The invention relates to a method and apparatus for evaluating a network and for predicting network performance for a higher order modulation by analyzing network signals modulated using a lower order modulation format. A margin index may be generated for the current or projected modulation formats based on displacement vectors for received symbols to indicate a margin remaining before a codeword error occurs to alert the network operator of potential performance issues before actual codeword errors occur.

Systems and methods presented herein provide for monitoring of noise and other interfering energy on a communication link. One system includes an interface coupled to the communication link to receive a signal conveyed over the communication link. The system also includes a monitor operable to: track energy across a frequency spectrum of the signal conveyed over the communication link for a predetermined period of time; flag, at intervals of the predetermined period of time, energy levels across the frequency spectrum of the signal that breach a threshold energy level to identify where in the frequency spectrum a breach of the threshold energy level occurs; and add the flags to determine how long the threshold energy level was breached during the predetermined period of time.

A distribution system that includes central ports connected by electrical or fluid (gas or liquid) lines to respective remote ports includes a visual identification system that enables either identifying the central ports connected with selected remote ports, or identifying the remote ports connected with selected central ports. The visual identification system includes signal paths extending between the central and remote ports. The signal paths are connected to output devices that generate visual, auditory, or tactile feedback to identify the ports. The signal paths operate independently of the electrical or fluid lines connecting the ports.

A distribution system that includes central ports connected by electrical or fluid (gas or liquid) lines to respective remote ports includes a visual identification system that enables either identifying the central ports connected with selected remote ports, or identifying the remote ports connected with selected central ports. The visual identification system includes signal paths extending between the central and remote ports. The signal paths are connected to output devices that generate visual, auditory, or tactile feedback to identify the ports. The signal paths operate independently of the electrical or fluid lines connecting the ports.

An electronic device has a number of ports that have the same physical form factor and that are receptive to cable insertion. The electronic device also has visual indicators corresponding to the ports. Each visual indicator indicates at least link establishment when a cable has been inserted into its corresponding port and a link has been established. When a cable is removed from a port, the electronic device controls its corresponding visual indicator to identify the port as one from which cable removal has recently occurred.

An information processing apparatus includes a processing unit that generates an operation log of an operation target device operated by a user, by identifying an operation content of the operation target device, based on a captured image obtained by capturing an image of the operation target device, and operation pattern information of a model of the operation target device.

An information processing apparatus includes a processing unit that generates an operation log of an operation target device operated by a user, by identifying an operation content of the operation target device, based on a captured image obtained by capturing an image of the operation target device, and operation pattern information of a model of the operation target device.

A method and system for detecting and characterizing an input signal receive a signal having an in-phase (I) component and a quadrature-phase (Q) component. A first IQ sample of the signal is acquired at a first point in time, and a second IQ sample of the signal is acquired at a second point in time, Using one or more processors, a delayed complex conjugate multiply (DCM) is applied to the first IQ sample of the signal and the second IQ sample of the signal to produce a constant product having an in-phase (I.sub.C) component and a quadrature-phase (Q.sub.C) component. A signal magnitude and a signal frequency are determined from the I.sub.C component of the constant and the Q.sub.C component of the constant, using the one or more processors.

An electrical signal is processed by digitizing the electrical signal to produce a stream of digitized data in the time domain, wherein the stream has an original frequency spectrum, transmitting the stream to N signal paths (N>1), and down-converting and filtering the stream in each of the N signal paths to produce N streams of digitized data in the time domain, wherein the N streams have N frequency spectra, respectively, and the N frequency spectra cover N different portions of the original frequency spectrum, respectively.

The invention comprises real-time down-hole intelligent communication based on the characterization of signal attenuation caused by a coaxial cable used as a communication medium and by frequency response changes of the electronic components of the transmitters and receivers, generated by the down-hole operating environment. The invention relates to a method for the real-time characterization of the attenuation response of a two-way communication system using a coaxial cable, consisting in: generating test tones for the real-time characterization of the attenuation response of a two-way communication system in the transmission and reception bands, measuring the signals received, estimating noise and the ratio to the communication signal, comparing with reference responses, adjusting the transmission and reception frequencies in order to maintain the communication with the maximum signal-to-noise ratio. The invention also relates to an adaptive two-way transmitter/receiver system for communication using coaxial cable as a link means, formed by: a transmitter with automatic adjustment of the operating band by means of the real-time characterization of the attenuation response of a two-way communication system. The invention further relates to adjustable filtering and coupling devices for optimizing the transmission and reception bands, and a control module capable of measuring the transmission and reception attenuation responses.