Abstract: Wireless communication link bandwidth utilization monitoring apparatus and methods are disclosed. Utilization of bandwidth on a wireless communication link is monitored to generate bandwidth utilization information. In order to provide a record of the distribution of bandwidth utilization, durations of bandwidth utilization above respective different thresholds might be determined. Such distributions could be useful for such purposes as network analysis and/or customer billing based on actual wireless bandwidth usage. Bandwidth utilization information may be collected from multiple wireless link nodes, illustratively the wireless link nodes at both ends of monitored wireless communication links, to allow total bandwidth utilization for bi-directional communications over the monitored links to be determined.

Abstract: Multiple-node communication link management apparatus and methods are disclosed. Management information is exchanged between a management system and a local communication node over a connection with the local communication node. The management information includes management information associated with the local communication node and management information associated with a peer communication node that communicates with the local communication node through a communication link. Views of the communication link, in its context between the local communication node and the peer communication node, as well as partner and peer partner communication nodes in the case of a related link pair, for example, are provided at the management system. Through the management system and the local communication node, any or all of the communication nodes including the local, peer, partner, and peer partner communication nodes can be managed through the single connection with the communication node.

Abstract: Adaptive modulation and priority-based flow control in wireless communications are disclosed. Ingress communication traffic is modulated for transmission over a wireless communication link. A modulation rate of modulation to be applied to the ingress communication traffic is controlled by adaptive modulation. A rate at which the ingress communication traffic is received is controlled through Priority-based Flow Control (PFC), but the PFC is based on the adaptive modulation. Adaptive modulation and PFC are thus linked together. PFC messaging could be sent when a change in modulation rate due to the adaptive modulation would not meet the rate at which the ingress communication traffic is received. If a change in modulation rate due to the adaptive modulation would still meet the rate at which the ingress communication traffic is received, then PFC messaging might not be sent.

Abstract: Fixed-length communication traffic blocks, for transmission over a wireless communication link, are generated from communication traffic that is received at a primary communication apparatus. The generated blocks are distributed between a first wireless communication link associated with the primary apparatus and a second wireless communication link associated with a secondary apparatus, for transmission of the communication traffic blocks over the first and second wireless communication links. The distribution of the communication traffic blocks is through an inter-apparatus communication link between the primary and secondary apparatus. Communication traffic blocks that are received over the second wireless communication link are transferred to the primary apparatus through the inter-apparatus communication ink and combined, with blocks that are received on the first wireless communication link, into a communication traffic stream.

Abstract: Octagonal non-rectangular Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) is disclosed. Grid points from a uniform rectangular grid, which includes points that have equal horizontal and vertical spacing, are selected to form a non-rectangular octagonal grid that approximates an octagonal shape. QAM symbols are mapped to respective grid points in the non-rectangular octagonal grid to form a non-rectangular octagonal QAM constellation that also approximates the octagonal shape. Input signals can then be modulated using the non-rectangular octagonal QAM constellation.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing wireless communication paths are provided. At wireless communication equipment which is connected to a communication device, a wireless communication path to a remote communication device is monitored. Based on results of the monitoring, a determination is made as to whether the wireless communication path should be shut down. If it is determined that the wireless communication path should be shut down, a respective notification is provided to each of the communication devices. A notification may also be provided from wireless communication equipment to a communication device to which it is operatively coupled responsive to receiving a notification that remote wireless communication equipment has determined that the wireless communication path should be shut down. In some embodiments, these notifications are used to present various modes of failure in a wireless communication path to the path endpoints as a physical layer failure.

Abstract: Operating state control in redundancy protection systems is disclosed. One protecting apparatus of a redundant pair is selected to be in a first operating state in the redundant pair. Protected communication equipment for which the redundant pair provides redundancy protection transmits, to only the selected apparatus, communication traffic that includes content for further transmission from both protecting apparatus in the redundant pair. This causes the selected protecting apparatus to transition to or remain in the first operating state and the other protecting apparatus to transition to or remain in a second operating state. A protecting apparatus determines that it is to be in the first operating state if communication traffic received from the protected equipment includes content for further transmission from the protecting apparatus, and determines that it is to be in the second operating state if the received communication traffic includes no such content.

