Abstract: A method and system is provided for compensating polarization mode dispersion (PMD) in an optical communications system includes a controller designed to control a broadband PMD compensator to differentially delay light at each one of a plurality of selected wavelengths. At least one of the selected wavelengths lies between an adjacent pair of channel wavelengths of the optical communications system. A performance parameter value indicative of PMD is measured at each channel wavelength of the optical communications system. An estimated performance parameter value is then calculated at each selected wavelength, and an error function calculated as a function of wavelength based on the estimated performance parameter values. The broadband PMD compensator is then controlled to minimize the value of the error function.

Abstract: A method of creating/terminating a connection associated with an end-to-end path defined through a communications network. According to the invention, cross-connection download/undownload processes in each intermediate node of the end-to-end path are triggered substantially in parallel. A confirmation message indicative of successful completion of respective download/undownload processes in each intermediate node is subsequently propagated to an end-node of the path.

Abstract: A system provides evaluation of stability of an on-frequency repeater. A unique signature is imposed on RF signals transmitted by the repeater, and RF signals received by the repeater are analyzed to detect signal components corresponding to the signature. The signature signal is composed of a sequential series of signal pulses separated by a quiescent period. Respective transmit and quiescent power levels of signal components of the input signal received by the repeater are detected. These power levels are then used to estimate the system stability.

Abstract: An optical communications system is adapted for connection to an optical fiber link of an optical communications network. The system obtains a fiber identifier respecting the optical fiber link; a respective optimum setting of one or more parameters of the optical communications system; and adjusts a respective value of each parameter in accordance with the respective optimum setting. The fiber identifier can be obtained from a value of at least one fiber transmission property of the optical fiber link. The fiber transmission property value is used to search a look-up table of class definitions, each class definition including a respective class identifier and at least one corresponding characteristic transmission property value. A class identifier is selected as the fiber identifier from the class definition for which each characteristic transmission property value most closely matches a corresponding fiber transmission property value.

Abstract: A method and system enable cross connection of an incoming data stream to one or more outgoing data streams. Each data stream comprises respective incoming and outgoing frames. Each frame includes one or more rows, and each row comprises a respective plurality of data segments. A reserved memory space is provided having a data storage capacity equal to an integer multiple of a data segment and less than one complete row. A data segment of an incoming row of an incoming frame is written to the reserved memory space. Subsequently, the data segment of the incoming row is read to an outgoing row of an outgoing frame from the reserved memory space. The writing and reading steps are timed such that the data segment is read from the reserved memory space before being over-written by another data segment.

Abstract: A mixing device for low speed precision mixing of contents of a vessel has a support member adapted to be rotatably supported in spaced relationship from a bottom portion of the vessel and separated therefrom by a gap, and a brush assembly depending from the support member for sliding engagement with the bottom portion of the vessel. Low speed rotation of the support member within the vessel causes the brush assembly to sweep the bottom portion of the vessel while mixing the contents of the vessel. The brush assembly can be made of a resilient coil or a plurality of filamentary or lamellar elements, affixed to the support member. This device provides controlled and repeatable mixing and is well suited for use in drug dissolution measurement apparatuses used for assessing drug release characteristics of solid oral pharmaceutical products.