Abstract: A system (210) for facilitating bidirectional data transfer between a customer premises equipment (212) and information service providers (228A-N) includes a channel service unit (258) which receives packets of data from the information service providers (228A-N), and passes the packets of data to a router (256). The router (256) segregates the packets of data based on which customer premises equipment (212) is destined to receive the packets of data. An asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) adapter (264) converts the packets of data to an ATM cell, and an ATM modulator (266) synchronizes the ATM cell to facilitate transmission over an ATM broadband network (232).

Abstract: A scheduling system for distributing asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) telephone signals from an ATM cell queuing device. The scheduling system includes a number of port shapers. A port shaper can support a number of flows with each flow identifying a number of ATM cells. A port shaper directs the subscriber. Each flow assigned to a port shaper identifies ATM cells which are to be distributed to a different device used by a subscriber, such as a telephone or computer. A port shaper further includes a number of time descriptors. Flows are linked to the time descriptors. The time descriptors are sequentially activated. When a time descriptor becomes active, a flow linked to the time descriptor can emit an ATM cell, and after emitting the cell the flow is relinked to subsequent time descriptors based ona weighting increment I to accommodate different device bandwidths.

Abstract: A method of performance monitoring telecommunication signals having various formats, includes receiving a plurality of telecommunication signals comprising at least one signal having a first format and at least one signal having a second format, identifying the format of each signal received, and for each signal, proceeding with a performance monitoring activity in accordance with a set of rules associated with the identified format of each signal.

Abstract: A bidirectional telephony (POTS or ISDN) system utilizes RF technology to move the signalling away from the baseband frequency. The method translates baseband telephony signalling into one or more RF signals over twisted pair copper channels, in conjunction with an ADSL or VDSL signal on the same medium.

Abstract: A method (100) for preventing message looping in a telecommunications network (70) includes the steps of receiving a UDT/S query message, determining a next destination for processing the query message and a route for delivering the query message to the next destination (102). A determination is then made as to whether the route to the next destination is XUDT/S capable (104). The UDT/S query message is converted to an XUDT/S format by inserting a hop counter (38) therein if the route is XUDT/S capable (108). The query message is then delivered to the next destination via the route (110). The hop counter (38) in the query message is then decremented at the next destination in response to receiving a message of the XUDT/S format (112). A message loop error is recognized and processed when the hop counter (38) reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: An acousto-optical filter having a wide tuning range and a method of making the same. An acoustic transducer is provided for generating an acoustic pressure wave of a selected frequency that is propagated longitudinally along an optical fiber member. The pressure wave generates a plurality of alternating localized compressions and rarefactions in the optical fiber such that a grating (i.e., periodic changes in the fiber's refractive index) is created therein. The grating reflects optical signals of a particular wavelength depending upon its period or pitch (i.e., Bragg resonance wavelength). The acoustic pressure wave's frequency is modulated by controlling the acoustic transducer such that a variable grating pitch is obtained, thereby causing a corresponding change in the Bragg resonance wavelength of the grating. In response, a reflected optical signal selected from incoming multiplexed optical signals tunes to a different wavelength.

Abstract: One embodiment of a shielded cable assembly as disclosed herein includes a connector body including a wire attachment region. A contact member, including a wire attachment portion, is mounted on the connector body with the wire attachment portion positioned adjacent to the wire attachment region of the connector body. An insulating insert, including a wire-receiving region, is positioned adjacent to the connector body with at least a portion of the wire attachment region of the connector body extending into the wire-receiving region. A wire of a cable extends into the wire-receiving region of the insulating insert and is electrically connected to the wire attachment portion of the contact member. A shielding body, including an insert-receiving region, has at least a portion of the insulating insert positioned in the insert-receiving region. An insulating cover covers at least a portion of the shielding body.

Abstract: A method for bundling messages for transmission in a telecommunications network includes receiving a first message and a disparate second message. The first and second messages are inserted into a shared packet and transmitted over the telecommunications network in the shared packet.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data is provided. The method includes receiving a service request for a standby subscriber terminal, such as when a call is placed to or from the standby subscriber terminal. The number of telecommunications channels carried by a trunk group is then changed, such as by increasing or decreasing the number of encoded telecommunications channels carried by the trunk group. The standby subscriber terminal is then assigned to one of the telecommunications channels of the trunk group.

Abstract: A telecommunications card for use in a telecommunications terminal. The telecommunications card includes at least one programmable channel capable of satisfying different telecommunications standards based on configuration input. The different telecommunications standards, such as impedance, gain, and transhybrid impedance, relate to different countries. The card may include circuit blocks that provide different circuit paths that correspond to different telecommunications standards. The card may include a programmable codec for impedance and/or transhybrid balance.

