Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for automatically provisioning data stitching circuits within a network element (NE). Data circuits are defined as the interface cards within NE that are receiving a particular data stream. Data stitching circuits are defined as data circuits that are provided with a destination point and a next destination point for each interface card. The NE creates a data-stitching matrix that identifies a path (i.e., destination and next destination) for the data stream to follow. The matrix is used by a cross-connect to reroute the data stream around one or more inoperable interface cards. When interface cards within the NE request to be provisioned into or out of a data stitching circuit the NE automatically updates the data-stitching matrix.

Abstract: Systems and methods for replacing software controlling active routers while minimizing impact on network operation are provided by virtue of one embodiment of the present invention. The software replacement process takes advantage of packet processor redundancy. An active packet switching device to be reprogrammed is de-activated and a redundant packet switching device takes over. The no longer active packet switching device is reprogrammed before being reactivated.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to optical imaging systems and methods for providing images of two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional distribution of properties of chromophores in various physiological media. More particularly, the present invention relates to optical imaging systems, optical probes thereof, and methods therefor utilizing self-calibration of their output signals. A typical self-calibrating optical imaging system includes at least one wave source, at least one wave detector, a signal analyzer, a signal processor, and an image processor. The signal analyzer receives, from the wave detector, an output signal representative of the distribution of the chromophores or their properties in target areas of the medium. The signal analyzer analyzes amplitudes of the output signal and selects multiple points of the output signal having substantially similar amplitudes.

Abstract: A computer system for analyzing nucleic acid sequences is provided. The computer system is used to perform multiple methods for determining unknown bases by analyzing the fluorescence intensities of hybridized nucleic acid probes. The results of individual experiments are improved by processing nucleic acid sequences together. Comparative analysis of multiple experiments is also provided by displaying reference sequences in one area and sample sequences in another area on a display device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing packet memory. Various clients in a router need to read from and/or write to the contents of individual packets. In one embodiment, all accesses to packet memory are via a packet manager. Individual clients are issued packet handles to use in identifying particular packets to the packet manager. The packet manager translates between the packet handles and pointers to packet memory locations. To assure robust performance after restarting the packet manager, each packet handle indicates which run version of the packet manager was responsible for generating the handle. The packet manager refuses requests for packet access using handles generated by previous versions.

Abstract: Optical amplification bandwidth is improved by providing an economical and practical way of multiplexing together multiple Raman pump energy sources at disparate wavelengths. An arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) may be used to implement a double multiplexer. The insertion loss of the AWG is very low, allowing a reduction in the necessary power. Also, a single AWG may be used to combine numerous pump wavelengths.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for optical amplification of WDM signals are provided. Multiple sub-bands of a WDM signal are amplified in a first common amplification stage and separated from one another. The separated sub-bands are amplified by independent parallel amplification stages. Each of the independent parallel amplification stages is equipped with a corresponding optical pump energy source. Furthermore, all of these optical pump energy sources together also provide the pump energy for the first common amplification stage. This architecture provides low noise figure and independent power regulation for each of the sub-bands while employing only N−1 pump energy sources for N amplification stages, thus greatly reducing space requirements and cost.

Abstract: A partially configurable optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM) is provided. Fixed single channel and wideband tunable fiber Bragg gratings may be used in combination. OADM channel configuration may be changed by tuning one or more tunable fiber Bragg gratings.

Abstract: Systems and methods for augmenting the performance of iterative soft decision-in soft decision-out decoding of block codes with extrinsic information based on multiple parity equations inherent to the block codes. Cyclic shifting of codewords may be applied in the context of iterative soft decision-in soft decision-out decoding to maximize the usefulness of a parity equation corresponding to any particular codeword bit. Soft decisions are determined on a bit-by-bit basis in response to multi-bit symbol measurements. This allows the use of relatively inexpensive bit-based decoders for decoding of multi-bit symbols.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a minimally invasive method of performing annuloplasty. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for performing annuloplasty includes accessing a left ventricle of a heart to provide a discrete plication element to the left ventricle, and engaging the plication element to tissue near a mitral valve of the heart. Engaging the plication element includes causing the plication element to gather a portion of the tissue to create a plication. In one embodiment, accessing the left ventricle of the heart to provide the plication element includes accessing the left ventricle of the heart using a catheter arrangement.

