Abstract: A management system utilizes a distributed network having a host computer connected to one or more computer based workstations. Separate, on-line softward support systems provide the execution environment for the system. Each support system provides data that reflects one or more aspects of a life cycle of a development project. This data is stored in separate databases associated with each support system. Periodically, the host computer extracts information from each of these support system databases to obtain data indicative of development activity for various phases of the life cycle of the software system. The extracted information is used to update a relational database. At any time, a manager situated at a workstation can formulate queries into the relational database. Thereafter, the workstation, through a workstation/host communications interface, initiates a host session and then loads the queries into the host computer.

Abstract: A distributed information backup system is disclosed. The inventive backup system includes a first computer which accesses data from a central data base and periodically distributes the data to a predetermined multiplicity of other computers upon request therefrom. Each of the other computers receives only a portion of the distributed data and thereupon updates a local data base with the data each receives. When the central data base is inaccessible, a data base user accesses one of the local data bases through one of the multiplicity of computers to obtain the data which it would ordinarily obtain from the central data base to perform his tasks.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for effecting transmission over a generally cyclic communication system comprising numerous networks interconnected by gateway pairs. Each gateway of each pair implements a store-and-forward protocol whereby each gateway forwards message packets propagated over its associated network except for any packets that are destined for a device which has previously appeared in the sending address of another packet. In order to utilize this protocol as a basis for transmission, the system is covered with a set of spanning trees that satisfy capacity and reliability requirement. Each spanning tree is assigned a unique identifier and each packet traversing the system is assigned to and conveys the specified spanning tree. Each gateway passes the packet to determine the assigned spanning tree and forwards the packet accordingly. To mitigate system flooding by a newly connected device, the protocol may also incorporate a delay to allow the gateways to learn the location of the new device.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for routing service requests through a network comprising nodes interconnected with links. The network is also arranged so that each node may communicate with each of the other nodes. At preselected time intervals, sets of routes through the network are generated in response to the network configuration and traffic information. Also, at predetermined time intervals, occupancy factors are computed as determined by the network configuration and in response to traffic information. Upon a request for service, the occupancy factors corresponding to the busy-idle status of the links are used to compute an occupancy value associated with each of the routes. Each route is converted to a candidate route based on traffic load at the initiation of the service request. The minimum occupancy value for each set of routes is selected as the candidate route for bridging a given node pair.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed which stabilizes the temperature, and thereby the output wavelength, of an injection laser. Means (50 and 23) monitor the laser terminal voltage across a laser (11) and derive a voltage laser therefrom which is proportional to the junction voltage of the laser. Means (24) compares the voltage to a reference value from source (27) and a temperature controller (35) adjusts the laser temperature in response to the results of the comparison.Further embodiments of the present invention vary the output wavelength of the laser by varying the reference value from source (27) against which the laser junction voltage is compared.

Abstract: An optical fiber coupler (10) is disclosed for interconnecting a tap cable (20) to a bus cable (30). Each cable has a portion of its sheath removed at the point of coupling to provide exposed cores (24,34). The cores are intertwined a number of times and the tension on the cables is adjusted to yield the desired loss. A cladding material fills the intertwined region, including the interstices of the cores, to provide a continuous sheath in the axial dimension.

Abstract: A mechanized system distributing the access, test and communication functions to the point of testing, typically the centralized switching facility serving the telephone loops and equipment to be tested. Computer (200) stores information about each subscriber loop in the geographical area served by a system. Front-end computers (200,201) interact with computer (200) to retrieve pertinent data regarding loops to be tested. Each switching facility in an area includes a loop testing system (e.g., 160) that implements the required functions. The communication functions residing in front-end computers (220,221) and loop testing systems (160,161) are coupled via a data communication network (140) in a manner that allows any front-end computer to communicate with any loop testing system. Users of the system control access and test from consoles having the capability of establishing independent communication paths over the national dial network for interactive tests on loops accessed through standard test trunks.

