Abstract: Various embodiments are described to assist in reducing handoff delays and the blackout period(s) associated with inter AN (access network) hard handoffs. The hard handoff procedure of method disclosed herein establishes or initiates a connection (A10-type connection) between a target AN and a packet data serving node (PDSN), unlike known hard handoff approaches that wait until traffic channel assignment to establish or initiate such connection. The PDSN may optionally bicast data packets to both the source and target ANs since each is communicatively coupled to the PDSN during a given time period. In the event bicasting is unavailable or unused, a communication tunnel between the source and target ANs may be created and used to transmit data packets between them.

Abstract: An apparatus (1240), method, and computer program to assess VoIP speech quality (130) using access to degraded signals is provided. Different types of impairment (110) have different effect, on speech quality. Preferred embodiments address up to four different types of impairment that affect VoIP signal quality: packet loss (230), speech clipping in time (850), noise (1400) and echo. An overall assessment algorithm factors in degradation due to various impairment factors to generate an overall speech quality assessment score or value.

Abstract: A method (and semiconductor device) of fabricating a semiconductor device utilizes a thermal proximity correction (TPC) technique to reduce the impact of thermal variations during anneal. Prior to actual fabrication, a location of interest (e.g., a transistor) within an integrated circuit design is determined and an effective thermal area around the location is defined. Thermal properties of structures intended to be fabricated within this area are used to calculate an estimated temperature that would be achieved at the location of interest from a given anneal process. If the estimated temperature is below or above a predetermined target temperature (or range), TPC is performed. Various TPC techniques may be performed, such as the addition of dummy cells and/or changing dimensions of the structure to be fabricated at the location of interest (resulting in an modified thermally corrected design, to suppress local variations in device performance caused by thermal variations during anneal.

Abstract: A computer-based processing system (e.g., host server) is operable for receiving historical device operation information (power consumption data) collected during operation of the remote battery-operated device in accordance with a first set of operating parameters. The first set of operating parameters enable operation of the battery-operated device in a first operating mode. The processing system calculates an observed battery life for the device based on the received historical power consumption data and a power capacity value representing a power capacity of the battery resident in the device. This observed battery life may be output to a user and used to determine whether the device will meet a predetermined operational life. If not, parameters for the device can be modified and a new projected battery life calculated (simulation), with the new modified parameters controlling power consumption in the device.

Abstract: A remote battery-operated device operates in accordance with a first set of operating parameters. During operation, power consumption information is generated and transmitted via a data network to a remote location for later use. In one embodiment, the remote location transmits one or more modified parameters back to the battery-operated device which control subsequent operation of the device. In this manner, power consumption within the device may be controlled to achieve a predetermined or desired operating lifetime.

Abstract: Within an access services network (ASN) operable for providing wireless access services to an access terminal and including a base station communicatively coupled to an ASN gateway, a new management protocol is provided for managing the R6 communications. The protocol includes a common set of message types that may be used for data plane, control plane, and individual peer applications communicating over the control plane. In one embodiment, a keepalive procedure or process is used to manage the R6 interface between the ASN gateway and the base station by sending keepalive messages through an established data path tunnel and maintaining one or more keepalive timers.

Abstract: Within an access services network (ASN) operable for providing wireless access services to an access terminal and including a base station communicatively coupled to an ASN gateway, a new functional process identified as an “R6 controller” is provided within the framework. The R6 controller includes both a controlling entity process residing and executing within the ASN gateway and an agent entity process residing and executing within the base station. The R6 controller entities monitor the R6 reference point between these two peer instances of the R6 controller, including executing a keep-alive procedure for determining the status of the R6 interface. If a problem is detected, interested client applications are notified and further actions (e.g., initiate handover process, notify ATs, etc.) may be taken.

Abstract: A switch architecture and method provides scaling through multi-level load balancing of flows across data and application processing planes. An input/output module receives a communication session flow (forward) from a client device and selects one of a plurality of data processors to process the flow. The selected data processor determines the level of processing needed for the forward flow and selects an application processor from a plurality of such application processors. The application processor generates a session structure identifying actions to be performed on the forward flow and transfers the session structure to the selected data processor to perform the actions on the forward flow. The application processor also predictively generates and offloads a session structure for the associated reverse flow. If the reverse session structure is offloaded to a different data processor, either the forward or reverse flow redirects packets, or is redirected, to the data processor hosting the other flow.

Abstract: A method for semiconductor fabrication using a trench first metal hard mask (TFMHM) process for damascene structures includes forming a secondary metal hard mask layer above a first metal hard mask layer after trench opening for the via (and trench) etching. The secondary metal hard mask layer is formed of metal material substantially resistant to the etching process which enables via etching to self-align (using an edge of the secondary metal mask layer). In one embodiment, the secondary metal mask layer is formed using an electroless deposition process, and may include nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), gold, (Au), palladium (Pd), cadmium (Cd) silver (Ag), ruthenium (Ru), and alloys and/or combinations thereof. Because the first metal hard mask is usually formed of TiN, the trench and via etching process removes a significant amount of the TiN layer. Utilization of the secondary metal hard mask to protect the first metal hard mask layer further enables a reduction in the thickness of the first metal hard mask layer.

Abstract: A line of sight adjustment device (LSAD) employs a simple yet robust structure and method to adjust the line of sight (or boresight) of a telescope, clip-on night sight, night vision sight, day scope, or other optical sighting device. In one embodiment, the LSAD includes a single optical element adjusted to change the apparent viewing angle to a target viewed through the device without degrading the optical quality of the image.

