Abstract: A system for sharing a data handling resource among a plurality of data producers. In some embodiments, the system includes: a data-handling resource, a first data generator, a first data connection, from the first data generator to the data-handling resource, a second data generator, a second data connection, from the second data generator to the first data generator, and a token-forwarding connection between the first data generator and the second data generator. The token-forwarding connection may be configured to transfer a token between the first data generator and the second data generator. The first data generator may be configured: to generate a first data stream, to receive a second data stream from the second data generator through the second data connection, and to send data selected from the first data stream and the second data stream.

Abstract: A system for sharing a data handling resource among a plurality of data producers. In some embodiments, the system includes: a data-handling resource, a first data generator, a first data connection, from the first data generator to the data-handling resource, a second data generator, a second data connection, from the second data generator to the first data generator, and a token-forwarding connection between the first data generator and the second data generator. The token-forwarding connection may be configured to transfer a token between the first data generator and the second data generator. The first data generator may be configured: to generate a first data stream, to receive a second data stream from the second data generator through the second data connection, and to send data selected from the first data stream and the second data stream.

Abstract: A system and method for line coding of data. A serial transmitter includes a forward error correction encoding circuit followed by a bit conditioning circuit. The bit conditioning circuit counts the lengths of runs of consecutive identical digits and, when the count reaches a threshold, flips a bit. A serial receiver receives the data from the serial transmitter. The serial receiver includes a forward error correction decoding circuit, which re-flips bits flipped by the bit conditioning circuit of the serial transmitter.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring propagation delays and other delays in an optical switching system. A transmitter is connected, through a circuit switch, to a receiver. To measure the propagation delay between the transmitter and the receiver, the transmitter sends one or more time-tagged ranging messages and the receiver calculates a propagation delay from the difference between the time of receipt and the time of transmission. In another embodiment, a time delay between message transmission and transition of a CDR of the receiver to a fast acquisition mode is adjusted, by trial and error, to find a range of such time delays for which transmission is successful. A time delay between the transmitter and the switch is measured by establishing or breaking the connection and determining, for various tentative time delay values, whether transmission succeeds.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring propagation delays and other delays in an optical switching system. A transmitter is connected, through a circuit switch, to a receiver. To measure the propagation delay between the transmitter and the receiver, the transmitter sends one or more time-tagged ranging messages and the receiver calculates a propagation delay from the difference between the time of receipt and the time of transmission. In another embodiment, a time delay between message transmission and transition of a CDR of the receiver to a fast acquisition mode is adjusted, by trial and error, to find a range of such time delays for which transmission is successful. A time delay between the transmitter and the switch is measured by establishing or breaking the connection and determining, for various tentative time delay values, whether transmission succeeds.

Abstract: A system and method for line coding of data. A serial transmitter includes a forward error correction encoding circuit followed by a bit conditioning circuit. The bit conditioning circuit counts the lengths of runs of consecutive identical digits and, when the count reaches a threshold, flips a bit. A serial receiver receives the data from the serial transmitter. The serial receiver includes a forward error correction decoding circuit, which re-flips bits flipped by the bit conditioning circuit of the serial transmitter.