Abstract: A system and method for managing a system of a plurality of complex assets are provided. The system includes a processor-based asset management and analytics tool wherein the processor is communicatively coupled to a memory and the tool includes a plurality of asset analytics engines each associated with a complex asset of a plant and each communicatively coupled to a source of data relating to the complex asset, a plant analytics engine communicatively coupled to each of the plurality of asset analytics engines and configured to receive an output generated by at least some of the plurality of asset analytics engines, the plant analytics engine configured to generate an operational state of the plant based on the received output, and an output module configured to transmit the received state to a user.

Abstract: Present embodiments provide methods and systems for identifying quiet and/or under utilized segments of the radio spectrum and assigning the identified spectrum to non-primary license holders. The methods and systems may include spectrum management nodes for monitoring frequency bands of the radio spectrum for transmission by a primary user. When a primary user is not transmitting, segments of the quiet spectrum may be assigned to a non-primary user.

Abstract: A wireless communication system includes a network controller configured to manage communication time periods in a wireless network, and a plurality of peripheral devices connected to the network controller through the wireless network. Each peripheral device is associated with a respective contiguous communication time period during which communications between the network controller and the peripheral device are allowed. The network controller is further configured to identify an open communication time period associated with one of the plurality of peripheral devices that has no communication between the network controller and the one of the plurality of peripheral devices and associate another of the plurality of peripheral devices that is associated with a different communication time period with the identified open communication time period.

Abstract: A method implemented using a data recording system is disclosed. The method includes receiving a micro-holographic data storage medium comprising a micro-hologram track having a first cross-sectional area. The method further includes recording a data in the micro-hologram track to form a data track in the micro-hologram track having a second cross-sectional area smaller than the first cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A method for processing information is provided. The method includes directing a laser beam to a first track of a first layer of a holographic storage medium. The method also includes recording a base voltage based on a look-up table. The method includes directing the laser beam to a target track in the first layer, based on position information in tracks. Further, the method includes recording an offset voltage for the target track into the look-up table. Still further, the method includes directing the laser beam to a target layer based on position information in vertical wobbles. The method also includes recording an offset voltage for the target layer into the look-up table. Finally, the method includes determining a final voltage based on the look-up table and applying the final voltage to an actuator for moving the laser beam to a final target position in the holographic storage medium for recording and retrieval of information.

Abstract: A method of decoding is presented. The method includes the steps of receiving a coded bit stream that is generated by encoding source information using a Non Return to Zero Inverted (NRZI) code, selecting an NRZI decoding method based on one or more parameters associated with noise in the received coded bit stream, and generating a plurality of decisions by processing the received coded bit stream using the selected NRZI decoding method, wherein the received coded bit stream comprises a plurality of coded bits, and the plurality of decisions are estimates of a plurality of source bits in the source information.

Abstract: A method of decoding is presented. The method includes the steps of receiving a coded bit stream that is encoded using a Non Return to Zero Inverted (NRZI) code and a 17 Parity Preserve/Prohibit (17PP) code, determining a 17PP modulated bit stream based upon the coded bit stream using a first selected decoding method, and generating a plurality of decisions by processing the 17PP modulated bit stream using a second selected decoding method, wherein the received coded bit stream comprises a plurality of coded bits, and the plurality of decisions are estimates of a plurality of source bits in a source information.

Abstract: Systems and/or methods for relaying messages between nodes in a network (e.g. a wireless network) are provided. In accordance with certain exemplary embodiments, substantially simultaneous communications between nodes may be accomplished. At least one secondary message may be piggybacked onto a primary message. Messages in the network may be queued and sent from a transmitter to at least one receiver based at least in part on the signal-to-noise ratio(s) of the receiver nodes with respect to the transmitter. The queuing of the messages may be performed in dependence on a link set that indicates which messages are capable of piggyback communications. Thus, it may be possible to realize a network that reduces collision problems, reduces delays in communications, and/or increases throughput.

Abstract: A method of decoding is presented. The method includes the steps of receiving a coded bit stream that is encoded using a Non Return to Zero Inverted (NRZI) code and a 17 Parity Preserve/Prohibit (17PP) code, determining a 17PP modulated bit stream based upon the coded bit stream using a first selected decoding method, and generating a plurality of decisions by processing the 17PP modulated bit stream using a second selected decoding method, wherein the received coded bit stream comprises a plurality of coded bits, and the plurality of decisions are estimates of a plurality of source bits in a source information.