Abstract: Wireless mesh network communication apparatus and methods are disclosed. Directional antennas are respectively operatively coupled to dedicated communication devices to provide multiple independent wireless communication links. Exchange of communication traffic through the wireless communication links provided by the communication devices and the antennas is controlled by a switch. Any or all of the antennas may be adjustable so as to provide for flexibility in antenna beam alignment. Beam alignment may be physically or electronically adjustable. Radio units including the communication devices and the antennas, and possibly also the switch, may be enclosed in a single housing. The housing may be shared with other components such as wireless communication network base station antennas.

Abstract: Bridging for Synchronous Optical NETwork (SONET)/Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) Automatic Protection Switching is disclosed. First and second apparatus in a redundant pair handle communication traffic that includes content for transmission on respective first and second SONET/SDH connections. Content received by each apparatus for transmission on a SONET/SDH connection is transmitted on the first and second SONET/SDH connections. Such content is also transmitted by each apparatus to the other apparatus in the redundant pair unless that content was received from the other apparatus. The content is thereby transmitted on both the first and second SONET/SDH connections even though the content is received directly by only one apparatus of the redundant pair. This avoids duplication of communication traffic that carries the content. Where the traffic is Ethernet traffic, the traffic may be bridged between the first apparatus and the second apparatus at the Media Access Control (MAC) layer.

Abstract: Interference carrier regeneration and interference cancellation involve generating a Cross Polarization Interference Cancellation (XPIC) error signal representative of a difference between a first signal derived from a first communication signal that is received over a wireless communication link and a first symbol decision that is based on the first signal. The first communication signal is affected by interference from a second communication signal, on an orthogonal polarization channel of the same nominal frequency channel, for example. Based on the XPIC error signal and a second symbol decision for the second communication signal, a carrier of interference affecting the first signal from the second communication signal is regenerated. A rotation and derotation arrangement rotates a cross-channel interference signal and derotates a main channel equalizer feedback signal based on the regenerated interference carrier.

Abstract: Wireless mesh network communication apparatus and methods are disclosed. Directional antennas are respectively operatively coupled to dedicated communication devices to provide multiple independent wireless communication links. Exchange of communication traffic through the wireless communication links provided by the communication devices and the antennas is controlled by a switch. Any or all of the antennas may be adjustable so as to provide for flexibility in antenna beam alignment. Beam alignment may be physically or electronically adjustable. Radio units including the communication devices and the antennas, and possibly also the switch, may be enclosed in a single housing. The housing may be shared with other components such as wireless communication network base station antennas.

Abstract: Fixed-length communication traffic blocks, for transmission over a wireless communication link, are generated from communication traffic that is received at a primary communication apparatus. The generated blocks are distributed between a first wireless communication link associated with the primary apparatus and a second wireless communication link associated with a secondary apparatus, for transmission of the communication traffic blocks over the first and second wireless communication links. The distribution of the communication traffic blocks is through an inter-apparatus communication link between the primary and secondary apparatus. Communication traffic blocks that are received over the second wireless communication link are transferred to the primary apparatus through the inter-apparatus communication ink and combined, with blocks that are received on the first wireless communication link, into a communication traffic stream.