Abstract: An optical filter having a wide tuning range and a method of making the same. A fiber Bragg grating member having a selected grating pitch is coupled to a plurality of actuating members such as Shape Memory Alloys. A current source or thermal source is included for providing a controlled amount of current or heat so as to cause a change in the length of the actuating members. The length of the fiber Bragg grating member is accordingly changed also. The grating pitch is correspondingly altered, thereby causing a change in the Bragg resonance wavelength of the grating. In response, a reflected optical signal selected from incoming multiplexed optical signals tunes to a different wavelength. A closed-loop controller is provided for controlling energy inputs to the actuating members to modulate the tuning of the reflected optical signals.

Abstract: Spiral inductors are provided on multiple internal layers of a printed circuit (PC) board and configured to form a filter. An external end of each of the spiral inductors can be coupled by a via to opening in ground planes provided on external surfaces of the PC board. Using such vias, the external end of each of the spiral inductors can be coupled by lumped elements, such as a capacitor, an inductor, or combination of capacitors and inductors to the ground planes to enable tuning of the filter after the PC board has been manufactured. Such lumped element components can further interconnect the external ends of two spiral inductors to provide alternate filter configurations which are easily tunable. Internal ends of the spiral inductors can also be connected together by a via to the ground planes to provide superb grounding due to limited line lengths between filter components and ground.

Abstract: A method of managing communication on an unstable error-prone channel is disclosed, having particular applicability to transceiver nodes in a high frequency radio network. The method achieves highly reliable, efficient communication through the exchange of headers within control frames in accordance with a selected suite of protocols. An orderly link establishment is achieved by the exchange of headers indicating specific link establishment states of the nodes. One node having message data to transmit to another sends a herald header, and if the data is to be accepted by the other node, it responds with a herald acknowledgment header. The herald conveys parameters of the proposed transmission to the receiving node, permitting the parameters to be varied by the transmitting node for changing channel conditions. The issuance of a herald acknowledgment depends on message priorities exchanged by the nodes, so that higher priority messages can preempt lower priority ones.

Abstract: In the skywave adaptable communication network, the time required to initiate communications between two transceivers can often be an important factor where the propagation characteristics of signals at various frequencies may vary drastically with time. The present invention not only improves upon known prior art by accepting the first frequency that it hears as a communication frequency when two nodes are attempting to communicate from a known list of probe and default frequencies to be transmitted at known times, it uses an "announce and do" protocol to establish initial link-up and to change traffic frequencies or other system parameters once link-up has occurred to obtain coordination between both communicating nodes in a network of communicating nodes.

Abstract: An analysis system fuzes original data according to system and/or operator imposed rules, displays a graphic abstraction representing fuzed data, and provides, merely at the operator's request, details of the fuzed data and/or of the original data.

Abstract: Improved backlighting of liquid crystal and other flat panel displays is accomplished by lighting the back of the LCD using lamps located at the ends of the LCD. The LCD is mounted over a channelized frame, and a light transmissive window covers each end of the channel, the combination forming a sealed LCD unit. The LCD unit is mounted in a panel which has reflectively-coated recesses on each side of the LCD unit containing incandescent lamps and opening in registry with the windows in the LCD. The windows are constructed of two back-to-back sheets of prism film whose function is to reject light impinging at greater than the critical angle of the film. The light from the lamps is thereby better distributed along the full width of the LCD, which eliminates bright and dark spots on the LCD. The LCD channel is provided with a centrally-located, raised luminaire to further diffuse light from the lamps in the center of the LCD.

Abstract: A circuit for combining electronic signal power from multiple input ports to a single set of output terminals or for dividing a single signal at a set of input terminals and providing it to multiple output ports. The circuit has a three-winding transformer and a balance resistor or resistors corresponding to each of the multiple ports. Each port is connected to a first winding of its corresponding transformer. The second windings of the transformers are connected together and to the single set of terminals. Third windings of the transformers are connected together through their corresponding balance resistors.

Abstract: Aliasing on a video display resulting from digital sampling and appearing as jagged lines and crawling movement is eliminated by controlling the intensity of video display pixels as a function of distance from the ideal line location. Intensity values are stored in an intensity lookup table as a function of two values. For the middle portion of a line, the two values are the shorter of the distance from a pixel in either the x-direction or y-direction and the smaller of the slope with respect to the x-axis or the y-axis. For line end points, the two values are the distances of the pixel from the end point in the x-direction and the y-direction.

Abstract: A package for enclosing and mounting a multichip module to a printed wiring board including a ceramic base with an elevated peripheral ledge constructed of a material, having a coefficient of thermal expansion differing substantially from the coefficient of thermal expansion of the material of a serpentine sidewall mounted to the base, and having a lid mounted to the top of the sidewall. The package includes electrical contacts extending through the ledge for connecting the multichip module to the circuit board. The sidewall is a series of interconnected short segments having acute angles at their interconnection forming a pleated shape.