Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatuses for hardening a communication device, which methods and apparatuses make it possible to identify a use of at least one port, by which port a request is submitted to the communication device by a message, and to output a signal for blocking the at least one port if, after a specifiable time period, either the use of the port in question is detected as low or no use of the port in question is detected. Embodiments can be used to harden communication devices in a production line, in a hospital and/or in a power supply network.

Abstract: A system for facilitating efficient port reconfiguration at a switch is provided. During operation, the system can identify a target port of the switch for reconfiguration based on one or more reconfiguration parameters indicating how a set of logical ports are generated from the target port. The system can disable the target port at the control plane of the switch, which disables features provided to the target port from the control plane. The control plane can provide a set of features supported by the switch at a port-level granularity for facilitating operations of the switch. The system can then configure the forwarding hardware based on the reconfiguration parameters to accommodate the set of logical ports. When the reconfiguration of the target port is complete, the system can enable a respective logical port at the control plane, which enables one or more features for the logical port from the control plane.

Abstract: An signal switching integrated-circuit die includes an array of switch cells, control signal contacts, data input contacts and data output contacts. Switch control signals are received from an external control-signal source via respective control signal contacts, inbound data signals are received from one or more external data-signal sources via respective data input contacts and outbound data signals are conveyed to one or more external data-signal destinations via respective data output contacts. The array of switch cells receives the control signals directly from the control signal contacts and response to the control signals by switchably interconnecting the data input contacts with selected ones of the data output contacts.

Abstract: A device may include a first interface and a second interface. The device may also include memory containing a set of rules and representations of pre-defined violations thereof. The device may also include digital logic programmed to: (i) receive, by way of the first interface, an Ethernet frame containing Ethernet header fields and an Ethernet payload, wherein the Ethernet payload contains a payload; (ii) extract data from the Ethernet header fields, wherein the data defines a transaction that is functionally equivalent to a further transaction that is defined by the payload; (iii) apply the set of rules to the transaction, wherein doing so involves comparing fields in the data to values and concluding that the transaction does not contain any pre-defined violations; and (iv) modify the Ethernet frame to contain content based on the payload, and transmit the Ethernet frame out the second interface.

Abstract: A method for transport of messages includes: based on relay-flag information being set to the first value, sending a message directly from a sending network node to a receiving network node, and sending an acknowledgement message directly from the receiving network node to the sending network node; based on relay-flag information being set to the second value, relaying a message from the sending network node via a third network node to the receiving network node, and sending an acknowledgement message directly from the receiving network node to the sending network node; and based on relay-flag information being set to the third value, relaying a message from the sending network node via a third network node to the receiving network node, and relaying an acknowledgement message from the receiving network node via the third network node to the sending network node.

Abstract: Embodiments of the application provide a data transmission method and a device. A sending device periodically obtains a first packet sequence number and a second packet sequence number. The first packet sequence number is a maximum value in packet sequence numbers respectively corresponding to packets that belong to a first data flow and that are received by a receiving device through a first data channel in a statistics period. The second packet sequence number is a maximum value in packet sequence numbers respectively corresponding to packets that belong to the first data flow and that are received by the receiving device through a second data channel in the statistics period. The sending device updates a packet cache queue of: the first data channel, the second data channel, or both the first and the second data channels, based on the first packet sequence number and the second packet sequence number.

Abstract: A method for monitoring spectral efficiency in a wireless network includes determining total number of resource blocks or resource elements allocated for each of one or more calls in the wireless network during a given time period and determining a corresponding total number of bits transmitted for each of the one or more calls during the given time period. A spectral efficiency metric is calculated for each of the one or more calls based at least in part on the total number of bits transmitted during the given time period and the total number of resource blocks or resource elements allocated for transmission during the given time period. A heat map for each of the one or more calls is generated based on geographic locations of the one or more calls.

