Abstract: An optical Internet Protocol (IP) router serves a cell-site over an optical communication network. The optical IP router transmits a network attach request having an optical node name over a control optical wavelength. The optical communication node receives an assignment of a data optical wavelength, a cell-site mode, and an Internet Protocol (IP) address over the control optical wavelength based on the optical node name. The optical communication node operates in the cell-site mode and responsively exchanges cell-site data having the IP address over the data optical wavelength.

Abstract: An optical Internet Protocol (IP) router serves a cell-site over an optical communication network. The optical IP router transmits a network attach request having an optical node name over a control optical wavelength. The optical communication node receives an assignment of a data optical wavelength, a cell-site mode, and an Internet Protocol (IP) address over the control optical wavelength based on the optical node name. The optical communication node operates in the cell-site mode and responsively exchanges cell-site data having the IP address over the data optical wavelength.

Abstract: An optical communication system to automatically configure remote optical nodes. The optical communication system comprising a core router configured to transmit a control optical signal at a control transmit wavelength. The optical communication system further comprising one or more remote optical nodes configured to receive the control optical signal at the control transmit wavelength and to transmit an attach request at the control transmit wavelength to the core router. The core router is further configured to receive the attach request and to assign an Internet Protocol (IP) address, a data transmit wavelength, and a mode to the remote optical nodes. The remote optical node are further configured to tune to the assigned data transmit wavelength and operate in the assigned mode.

Abstract: A method for cutting a slab of material including cutting the slab with a cutting tool vibrating at a preselected frequency when the material is in a semi-set state.

Abstract: A method for producing a laminated product including applying a slab product to at least one surface of a substrate, the method including placing the substrate onto the slab material when the slab product is in a semi set partially cured state, then allowing the laminated product to cure. Preferably the slab is cement based and the substrate is a masonry product, already manufactured and cured, e.g., tiles, mosaics, bench tops. The method may alternatively cast a cementitious slab first, and then when that is partially cured pour the cementitious substrate onto it, then cutting the whole assembly into smaller pieces while the whole assembly is still in a partially cured semi set state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of processing cementitious products to substantially reduce or eliminate efflorescence. The method includes applying a protective layer to at least one surface of a slab product at the time of pouring cementitious mix into a mould and retaining the protective layer in place. The protective layer is a relatively thin sheet of plastic material.

Abstract: A method for producing a cementitious slab including mixing together cement with other materials with the combined mixture of materials having physical particle sizes sufficiently small to allow the material to be cut with a vibrating cutting tool when the material is a semi-set state.

Abstract: A method for cutting a slab of material including cutting the slab with a cutting tool vibrating at a preselected frequency when the material is in a semi-set state.