Abstract: A Soft, Prioritised Early Packet Discard System is provided, which is suitable for satellite onboard switching and very-high-speed terrestrial switching applications. The system counts the number of newly arriving packets, calculates and regularly updates an average queue size, which is used in setting a packet-count threshold via a descending staircase function. When the number of newly arriving packets reaches the packet-count threshold and when the average queue size reaches or exceeds the congestion threshold; a packet is discarded and the packet-counter is reset to zero. The counting of packets is halted while the average queue size remains below the congestion threshold. The regular dropping of packets allows simplified hardware implementations. In calculating the average queue size, a progressively higher exponential queue-length averaging parameter is used for higher instantaneous queue length, to provide faster reaction to congestion situations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tip section for a cue stick for use in billiards, snooker and pool. The tip section may be connected to either a butt section of a two piece cue, or to the shortened shaft end of an existing cue stick butt section. The tip section is composed of a hollow tube into which stiffening members and weights may be introduced to alter the weight, balance, flex and kick of the tip section. The tip section can be retrofitted to an existing butt section, used to repair a cue stick with a damaged tip segment, or be part of a new cue.