Abstract: Wireless mesh network communication apparatus and methods are disclosed. Directional antennas are respectively operatively coupled to dedicated communication devices to provide multiple independent wireless communication links. Exchange of communication traffic through the wireless communication links provided by the communication devices and the antennas is controlled by a switch. Any or all of the antennas may be adjustable so as to provide for flexibility in antenna beam alignment. Beam alignment may be physically or electronically adjustable. Radio units including the communication devices and the antennas, and possibly also the switch, may be enclosed in a single housing. The housing may be shared with other components such as wireless communication network base station antennas.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling wireless communication signals is provided, in which a wireless transmitter in a communication network generates a signal carrying data for wireless transmission, and is capable of varying the data carrying capacity of the wireless transmission channel in response to the quantity of data received for wireless transmission. A monitor is provided to monitor the quantity of received data and the capacity of the communication channel is increased if the monitored quantity exceeds a predetermined threshold. The capacity of the communication channel can be varied by varying the level of modulation and/or by varying the level of code inserted into the data stream. The output power of the wireless transmission signal may be varied in response to the quantity of received data.

Abstract: A multi-layered integrated RF/IF circuit board is provided. The board is fabricated beginning with a center layer of material. In a first preferred embodiment, the center layer is a rigid core material. In a second preferred embodiment, the center layer is a pliable non-conductive material. For every layer added to the upper surface of the stack-up structure of the board, a corresponding layer of the same material is added to the lower surface of the stack-up structure. Thus, during the lamination process, both the upper and lower surfaces are primarily soft, pliable non-conductive material. These non-conductive layers absorb any stresses introduced during the lamination process. Thus, when cooled, the board has large area flatness. Standard manufacturing processes can be used for each individual step in the fabrication of the board. Therefore, a multi-layered integrated RE/IF circuit board in accordance with the present invention can be fabricated inexpensively.

Abstract: A multi-layered integrated RF/IF circuit board is provided. The board is fabricated beginning with a center layer of material. In a first preferred embodiment, the center layer is a rigid core material. In a second preferred embodiment, the center layer is a pliable non-conductive material. For every layer added to the upper surface of the stack-up structure of the board, a corresponding layer of the same material is added to the lower surface of the stack-up structure. Thus, during the lamination process, both the upper and lower surfaces are primarily soft, pliable non-conductive material. These non-conductive layers absorb any stresses introduced during the lamination process. Thus, when cooled, the board has large area flatness. Standard manufacturing processes can be used for each individual step in the fabrication of the board. Therefore, a multi-layered integrated RF/IF circuit board in accordance with the present invention can be fabricated inexpensively.

Abstract: A sub-harmonic mixer comprises two field effect transistors (FETs) in which the drains are coupled together. The mixer includes a signal generator for generating two local oscillator signals in antiphase with each other and which is arranged to feed one local oscillator signal to the source of one of the FETs and the other local oscillator signal to the source of the other FET. An input and output port is coupled to the drains for receiving input signals for the mixer and outputting output signals from the mixer.

Abstract: An E-plane filter comprises a housing having a waveguide filter channel and a septum defining a plurality of couplers spaced apart along the length of the filter channel, thereby forming a resonator cavity between each adjacent coupler. The portion of the filter channel which accommodates the couplers and each resonator cavity is curved or otherwise changes direction in a plane transverse to the channel walls.

Abstract: A sub-harmonic mixer comprises two field effect transistors in which the sources of the transistors are connected together and the drains of the transistors are connected together. The mixer includes signal generating means for generating a local oscillator (LO) signal coupled to the gate of one of the FETs. Circuit means is provided for maintaining the potential of the gate of the other FET at a substantially constant value relative to the local oscillator signal applied to the gate of the driven FET, and the FET's are arranged to permit the local oscillator signal applied to gate of the driven FET to drive a voltage across the gate-source of both FET's. An input and output port is coupled to the drains for receiving input signals for the mixer and outputting output signals from the mixer.

Abstract: An E-plane waveguide is provided comprising a housing having opposed walls defining a waveguide channel. The waveguide includes at least two elements spaced apart in a direction along the waveguide channel and disposed between and spaced from the opposed walls, and which define a resonant cavity therebetween with the waveguide channel. At least one of the walls has first and second protrusions which are spaced apart in a direction along the waveguide channel and protrude into the waveguide channel. The spacing between the protrusions is less than half a wavelength of the resonant frequency of the resonant cavity.