line is sampled, to capture a digitized sample waveform for the received signal. A computer processes the captured waveform to determine eigenvalues characterizing the transfer function of the line with respect to the one service. If the eignevalues for the line bear predetermined relationships to threshold values, indicating acceptable line transfer function for the desired xDSL service, then the invention certifies the tested line for use on that service.

Loop certification and measurement for ADSL

A wireless, cellular radio link is provided from a base station to a plurality of subscriber stations within a cell reception area. Information data, which may be of textual, video or other format, are communicated asymmetrically as high bandwidth transmissions in the downstream direction to the users while low upstream bandwidth is provided to permit users to request the data or to provide return radio link condition information. Buffers associated with respective subscribers collect requested data from information providers for transmission by the base station in a statistical time division multiplexed (STDM) fashion, whereby each subscriber may be assigned a minimum transmission time interval during which data will be transferred from the associated buffer. Controlled logical token passing governs a variable token interval during which data transmission for each buffer is permitted in turn. Data fed from the buffers are combined in successive time intervals to form a data stream having a bit rate that can vary from interval to interval. The data stream is output as radio signals from a radio tower, each subscriber being equipped to receive that portion of the stream with which it is identified.

Wireless asymmetric local loop (WASL) communication

A statistical time division multiplexer facilitates distribution of data from various sources through a wireless transmission system to a plurality of subscriber stations within a cell reception area. Controlled logical token passing governs a variable token interval for data transmission from each buffer, associated in a base station with a respective receiving subscriber station, in turn to form a common data stream. Each subscriber may be assigned a minimum transmission time interval during which data, if present in the associated buffer, will be transferred. Data may be fed from the buffers in successive time intervals at bit rates that can vary from interval to interval. Variations of data transmission rate and token interval for each subscriber can be separately controlled on the basis of both presubscribed levels and current quality of service levels of the radio link. Channel quality and/or bit error rate for each channel may be fed back dynamically from the user for each token interval.

Statistical time division multiplexer for a wireless asymmetric local loop communication system

The present invention involves a transmission of a known signal over a line intended for a digital subscriber line (xDSL) service, measurement of a resulting waveform received through the line and processing of the received signal to derive a set of eigenvalues characterizing the transfer function of the line. In the preferred embodiment, a transmitter applies a known test signal waveform to the transmission line. The test signal corresponds to a desired one of several available xDSL services. At the receiving end of the line, the output signal from the line is sampled, to capture a digitized sample waveform for the received signal. A computer processes the captured waveform, to determine eigenvalues characterizing the transfer function of the line with respect to the one service. If the eignevalues for the line bear predetermined relationships to threshold values, indicating acceptable line transfer function for the desired xDSL service, then the invention certifies the tested line for use on that service.

To provide interactivity, a public wireless packet data network is combined with a broadband digital broadcast network. In the preferred embodiment, the broadcast network utilizes multiple transmitters at separately located sites simultaneously broadcasting the same multi-channel, multi-program signal. Broadcast waves from the transmitters propagate throughout substantially overlapping portions of the service area. Customer premises receiving systems include a receiving antenna and one or more digital entertainment terminals. The terminal includes a channel selector and digital receiver for capturing a digital transport stream from a selected channel. A processor converts selected program information from the transport stream for presentation, e.g. via a television set. The terminal also includes a CPU controlling the operation of the channel selector and the processor in response to user inputs. The CPU also communicates signaling information for interactive services via an RF packet data modem included in the terminal and the public wireless packet data network. In addition to the signaling for interactive services, the packet data network provides transport for data communications between other data devices.

Simulcasting digital video programs for broadcast and interactive

Within a desired service area, multiple transmitters at separately located sites simultaneously broadcast the same multi-channel, multi-program signal. Broadcast waves from the transmitters propagate substantially throughout the service area and overlap in a substantial portion of the area. The signals are broadcast as spread spectrum signals and the receivers include despreaders with rake capabilities to obtain enhanced output signals with multi-path reception. In the preferred implementation, the channels are 6 MHz wide channels broadcast in the super high frequency microwave portion of the spectrum. Each such channel carries a multiplexed digital data stream containing packets of information for a plurality of programs, e.g., television programs.

