Abstract: An automated wall frame assembly system for use in assembling a wall frame includes an advancer assembly including a conveyor system configured to transport first frame members along an assembly axis to an output of the conveyor system. A frame unit is disposed generally at the output of the conveyor system and is configured to receive the first frame members from the conveyor system and attach a second frame member to the first frame members. A gantry assembly is disposed above the advancer assembly. The gantry assembly includes a gantry frame and at least one gantry tool movably attached to the gantry frame. The gantry tool is operable to deliver the second frame member to the advancer assembly from a location above the advancer assembly for being attached to the first frame members.

Abstract: A smoking article filter includes a recess to receive a filter insert unit. The filter insert unit is secured to the filter once inserted. The filter and the filter insert unit may include additives such as flavourants, colourants or sorbents.

Abstract: A smoking article filter includes a recess to receive a filter insert unit. The filter insert unit is secured to the filter once inserted. The filter and the filter insert unit may include additives such as flavourants, colourants or sorbents.

Abstract: A smoking article filter includes a recess to receive a filter insert unit. The filter insert unit is secured to the filter once inserted. The filter and the filter insert unit may include additives such as flavourants, colourants or sorbents.

Abstract: A smoking article filter (20) comprises a recess (25) to receive a filter insert unit (30). The filter insert unit (30) is secured to the filter (20) once inserted. The filter (20) and the filter insert unit (30) may comprise additives such as flavourants, colourants or sorbents.

Abstract: A smoking article filter (20) comprises a recess (25) to receive a filter insert unit (30). The filter insert unit (30) is secured to the filter (20) once inserted. The filter (20) and the filter insert unit (30) may comprise additives such as flavourants, colourants or sorbents.

Abstract: A communications network has a communications station, such as a telephone exchange, and at least one interface, such as a cabinet. A plurality of optical carriers are provided between the exchange and a cabinet, thereby allowing modulation of the signals, for example xDSL modulation, to be carried out at the exchange, rather than at the cabinet. This arrangement reduces the need to power the cabinet.

Abstract: A communications system connects one or more BTS hotels with several remote access nodes on a transmission ring. Each operator has one or more separate optical wavelengths. Signal flow around the ring can either be uni-directional or bi-directional. Each optical wavelength (or wavelength pair) contains the wireless signal traffic for all remote nodes in the ring for the operator using that particular wavelength in digital form. At each node, the incoming signals are electrically demultiplexed and appropriate signals for that node are extracted for conversion to RF. These signals are copied rather than cut so that they are also available at following remote antenna nodes, thereby enabling simulcast operation.

Abstract: The present invention allows remote antenna units for radio frequency signal transmission and receipt to operate without the requirement for remote electrical power supplies or for connecting cables that incorporate electrical conductors. According to an aspect of the present invention, an optical communications system employing radio frequency signals comprises a central unit; at least one remote unit having at least one optoelectronic transducer for converting optical data signals to radio frequency signals and converting radio signals to optical signals and at least one antenna to receive and send radio frequency signals; at least one optical fiber data link between the central unit and the remote unit for transmitting optical data signals therebetween; and at least one optical fiber power link between the central unit and the remote unit for providing electrical power at the remote unit.

Abstract: A switch for the switching of communications system signals, with m input ports and n output ports, comprising two or more parallel switch matrices, each of size m×n, combined so that each switch matrix contributes to the available output power at each output port. The failure of one of the switch matrices, or one of the transmission paths therein, will therefore result only in a small reduction in the output power at the relevant output port, rather than complete power loss as would be the case for a conventional switch This fault condition can be detected using a power imbalance detection circuit in the switch matrix combiner. Additionally, the fault condition, having been detected by the power imbalance detection circuit, may be temporarily compensated by an automatic level control system.

Abstract: A signal distribution system for distributing signals, such as for outdoor wireless networks, comprises a number of remote hubs, each of which can direct wireless signals to a number of antennas. The antennas are used to provide wireless service to the service users, such as mobile units, within their geographic coverage area. The remote hubs are connected to main hubs, which are usually located centrally. Each main hub can support a number of remote hubs. The main hubs are connected to a number of base stations (again usually located centrally) in a flexible and re-configurable manner using a switch matrix. Some remote hubs may also include switched matrices for a further level of signal routing.

