Abstract: The present invention relates to a communication method, and related buffering and line termination elements to be used in a communication network. The communication network includes a buffering element, a line termination element and several network termination elements. The buffering element is coupled to the line termination element, and the line termination element is coupled to each of the network termination elements over a shared medium. The buffering element and the line termination element interact in such a way that the line termination element adjusts a cell input/output rate of the buffering element to bandwidth related conditions of the network termination elements, or vice versa.

Abstract: A miniature variable inductor comprises a coil soldered to a pair of connecting skids. These skids are clipped to two oppositely disposed lateral walls of an injection-molded plastics cover in the shape of a hollow die. A solid part of the cover and a hollow space lie between these two walls. A central opening through these walls, the solid part of the cover and the hollow space defines a housing for a movable ferromagnetic core. There is a screwthread on at least part of this core. The coil is disposed in the aforementioned hollow space coaxially with the central opening, encapsulated in resin. The central opening has a threaded portion where it passes through the solid part of the cover. This threaded portion is complementary to the thread on the core.