Abstract: Input signals are electronically watermarked using an uneven or non-uniform sampling rate. The uneven or non-uniform sampling may be pseudo-random. The uneven or non-uniform sampling meets the Nyquist criterion so that aliasing and loss of content are avoided. The resulting sampling pattern in the sampled data is detectable by a comparison with the original source data.

Abstract: A method of providing rebroadcast programming includes encoding a rebroadcast program, specifying a preferred play time, and providing a broadcast that fits the preferred play time. The encoding of the rebroadcast program can use a replay plan which prioritizes portions of the rebroadcast. A priority can be assigned to commercials which have been made to be shortened or dropped, or an alternative commercial substituted, depending on time limitations. A rebroadcast packaging and playlist are provided.

Abstract: Configuring processors in a target system includes' prompting a user to select workload units to use in the configuration, prompting the user to input a quantity of processing power required in terms of partition workload capacity required, obtaining a system work capacity for the target system in the appropriate units from a look-up table, and calculating the number of partition processors. The number of partition processors equals the total number of system processors, times the partition workload capacity divided by the system work capacity. The calculated number of partition processors is tested to see if it is within a predetermined percentage of the next full processor increment. If within the predetermined percentage, then using dedicated processors is recommended, otherwise using shared processors is recommended. The calculated number of partition processors and the recommended use of shared or dedicated processors is displayed to the user for validation or changing of the values.

Abstract: A switchable bandwidth optical receiver is implemented in a front-end of the receiver in at least one of three ways. A switchable impedance may be provided at the input to a preamplifier of the front end, the preamplifier of the front-end may have a switchable impedance therein, and/or a switchable filter may be provided at an output of the preamplifier.

Abstract: A one writer, multiple readers, shared data table concurrent access process includes providing a plurality of data elements. The data elements include a serialization mechanism. A second data element is a table/array of elements. A third data element is an atomic, integer counter. Inserting a new element into the shared unsorted data table by a writer includes locking the table. Removing an element at a position in the shared unsorted data table by a writer includes locking the table, copying the table so that the element to be removed is at the end of the table, deleting the element at the end of the table, and unlocking the table. From the shared data table by a reader includes looping through all elements of the table, loading and caching each element of the table, and read-only processing each element of the table.

Abstract: A method of handling conflicts between threads, including an initiating thread and at least one other thread, for at least one shared resource in a multi-threaded processing system having a processor and memory includes setting a location in memory for each other thread on the processor with the initiating thread. The initiating thread signals an inter-processor interrupt (IPI) to all other threads on the processor. For each other thread, an interrupt handler is initiated where each other thread: acknowledges receipt of the interrupt, and proceeds to spin on the respective location in memory that was set, thereby guaranteeing that the respective other thread will not be using any shared resource of the processor.

Abstract: An arrangement to enable automatic baud rate speed negotiation between transceivers having different operating speed characteristics is implemented. When an event indicative of a possible baud rate mismatch occurs, control signals are generated and used to trigger a baud rate negotiation procedure. In the baud rate negotiation procedure, a predetermined pattern is transmitted, the baud rate of the respective transmitting transceiver is decoded, and the decoded baud rate is used to select an appropriate filtering for the transceiver.

Abstract: As a mobile unit approaches a communication dead zone, a call is automatically disconnected in an orderly fashion. The call can be automatically reconnected when the mobile unit exits the communication dead zone. As part of the orderly disconnection, parties to the call are given an audible and/or visual message and/or sensual tactile stimulus letting them know that a dead zone is being approached. The message can also indicate the time before entering the dead zone, and/or what actions will be taken. Similarly, when the mobile unit is about to exit the dead zone, the parties can be given an indication prior to being reconnected.

Abstract: Optical power adjustment is provided for parallel optical transmitters, in particular, for an array of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSEL's). The lasers in the array can be independently digitally adjusted with associated digital circuitry to compensate for manufacturing and temperature variations. In particular, the threshold current and modulation current for each VCSEL in the array, as well as a global temperature coefficient for all the VCSEL's in the array, can be digitally setup and adjusted for desired power levels. Once set, the associated digital code can be stored in non-volatile memory, and loaded at powering-up of the transmitters.

Abstract: Mobile client based wireless communication is enhanced by using geographical position information of a respective mobile client relative to one or more communication dead zones. When a mobile client is approaching a dead zone, data communications can be delayed until the dead zone is traversed, or given a higher priority to expedite transmission completion before dead zone entry. A mobile client communicates its position information to the base station, where this position information can be compared with the locations of respective dead zones. The base station can determine and communicate to a mobile unit, an estimated time before the mobile unit will enter a dead zone. The mobile unit can use this information to determine whether sufficient time remains before entering the dead zone to transmit one or more blocks of data, for instance.

