The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 02, 2010
Filed:
Jun. 18, 2003
Mao Zhu Zhang, King of Prussia, PA (US);
Robert L. Howald, Warrington, PA (US);
Mao Zhu Zhang, King of Prussia, PA (US);
Robert L. Howald, Warrington, PA (US);
General Instrument Corporation, Horsham, PA (US);
Abstract
In a cable return path system, a method for performing digital companding adds a predetermined offset to the digital value to be companded, and employs a modified μ-law or a-law companding technique to obtain a reduced bit length digital value. One embodiment of this modified approach adds a predetermined offset (e.g., 129 for a 12-bit implementation) to the digital value before companding and then employs a two-bit chord and a 5-bit step for the 12-bit implementation. The end result is that the performance metrics are not significantly compromised by this bit reduction when compared to current transmission methods without this technique.