Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for “Smart” RF over Glass (RFoG) CPE Unit with Seamless PON Upgrade Capability. A method includes operating a customer premises equipment device including transporting upstream cable return services with a laser; and switching a drive source for the upstream laser from an analog driver to a digital driver by using a managed electrical switch to reuse a wavelength of the laser. An apparatus includes a customer premises equipment device including a laser for transporting upstream cable return services; and a managed electrical switch coupled to the laser that is used to switch a drive source for the upstream laser to reuse a wavelength of the laser.

Abstract: Vanadium oxide nanoparticles prepared by an inverse micelle hydrolysis of vanadium alkoxide in the presence of a basic catalyst.

Abstract: A dielectrically loaded backfire helical antenna has a cylindrical ceramic core and a feed structure which passes axially through the core to a distal end face of the core where it is connected to helical conductors located on the outside of the core. Opening out on the proximal end face of the core is a cavity which is coaxial with the feed structure. A conductive balun layer encircling a portion of the core extends over the proximal end face of the core and the wall of the cavity to connect the helical elements to the feeder structure when it emerges into the cavity. The presence of the cavity and accommodating some of the length of the balun in the cavity allows a reduction in the size and weight of a dielectrically loaded backfire antenna.

Abstract: A dielectrically loaded backfire helical antenna has a cylindrical ceramic core and a feed structure which passes axially through the core to a distal end face of the core where it is connected to helical conductors located on the outside of the core. Opening out on the proximal end face of the core is a cavity which is coaxial with the feed structure. A conductive balun layer encircling a portion of the core extends over the proximal end face of the core and the wall of the cavity to connect the helical elements to the feeder structure when it emerges into the cavity. The presence of the cavity and accommodating some of the length of the balun in the cavity allows a reduction in the size and weight of a dielectrically loaded backfire antenna.

Abstract: Inserting protocol adaptation layers into access equipment to translate data over cable service interface specification services control messages to the corresponding messages in the other (multiple) heterogeneous access specification(s) includes AMTS DOCSIS-to-access protocol translation and AMTS access-to-DOCSIS protocol translation. A method of expanding DOCSIS into an alternative access network includes deploying a protocol adaptation layer in access equipment to translate DOCSIS control messages to corresponding messages for use in the alternative access network. Translating DOCSIS control messages to corresponding messages for use in the alternative access network includes AMTS DOCSIS-to-access protocol translation and AMTS access-to-DOCSIS protocol translation.

Abstract: Pulse communications using precision timing includes detecting a pulse stream from a pulse code modulated carrier signal; transforming the pulse stream into a reshaped pulse stream; transforming the reshaped pulse stream into a counter gate stream; and recovering a data stream from the counter gate stream. The reshaped pulse stream is transformed into the counter gate stream with a digital circuit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for a reciprocating combustion engine. A method includes operating a dual-piston engine including introducing a gas into a pair of combustion chambers; introducing a fuel into the pair of combustion chambers; compressing the gas; combusting the gas and the fuel; and exhausting combusted gases. Each of the pistons drives a reciprocating crankshaft that protrudes through a cylinder wall and cooperatively rotate a pair of rotors by engaging substantially sinusoidal cam tracks on the rotors. An apparatus includes a cam driven, concentric drive rotary-valve dual-piston engine.

Abstract: A dielectrically-loaded helical antenna has a cylindrical ceramic core bearing metallised helical antenna elements which are coupled to a coaxial feeder structure passing axially through the core. Secured to the end face of the core is an impedance matching section in the form of a laminate board. The matching section embodies a shunt capacitance and a series inductance.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for DWDM transport of CATV and digital signals over optical fiber in low-dispersion spectral regions. A method includes transporting a plurality of optical carriers of different wavelengths over an optical link using wavelength division multiplexing, the optical link including a plurality of optical segments. The plurality of optical channel center wavelengths defined by the plurality of optical carriers are clustered proximate an average value of a zero-dispersion wavelength of the optical link, or near either a) a low wavelength edge or b) a high wavelength edge of a range of zero-dispersion wavelengths of the optical link and a plurality of optical channel center frequencies defined by the plurality of optical channel center wavelengths are non-uniformly spaced apart.