Abstract: In a device having data storage, storage space is adaptively controlled by monitoring what pre-stored instructional information is used and how the pre-stored instructional information is used. Some or all of the storage space containing the pre-stored instructional information may be overwritten with user data based on the adaptive control. However, some instructional information may be designated as not overwritable. If access to an external storage device is detected, such as via a communications network to a remote web site, then the pre-stored instructional information can be partially or completely overwritten and instructional information accessed when needed from the external storage device. If additional storage space is still required for user data after all the overwritable pre-stored instructional information has been overwritten, then user data may be transferred to the external storage device for remote storage. The overwriting may be automatic or interactive.

Abstract: In an electrical system having a connector board with at least one electrical connector thereon for receiving an electrical device therein, volumetric vital product parametric data is stored in memory associated with the connector board. The stored volumetric vital product parametric data can be accessed with the electrical system to check for available space for a proposed electrical device, for example. The stored data may include information about dimensional characteristics of the connector board and the at least one electrical connector. This data can be compared with corresponding data for the electrical device to determine compatibility, for example.

Abstract: A laser driver, e.g., a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) driver, with low duty cycle distortion is provided. An fT doubler circuit, used as the driver input, has two current sources, and reduces parasitic capacitance which can cause duty cycle distortion. The current sources may be analog or digital sources, the latter being digitally adjustable to provide for digital modulation adjustment. A current mirror circuit with a reference current source is provided for the two current sources.

Abstract: Enclosure services in a computer system having a Host computer and at least one Target device, are provided on a functional path, which is preferably a relatively high-speed, point-to-point serial bus between the Host computer and the at least one Target device. The at least one Target device and the Host computer each have a full power operational mode and an auxiliary power mode. The Host computer generates enclosure services commands and sends them to the at least one Target device on the functional path. The at least one Target device can receive and respond to the enclosure services commands, even when in the auxiliary power mode.

Abstract: A ring oscillator, such as a bipolar ring oscillator with enhanced, fast startup and shutdown includes a series of a plurality of inverting differential stages connected in a loop. The plurality of inverting differential stages includes a first multiplexer stage. The first multiplexer stage includes a first signal input, a second signal input and a select input. An oscillator feedback signal is applied to the first signal input of the first multiplexer stage. A startup circuit is coupled to the first multiplexer stage. The startup circuit includes a differential signal coupled to the second signal input of the first multiplexer stage for starting the bipolar ring oscillator. The startup circuit applies a full differential switching voltage signal to the second signal input of the first multiplexer stage to guarantee start of the bipolar ring oscillator after one delay of the series of the plurality of inverting differential stages connected in the loop.

Abstract: An adapter for adapting a first circuit package to a second circuit packaging, includes a substrate for receiving the first circuit package thereon, a plurality of connectors disposed on the substrate configured in the form of the second circuit packaging, and interconnections on the substrate for interconnecting the first circuit package to the plurality of connectors. At least one electronic component may also be disposed on the substrate and interconnected with the first transceiver package and the second transceiver packaging. An insulator pad may be provided for electrically insulating the adapter circuitry from an electrical system circuit board on which the adapter is mounted. A metal cover provides a chassis ground.

Abstract: A selectable receiver includes a first receiver module for receiving first input signal type and a second receiver module, different from the first receiver module, for receiving a second input signal type, both receiver modules coupled to the same receiver inputs. An internal common mode voltage for the first signal type or for the second signal type, is provided by respective common mode voltage networks, to the first or to the second receiver module, to facilitate AC coupling with the appropriate DC common mode voltage required by the signal type. If direct coupled, the internal common mode voltage is effectively swamped out by the common mode voltage of the input signal. The first receiver module or the second receiver module, and the associated first common mode voltage or second common mode voltage, are selected in the receiver based on a control signal.

Abstract: A fully balanced transimpedance amplifier for high speed and low voltage applications is provided. An input stage of the amplifier uses a matched pair of common source connected transistors with sources tied directly to ground to eliminate the Vds overhead usually found in differential pairs. The ground connection minimizes a source resistance noise component, while matching minimizes power supply noise generation and susceptibility for an array of amplifiers. Feedback resistors along with diode connected MESFETS determine the transimpedance of the amplifier. The nonlinearity of diodes helps to soften clipping. Transresistance also determined the noise generated by the amplifier, and the diode connected MESFETS offer lower noise than resistors for the same impedance. Stability is achieved through use of only a single stage of gain in a loop of the input stage, while additional gain is achieved through cascading in the input stage.

Abstract: A battery backup system has a number of batteries and number of switches interconnecting the batteries to either a high-power load or a low-power load. The batteries are selectively connected in series with each other, or in parallel with each other by the switches. When the batteries are in the parallel configuration they are also connected to power the low-power load, and when in series, to power the high-power load. Between switching from the high-power series configuration to the low-power parallel configuration, a transition phase is provided during which a transition battery powers the low-power load.

Abstract: In an electrical system having subsystems, and which stores configuration labeling information therein, subsystem configuration is detected and the stored configuration labeling information is updated based thereon. Service personnel can then access the stored updated configuration labeling information to use in affixing labels at appropriate locations in the electrical system.