Abstract: A method for dynamically altering Read-Only Memory (ROM)-based programs utilizes Random-Access Memory (RAM) and standard processor linkages associated with subroutine or function calls. Each original ROM program includes a statement to call a ROM processing routine. If information passed to the processing routine by the original routine indicates a RAM-based replacement routine is to be executed for the original routine, the processing routine (i) restores the processor to its state immediately following the call to the processing routine, and (ii) branches directly to the replacement routine at a location provided by a RAM-based data structure.

Abstract: A mechanized system distributing the access, test and communication functions to the point of testing, typically the centralized switching facility serving the telephone loops and equipment to be tested. Computer (200) stores information about each subscriber loop in the geographical area served by a system. Front-end computers (220,221) interact with computer (200) to retrieve pertinent data regarding loops to be tested. Each switching facility in an area includes a loop testing system (e.g., 160) that implements the required functions. The communication functions residing in front-end computers (220,221) and loop testing systems (160,161) are coupled via a data communication network (140) in a manner that allows any front-end computer to communicate with any loop testing system. Users of the system control access and test from consoles having the capability of establishing independent communication paths over the national dial network for interactive tests on loops accessed through standard test trunks.

Abstract: A methodology for decomposing a three-wire equivalent circuit into a cascade arrangement of a two-wire transmission line and a three-port terminating network is disclosed. Decomposition synthesis is accomplished by iteratively separating the equivalent circuit into the two component parts according to a predetermined algorithm and then comparing the derived three-port network to each network within a class requiring identification, thereby effecting an identification whenever a match occurs. Upon a matched condition, the resistance of the transmission line corresponds to the distance to the terminating network and may be used for fault diagnosis purposes.

Abstract: A mechanized system distributing the access, test and communication functions to the pont of testing, typically the centralized switching facility serving the telephone loops and equipment to be tested. Computer (200) stores information about each subscriber loop in the geographical area served by a system. Front-end computers (220,221) interact with computer (200) to retrieve pertinent data regarding loops to be tested. Each switching facility in an area includes a loop testing system (e.g., 160) that implements the required functions. The communication functions residing in front-end computers (220,221) and loop testing systems (160,161) are coupled via a data communication network (140) in a manner that allows any front-end computer to communicate with any loop testing system. Users of the system control access and test from consoles having the capability of establishing independent communication paths over the national dial network for interactive tests in loops accessed through standard test trunks.

Abstract: A mechanized system distributing the access, test and communication functions to the point of testing, typically the centralized switching facility serving the telephone loops and equipment to be tested. Computer (200) stores information about each subscriber loop in the geographical area served by a system. Front-end computers (220,221) interact with computer (200) to retrieve pertinent data regarding loops to be tested. Each switching facility in an area includes a loop testing system (e.g., 160) that implements the required functions. The communication functions residing in front-end computers (220,221) and loop testing systems (160,161) are coupled via a data communication network (140) in a manner that allows any front-end computer to communicate with any loop testing system. Users of the system control access and test from consoles having the capability of establishing independent communication paths over the national dial network for interactive tests on loops accessed through standard test trunks.

Abstract: A mechanized system distributing the access, test and communication functions to the point of testing, typically the centralized switching facility serving the telephone loops and equipment to be tested. Computer (200) stores information about each subscriber loop in the geographical area served by a system. Front-end computers (220,221) interact with computer (200) to retrieve pertinent data regarding loops to be tested. Each switching facility in an area includes a loop testing system (e.g., 160) that implements the required functions. The communication functions residing in front-end computers (220,221) and loop testing systems (160,161) are coupled via a data communication network (140) in a manner that allows any front-end computer to communicate with any loop testing system. Users of the system control access and test from consoles having the capability of establishing independent communication paths over the national dial network for interactive tests on loops accessed through standard test trunks.

Abstract: A mechanized system distributing the access, test and communication functions to the point of testing, typically the centralized switching facility serving the telephone loops and equipment to be tested. Computer (200) stores information about each subscriber loop in the geographical area served by a system. Front-end computers (220,221) interact with computer (200) to retrieve pertinent data regarding loops to be tested. Each switching facility in an area includes a loop testing system (e.g., 160) that implements the required functions. The communication functions residing in front-end computers (220,221) and loop testing systems (160,161) are coupled via a data communication network (140) in a manner that allows any front-end computer to communicate with any loop testing system. Users of the system control access and test from consoles having the capability of establishing independent communication paths over the national dial network for interactive tests on loops accessed through standard test trunks.