Abstract: Systems and methods for clock synchronization are disclosed in which a primary node generates special physical layer clock sync symbols from the output of a reference clock and inserts the clock sync symbols within a symbol stream to one or more secondary nodes. Upon receiving a symbol stream, a secondary node can extract the clock sync symbols from the stream to synchronize its local clock with the reference clock of the primary node. In particular, the clock sync symbols can be inserted into the symbol stream at any arbitrary symbol location, e.g., even between consecutive symbols of a symbol encoded data frame. The clock sync symbols can also replace some control symbols in the symbol stream, such as idle or comma symbols. Accordingly, the clock sync symbols can be inserted into a symbol stream at fixed intervals, irregular intervals, or at any arbitrary time for high resolution clock synchronization.

Abstract: A device may include a first interface and a second interface. The device may also include memory containing a set of rules and representations of pre-defined violations thereof. The device may also include digital logic programmed to: (i) receive, by way of the first interface, an Ethernet frame containing Ethernet header fields and an Ethernet payload, wherein the Ethernet payload contains a payload; (ii) extract data from the Ethernet header fields, wherein the data defines a transaction that is functionally equivalent to a further transaction that is defined by the payload; (iii) apply the set of rules to the transaction, wherein doing so involves comparing fields in the data to values and concluding that the transaction does not contain any pre-defined violations; and (iv) modify the Ethernet frame to contain content based on the payload, and transmit the Ethernet frame out the second interface.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to local breakout. A network node can receive remote downlink traffic from a remote network, receive local downlink traffic from a local resource, aggregate at least the remote downlink traffic with the local downlink traffic based on one or more filters stored in memory of the network node, and route the aggregated downlink traffic to a wireless communication device. The remote downlink traffic can be associated with a first application of the wireless communication device, and the local downlink traffic can be associated with a second application of the wireless communication device. The network node can be a local gateway in certain embodiments. The network node can steer uplink traffic steering by filtering uplink traffic associated with the wireless communication device into local uplink traffic and remote uplink traffic based on at least one filter for filtering traffic stored in the memory.

Abstract: Techniques for establishing a secure communication channel between a trusted portion of a system and another portion of the system and providing data over the secure communication channel are described herein. For example, a system may implement a Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) and a TEE component associated with the TEE. The TEE component may establish a secure communication channel with a Network Interface Controller (NIC) on the system, such as a smart NIC that is configured to encrypt/decrypt data and/or perform other operations. The TEE component may receive one or more cryptographic keys from a service provider and provide the one or more cryptographic keys to the NIC via the secure communication channel. The NIC may use the one or more cryptographic keys to encrypt data to send to another device, decrypt data that is received from another device, or otherwise encrypt/decrypt data.

Abstract: Methods and systems related to speculative resource allocation for routing on an interconnect fabric are disclosed herein. One disclosed method includes speculatively allocating a collection of resources to support a set of paths through an interconnect fabric. The method also includes aggregating a set of responses from the set of paths at a branch node on the set of paths. If a resource contention is detected, the set of responses will include an indicator of a resource contention. The method will then further include transmitting, from the branch node and in response to the indicator of the resource contention, a deallocate message downstream and the indicator of the resource contention upstream, and reallocating resources for the multicast after a hold period.

Abstract: Systems and methods for locating a cellular phone are provided. More particularly, systems and methods for providing the location of a requested user's cellular phone from a requesting user's device (e.g., a second cellular phone) based on access rights defined by the requested user. Location descriptions may be provided at a multitude of levels. For example, if a cellular phone, or an identity associated to (e.g., logged into) a cellular phone, has been given access rights to a cell phone's exact location for an indefinite amount of time, that cell phone can receive, on command, the exact location of the approved cell phone. Other levels of location information that can be granted include, for example, proximities, states, and countries.

Abstract: A computer network architecture includes a plurality N of first nodes, each first node having kC ports to a cluster network, where N and kC are integers greater than 0; and a local network switch connected to each of the plurality of first nodes, but not to the cluster network. Each first node has kL ports to the local network switch, where kL, is an integer greater than 0, and any two first nodes in the plurality of first nodes communicate with each other via the local network switch or via the cluster network.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving a first service request via a network, transmitting a query to service layer equipment, and receiving, from the service layer equipment, first service requirements to fulfill the first service request. Responsive to receiving the first service requirements, a request for network resource capacity information is transmitted to instantiated software defined network (SDN) controllers. Network capacity information is received from the instantiated SDN controllers and an insufficiency thereof is determined according to the service requirements and the network capacity information. Another software defined network controller is instantiated into the network, responsive to the determined insufficiency, to fulfill the first service request. The first service requirements are met, in part, by the instantiated software defined network controllers that are instantiated and, in part, by the other software defined network controller.

