Abstract: A data synchronization system, which in one embodiment, uses a ShuffleNet topology requiring an even number, N=2m, of nodes in the system. These nodes are organized into two sets, X=x.sub.0, . . . , x.sub.m-1 and Y=y.sub.0, . . . , y.sub.m-1, wherein the subscripts are always to be taken modulo m. Each "round" of communication entails simultaneously synchronizing the nodes in X with nodes in Y according to a matching between the two sets. The rounds are grouped into two "batches," batch B.sub.j which consists of rounds R.sub.2j-1 and R.sub.2j-2 for j.gtoreq.1. During each odd batch B.sub.2j-1, each x.sub.i synchronizes with y.sub.2i+2j-2 and with y.sub.2i+2j-1. In another embodiment, the data synchronization is based on a hypercube scheme, wherein each node is labeled by a binary string and any two nodes with their labels differing by one bit are connected by an edge and only adjacent nodes, i.e. those nodes connected by an edge, can communicate and exchange data directly according to an update schedule.

Abstract: A facility having particular data to transmit over a transmission medium, contends for access to the medium by transmitting a jamming signal over the transmission medium for a particular duration of time that is a small fraction of the amount of time that the facility had to thus far wait to so contend. If the transmission medium is found to be idle at the expiration of that time, then the facility accesses the medium. Otherwise, the facility waits until the transmission medium again becomes idle and then re-contends for access.

Abstract: An integrated circuit including an adder that is a series of one-bit cascaded adder cells. The circuits that implement the adder cells are not all alike. The adder cells are of two types: an even adder cell and an odd adder cell. The even adder cells receive all inputs as noninverted inputs, provide as outputs a noninverted sum bit output and the inverse of the carry-out bit. The odd adder cells receive as inputs the inverse of the carry-in bit, all other inputs are noninverted, and provides as outputs a noninverted sum bit and a noninverted carry-out bit.

Abstract: The invention is embodied in a soft magnetic thin film article comprising an iron--chromium-nitrogen (Fe--Cr--N) based alloy and methods for making such article. The soft magnetic thin film article is formed using an iron--chromium--nitrogen based alloy with tantalum in one embodiment and with at least one of the elements titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), hafnium (Hf), vanadium (V), molybdenum (Mo), niobium (Nb) or tungsten (W) in another embodiment. The article is formed such that the alloy has a relatively high saturation magnetization (e.g., greater than approximately 15 kG) and a relatively low coercivity (e.g., less than approximately 2.0 oersteds) in an as-deposited condition or, alternatively, with a very low temperature treatment (e.g., below approximately 150.degree. C.). The inventive films are suitable for use in electromagnetic devices, for example, in microtransformer cores, inductor cores and in magnetic read-write heads.

Abstract: Type 2 caller ID/call waiting (CIDCW) customer premises equipment (CPE) is provided which has a greatly improved method of detecting tones indicating the availability of call information regarding an incoming call while the customer premises equipment is in an off-hook condition. A hybrid echo canceler (HEC) algorithm is added to the customer premises equipment (CPE) to suppress the signal from the microphone of the customer premises equipment from being included in the signal analyzed for the presence of tones. Thus, the microphone of the customer premises equipment need not be muted upon detection of the alerting CAS tone sequence in a Caller ID service. The HEC algorithm runs substantially continuously in a preferred embodiment, and may be combined with a conventionally operating HEC which cancels reflections due to the hybrid or telephone line interface.

Abstract: A degreasing and cleaning method for cleaning circuit boards and the like has a first, wash sump containing a boiling, environmentally friendly wash material and a second, rinse, sump containing an environmentally friendly rinse material, separated by a weir. An anti-splash and surge control fence is mounted on top of the weir to control splashing and spill-over between the sumps. The wash sump contains a plurality of spray wands and a programmed hoist pans the carrier of the boards past the spray wands in incremental steps. After the wash cycle, the carrier is introduced into the second, rinse, sump and then given a final vapor rinse. The temperature ranges in which the apparatus is operated yield optimum cleaning.

Abstract: The invention uses a suppressed ringing connection, switched through the existing call processing switch fabric, to connect between two customer premise equipments (CPEs) for long duration, low priority calls. The suppressed ringing connection is implemented such that the connection is disconnected if an incoming call to one of the CPEs or an outgoing request for service from one of the CPEs is made. If the suppressed ringing connection is disconnected due to a request for normal service to or from one of the CPEs, the system of the invention automatically reestablishes the suppressed ringing connection after the normal service call has ended such that the long duration suppressed ringing connection can be maintained on a quasi-permanent basis. As a result, the suppressed ringing connection can be maintained for long duration connections without disrupting normal incoming or outgoing service to either of the connected CPEs.