A method of detecting sequences of multi-level encoded symbols. The multi-level encoded symbols are mapped and modulated with a modulation scheme having a number of constellation points identified by a sequence of bits arranged in at least a first and a second group. The first group is encoded with a first encoding scheme, and the second group is encoded with a second coding scheme, and the multi-level encoded symbols are transmitted by multiple transmitting sources and received as a received vector by multiple receiving elements. A first set of candidate sequences is selected and a first set of probability information is calculated for the first set of candidate sequences. Then the first group of bits of the symbols are decoded. The decoded bits of the first group are re-encoded and used to select a sub-set of constellation points. A second set of candidate sequences is selected based on this sub-set of constellation points and a second set of probability information is calculated for the second set of candidate sequences. Finally, the second group of bits of the symbols are decoded.

Providing a power-saving mode for control channel monitoring in discontinuous reception (DRX) scenarios. Upon waking from a sleep mode at the conclusion of a DRX off period, a baseband modem may transition to a low-power mode configured to receive and decode only a control channel, such as a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). If the control channel indicates during a DRX on period that communication traffic will be transmitted to the baseband modem, then the baseband modem may transition to a full-power mode to receive the communication traffic. Otherwise, the baseband modem may transition back to the sleep mode. The low-power mode may be implemented by a dedicated set of hardware configured to draw less power than a full set of hardware configured to implement the high-power mode.

Providing a power-saving mode for control channel monitoring in discontinuous reception (DRX) scenarios. Upon waking from a sleep mode at the conclusion of a DRX off period, a baseband modem may transition to a low-power mode configured to receive and decode only a control channel, such as a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). If the control channel indicates during a DRX on period that communication traffic will be transmitted to the baseband modem, then the baseband modem may transition to a full-power mode to receive the communication traffic. Otherwise, the baseband modem may transition back to the sleep mode. The low-power mode may be implemented by a dedicated set of hardware configured to draw less power than a full set of hardware configured to implement the high-power mode.

Methods, systems, and apparatus for monitoring and controlling electronic devices through the use of wired and wireless protocols. The systems and apparatuses may monitor their environment for signals from electronic devices. They may then take and disambiguate the signals that are received from the devices in their environment in order to identify said devices and associate control signals with them. The systems and apparatuses may then use communication means to send control signals to the identified electronic devices. Input and output transmission means for the systems and apparatuses may include, but are not limited to, powerline communication, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, and 6LoWPAN. Signal processing and device identification may be done onboard the device, or may be done at a remote location. Multiple apparatuses or systems may be connected together into networks, including mesh networks, in order to make for a more robust architecture.

A network test system seeks to improve visibility into the real-time operation of a network system or subsystem of a spacecraft through the use of a port from each relevant network to a spacecraft test interface. The network test system includes a packet switch operatively coupled downstream from a SERDES receiver and operatively coupled upstream from a SERDES transmitter. The packet switch in conjunction with the signal replicator in the SERDES receiver taps off a data stream of the network activity so that the port allows an observation device to passively observe the network activity. The system is adapted to increase real-time observation of network activity without disturbing the network.

A network test system seeks to improve visibility into the real-time operation of a network system or subsystem of a spacecraft through the use of a port from each relevant network to a spacecraft test interface. The network test system includes a packet switch operatively coupled downstream from a SERDES receiver and operatively coupled upstream from a SERDES transmitter. The packet switch in conjunction with the signal replicator in the SERDES receiver taps off a data stream of the network activity so that the port allows an observation device to passively observe the network activity. The system is adapted to increase real-time observation of network activity without disturbing the network.

A technique for assessing the reliability of bits received by a modulation symbol on a channel is provided. A providing circuit provides an input dataset including a plurality of input values. The input values correspond to different transmit hypotheses according to a modulation alphabet used for encoding the bits in the symbol. A computing circuit performs a first computing step and a second computing step. In the first computing step, a first intermediary dataset is computed by combining the input values of the input dataset according to a first combination scheme. In the second computing step, a second intermediary dataset is computed by combining the input values of the input dataset according to a second combination scheme. The second combination scheme is different from the first combination scheme. An assessing circuit assesses the reliability of the bits based on the first intermediary dataset and the second intermediary dataset.

Smart Appliances are defined that assist in reducing energy consumption or cost. The Smart Appliances communicate with Smart Energy sources via the power lines and in particular by injecting communications signals between the live plus neutral power lines on the one hand and the ground line on the other hand, the communications protocol allowing a power source to identify the electrical circuit to which an appliance is connected and thereby to route a selected type of power to the appliance on the correct electrical circuit for that appliance. An addressable electrical outlet is also disclosed as one form of Smart Appliance.

A device for deciding characteristics of a differential signal cable at a transmission rate of not less than 10 G baud includes a selector switch that changes a transmission rate or an output power of a test signal to be supplied to the differential signal cable, a signal transmitting circuit that generates a test signal at a different transmission rate or output power as one of the predetermined number of plurality of test signals according to the change of state of the selector switches and sends the generated test signal to the differential signal cable via one connector, and a signal receiving circuit that receives the test signal transmitted through the differential signal cable via the other connector and decides the success or failure of transmission of the test signal through the differential signal cable based on the received test signal and pre-stored data of the plurality of test signals.

A broadband powerline communication system is disclosed which makes use of knowledge of the spectrum characteristics of a local radio environment in order to improve the performance of the system. A determination is made of the spectrum characteristics of a radio environment in the vicinity of the broadband powerline communication system that is transmitting data on modulated carrier frequencies. Certain ones of the carrier frequencies otherwise used by the broadband powerline communication system may be masked (i.e., not used) by all or part of the broadband powerline system in order to avoid interference based on the determination. In various embodiments, the spectrum characteristics are determined 1) in advance and used to compile a configuration database comprising frequency masking parameters; 2) by monitoring the local radio environment using the transmitter/receiver nodes of the system; or 3) based upon receipt of an indication from a conflicting user that the user is experiencing interference. Various combinations of these spectrum characteristic determination techniques may also be used.