Abstract: There are provided measures for centralized IP address management for distributed gateways. Such measures exemplarily comprise management of IP addresses for hosts being linked with a plurality of distributed gateway entities via a first host-specific tunnel at a centralized controller entity, and control of the plurality of distributed gateway entities in terms of Internet protocol address management from the centralized controller entity via a second host-specific tunnel on the basis of the managed Internet protocol addresses for the hosts. Accordingly, control-plane and user-plane functions may be separated between the centralized controller entity and the plurality of distributed gateway entities.

Abstract: Provided is a method for capturing a video. The method includes the following steps: a video captured instruction is acquired, and video capturing is performed on a target scenario until a video captured pause instruction is acquired, so as to obtain a video segment captured between the video captured instruction and the video captured pause instruction; it is determined whether a video generation instruction is acquired; if the video generation instruction is not acquired, the video captured instruction and the video captured pause instruction are acquired repeatedly to obtain corresponding video segments until the video generation instruction is acquired; and based on the video generation instruction, a target video is generated according to the obtained video segments. Further provided are an apparatus for capturing a video, a terminal device and a storage medium.

Abstract: Examples may include chipsets, processor circuits, and a system including chipsets and processor circuits. The chipsets and processor circuits can be coupled together via side band interconnect. The chipsets and processor circuits can be coupled together dynamically, during runtime using the side band interconnects. A chipset can send control signals for other chipsets and/or receive control signals from processor circuits via the side band links to dynamically coordinate the chipsets and processor circuits into systems.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a system may include a plurality of chassis, each chassis comprising a plurality of information handling systems and a private inter-chassis network configured to couple the plurality of chassis to one another. Each chassis of the plurality of chassis may be configured to advertise a message to the private inter-chassis network, the message comprising information regarding such chassis. The plurality of chassis may detect the presence of each other based on messages advertised from each chassis and the plurality of chassis may nominate a lead chassis from the plurality of chassis to serve as a single point of management of the system.

Abstract: A method for determining at least one lineal parameter of a transmission line comprises the following steps: determining at least one measurement of the complex propagation factor ? as a function of frequency on the basis of at least one measurement carried out on the transmission line, determining at least one measurement of the lineal attenuation ? of the transmission line equal to the real part of the measurement of the complex propagation factor ? and/or at least one measurement of the phase factor ? of the transmission line equal to the imaginary part of the measurement of the complex propagation factor ?, filtering the measurement of the lineal attenuation ? and/or the measurement of the phase factor ? on the basis of a polynomial frequency regression model dependent on the physical characteristics of the transmission line.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for providing computing device configuration information via a light transmission are disclosed. According to one method, the method occurs at a computing device. The method includes receiving configuration information including an internet protocol (IP) address assigned by a network node. The method also includes sending a transmission including the configuration information, wherein the configuration information includes the IP address, wherein the transmission includes either a visible light transmission or an infrared (IR) transmission.

Abstract: A method for transmitting multimedia data delivery characteristics information by a multimedia data transmission apparatus in a multimedia communication system is provided. The method includes transmitting, to a multimedia data reception apparatus, an element indicating whether multimedia data delivery characteristics information denoting information related to a Quality of Service (QoS) for multimedia data is included, and the multimedia data delivery characteristics information if the element indicates that the multimedia data delivery characteristics information is included.

Abstract: Described embodiments automatically and dynamically deploy and undeploy virtual computing environments by using a schedule obtained from a user's personal, work, or shared team calendars. By using data such as out-of-office or auto-reply statuses, calendar items marked as “Out of Office”, and calendar items with specific keywords, the system may dynamically determine when a user is likely to be “present” (or capable of accessing or likely to access a virtual computing environment) or “absent” (or incapable of accessing or unlikely to access the virtual computing environment). The virtual computing environment may be dynamically deployed or undeployed responsive to and/or in anticipation of a user's presence or absence, providing cost savings and reduced bandwidth, power, and processor consumption, without increasing user frustration or requiring extra tasks.