Television distribution system and method

An arrangement (apparatus and method) for obtaining a single copy of a received signal from a simulcast broadcast area. Within a desired service area, multiple transmitters at separately located sites simultaneously broadcast the same multi-channel, multi-program signal. Broadcast waves from the transmitters propagate throughout substantially overlapping portions of the service area. Each such channel carries a multiplexed digital data stream containing packets of information for a plurality of programs, e.g. television programs. A receiver system comprises an antenna adapted to receive direct transmissions from two or more of the transmitters as well as multipath signals from two or more of the transmitters. To compensate for the potentially interfering signal receptions, the terminal device includes a delay processor, such as an adaptive delay equalizer or a rake receiver. The maximum delay processing window of the delay processor is at least as long as the difference in propagation time to the receiver from two of the transmitters and preferably exceeds that time by some amount chosen to permit processing of multipath delay signals from the more distant transmitter.

Terminal for receiving simulcast digital video programs

To provide interactivity, data communication through wireless telephone network (e.g. cellular) is combined with a broadband digital transmission through a broadcast network. In the preferred embodiment, the broadcast network utilizes multiple transmitters at separately located sites simultaneously broadcasting the same multi-channel, multi-program signal. Broadcast waves from the transmitters propagate throughout substantially overlapping portions of the service area. Customer premises receiving systems include a receiving antenna and one or more digital entertainment terminals. The terminal includes a channel selector and digital receiver for capturing a digital transport stream from a selected channel. A processor converts selected program information from the transport stream for presentation, e.g. via a television set. The terminal also includes a CPU controlling the operation of the channel selector and the processor in response to user inputs. The CPU also communicates signaling information for interactive services via a data modem and a wireless telephone transceiver included in the terminal and the wireless telephone network. The terminal may also include a telephone interface that permits standard customer premises telephones to send and receive calls using the wireless telephone transceiver, thus providing a bypass of local loop services marketed by a telephone company.

An arrangement (apparatus and method) for providing a code division multiple access (CDMA) transmission system in an urban environment using spatially-diverse antennas and time-diversity devices and techniques to provide improved cell coverage without the detrimental effects of multipath (Rayleigh) fading. The spatially-diverse antennas output identical CDMA-modulated signals to a serving area at different times, whereby each CDMA-modulated signal output from a corresponding antenna has a sufficent delay to avoid mutual interference with the identical CDMA-modulated signals output from other antennas. The delay assigned to each antenna is within a range greater than a chip interval, and less than or equal to a base station sequence offset between base stations. As a result, a subscriber station is able to separately demodulate the received CDMA-modulated signals from the different antennas as CDMA signals having adequate multipath delay for demodulation using a rake receiver. The delays may be implemented as delay devices supplying delayed system clock signals from a GPS receiver to corresponding base stations having identical spreading sequences. Alternatively, the delays may be implemented as successively delaying a CDMA-modulated signal output by a single base station before transmission to the antennas along corresponding transmission paths.

CDMA system having time-distributed transmission paths for multipath

A cellular system for distributing a plurality of television programs in a desired service area. A plurality of groups of spaced transmitting antennas are disposed substantially on the peripheries of adjacent cells disposed in the service area. The antennas are directional and directed to propagate substantially simulcast signals into the cell with which the antenna is associated so that the propagation patterns of the transmitting antennas associated with the cell overlaps over substantially a major portion of the area enclosed within the cell. Antennas disposed substantially on the peripheries of adjacent cells propagate directional signals into each of the adjacent cells. In a broadcast version the frequencies of the signals transmitted by all of the antennas are the same. In a dedicated service version the frequencies of the signals transmitted into adjacent cells are different. In the broadcast version an omni-directional antenna may be utilized in a centrally located disposition in the overall service area. The signals are broadcast as spread spectrum signals and the receivers include despreaders with Rake capabilities. Provision may be made for increasing the transmitted power of selected antennas to counteract adverse atmospheric conditions such as rain. The system may be used to provide video-on-demand and other interactive video services.

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Falls Church, VA, United States of America

Allan Schneider