Abstract: The invention relates to a method of fault monitoring in a fault monitoring entity of a network node of a network having at least a first connection-oriented network layer, having first protection measures associated therewith, and a second connection-oriented network layer, having second protection measures associated therewith. In a first step the service condition status of the first network layer is monitored using the first protection measures. In a second step the second network layer protection measures are determined for onward transmission within the second network layer depending on the service condition status of the first network layer. Since the network node is aware of the monitored status condition of both the first and second layers the protection mechanisms for the first network layer and the second network layer can be co-ordinated and the second network layer protection measure for onward transmission may be determined for optimum network fault protection operation.

Abstract: A motor-vehicle driving style estimating system (100) of a motor-vehicle, comprising a measuring apparatus (1) of a kinematic signal representative of a motor-vehicle motion quantity trend (v(t)). The system is characterized in that it further comprises a kinematic signal low-pass filtering module (8) configured to provide a corresponding reference filtered signal associated with a reference trend of said quantity (vF(t)). Furthermore, the system comprises a kinematic signal and reference filtered signal processing module (2) configured to provide an indication of the driving style depending on a comparison of the motor-vehicle motion trend with the reference trend.

Abstract: A multipoint-to-multipoint service is provided between a set of edge nodes of a communications network. The network comprises at least two sub-networks and an intermediate node at a boundary between sub-networks. For each pair of edge nodes comprising an edge node in a first of the sub-networks and an edge node in a second of the sub-networks, a multi-segment pseudowire connection is configured between the pair of edge nodes. The pseudowire connection passing via at least one intermediate node. At the intermediate node forwarding data is configured which specifies a forwarding relationship between pseudowire segments corresponding to the multi-segment pseudowire connections. A topology of Label Switched Paths carry the multi-segment pseudowires. Edge nodes within a sub-network can be connected with a mesh topology or a hub-and-spoke topology.

Abstract: A connection-oriented network (5) has a plurality of connections terminated at a first node (N6). A recovery group (A) is configured at the first node (N6) comprising at least two of the plurality of connections (LSP1-6, LSP2-6, LSP3-6, LSP4-6). Fault detection is performed over each of the connections in the recovery group (A) and the node determines if at least one recovery group fault condition is met, based on the results of the fault detections performed over the connections in the recovery-group (A). When the at least one recovery group fault condition is met, the node causes traffic on the plurality of connections in the recovery group (A) to be transferred to backup paths. When the at least one recovery group fault condition is not met, and a fault has been detected on a connection in the recovery group (A), the node causes traffic to be transferred from that connection to a backup path.

Abstract: CO2G0 is a novel method to automatically estimate in real-time a person's CO2 emissions associated with transportation mode choices using data—specific inertial information gathered from mobile phone sensors. CO2G0 automatically classifies the user's transportation mode among eight classes by using a Functional Tree. The algorithm is trained on features gathered from an accelerometer, GPS receiver and digital maps. A working smartphone application for the Android platform has been developed and experimental data have been used to train and validate the proposed method. A second algorithm computes the traveled distance, through an optimized mix of GPS and Internet map services.

Abstract: The invention relates in general to a communications network, and more particularly, to methods and apparatus for protecting such a network. The methods and apparatus disclose the providision path protection in a communications network (14) having a plurality of nodes including at least one access node (24, 26, 28, 30). A connection-oriented worker path (23) is set up between a first distribution node (22) and the at least one access node. A connection-oriented protection path (21) is also set up between a second distribution node and the at least one access node. A connection-oriented interface path (52) is also set up between the first and second distribution nodes. Traffic from an upstream node (16, 18) is switched to the interface path (52) at one of the distribution nodes (20, 22). Traffic may be switched to the protection path (21) in response to detecting a fault (54) in the worker path.

Abstract: Method of re-routing traffic in a communications network (1) in the event of a fault (3) on a path across the network, the method comprising, determining whether a first node (4), located between the fault and a network ingress node (6), is capable of switching traffic to an alternative path which avoids the fault, and if the first node is determined to be not so capable, then determining whether a second node (8), located upstream of the first node, is capable of switching traffic to an alternative path which avoids the fault.

Abstract: Network interconnection apparatus comprising a platform with interface ports for network interconnection and comprising in turn a first series and a second series of interface port cards and an interconnection unit for commanded interconnection at least between the cards of the first and second series and between cards of the first series. The cards of the first series have their own associated MAC address tables for addressing traffic between ports through the interconnection unit. Each entry of the table has an age field defining in time the age of the entry. The content of the age field is periodically verified and if it reaches a preset maximum figure the entry is updated on the basis of the content of the age field by a corresponding entry in the table of another card of the first series and associated therewith by the information in the entry to be updated. If the content of the age field of the corresponding entry is also a maximum figure, both the entries can be deleted.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are described in which a flow of packets is distributed in several separate flows over several links (12) forming a logically aggregated link (11). The flow outgoing from each physical link is sent to its own policer (18) which applies to said flow a traffic policing algorithm with the policers being interconnected to exchange algorithm control parameter modification information to fit them in among the various policers while allowing for the control parameters of the others so that a distributed policer (15) is realized.

Abstract: Network interconnection apparatus (10) comprising a platform with interface ports (12, 14) for network interconnection and comprising in turn a first series (11) and a second series (13) of interface port cards and an interconnection unit (15) for commanded interconnection at least between the cards of the first and second series and between cards of the first series. The cards (11) of the first series have their own associated MAC address tables (16) for addressing traffic between ports through the interconnection unit. Each entry of the table has an age field defining in time the age of the entry. The content of the age field is periodically verified and if it reaches a preset maximum figure the entry is updated on the basis of the content of the age field by a corresponding entry in the table of another card of the first series and associated therewith by the information in the entry to be updated.