Abstract: Examples may include a storage device coupled to a host bus adapter and a SATA controller over a SATA interface. The storage device includes a memory and a storage device controller. The storage device controller includes a collision detector and counter component to detect and count collisions on the SATA interface for a period of time; and a bus limiter component to detect a type of workload on the SATA interface, and when the detected workload is only read commands and a number of detected collisions is less than a detected collision threshold during the period of time, to set a limit on a maximum number of commands sent by the host bus adapter to the storage device controller over the SATA interface.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method receiving, from service layer equipment of a network, a first plurality of service requirements to fulfill a first service request, determining a first configuration of a first plurality of software defined network controllers according to the first plurality of service requirements, instantiating into the network the first plurality of software defined network controllers according to the first configuration to fulfill the first service request, receiving a first communication from a first software defined network controller of the first plurality of software defined network controllers, determining a shortage in a first network resource according to the first communication, and transmitting a second communication to the first software defined network controller to direct the first software defined network controller to instantiate a first virtual network function to compensate for the shortage in the first network resource.

Abstract: A virtual private access method implemented by a cloud system, includes receiving a request to access resources from a user device, wherein the resources are located in one of a public cloud and an enterprise network and the user device is remote therefrom on the Internet; forwarding the request to a central authority for a policy look up and for a determination of connection information to make an associated secure connection through the cloud system to the resources; receiving the connection information from the central authority responsive to an authorized policy look up; and creating secure tunnels between the user device and the resources based on the connection information.

Abstract: An integrated circuit system includes a host device; and a memory module suitable for communicating with the host device according to a first protocol, the memory module comprising: at least one memory device suitable for storing data or outputting stored data, and executing communication according to a second protocol; and a protocol converter suitable for transferring information among the host device and the at least one memory device, wherein information to be inputted to the at least one memory device is transferred by being converted according to the second protocol and information to be outputted from the at least one memory device is transferred by being converted according to the first protocol.

Abstract: A method of detecting misconfiguration of a hardware resource during a software deployment in a service provider may include receiving configuration data for the hardware resource, the configuration data being associated with a hardware layer, an operating system layer and an application layer of the hardware resource. At least a first fingerprint may be generated using the configuration data associated with the hardware resource. Software may be deployed to the hardware resource. Updated configuration data for the hardware resource may be received, the updated configuration data being associated with the hardware layer, the operating system layer and the application layer of the hardware resource after the deployment. A second fingerprint associated with the hardware resource that is based on the updated configuration data may be generated. The first fingerprint may be compared to the second fingerprint to determine whether the software deployment was successful.

Abstract: A networking device including a plurality of client ports arranged for communicating with a plurality of clients, a service port arranged for communicating with a machine arranged to communicate with the plurality of clients, and networking componentry arranged to communicate electromagnetic communications between the plurality of client ports and the service port.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments disclose techniques that facilitate the process of performing anti-virus checks for a distributed filesystem. Two or more cloud controllers collectively manage distributed filesystem data that is stored in one or more cloud storage systems; the cloud controllers ensure data consistency for the stored data, and each cloud controller caches portions of the distributed filesystem. During operation, a cloud controller receives a write request from a client system that seeks to store a target file in the distributed system. A scan is then performed for this target file. For instance, the scan may be an anti-virus scan that ensures that viruses are not spread to the distributed filesystem or the clients of the distributed filesystem.

Abstract: A RF detector is provided and includes LO and RF paths, a mixer and a filter. The LO path includes a first buffer and a sine-to-square wave converter. The first buffer receives a first RF signal that is based on a RF input signal received by the RF detector. The RF input signal is detected within a substrate processing system. The sine-to-square wave converter converts a sine wave of the first RF signal to a square wave and outputs a LO signal having the square wave. The RF path includes a second buffer that receives a second RF signal and outputs a RF output signal. The second RF signal is based on the RF input signal. The mixer generates an IF signal based on the LO and RF output signals. The filter filters the IF signal to generate a DC signal, which is representative of the second RF signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device and a method for managing network connection. The device is used to connect a number of external devices to a network, and stores a plurality of pieces of network configuration information. The method includes detecting whether one or more external devices requests to connect to the network via the device; and determining the configuration information corresponding to each external device, configuring the allowed external devices and connecting the configured external devices to the network according to the determined network configuration information. A network connection managing system is further provided.

