Abstract: An improved current sharing signal coupling/decoupling circuit for use in each module of a system including a plurality of parallel connected modules, each such circuit providing an interface between a module's "current sharing signal" port and a common connection bus. The signal coupling/decoupling circuits also share a common ground noted in the disclosure as a "current sharing reference". Each circuit is comprised of a variable reference based decoupling subcircuit, including a first comparator, a bi-directional switch, and a variable voltage reference, and a fixed referenced based decoupling circuit including a second comparator, a scalar resistor and a fixed voltage reference. The variable reference comparator senses the difference between the variable reference voltage and the voltage on the associated module's current sharing signal port, and activates the bi-directional switch to disconnect the module.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an OFDM transmission system providing a high level of performance on a variety of frequency selective channels by using a code having the characteristics of maximum PPD and maximum PECL, and a constellation having size 2.sup.n where n generally is greater than k+1, where k is the number of bits in each symbol input to the convolutional encoder. The codes are designed to allow high SNR subchannels to carry their full potential of information which is then used to compensate for information lost on low SNR subchannels.

Abstract: In decoding an received codeword encoded for error correction purposes, a method for computing error locator polynomial and error evaluator polynomial in the key equation solving step is presented whereby the polynomials are generated through a number of intermediate steps that can be implemented with minimal amount of hardware circuitry. The number of intermediate steps requires a corresponding number of cycles to complete the calculation of the polynomials. Depending on the selected (N, K) code, the number of cycles required for the calculation of the polynomials would be within the time required for the calculation of up-stream data. More specifically, an efficient scheduling of a small number of finite-field multipliers (FFM's) without the need of finite-field inverters (FFI's) is disclosed. Using these new methods, an area-efficient architecture that uses only three FFM's and no FFI's is presented to implement a method derived from the inversionless Berlekamp-Massey algorithm.

Abstract: DSP based dynamic resource allocation multiprocessor communications boards may be used in either a circuit-switched data system or a packet switched data system including a plurality of channels for transmitting bit streams including service data packets and corresponding call setup requests indicative of a required amount of digital signal processing for the corresponding service data packets. For use in the circuit-switched data system, a dual port memory pool is partitioned into a plurality of memory sections each partitioned into memory portions including an input portion and an output portion. Each memory portion is accessible via first port and a second port. A distributing function unit provides multiplexed/demultiplexed paths between the channels and the memory sections. A processing bank includes a plurality of digital signal processors selectively connectable in series via serial ports to selectively operate in a plurality of modes including pipeline modes.

Abstract: An improved reusable media carrier having positive alignment capability and improved carrying characteristics for advancing one or more pieces of printable card stock media or the like through a computer printer, word processing printer, or copy machine. Such means is in the form of a flexible rectangularly configured carrier, particularly suited for use with printers or copy machines having friction, sheet-feed mechanisms. The carrier is comprised of an essentially rectangular sheet of paper or other flexible material folded in such a way as to provide retainers for positively engaging at least two adjacent side edges of a piece of media to be printed. In addition, the retainer means may include hard stops for effecting positive media alignment and location. Furthermore, the carrier may include embedded strips of stiffener material for minimizing curl of the media carrier.

Abstract: Wear resistant jewelry apparatus and method of making same wherein articles of jewelry are made from sinterable metal and/or ceramic powder materials compressed into a predetermined configuration and then sintered to form a blank from which a jewelry item may be made and to which softer precious metals, stones, crystals or other materials suitable for use in jewelry may be affixed. Such items of jewelry may have multiple facets and can be fabricated using various disclosed techniques and various combinations of materials.

Abstract: A slider support assembly (20) includes a support arm (2) extendible over a magnetic disk (8). A slider (4), including a data head (12), is mounted to the support arm. The slider is mounted so the slider can pivot in a radially oriented roll plane (18) about an effective roll axis (44). The effective roll axis is typically located centrally beneath the slider, preferably about half-way through the disk. By moving the effective roll axis from a position above the data surface, as found with conventional gimbal-type slider supports, to a point below the data surface, pivotal radial movements of the slider relative to the data surface due to flutter of the data surface are reduced or eliminated. This helps to prevent track misalignment between the data head and data track caused by flutter or other excursions of the disk while spinning.

Abstract: A direct memory access (DMA) arrangement having a DMA circuit which is positioned with an input/output device, the DMA circuit including a first register for storing a reference value pointing to a first data structure established by an application program which includes details of a transfer buffer in memory in which data is stored for transfer to the I/O device, two additional registers for storing an address and a range at which the data is stored within the transfer buffer in memory, and a fourth register for storing a reference value pointing to a second data structure which includes details describing a notification area of memory at which a notification from the DMA circuit that a transfer of data has been completed may be stored.

Abstract: A novel architecture is based on a general purpose microcomputer with an "upstream" bus and a "downstream" bus. The upstream bus interfaces to an integrated multiport RAM that is shared between an upstream processor and the local processor, and possesses both upstream and local (downstream) interrupts associated with dedicated locations in RAM. The upstream bus can be operated in two modes, a standard (EISA) PC bus MASTER mode in which the dual port RAM is compatible with an IBM PC bus and a SLAVE mode in which the upstream bus is compatible with the downstream bus. An indefinitely long chain of such processors can be initialized by one host. Orthogonal channels (decoupled from the main upstream/downstream bus) can be used to achieve unique functionality based on host control of arrays of such processors.

Abstract: A retractable self-locking cleat for rope, cable and like including means forming a base that can be mounted to a truck body, deck or other surfaces which includes an opening, recess, well or cavity into which an improved self-locking cleat component can be retracted. The cleat component is pivotably secured to the base and can be rotated into and out of the recess. The pivotable connection between the self-locking cleat component and the base may include a pivot pin and slot configuration that permits the cleat component to be maintained in its extended position once rotated thereinto or until it is repositioned so that it can be pivoted into its retracted position. Suitable bolts or other fasteners may be used to secure the base to the apertured wall, deck or other surface. In an alternative embodiment, the base is formed into a classical, fixed cleat configuration having a cavity formed in its midsection for receiving a retractable self-locking cleat component pivotably attached to the fixed base.

Abstract: Improved saddle (53) for stringed musical instruments comprised of a single unitary member configured in a somewhat comblike structure, the backbone portion (60) of which is curved and forms a string-engaging and supporting surface. The teeth-forming portions (61) form a plurality of sound-coupling and supporting pedestals, each of which lies directly beneath a string and terminates in a distal end that is adapted to bear against a bridge plate (57) the soundboard of the instrument.

Abstract: A wafer probe system includes a plurality of vertical-parallel probe pins having a spring formed in a center portion thereof to provide a contact force control area. The spring being formed according to a predetermined shape having a known stress-strain profile. In one embodiment, a first spring shape results in a probe tip contact force that is approximately constant after an initial vertical displacement of the probe tip. In an alternate embodiment, a second spring shape formed in the probe pin results in decreasing probe tip contact force with increasing vertical displacement of the probe tip. A canted probe tip end permits creation of an X-Y force component to facilitate penetration of the passivation layer. The canted tip portion also permits non-rotatable alignment of the probe pins in a probe card to thereby prevent contact of one probe pin with another.