Abstract: A connection oriented communications network 10 comprises a plurality of nodes including a plurality of edge nodes 12, 14, 16, 18. The network is arranged to define a primary tunnel connecting a primary one 12, 14 of the edge nodes to another edge node 14, 12 and a secondary tunnel connecting a secondary one 16, 18 of the edge nodes to another edge node 12, 14, 16, 18. The network is arranged to enable switching of traffic from the primary tunnel to the secondary tunnel in the event of detection of a failure in the primary tunnel.

Abstract: Zero valent metal composite, manufacturing thereof, using thereof, and system including thereof, for (in-situ or ex-situ) catalytically treating contaminated water, such as sub-surface water, surface water, above-surface water, water vapor, or/and gaseous water. Composite includes powdered diatomite matrix incorporated with nanometer (1-1000 nm) sized particles of a zero valent (transition) metal (iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, palladium, platinum, or/and gold) and at least one electron transfer mediator (catalyst) from porphyrinogenic organometallic complexes (e.g., metalloporphyrins (chlorophylls, hemes, cytochromes) or metallocorrins (e.g., vitamin B12), and optionally, includes vermiculite. System includes composite and in-situ or/and ex-situ unit containing the composite, enabling exposure of contaminated water thereto. Applicable to in-situ sub-surface permeable reactive barriers (PRBs).

Abstract: A protection scheme for a metro optical network involves programming ingress nodes and egress nodes with a primary multicast label switched path (LSP) and a back-up LSP to provide one-to-one protection. The primary and back-up LSPs are configured prior to the occurrence of a network fault to allow the network to transmit multicast communication when the fault occurs. Particularly, multicast communications are sent on the primary LSP during normal operation. However, when a network fault occurs, the nodes also send a duplicate multicast communication over the back-up LSP. Configuring the primary and back-up LSPs prior to the fault occurring avoids the need for signalling to establish a working LSP after a fault occurs.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are described in which a flow of packets is distributed in several separate flows over several links (12) forming a logically aggregated link (11). The flow outgoing from each physical link is sent to its own policer (18) which applies to said flow a traffic policing algorithm with the policers being interconnected to exchange algorithm control parameter modification information to fit them in among the various policers while allowing for the control parameters of the others so that a distributed policer (15) is realized.

Abstract: A method and a transport scheme for packets of traffic over a logical link made up of the aggregation of several physical links (16) connecting a transmitting side to a receiving side in which flows of incoming packets are sent to a scheduler/shaper (12) which selects therefrom packets for creating a global flow of packets falling within the bandwidth offered by the logical link on the basis of the bandwidth capability offered by the logical link. A distributor (13) distributes the global flow over the plurality of physical links (16) making up the logical link, oversees the physical links and sends to the scheduler/shaper signalling of a bandwidth decrease caused by failures of one or more physical links. The scheduler/shaper (12) is arranged to allow automatically for the logical link bandwidth variations while selecting the packets from the various incoming queues depending on the associated service class so as to cause the global flow to fall within the aggregated logical link bandwidth.

Abstract: A method of providing data from a first network 100 to a second network wherein a first PEJ and a second PEK node are provided in the first network 100 and are each capable of supplying data to the second network, wherein: i. at any one time one of the first PEJ and second PEK nodes provides data to the second network; and ii. the first PEJ and second PEK nodes are arranged to communicate with one another such that the other of the nodes can provide data to the second network if a fault is detected, wherein the communications between the first and second node allow a fault to be detected.

Abstract: An apparatus for compensation or emulation of polarization mode dispersion (PMD) effects occurring in an optical signal traveling over an optical fiber based link comprises controllable birefringence sections and devices for polarization conversion. Each section comprises birefringence optical members or parts thereof, and each section is followed or preceded by one of the controllable devices for polarization conversion. The birefringence sections are at least three in number, and at least one of these has a propagation delay different from that of the other sections. The apparatus comprises a detection device for PMD output and control of the controllable devices for feedback adjustment.

Abstract: A method of detecting polarization mode dispersion (PMD) indicative parameters of an optical fiber link comprising at least one transmission channel in which is transmitted a first wideband optical signal with a bandwidth divided into sub-bands. For each sub-band is produced a second reference optical signal with which to find a third optical signal by superposition. For each of the third signals are calculated first parameters considered indicative of the PMD thereof, and with the first parameters of all the sub-bands are calculated second parameters considered indicative of the PMD of the first wideband signal. The method can be used as part of a PMD compensation method for a transmission system employing the parameters calculated for feedback piloting of a PMD compensator.

Abstract: A method of detecting polarization mode dispersion (PMD) indicative parameters of an optical fiber link comprising at least one transmission channel in which is transmitted a first wideband optical signal with a bandwidth divided into sub-bands. For each sub-band is produced a second reference optical signal with which to find a third optical signal by superposition. For each of the third signals are calculated first parameters considered indicative of the PMD thereof, and with the first parameters of all the sub-bands are calculated second parameters considered indicative of the PMD of the first wideband signal. The method can be used as part of a PMD compensation method for a transmission system employing the parameters calculated for feedback piloting of a PMD compensator.

Abstract: An apparatus (14) for compensation or emulation of PMD effects occurring in an optical signal travelling over an optical fiber based link comprises controllable birefringence sections (15-18) and devices (19-22) for polarization conversion. Each section comprises birefringence optical members or parts thereof and each section is followed or preceded by one of said controllable devices for polarization conversion. The birefringence sections (15-18) are at least three in number and at least one of these has a propagation delay different from that of the other sections.