Abstract: A handheld communication device is used to capture video streams and generate a multiplexed video stream. The handheld communication device has at least two cameras facing in two opposite directions. The handheld communication device receives a first video stream and a second video stream simultaneously from the two cameras. The handheld communication device detects a speech activity of a person captured in the video streams. The speech activity may be detected from direction of sound or lip movement of the person. Based on the detection, the handheld communication device automatically switches between the first video stream and the second video stream to generate a multiplexed video stream. The multiplexed video stream interleaves segments of the first video stream and segments of the second video stream. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises of a control module implemented in at least one of a memory or a processing device that is configured to receive, via a network and from a wireless access point or an access network node, a control packet defined based on a control protocol. The control packet is associated with at least one control function of the wireless access point or access network node. The control module is configured to determine a status of an access network node based on the control packet from the access network node. The control module is configured to send via the network, a response to the access network node based on the status of the access network node.

Abstract: An access node of a communication system is configured to control crosstalk between channels of the system. A set of L distinct and linearly independent pilot signals is generated, with each pilot signal having length n, where n>L such that n?L linearly independent n-tuples are available for use in detection and correction of impulse noise. In an illustrative embodiment, the L pilot signals are mutually orthogonal. The L pilot signals are transmitted over respective ones of the channels, and one or more of the pilot signals as received over their respective channels are processed to detect the presence of impulse noise. A crosstalk estimate corrected for the detected impulse noise is generated and utilized to control crosstalk between two or more of the channels.

Abstract: A method of facilitating communication between a resource and a computer is described. The computer employs a software application that allows the computer to communicate with the resource. The resource may comprise a medical device such as a blood glucose meter or an insulin pump. In order to facilitate communication between the computer and the resource, the software constructs a communication protocol particular to the type of resource connected to the computer. The stack comprising the communication protocol allows the computer to communicate with the resource. Once the resource and computer cease communication, the stack may be removed from the memory of the computer.

Abstract: The use of broadcast channels for television programming on a wireless telecommunications data network is optimized. Proxy servers at base stations receive more programming than can be broadcast by the base station. Programming then is queued for changes in broadcast content. Management servers coordinate the broadcasts across multiple sectors so that centralized control is possible. Management servers operate in conjunction with necessary gateways on the connectivity services network to route content to access service network. Quality of service (QoS) guarantees are actualized by centrally managing the broadcast of requested content from the proxy servers. Handoffs are possible from one area to another by coordinating the broadcasts across access service networks.

Abstract: Bandwidth usage for an existing communication tunnel between a first device and second device is monitored. A determination is made that additional bandwidth is required for communication between the first network device and the second network device. A determination is made that for the addition of the additional bandwidth would exceed available bandwidth for the existing tunnel. Additional bandwidth is established between the first network device and the second network device.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus capable of reliably accessing files associated with file identification information generated based on more character code systems, without necessitating a large-capacity memory. When the information processing apparatus (MFP) acquires file identification information, a CPU of the MFP determines whether or not the MFP is capable of performing processing based on a predetermined character code system used for describing the identification information. When the MFP is not capable of performing processing based on the character code system, the CPU converts the identification information described in the predetermined character code system into substitute character codes processable thereby. Then, the CPU registers the substitute character codes and the original character codes before the conversion in a map table in association with each other.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a packet at a network device in communication with a plurality of client nodes, the packet identifying a first client node, performing a look up in a table stored at the network device to locate policies associated with the first client node, the table including an entry for each of the client nodes, each entry having a plurality of policies associated with the client node, applying the policies associated with the first client node at a forwarding engine at the network device, and forwarding the packet from the network device. An apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for optimizing multicast routing in a network. At a router device, a message is sent to one or more physical devices. The message is configured to solicit a response indicating a network assignment for each of the physical devices. A response message is received from each of the physical devices. The response message comprises network assignment information for each of the physical devices. For each of the physical devices, the network assignment information is translated into a segment identifier. The segment identifier is distributed to other router devices in the network.

