Abstract: A communication system. The system includes an MPLS network. The system includes a modified ATM network connected to the MPLS network on which MPLS packets can travel. A switch for switching MPLS packets and ATM cells in a network. The switch includes input ports for receiving MPLS packets and ATM cells from the network. Each MPLS packet has a first label for directing the packet to a desired switch and a second label for directing the packet in the switch to a desired outport in the switch. The system includes output ports for sending MPLS packets and ATM cells to the network. The system includes a mechanism for reviewing the second label of the packet while maintaining the first label with the packet. The reviewing mechanism is connected to the input ports and the output ports. A method for transmitting packets in a communications network. The method includes the steps of sending an MPLS packet on an MPLS network to a first switch connected to a modified ATM network and the MPLS network.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring packets. The apparatus includes a memory. The apparatus includes an accumulation mechanism in which packets are stored until they are to be placed in the memory. The accumulation mechanism is connected to the memory. The apparatus includes a controller connected to the memory and the accumulation mechanism which controls when packets in the accumulation mechanism are transferred to the memory. The controller prevents any packet in the accumulation mechanism from remaining in the accumulation mechanism indefinitely. A method for transferring packets. The method includes the steps of receiving packets at an accumulation mechanism. Then there is the step of controlling when packets in the accumulation mechanism are transferred to a memory by a controller. Next there is the step of preventing with the controller any packet in the accumulation mechanism from remaining in the accumulation mechanism indefinitely.

Abstract: A switch of a network connected to a switch control processor. The switch includes port cards which receive packets from and send packets to the network. The switch comprises a switch control processor for providing control information. The switch includes fabrics for switching the packets. The fabrics receive control information from the switch control processor but all the fabrics only implement the control information at a same logical time when each fabric receives a control initiation signal from one of the port cards. Each respective fabric continuously operating on packets before, during and after each respective fabric receives the control initiation signal. A method for switching packets. The method includes the steps of receiving packets at a port card of a switch from a network. Then there is the step of sending fragments of each packet to fabrics of the switch.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an identification device that is resiliently deformable between a first shape and a second, smaller shape. The second shape allows for inserting the mounting clip into a container opening. The mounting clip resiliently biases from the second shape to the first, larger shape for maintaining the mounting clip attached to the container. A wireless communication device is mounted to the mounting clip for identifying attributes of the container. The identification device may communicate with an interrogation reader for transferring information regarding the container and contents to a central control system.

Abstract: A power entry panel for a power conditioner. The power entry panel includes an input terminal block which receives power. The power entry panel includes a mating connection for passing power from the input terminal block to the power conditioner. The mating connection is directly connected and in contact with the input terminal block. An input terminal block for a power entry panel. A method for transferring power.

Abstract: A technique for multiplexing high speed computed data with digitized voice signals onto a fiber optic cable for transfer to a local central office. The data packets of a number of computers are networked by way of a distributed hub that extends to residences, offices, apartments, etc. The data packets are switched outside the switching fabric of a local central office and routed to the internet or elsewhere. Command signals that are for accessing the internet are transmitted and received as 10 MHz Ethernet data packets on the distributed hub.

Abstract: A phase locked loop is provided that includes a phase detector, an integrator, a voltage controlled oscillator and a feedback circuit. The phase detector is coupled to a reference clock signal and a feedback signal, and generates positive and negative phase detection signals that correspond to the phase difference between the reference clock signal and the feedback signal. The integrator is coupled to the positive and negative phase detection signals, and converts the positive and negative phase detection signals into an output voltage that is proportional to the phase difference between the reference clock signal and the feedback signal. The voltage controlled oscillator is coupled to the output voltage of the integrator, and generates a local oscillator signal with an oscillation frequency that is proportional to the output voltage of the integrator. The feedback circuit is coupled to the local oscillator signal, and shifts the phase of the local oscillator signal to generate the feedback signal.

Abstract: An attenuator on which a fiber optic cable is loopable in a plurality of different configurations to provide incremental attenuation of light signals internally of the cable. The attenuator includes a base having a pair of spaced-apart spools around which a cable is looped in variable configurations to provide variable degrees of attenuation. Cable guide recesses are provided on the base outwardly of the spools, and hollow securing/stacking bosses extend upwardly from the base adjacent its ends.

Abstract: A data transmission pedestal housing having a service line passage is disclosed. The passage is structured to have a gap allowing service lines to pass into and out of the service line passage. An extruded gap closure element is provided for sliding engagement with walls of the passage so as to close and open the gap. When the gap is opened, a service line may pass out of the passage through the gap thereby allowing the pedestal housing to be removed and replaced without disconnecting the service lines from terminal blocks that connect to a cable.

Abstract: A switch for switching fixed size ATM cells and variable length packets of a network. The switch includes an input port mechanism having a plurality of input ports each able to receive cells and packets from the network. The switch includes an output port mechanism having a plurality of output ports each able to send cells and packets to the network. The switch includes a switching fabric connected to the input port mechanism and the output port mechanism for switching either packets or cells from any input port to any output port. The switch includes a mechanism for converting packets to cells when the input port is a packet port and the output port is a cell port and cells to packets when the input port is a cell port and the output port is a packet port, respectively, or not converting cells or packets when the input port and the output port are both cell ports or both packet ports, respectively. The converting mechanism is connected to the output port mechanism and the switching fabric.