Abstract: A cable reel or cable reel assembly is provided for storing, deploying, retrieving and transporting a cable assembly (having a cable and connectors). The cable reel includes a central hub and two side flanges constructed, in one embodiment, of composite plastic material having reinforcing material(s). An annular rim and spaced apart spoke sections in each side flange function to provide multiple carrying handles. In a specific embodiment, a secondary hub (and third flange) adjacent the central hub is positioned and disposed within a side periphery defined by the annular rim of one of the side flanges enabling two cable reels to be stacked together such that the annular rims of respective cable reels may be in close or actual contact. In another embodiment, a retractable handle is disposed within the side periphery when in the retracted position.

Abstract: An improved crack stop structure (and method of forming) is provided within a die seal ring of an integrated circuit die to increase crack resistance during the dicing of a semiconductor wafer. The crack stop structure includes a stack layer (of alternating insulating and conductive layers) and an anchor system extending from the stack layer to a predetermined point below the surface of the substrate. A crack stop trench is formed in the substrate and filled with material having good crack resistance to anchor the stack layer to the substrate.

Abstract: A tower/frame structure of interconnected columns and beams (which may be used in a cooling tower) and novel columns, beams, connection mechanisms and other components are provided. In one embodiment, a column and a beam are constructed of pultruded composite fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) materials. The beam includes two sidewall extensions or flanges (each having one or more attachment apertures) at one end and which are integral with the beam for connection to the column (having one or more corresponding attachment apertures). The dimension/spacing between the inner walls of the two flanges substantially equals or is slightly larger than the outer dimension of the column. The attachment holes are aligned and a fastener is inserted through the extensions and column for attaching the column and beam. The C-shaped end of the beam substantially conforms to the cross-sectional shape and dimensions of the column.

Abstract: A duel fuel gas control valve controls the supply of gas (e.g., natural gas or liquid propane gas) to a gas grill. The duel fuel gas control valve is structured to control either natural or LP gas flow at the desired operating characteristics based on conventional gas supply characteristics and gas grill requirements. A restrictor mechanism, when in first and second configurations, respectively, restricts movement of the valve core to a first predetermined range for a first mode of operation (first type of gas supply) and to a second predetermined range for a second mode of operation (second type of gas supply).

Abstract: A low noise oscillator includes a resonator 102 that is excited with a pulsed signal (i.e., an impulse of energy) to replace energy lost to parasitic resistive losses once every Nth period (where N=1, 2, 3 . . . ). The resonating signal is monitored by a level detector and when the signal falls below a predetermined threshold, the pulse generator outputs a pulse or adjusts pulse width, pulse amplitude (or both) of a pulsed signal to create the necessary impulse for application to the resonator to recoup losses resulting from resonator operation. A phase shifting circuit may be provided to ensure the pulses are time aligned with the resonating signal to reduce noise.

Abstract: A metro area network is provided that includes edge and core multiplexors each having a plurality of line ports and one or more uplink ports, a transport network carrying multiplexed traffic between the edge and core multiplexors. In a hard cross connect implementation utilizing source port tagging, a cross-connect device coupled to the core multiplexors provisions or maps communications path between the core multiplexors thereby providing preselected connectivity/mapping of two or more line ports of any of the edge multiplexors. In a soft cross connect implementation utilizing destination port tagging, a cross-connect device includes additional cross-connect multiplexors and functionality to control the destination port tagging performed in the edge, core and cross connect multiplexors thereby provisioning or mapping the desired communications path(s) between various endpoints.

Abstract: In accordance with one the present disclosure, systems and methods are disclosed that include transmitting a binary signal from a signal source into a switch where the switch is in series between the signal source and a first circuit element. In addition, the switch is operating substantially in a switched mode and creates a switched output signal and the switch is controlled by the binary signal. Also disclosed in this method is detecting a negative voltage in a signal from a second circuit element. In this method the first circuit element is in series between the second circuit element and the switch, and upon detecting the negative voltage from the second circuit element the first circuit element creates high impedance in the first circuit element.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program manage communication sessions that include a plurality of portions. Different processors handle each portion of a communication session. The apparatus, method, and computer program transfer the communication session from one of the processors to another of the processors during the different portions of the communication session.

Abstract: A footstool with a footrest platform that is adjustable to different positions/angles. The footstool includes a first sidepiece and a second sidepiece engaged by a platform, which is adjustable to one of a plurality of possible positions corresponding to one of a plurality of possible angles. In one embodiment, the sidepieces each have two notches and the platform has protrusions or extensions that engage the notches in the respective position(s). In one position, the protrusions on the platform engage one notch on each sidepiece; in the other position, the protrusions engage the other notch on each sidepiece.

Abstract: A switch architecture and method provides scaling through multi-level load balancing of flows across data and application processing planes. An input/output module receives a communication session flow (forward) from a client device and selects one of a plurality of data processors to process the flow. The selected data processor determines the level of processing needed for the forward flow and selects an application processor from a plurality of such application processors. The application processor generates a session structure identifying actions to be performed on the forward flow and transfers the session structure to the selected data processor to perform the actions on the forward flow. The application processor also predictively generates and offloads a session structure for the associated reverse flow. If the reverse session structure is offloaded to a different data processor, either the forward or reverse flow redirects packets, or is redirected, to the data processor hosting the other flow.