Abstract: A discrete multi-tone (DMT) transceiver communicates tones across a subscriber line. Vectoring is employed in an effort to reduce the effects of crosstalk. However, for some tones, such as tones significantly affected by radio frequency interference (RFI) or other forms of alien noise, vectoring may actually introduce distortions such that the vectoring degrades rather than improves overall signal quality. Control logic of the DMT transceiver is configured to sense when tones are affected by significant levels of alien noise and to exclude such tones from vectoring, thereby improving signal quality for such tones. The control logic also may lower the constellation densities of such tones in order to accommodate the vectoring exclusions applied to such tones.

Abstract: A management server and a management method thereof are provided. The management server is connected to a switch on a trunk port. The switch is connected to a plurality of cloud appliances in different virtual local area networks (VLANs). The management severs operates a management system and a translation system for managing cloud appliances. The translation system is operated to modify the receiving data packet by converting the source MAC address or the source IP address and removing the VLAN tag, and to modify the transmitting data packet by converting the destination MAC address or the destination IP address and adding a VLAN tag.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a number of sub-systems and a control interface operably coupled to sub-systems for routing data therebetween. A strobe generation function is operably coupled to the control interface and configured to generate a plurality of different strobe signals to differentiate between different intended receiving devices. Thus, different strobe signals may be multiplexed onto a single control interface link, based on a pulse width or voltage magnitude characteristics of the respective strobe signals. A strobe decoder function is operably coupled to the control interface and configured to decode a plurality of different strobe signals to differentiate between triggering sub-systems on receiving devices.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to deploy fiber optic based access networks are disclosed. An example access network comprises a first fiber optic cable segment to couple an optical access head-end to a first pedestal and to transport user data, a second fiber optic cable segment to couple the first pedestal to a second pedestal and to transport a first portion of the user data to the second pedestal, a drop cable segment to couple the first pedestal to a customer premises and to transport a second portion of the user data to the customer premises, and a switch at the first pedestal to route the first portion of the user data between the first and second fiber optic cable segments and to route the second portion of the user data between the first fiber optic cable segment and the drop cable segment.

Abstract: An information management method and an information processing device functioning as a node are provided to enable an effective use of information distributed to, and shared with, a plurality of nodes on a network and to enable maintenance of security against leakage of information by controlling information retention. This management method of information gathers information distributed to, and shared with, a plurality of the nodes on a network and holds the information in a state accessible from other nodes to a temporary information memory unit when generating restored information. The information management method is also characterized in setting a flag for showing a history of the information and immediately discarding the information in the case that the retention of restored information becomes improper from a view point of contents of the flag.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing SRV node selection are provided. The method may include using an entry node to submit a query message in selected fields of a Device Attribute Information Element in L2ME protocol. The entry node may require an advanced service. The entry node may not be aware which node of the plurality of nodes is the node selected for supporting the advanced service on the network. The selected fields may include vendor specific fields. In response to the query message, the method may further include determining which of the plurality of nodes can be selected for supporting the advanced service on the network. The method may further include determining whether there is a one the plurality of nodes which has been selected for supporting the advanced service on the network.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to mechanisms to protect hybrid networking equipment at a port level granularity and thereby provide capabilities to specify the protection of client services on a port-by-port basis. For example, in one embodiment, a Virtual Connection Point (VCP) may be established as a termination point for a transport-side network connection and configured as a Layer 1 bridge/select connection to switch among any one of a plurality of backplane Layer 1 termination points. The plurality of backplane Layer 1 termination points may be protected using a link aggregation group, wherein a Layer 2 switch may be established to direct packets between the link aggregation group and the VCP configured as the Layer 1 bridge/select connection.

Abstract: Handling of multiple connections during NAT traversal for a node behind a symmetric NAT is disclosed. The likelihood of connection failure during symmetric NAT traversal may be reduced by serializing critical time windows after port prediction. Once a connection request has been sent for a first connection, port prediction for a subsequent connection may be delayed until a connectivity check has begun for the first connection. This process may be repeated to handle NAT traversal for multiple simultaneous connections to different nodes.

Abstract: A BCN network with BCN modems that communicate using predefined messages to establish, optimize and facilitate data communication.