Abstract: A readout apparatus and method for processing spatially distributed signals is disclosed. The readout apparatus and method may reduce/eliminate the impact gain variations among a plurality of sensing channels. This is done by continuously varying the dispersion properties of a signal distribution device, which may induce a spatial shift of the signal distribution during data acquisition, allowing the distributed signals to move across the sensor area. Shifting of the distributed signals may occur multiple times, hence eliminating the impact of gain variation across the sensor array. The accumulated data may be re-assembled subsequently to complete the readout operation.

Abstract: A technique for traffic monitoring in a network comprising monitoring components and a management center (MC) is described. A method implementation comprises the steps of selecting a first set of local identifiers from a larger second set of local identifiers, wherein the local identifiers are capable of providing a unique identification of a network connection at the first monitoring component, filtering network connections, allocating a local identifier of the first set of local identifiers to a network connection in case a filter condition applies during the filtering, checking associations of network traffic with local identifiers, and selectively monitoring network traffic associated with a local identifier from the first set of local identifiers.

Abstract: A method for generating spanning trees (ST1,ST2,ST3) in a network (NW2). The network has nodes (A-K) interconnected by links (L2) and the trees are used for handling link and node failures. For handling link failures there is for each link (L2) at least one tree (ST1,ST2) that does not include that link. For node failures there is for each node (A-K) at least one spanning tree (ST1-ST3) to which the particular node is connected by a single link (L2). The first spanning tree (ST1) connects all nodes (A-K) and from each node one link is left unconnected. The second tree (ST2) includes all nodes and all the unconnected links. None of the links is included in both the trees (ST1,ST2). If node B is broken, node A cannot communicate with nodes C and D so the third tree (ST3) is needed. The method has the advantage of giving a low number of trees also for big networks of any topology and can be implemented off-line.

Abstract: Mobility between access domains in an Internet Protocol (IP) network can be supported by introducing a so-called Mobility Manager (MM) that maintains a database of currently attached devices and their current access domain location. The mobility manager may then detect, for a device registered in the database, a change of access domain from a first access domain to a second access domain by monitoring connection maintenance signaling related to the considered device. The mobility manager should at least obtain an indication of such a change of access domain. In response to a detected change of access domain, the mobility manager arranges for a reconfiguration of the network to forward traffic destined to an IP address of the device in the first access domain to a new location in the second access domain. In this way, the mobility manager allows the device to keep its IP address when moving between access domains.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for selecting one or more network elements of a communication network from which a requested content is to be downloadable to a requesting host is based on an enhanced DNS functionality which is adapted to provide an optimized network element selection. A received address resolving request results in a process for selectively identifying and acquiring topology related network information, which is using the acquired information as a basis for selecting one or more network elements. Addresses are then resolved for the selected network element/s, and the obtained addresses are provided to the requesting host in response to the request.

Abstract: A defect may be characterized using primary radiation directed from a primary electron source to a measurement location on the sample. An electron energy analyzer may capture secondary electrons emitted from the measurement location in a focusing direction by an electron energy analyzer. A transverse focusing device may focus electrons emitted from the measurement location in a transverse direction that is perpendicular to the focusing direction.

Abstract: A readout apparatus and method for processing spatially distributed signals is disclosed. The readout apparatus and method may reduce/eliminate the impact gain variations among a plurality of sensing channels. This is done by continuously varying the dispersion properties of a signal distribution device, which may induce a spatial shift of the signal distribution during data acquisition, allowing the distributed signals to move across the sensor area. Shifting of the distributed signals may occur multiple times, hence eliminating the impact of gain variation across the sensor array. The accumulated data may be re-assembled subsequently to complete the readout operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for acquiring information about a defect on a specimen are provided. One system includes an optical subsystem configured to acquire topography information about the defect. The system also includes an electron beam subsystem configured to acquire additional information about the defect. One method includes acquiring first data for the defect using an optical technique and second data for the defect using an electron beam technique. The first and second data is acquired while the specimen is disposed in a single vacuum chamber. The method also includes determining topography information about the defect from the first data. In addition, the method includes determining additional information about the defect from the second data.

Abstract: A method for setting up a VPN is described. The VPN is set up in a backbone network having a plurality of PE routers for controlling the transfer of IP traffic to and from CE routers in satellite networks. In a PE router, a VRF is configured for the VPN and populated with local routes for the VPN. A VLAN identifier is assigned for the VPN, and advertised to other PE routers in the backbone network. Alternatively, the VLAN identifier may be determined by a predetermined mapping algorithm so it will be unique to the VPN in all PE routers, in which case the advertisement to other PE routers may contain an implicit NULL label.

Abstract: A method for generating spanning trees (ST1,ST2,ST3) in a network (NW2). The network has nodes (A-K) interconnected by links (L2) and the trees are used for handling link and node failures. For handling link failures there is for each link (L2) at least one tree (ST1,ST2) that does not include that link. For node failures there is for each node (A-K) at least one spanning tree (ST1-ST3) to which the particular node is connected by a single link (L2). The first spanning tree (ST1) connects all nodes (A-K) and from each node one link is left unconnected. The second tree (ST2) includes all nodes and all the unconnected links. None of the links is included in both the trees (ST1,ST2). If node B is broken, node A cannot communicate with nodes C and D so the third tree (ST3) is needed. The method has the advantage of giving a low number of trees also for big networks of any topology and can be implemented off-line.