Abstract: A mechanized system distributing the access, test and communication functions to the point of testing, typically the centralized switching facility serving the telephone loops and equipment to be tested. Computer (200) stores information about each subscriber loop in the geographical area served by a system. Front-end computers (220,221) interact with computer (200) to retrieve pertinent data regarding loops to be tested. Each switching facility in an area includes a loop testing system (e.g., 160) that implements the required functions. The communication functions residing in front-end computers (220,221) and loop testing systems (160,161) are coupled via a data communication network (140) in a manner that allows any front-end computer to communicate with any loop testing system. Users of the system control access and test from consoles having the capability of establishing independent communication paths over the national dial network for interactive tests on loops accessed through standard test trunks.

Abstract: A mechanized system distributing the access, test and communication functions to the point of testing, typically the centralized switching facility serving the telephone loops and equipment to be tested. Computer (200) stores information about each subscriber loop in the geographical area served by a system. Front-end computers (220,221) interact with computer (200) to retrieve pertinent data regarding loops to be tested. Each switching facility in an area includes a loop testing system (e.g., 160) that implements the required functions. The communication functions residing in front-end computers (220,221) and loop testing systems (160,161) are coupled via a data communication network (140) in a manner that allows any front-end computer to communicate with any loop testing system. Users of the system control access and test from consoles having the capability of establishing independent communication paths over the national dial network for interactive tests on loops accessed through standard test trunks.

Abstract: A mechanized system distributing the access, test and communication functions to the point of testing, typically the centralized switching facility serving the telephone loops and equipment to be tested. Computer (200) stores information about each subscriber loop in the geographical area served by a system. Front-end computers (220,221) interact with computer (200) to retrieve pertinent data regarding loops to be tested. Each switching facility in an area includes a loop testing system (e.g., 160) that implements the required functions. The communication functions residing in front-end computers (220,221) and loop testing systems (160,161) are coupled via a data communication network (140) in a manner that allows any front-end computer to communicate with any loop testing system. Users of the system control access and test from consoles having the capability of establishing independent communication paths over the national dial network for interactive tests on loops accessed through standard test trunks.

Abstract: A mechanized system distributing the access, test and communication functions to the point of testing, typically the centralized switching facility serving the telephone loops and equipment to be tested. Computer (200) stores information about each subscriber loop in the geographical area served by a system. Front-end computers (220,221) interact with computer (200) to retrieve pertinent data regarding loops to be tested. Each switching facility in an area includes a loop testing system (e.g., 160) that implements the required functions. The communication functions residing in front-end computers (220,221) and loop testing systems (160,161) are coupled via a data communication network (140) in a manner that allows any front-end computer to communicate with any loop testing system. Users of the system control access and test from consoles having the capability of establishing independent communication paths over the national dial network for interactive tests on loops accessed through standard test trunks.

Abstract: A method for analysis of rotary dial pulses focuses on transitions between pulse levels and differentiates true level changes from noise using a procedure employing two sample counters. One counter registers the number of consecutive samples at either the high or low levels and, once a predetermined number of consecutive samples are detected, a corresponding high or low level is declared. However, since noise may influence the detection, the total number of samples, from the first indication of a level change until the declaration of a state, is maintained in a second counter. A false transition reinitializes both counters, while level changes yielding less than the predetermined number only reinitialize the first counter.

Abstract: Methodology, and associated circuitry, for encoding and decoding data words to provide burst error correction capability are disclosed.Encoder (14): partitions the data words into a plurality of subrate streams; individually codes these streams utilizing a block coding technique; and then recollates the coded streams as well as the associated parity words in an interleaved order to produce the encoder output.Decoder (20): partitions the received words into a corresponding plurality of subrate received streams; individually computes the syndrome as well as shifted and divided versions of the syndrome for each received stream; after each shift and divide, compares the partial remainder with the applicable code characteristic polynomial; and corrects the applicable bit in the corresponding received subrate stream whenever the comparison indicates an error has occurred.