Abstract: A dielectrically-loaded helical antenna has a cylindrical ceramic core bearing metallised helical antenna elements which are coupled to a coaxial feeder structure passing axially through the core. Secured to the end face of the core is an impedance matching section in the form of a laminate board. The matching section embodies a shunt capacitance and a series inductance.

Abstract: A system for the delivery of video on demand (VOD). A wireless remote control device generates keystroke signals for controlling a TV display and has a single button for restarting a selected program at a beginning of the selected program. A head-end unit supports separate downstream virtual channels for each separate TV set connected on a common TV feeder-cable; The head-end unit locally records and stores many programs, and transmits each program using a compressed digital format. The Compressed digital format may use MPEG-2 or MPEG-4. The head-end unit has means for protecting against signal theft. A set top unit encapsulates the keystroke signals and transmits the keystroke signals via a two-way channel to the head-end unit.

Abstract: Transmitting and receiving data includes a process of transferring data over a coaxial network between an optical node and a plurality of cable modems of a hybrid fiber-coaxial cable network. A data transfer system which sends and receives data over a coaxial network located at an optical node of a hybrid fiber-coaxial cable network.

Abstract: An antenna arrangement which includes two antennas which are resonant at a common operating frequency. The arrangement includes a circuit which combines output signals from each of the antennas to provide a combined signal output. Each antenna has an electrically insulative core of solid material having a relative dielectric constant greater than 5 and a three-dimensional antenna element structure. The structure includes at least a pair of elongate conductive antenna elements disposed on or adjacent a surface of the core.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for an optiplex. A method includes: conveying a first narrowcast signal to a first optical combiner; conveying a second narrowcast signal to a second optical combiner; tapping into said first narrowcast signal; monitoring a first characteristic of said first narrowcast signal; tapping into said second narrowcast signal; monitoring a second characteristic of said second narrowcast signal; combining a broadcast signal with the first narrowcast signal using the first optical combiner; and combining said broadcast signal with the second narrowcast signal using the second optical combiner.

Abstract: A composition of matter including at least one graphitic-carbon-nanofiber/polymer brush. A method of making the graphitic-carbon-nanofiber/polymer brush includes covalently bonding a polymer to a surface of a graphitic-carbon-nanofiber by atom-transfer-radical-polymerization. An apparatus includes an analyte sensor including at least one graphitic-carbon-nanofiber/polymer brush. A method includes detecting an analyte including exposing at least one graphitic-carbon-nanofiber/polymer brush to the analyte.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first substrate; and a second substrate coupled to the first substrate, characterized in that, to control formation of a segregated phase domain structure within a chemical reaction product by controlling an amount of a constituent of a precursor that is present per unit surface area, at least one member selected from the group consisting of the first substrate and the second substrate defines a substantially regularly periodically varying relief with respect to basal spatial location.

Abstract: Methods are described for an optical fan-out and broadcast interconnect. A method includes operating an optical fan-out and broadcast interconnect including: fanning-out an optical signal from an optical signal emitter, of one of a plurality of nodes, with a diverging element of one of a plurality of optics; and broadcasting the optical signal to one of a plurality of receivers of all of the plurality of nodes with a light collecting and focusing element of all of the plurality of optics, wherein the plurality of optics are positioned to define an optics array, the plurality of receivers are positioned to define a receiver array that corresponds to the optics array and the plurality of nodes are positioned to define a node array that substantially corresponds to the receiver array and the optics array.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for a usage monitoring HVAC control method. A method, includes: receiving a request for an additional period of heating ventilation and air conditioning system services from a requesting system user, the requesting system user composing a plurality of system users; maintaining a data structure in an on board memory of a programmable thermostat, the data structure including a list of time entries, each time entry associated with one of the plurality of system users; and updating the data structure by adding a duration in units of time to the time associated with the requesting system user.

Abstract: Composites comprising at least one graphite-carbon nanofiber (GCNF) and a polymer phase covalently linked to a surface thereof.

Abstract: A radio communication receiver which includes an antenna array having at least two antennas to provide antenna diversity. The receiver is for receiving signals containing orthogonally coded data sub-streams derived from a source data stream. The receiver also has receiver circuitry, coupled to the antenna array, having a detection stage to detect the data sub-streams and a combiner stage for combining the detected data sub-streams to recover the source data stream. Each antenna has an electrically insulative core of solid material having a dielectric constant greater than 5. Each antenna also has a three-dimensional antenna element structure disposed on or adjacent the outer surface of the core.