Abstract: A method of transmission of radio signals over all types of graded-index multimode fibre is provided. The method comprises launching optical radiation into the core of the multimode fibre away from the centre of the core so as to strongly excite a subset of the available modes of the multimode fibre. The subset of modes excited are within a small number of mode groups and thus have similar propagation constants leading to a reduction in modal dispersion and modal interference and smoothing of the frequency response passband region beyond the fibres specified 3 dB base band bandwidth assisting RF transmission and recovery from this region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a communications network, in particular to a communications network having a communications station such as a telephone exchange, and at least one interface, such as a cabinet. A plurality of optical carriers are provided between the exchange and a cabinet, thereby allowing modulation of the signals, for example xDSL modulation to be carried out at the exchange, rather than at the cabinet. This arrangement reduces the need to power the cabinet.

Abstract: A signal distribution system for distributing signals, such as for outdoor wireless networks, comprises a number of remote hubs, each of which can direct wireless signals to a number of antennas. The antennas are used to provide wireless service to the service users, such as mobile units, within their geographic coverage area. The remote hubs are connected to main hubs, which are usually located centrally. Each main hub can support a number of remote hubs. The main hubs are connected to a number of base stations (again usually located centrally) in a flexible and re-configurable manner using a switch matrix. Some remote hubs may also include switched matrices for a further level of signal routing.

Abstract: A switch for the switching of communications system signals, with m input ports and n output ports, comprising two or more parallel switch matrices, each of size m×n, combined so that each switch matrix contributes to the available output power at each output port. The failure of one of the switch matrices, or one of the transmission paths therein, will therefore result only in a small reduction in the output power at the relevant output port, rather than complete power loss as would be the case for a conventional switch This fault condition can be detected using a power imbalance detection circuit in the switch matrix combiner. Additionally, the fault condition, having been detected by the power imbalance detection circuit, may be temporarily compensated by an automatic level control system.

Abstract: A communications system connects one or more BTS hotels with several remote access nodes on a transmission ring. Each operator has one or more separate optical wavelengths. Signal flow around the ring can either be uni-directional or bi-directional. Each optical wavelength (or wavelength pair) contains the wireless signal traffic for all remote nodes in the ring for the operator using that particular wavelength in digital form. At each node, the incoming signals are electrically demultiplexed and appropriate signals for that node are extracted for conversion to RF. These signals are copied rather than cut so that they are also available at following remote antenna nodes, thereby enabling simulcast operation.

Abstract: The present invention allows remote antenna units for radio frequency signal transmission and receipt to operate without the requirement for remote electrical power supplies or for connecting cables that incorporate electrical conductors. According to an aspect of the present invention, an optical communications system employing radio frequency signals comprises a central unit; at least one remote unit having at least one optoelectronic transducer for converting optical data signals to radio frequency signals and converting radio signals to optical signals and at least one antenna to receive and send radio frequency signals; at least one optical fiber data link between the central unit and the remote unit for transmitting optical data signals therebetween; and at least one optical fiber power link between the central unit and the remote unit for providing electrical power at the remote unit.

Abstract: A transducer for use in a hybrid optical and radio communications system includes a zero electrical power photodetector and a radio antenna. The photodetector is electrically connected to the radio antenna so that, in use, optical signals are received and radio signals are transmitted by the transducer without the use of electrical power. The transducer can thus be remotely sited at locations in communications systems not having a supply of electrical power. In a first embodiment the photodetector includes a zero-bias photodiode, and in a second embodiment the transducer includes a self-biasing photodetector.

Abstract: Radio frequency modulated optical radiation is generated for use in a radio over fibre communications system. A semiconductor electroabsorption modulator efficiently modulates an input optical signal at harmonics of the electrical modulation frequency applied to the electroabsorption modulator. A low frequency design, and thus low cost, electroabsorption modulator is utilized to generate higher order harmonics of an electrical drive signal for use in a radie over fibre communications systems.

Abstract: An optical communication system used for the distribution of a signal includes a central station having an optical source. One or more remote stations are connected to the central station by an optical network. The central station outputs onto the network a carrier signal and an intermediate frequency signal. The remote station includes an optical mixer/detector which mixes the carrier and intermediate frequency signal both in the optical domain and outputs an RF electrical signal. The optical mixer/detector may be a heterojunction bipolar phototransistor (HBT). The optical source in the central station may be a dual-mode semiconductor laser.