Abstract: Methods and systems for analyzing multi-threaded programs are provided. The predisposed execution of multi-threaded programs is modified to cause and detect latent deadlocks. When a thread attempts to acquire a synchronization object, it is determined if the synchronization object was previously held by a thread that subsequently acquired another synchronization object while still holding the first. If this occurred, the thread is suspended and may be awakened by a thread that has acquired the synchronization object. The newly awakened thread may then attempt to acquire a synchronization object that is held by the second thread thereby increasing the likelihood that a latent deadlock will be caused and detected.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transmitting configuration information in an OFDM communication system. In one embodiment, within a frequency domain burst certain symbols allocated for use in channel estimation also carry system configuration information. The system configuration information may be encoded as phase differences between corresponding training symbols of successive bursts.

Abstract: A system for releasing an optical connector adapter from an optical connector is disclosed. The adapter has a longitudinal opening extending therethrough and is configured for joining two optical connectors positioned within the opening. The connector has a locking member configured for locking engagement with the adapter. The system includes a block configured for connection to an equipment panel. The block has an opening extending therethrough and is sized for receiving the optical connector adapter and an internal optical connector having an optical line extending into an interior side of the panel. The system further includes a release mechanism movably mounted within the block between a closed position in which the internal optical connector is in locking engagement with the adapter and an open position in which the adapter is released from locking engagement with the internal optical connector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficient storage of network management object identifiers are provided. Object identifiers such as SNMP MIB object identifiers are stored in a compressed form. In one embodiment, a single integer represents multiple elements of an object identifier where these elements are common to many identifiers. The redundancy inherent in a standard object identifier format is thereby greatly reduced. Large memory savings are provided in network management systems that employ many network management objects.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting monomer changes in a sample when an unknown quantity of expected monomers may also be present. Homogeneous and heterogeneous samples are exposed to polymer probes for hybridization. The hybridization affinities of the polymer probes to the samples are then compared to determine differences between the polymers in the samples. Accordingly, deletion, substitution and insertion mutations may be detected in a heterogeneous sample of nucleic acids.

Abstract: A method for processing packets includes specifying a primary chain of function elements on a primary processor and specifying a secondary chain of function elements on a secondary processor. Each element is operable to perform an operation on a packet. The method further includes selecting one of the primary processor, secondary processor, and combination of the primary and secondary processors to perform a packet-processing function of each element. The packets are processed by walking through the elements on at least one of the primary and secondary chains. A router having a primary and secondary processor is also disclosed. The primary and secondary processors each include a chain generator for generating primary and secondary chains of function elements. Each of the function elements of the primary chain corresponds to one of the function elements of the secondary chain to form a pair of function elements. At least one function element of each pair is configured to perform a packet-processing function.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector module is presented that has one or more male fiber optic connectors on one end of an angled molded body and a corresponding number of female optical connectors on the other end. The molded body can be a fixed angle module made of a material such as plastic, or can be an adjustable angle module where the angle can be adjusted to from 90 and 180 degrees. The connector module prevents problems associated with optoelectronic equipment that is rack mounted and has vertically mounted optical interfaces, such as microbending of the optical fiber. Moreover, the connector module ensures that safety requirements, and in particular the elimination of eye-level laser exposure, are met.

Abstract: An amplification architecture for WDM receiver systems. The WDM channel grid is divided into groups of adjacent channels. A separate optical amplifier is provided for each channel with a single pump being shared among the channels of each group. The gain experienced by channels of a given group may be adjusted by varying the power of the group's pump. This approach allows equalization of received channel power such that all channels fall within the desired dynamic range. The amplification architecture may be implemented in a space-efficient manner at low cost.

Abstract: Systems and methods for retrieving table entries within a network management system are provided. A method includes receiving a request for table entries which are identified by an object identifier having a plurality of elements. The request includes at least one table entry object identifier and an index identifying at least one element of the object identifier. The method further includes varying the index element in the table entry object identifier and sending a response to the management station. The response includes the table entries obtained by varying the index element.

Abstract: An interconnection network architecture which provides an interconnection network which is especially useful for FPGAs is described. Based upon Benes networks, the resulting network interconnect is rearrangeable so that routing between logic cell terminals is guaranteed. Upper limits on time delays for the network interconnect are defined and pipelining for high speed operation is easily implemented. The described network interconnect offers flexibility so that many design options are presented to best suit the desired application.