Abstract: A method of transmitting TV signals and bidirectional telephone communication signals on a single optical fiber, existing telephone twisted pair infrastructure, and existing coaxial cable infrastructure. In addition to allowing the downstream transmission of television channels as well as bidirectional telephone communication, the single optical fibers also provides for the upstream travel of television related signals while requiring minimal changes of the existing infrastructure.

Abstract: An apparatus for switching cells from entities in a network. The apparatus includes an input mechanism for receiving all cells by the apparatus from the network. The apparatus includes a memory mechanism for storing all cells received by the input mechanism that are to be stored in the apparatus. The memory mechanism is connected to the input port mechanism. The memory mechanism has an occupancy for cells. The apparatus includes an output mechanism for sending cells from the apparatus to the network. The apparatus includes a server for providing service to the cells at a service rate. The server is connected to the memory mechanism and the output mechanism. The apparatus includes a scheduler for providing service to the cells in the memory mechanism. The scheduler is connected to the server and the memory mechanism. A method for switching cells. An ATM switch which stamps Explicit Rate to ABR VCs for controlling ABR traffic flow on a given link of the ATM switch.

Abstract: An extension housing for a data transmission pedestal is disclosed. The extension has an upper portion essentially identical to the upper portion of a base of a pedestal and a lower portion essentially identical to the lower portion of a cover section of a pedestal. The extension is simple and inexpensive and can be used singly or in multiple quantities depending upon the pedestal height to be achieved. The use of extensions alleviates inventory of different size pedestals and allows quick and easy height adjustments in the field.

Abstract: A system for distributing DC power to a plurality of optical network units in a fiber-to-the-curb communication system is provided. The system includes an AC-DC rectifier coupled to at least one local power hub. The local power hub includes a bulk DC-DC converter coupled to the AC-DC rectifier and a plurality of active current limiters coupled to a plurality of power outputs from the DC-DC Converter. Each of the active current limiters supplies current limited power to one of the optical network units in the fiber-to-the-curb system.

Abstract: A one-piece metal card cage has integral card guides provided by rows of formed projections that extend into the interior of the cage. The projections are hollow to provide ventilation openings through which air may flow to and from the interior of the cage. The card cage is fabricated from a one-piece sheet metal blank that is folded and joined together to provide top and bottom walls, opposite sidewalls, a backwall and a front opening.

Abstract: A splice tray for use in splicing fiber optic cables has an outer periphery and a cable splicing area inwardly of the outer periphery. A main cable guideway for receiving a pair of side-by-side cables to be spliced extends along a portion of the outer periphery adjacent thereto. The main cable guideway splits into first and second continuation guideways, the first of which curves inwardly from the outer periphery to intersection with the splicing area from one direction. The second continuation guideway continues along another portion of the outer periphery to intersection with the splicing area from another direction. The two fiber optic cables that extend along the main guideway are separated to extend through the first and second continuation guideways to the splicing area for being joined together in a splice. A cable looping device is provided in the splicing area for receiving cable loops to take up slack, and a splice receiving recess is provided in the splice area for holding a splice.

Abstract: A vented non-metallic cap for equipment pedestals having high heat generating components is disclosed. The cap is constructed of a plastic base and a plastic top cover with a stainless steel insect screen between these elements. The base includes a central opening to allow the interior of a covered pedestal to vent heated air generated by newer equipment, and yet the appearance of the vented cap is similar to existing metal pedestal top covers, but has far superior thermal performance.

Abstract: An apparatus communicates a diagnostic device with a telecommunications service source, or alternatively with a telecommunications service subscriber device, through a remote network unit. The apparatus includes a test plug structure receivable in operative engagement with a panel of over-voltage protection receptacles in the remote network unit. The apparatus further includes an engagement structure which connects the test plug structure with the diagnostic device in a plurality of selectable alternative conditions. These include a first condition in which the engagement structure communicates the diagnostic device with the service source through the test plug structure, and a second condition in which the engagement structure communicates the diagnostic device alternatively with the subscriber device through the test plug structure.

Abstract: A printed circuit board having bushings attached thereto, the bushings having sockets for receiving bullet connectors on a circuit breaker.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus for providing service to entities. Also, the apparatus comprises a scheduler for dynamically scheduling when the first and second entities receive service from the server. The scheduler comprises a controller which chooses entities to receive service by the server based on a weighting factor corresponding with an entity. The controller dynamically changes the weighting factor corresponding with the entity as a function of a desired condition and time. The present invention, also, pertains to a method for serving entities. The method comprises the steps of providing service to a first entity by a server at a first rate based on a first weighting factor corresponding to the first entity during a first time period. Next there is the step of providing service to a second entity by the server at a second rate based on a second weighting factor corresponding to the second entity during the first time period.