Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for optical polarization mode dispersion compensator (PMDC) feedback control for APol-DPSK signals. A feedback signal generator includes a delay-line-interferometer (DLI), with a differential delay line delay (D) different from one bit period (Tb). In an exemplary embodiment, the DLI delay is in the range of 0.5 Tb<D<1.0 Tb, or 1.0 Tb<D<1.5 Tb, preferably 0.85 Tb or 1.15 Tb. The DLI is coupled to a single-ended detector, whose output is amplified and bandpass filtered around the frequency of half the bit rate. The filtered signal is then applied to an RF power detector to generate the PMDC feedback signal. Generation of the PMDC feedback signal in accordance with the present invention is insensitive to any alignment of the state of polarization (SOP) of the received APol-DPSK signal with the principal state of polarization (PSP) of the transmission link. As a result, there is no need for a polarization scrambler at the transmitter.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically generating a mask delineating a region of interest (ROI) within an image containing skin are disclosed. The image may be of an anatomical area containing skin, such as the face, neck, chest, shoulders, arms or hands, among others, or may be of portions of such areas, such as the cheek, forehead, or nose, among others. The mask that is generated is based on the locations of anatomical features or landmarks in the image, such as the eyes, nose, eyebrows and lips, which can vary from subject to subject and image to image. As such, masks can be adapted to individual subjects and to different images of the same subjects, while delineating anatomically standardized ROIs, thereby facilitating standardized, reproducible skin analysis over multiple subjects and/or over multiple images of each subject.

Abstract: A platform for seamlessly hosts a plurality of disparate types of packet processing applications. One or more applications are loaded onto a service card on the platform. A programmable path structure is included that maps a logical path for processing of the packets through one or more of the plurality of service cards according to characteristics of the packets. Multiple path structures may be programmed into the platform to offer different service paths for different types of packets.

Abstract: Inappropriate messages can be eliminated by an automatic etiquette agent which, based on prescribed etiquette rules, initially prevents a communication from being established unless it receives a further authorization from the user. The etiquette rules represent prescribed social characteristics and situations and they may be set by, or customized by the user, an organization to which the user belongs, or a communication service provider. The automatic etiquette agent may question the user on the advisability of establishing a communication, e.g., by presenting a dialog box or voice prompt to the user and receiving a simple affirmation if communication is to be established. Alternatively, the user may be prompted by the automatic etiquette agent to enter a password that clearly indicates the user's assent. In the event that the automatic etiquette agent does not receive the appropriate affirmation of the user's intent, the communication is not established.

Abstract: A spread-spectrum preamble synchronization peak detection system performs multiple statistical tests based on instant and time-averaged channel condition measurements to identify the synchronization peak. In a normalized peak-to-average test, a peak-to-average ratio measurement is normalized by a signal-to-noise ratio measurement to form a new statistical measure which effectively eliminates the impact of the wide dynamic range of the signal-to-noise ratio of the received samples. A transition SNR test is used to eliminate potential false alarms caused by spurious PARN peaks during the transition period at the onset of preamble arrival. Code-phase aligned time-averaging is used to estimate the signal and noise levels over a sliding window. The code-phase alignment of samples effectively separates signal and noise samples in the averaging process, and resulting in more accurate signal and noise measurements.

Abstract: An arrangement is described for compensating intra-channel nonlinearities in an optical communications system which combines optical dispersion compensation with electronic pre-distortion (EPD). EPD with moderate lookup table size can effectively suppress intra-channel nonlinearities over optical transmission links incorporating optical dispersion compensation. The arrangement can be implemented for a variety of optical communications systems, including 10 Gb/s, 40 Gb/s and higher bit rate systems as well as single-channel and wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) systems.

Abstract: A GNSS ultra-tight coupling (UTC) receiver architecture applicable to space borne orbit platforms is described. A receiver in accordance with this architecture retains the rotational motion sensors typically found in an inertial measurement unit (IMU) of a conventional UTC receiver, but replaces the IMU accelerometer sensors with precise orbital dynamics models to predict the translational motion of the platform center of gravity (CG). Drag and radiation pressure may be modeled as well. The various models can be implemented in software. The IMU rotational sensors are retained for compensation of the GNSS antenna lever arm effect due to platform rotation.

Abstract: A system for, and method of, generating a minimum quantity of route target attributes is described. According to a method embodiment, a minimal set of unique permutations of data flows between sites of one or more Virtual Private Network (VPNs) is computed by comparing permutations of data flows to and from each site of a customer (i.e., variations of connectivity between sites) and identifying which permutation of data flows are unique while ignoring any duplicate permutations of data flows. Unique route target attributes are then generated, each route target attribute corresponding to a particular one of the unique permutations of data flows. Typically, the quantity of unique route target numbers generated is equal to the minimum quantity of unique permutations of data flows.

Abstract: A data-aided, multi-symbol phase estimation (MSPE) scheme is described for improving receiver sensitivity in the direct-detection of optical differential multi-level phase-shift keying (ODmPSK) signals including optical differential quadrature phase-shift keying (ODQPSK) signals, ODQPSK signals with amplitude shift keying (ODQPSK+ASK), optical differential 8-level phase-shift keying (OD8PSK) signals with eight phase levels, and optical differential phase-shift keying signals with more than eight phase levels. The use of data-aided MSPE substantially reduces the “differential detection penalty,” with receiver sensitivity approaching that of coherent detection schemes.

Abstract: A multi-flash photography system provides a dynamically-configurable lighting environment for a single exposure that is created and shaped through the sequentially firing of various light sources with different lighting characteristics controlled in accordance with both a programmed template specifying the flash type, position, firing order, and output intensity, as well as optical processing requirements such as filtering, polarizing, etc., and a shared photometric detector located sufficiently close to the subject being photographed to ensure that the light seen by the detector is substantially the same as the light received at the subject.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating bias errors in a time-difference-of-arrival/frequency-difference-of-arrival (TDOA/FDOA) geolocation system using a reference signal transmitter in which position and/or motion information of the reference signal transmitter is encoded into the reference signal. The motion information may include the velocity and/or acceleration of the reference signal transmitter. The reference signal is received by multiple collection platforms operating in conjunction with a geolocation system and a reference correction processing system. The reference correction processing system receives, via the multiple collection platforms, the position and/or motion information, which is immediately and unambiguously associated with specific reference signal transmissions. The geolocation system estimates the position and/or velocity of the reference signal transmitter using conventional TDOA/FDOA techniques.

Abstract: A self-contained parts kit is created by forming a container around parts formed using a direct manufacturing process. The formation of the container is part of the same process by which the parts are formed. The container can be formed with one or more openings by which the parts can be removed. The container can also be formed with perforations in one or more surfaces to allow the parts therein to be cleaned without removing the parts, such as by shaking or by the external application of a fluid such as pressurized air. Indicia can also be formed on the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding information in a reference beacon signal for use in a time-difference-of-arrival/frequency-difference-of-arrival (TDOA/FDOA) geolocation system. Information is encoded in the reference beacon signal using variations in the times and frequencies of sequential reference signal transmissions. The encoded information may include an identifier associated with the transmitter of the reference beacon signal. A geolocation system receiving the reference beacon signal can thus differentiate it from non-cooperative target emissions as well as from other reference beacon signals.