Abstract: A method of decoding is presented. The method includes the steps of receiving a coded bit stream that is generated by encoding source information using a Non Return to Zero Inverted (NRZI) code, selecting an NRZI decoding method based on one or more parameters associated with noise in the received coded bit stream, and generating a plurality of decisions by processing the received coded bit stream using the selected NRZI decoding method, wherein the received coded bit stream comprises a plurality of coded bits, and the plurality of decisions are estimates of a plurality of source bits in the source information.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems of selectively decoding optical data read from an optical storage medium based on a checksum algorithm technique. In one embodiment, optical data is converted into a data stream and buffered, and the checksum algorithm is applied to the data stream. If the calculated checksum matches an encoded checksum of the data stream, the data stream may be output without requiring further decoding. If the calculated checksum does not match the encoded checksum, the buffered data stream may be decoded to produce a corrected data stream, and the checksum algorithm may be applied to the corrected data stream. In some embodiments, the optical data may be re-read if the corrected data stream does not pass the checksum test, and the data stream obtained from the re-reading may be combined with the buffered data stream for further decoding.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems of using division-free duplexing (DFD) in a cable communication network. Techniques for applying DFD in a cable communication network may enable data to be transmitted and received over a coaxial cable without using division duplexing techniques. For example, the cable communication network may include DFD enabled network nodes and each subscriber to the cable network may be equipped with a DFD system configured to operate in a DFD mode. In some embodiments, oppositely propagating signals may be transmitted over one frequency channel, and DFD techniques may be used to recover originally transmitted signals. Further, in some embodiments, DFD techniques may be used with encryption methods to increase the security of data transmitted in the cable communication network.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus including a distribution transformer having a communication module. The distribution transformer is configured to convert a first high voltage electricity from a high voltage distribution line to a first low voltage electricity and convert a second low voltage electricity from a low voltage power line to a second high voltage electricity. The communication module is programmed to provide time data representing time of day information along the low voltage power line to an electrical device and provide location data representing location information along the low voltage power line to the electrical device. The location information includes a geographic location of the distribution transformer.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems of using division-free duplexing (DFD) to reduce rendezvous time between two or more cognitive radio devices. The cognitive radio devices may opportunistically use available frequency spectra by communicating over available channels. To communicate, a first device may rendezvous with a second device by transmitting a beaconing signal over a frequency on which the second device is listening. DFD techniques may enable each of the devices to listen to a channel while concurrently transmitting beacon signals over the same channel. As periods of listening and periods of transmitting over the same channel need not be separated due to the transmitter cancelling approach used in DFD techniques, rendezvous time may be significantly reduced. Further, embodiments include a generalized DFD (GDFD) approach wherein devices listen to a broad band of frequencies, thus further reducing rendezvous time.

Abstract: A system and method for replicating optical data storage discs (e.g., holographic data storage discs) having multiple layers of data. Master discs providing for respective single layers of data are utilized, and each respective single layer of data from the master discs are replicate onto the optical data storage disc.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for increasing storage capacity in a holographic storage system. While typical holographic storage systems involve binary storage for each data position in a holographic disk, present techniques involve storing data such that more than two data levels may be recorded in each data position. In some embodiments, a recording beam directed to the disk may be adjusted to different power levels depending on the data level to be recorded. Furthermore, the recording time at a data position may be adjusted to increase the energy directed to the data position by increasing the amount of time the recording beam is impinged on the data position. Embodiments are suitable for different types of holographic storage, including dye-based medium.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus including a distribution transformer having a communications module. The distribution transformer is configured to convert a first high voltage electricity from a high voltage distribution line to a first low voltage electricity and convey the first low voltage electricity along a low voltage line to an electrical device. The communications module is configured to transmit a load reduction request along the low voltage line to the electrical device.

Abstract: The present techniques provide methods and systems for reading and processing a data signal read from an optical data disc. In embodiments, an optical reader system may read data bits from a data ring in the disc. The data rings may be concentric, and a beginning of a sequence of data on the data ring may be in substantially the same position as an ending of the sequence. The reader may identify a data ring and begin the read process on the targeted data ring, and may end the read process when the reader reaches the starting point. The data sequence read from the data ring may be decoded to form a bit stream, which may be provided to various output devices. A circular trellis formed from the bit stream may enable the reading of a targeted data sequence without additional tail bits to improve data transmission efficiency.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for increasing spectral efficiency over data channels in a storage or communication system. In some embodiments, data may be encoded and transmitted over multiple channels. The transmitted data from the multiple channels may be considered together as a channel bundle, thereby increasing the edge transitions of the group of signals to improve clock recovery and reduce coding constraints. In some embodiments, the channel bit size is reduced to maximize data rates based on the reduced coding constraints. Furthermore, the channel bundle has only one channel with timing markers, so that a receiver may receive information from the channel bundle and recover clocking based on the timing markers in the one channel.

Abstract: The present techniques provide systems and methods for decoding an optical data signal returned from an optical disc to retrieve source information. The decoding method is based on a 16 state trellis diagram, and may decode an optical data signal encoded through a modulation code where the input-to-output relationship is not convolutional, such as the 17 Parity Preserve/Prohibit (17pp) modulation code. A trellis diagram may enable non-convolutional trellis-modulated data to be more efficiently decoded. Further, the 16 state trellis diagram of the present techniques provides a unique path for each input-to-output bit pair, such that no information about input bits may be lost on parallel paths in a trellis diagram.