Abstract: A method of allocating users to core network nodes of a cellular telecommunications System, where users access the core network via a radio access network and where the nodes of the core network are grouped into a plurality of local pool areas and the local pool areas are further grouped into one or more pool areas, and each local pool area corresponds to a geographic area covered by the access network. The method comprises allocating a user to a core network node of a local pool area corresponding to the geographic area within which the user is located, maintaining the core network node while the user moves within the local pool area, and, in the event that the user moves out of the local pool area but remains in the same pool area, maintaining said allocation at least temporarily.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting a network resource from a plurality of network resources in a communications network. A selection node receives a request for a network resource from a terminal, and then retrieves, from at least one further network node, data relating to the plurality of network resources. On the basis of the retrieved data, the selection node selects a network resource from the plurality of network resources. A response is then sent to the terminal, the response including information identifying the selected network resource.

Abstract: A technique for traffic monitoring in a network comprising monitoring components and a management center (MC) is described. A method implementation comprises the steps of selecting a first set of local identifiers from a larger second set of local identifiers, wherein the local identifiers are capable of providing a unique identification of a network connection at the first monitoring component, filtering network connections, allocating a local identifier of the first set of local identifiers to a network connection in case a filter condition applies during the filtering, checking associations of network traffic with local identifiers, and selectively monitoring network traffic associated with a local identifier from the first set of local identifiers.

Abstract: Mobility between access domains in an Internet Protocol (IP) network can be supported by introducing a so-called Mobility Manager (MM) that maintains a database of currently attached devices and their current access domain location. The mobility manager may then detect, for a device registered in the database, a change of access domain from a first access domain to a second access domain by monitoring connection maintenance signaling related to the considered device. The mobility manager should at least obtain an indication of such a change of access domain. In response to a detected change of access domain, the mobility manager arranges for a reconfiguration of the network to forward traffic destined to an IP address of the device in the first access domain to a new location in the second access domain. In this way, the mobility manager allows the device to keep its IP address when moving between access domains.

Abstract: A method and the instrument for characterization of the defects on a surface with Auger electron spectroscopy in a high vacuum environment are disclosed. Defects on the surface of a sample may be characterized with Auger electron spectroscopy in a high vacuum environment.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ion-conductive polymer membrane for a fuel cell, whereby the polymer membrane is configured from a polymer-forming hydrocarbon material and to a method for producing the same. The membrane also has a metal-containing gel which has been hydrolysed and/or condensed from a metal alkoxide starting material and which is deposited in the polymer and/or is chemically bonded to the polymer. The proportion of metal alkoxide by weight, in relation to the membrane, lies between 25% and 1%.

Abstract: A method and the instrument for characterization of the defects on a surface with Auger electron spectroscopy in a high vacuum environment are disclosed. Defects on the surface of a sample may be characterized with Auger electron spectroscopy in a high vacuum environment at a pressure of about 10?7 Torr to 10?6 Torr.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing alteration of a specimen during by charged particle based and other measurements systems are provided. One system configured to reduce alteration of a specimen during analysis includes a vacuum chamber in which the specimen is disposed during the analysis and an element disposed within the vacuum chamber. A surface of the element is cooled such that molecules in the vacuum chamber are adsorbed onto the surface and cannot cause alteration of a characteristic of the specimen during the analysis. One system configured to analyze a specimen includes an analysis subsystem configured to analyze the specimen while the specimen is disposed in a vacuum chamber and an element disposed within the vacuum chamber. A surface of the element is cooled such that molecules in the vacuum chamber are adsorbed onto the surface and cannot cause alteration of a characteristic of the specimen during the analysis.

Abstract: A method of configuring link-scope-type managed objects in IP-based networks from a centralized management node. An IP-based network includes at least one management station, a set of network nodes, and communication links between the network nodes and between the management station and the network nodes. Preferably, an Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) topology graph of the network is prepared, and a set of target links to be configured is identified. The target links are then classified into N disjoint subsets, T1-TN. The links in each subset are then configured in parallel, starting with subset T1 and sequentially handling each subset one-by-one. The target links may be classified by removing non-target links that are not to be configured from the OSPF topology graph, building a LinkGraph to determine the dependencies between the links remaining in the OSPF topology graph, and building a LinkTree from the LinkGraph to classify the target links into the subsets based upon the dependencies between the links.

Abstract: The efficiency of transmitting lower priority data traffic along with higher priority traffic is improved by segmenting a data packet in such a way so as to reduce transmission delay of the higher priority traffic. The data packet is segmented so that all its segments, including the last segment, are approximately the same size. The segment size is set smaller than a maximum permitted segment size. Indeed, it is desirable (though not necessary) to set the segment size as small as design parameters, (e.g., minimize segment header overhead), allow in order to reduce transmission delay of the higher priority traffic. Because the last segment is set at the same size or a larger size than the other segments, delay in transmitting the data packet is also reduced. The last segment may be sized as large as practical to minimize the transmission delay of the data packet. Once segmented, the data packet segments are transmitted along with the higher priority traffic.