Abstract: The optical-transceiver module includes an optical transmitter and an optical receiver. The optical transceiver module also includes an internal serial bus and a plurality of addressable components electrically coupled to the internal serial bus. Each of the addressable components included a serial interface for communicating with the internal serial bus, and a memory. Each addressable component also includes a unique address or chip select logic coupled to a controller via a chip select line. This allows data to be addressed to specific addressable components. The addressable components may include a laser driver, a laser bias controller, a power controller, a pre-amplifier, a post-amplifier, a laser wavelength controller, a main controller, a electrothermal cooler, an analog-to-digital converter, a digital-to analog converter, an APD bias controller, or any combination of the aforementioned components.

Abstract: Sensors and techniques useful with operating an automated data acquisition and notification system having a plurality of receptacles adapted to store items. In each of the plurality of receptacles, at least one sensor is operated to detect a presence of an item in that receptacle. Light is emitted from a planar surface within the receptacle to a space within the receptacle opposite the planar surface. While that light is emitted light incident on the planar surface is detected. A determination is made whether an amount of light that is detected is significant to indicate a presence of the item.

Abstract: A data acquisition and notification system associated with an array of receptacles having sensors adapted to observe at least one condition or event associated with at least one receptacle. A system database is configured to maintain data representing sensor information. Monitoring hardware is communicatively coupled to each sensor of the array of receptacles and controlled by a data acquisition program that causes the monitoring hardware to gather sensor information from the sensors and communicate the data representing the sensor information to the system database. A notification system is communicatively coupled to the system database and adapted to issue notifications that are based on data maintained by the system database.

Abstract: The optical transceiver module includes an optical transmitter and an optical receiver. The optical transceiver module also includes an internal serial bus and a plurality of addressable components electrically coupled to the internal serial bus. Each of the addressable components included a serial interface for communicating with the internal serial bus, and a memory. Each addressable component also includes a unique address or chip select logic coupled to a controller via a chip select line. This allows data to be addressed to specific addressable components. The addressable components may include a laser driver, a laser bias controller, a power controller, a pre-amplifier, a post-amplifier, a laser wavelength controller, a main controller, a electrothermal cooler, an analog-to-digital converter, a digital-to analog converter, an APD bias controller, or any combination of the aforementioned components.

Abstract: The optical transceiver module includes an optical transmitter and an optical receiver. The optical transceiver module also includes an internal serial bus and a plurality of addressable components electrically coupled to the internal serial bus. Each of the addressable components included a serial interface for communicating with the internal serial bus, and a memory. Each addressable component also includes a unique address or chip select logic coupled to a controller via a chip select line. This allows data to be addressed to specific addressable components. The addressable components may include a laser driver, a laser bias controller, a power controller, a pre-amplifier, a post-amplifier, a laser wavelength controller, a main controller, a electrothermal cooler, an analog-to-digital converter, a digital-to analog converter, an APD bias controller, or any combination of the aforementioned components.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improvement in circuit switching for a network comprising a switching apparatus including a plurality of transceivers for interfacing directly with a like plurality of nodes. Each of the transceivers has a receive and transmit through port for passing data to and from nodes. Transmitted data includes a connect/disconnect sequence, a first wait sequence, and user data. The switching apparatus further includes circuitry for isolating each transceiver so as to loop back data when not in use and a switching matrix for directly connecting any pair of transceivers. Each of the transceivers includes circuitry for detecting a connect and disconnect sequence and an interface for connection to a serial asynchronous receiver to derive node requests, routing data, priority and other information from the connect sequence detected at the transceiver.