Abstract: An apparatus that has housing for containing objects. The housing has two heat-conducting partial-boundaries having an interface between them. The apparatus also has a medium for enhancing heat transfer across the interface.

Abstract: A cable storage cartridge and assembly for storing an excess length of cable. The cartridge includes a rectangular carriage frame and a spool rotatably disposed inside the carriage frame. The spool is comprised of a first spool member having a radius protection loop channel on its top surface and a second spool member. Together the first spool member and second spool member define a storage chamber. The storage chamber lies in a different plane than the loop channel of the first spool member. The first spool member defines transition openings for allowing the cable to pass from the loop channel to the storage chamber. Carriage frame includes detent and catch tabs for retaining the cartridge inside a cartridge housing.

Abstract: Optical circulators can be formed with one or more adjustable components to facilitate the optimization of light coupling into the ports of the circulator. In particular, an optical circulator includes one or more adjustable mirrors positioned in the propagation path of a light beam travelling from a first port to a third port, typically via a second port, through the circulator. The one or more adjustable mirrors permit the deviation of the propagation path of the light beam to achieve better input precision into the circulator. One example of a method of circulating light from a first port to a third port includes propagating light from a first port through a reflective polarizer to a second port. The light then propagates from the second port into the reflective polarizer and is reflected from the reflective polarizer to a first mirror.

Abstract: A method for controlling the data rate of a virtual connection. Data packets are received for transmission on the virtual connection. The method comprises buffering the data packets in a buffer. A counter signal is generated to indicate the beginning of timeslots in a measurement window. The number of timeslots needed to transmit the data packets with a selected data rate is determined. The method further accesses data from at least one table to determine the spacing between timeslots in the measurement window used to request access to a data bus based on the number of timeslots needed to achieve the selected data rate. Further, access to a data bus for the data packets in the buffer is requested based on the data accessed from the table. The method further transmits the packets when access to the bus is granted.

Abstract: A system and method for electronically identifying connections established through a cross-connect system provides for identification of all hard-wired and temporary patch connections, and any modifications made to same. Connection identification and status information is acquired in near real-time and stored in a database which is accessible by a user through a graphical user interface (GUI). The TRACE or lamp wires which connect respective pairs of cross-connect circuits are utilized in an unconventional manner so as to form a scanning bus. The information signal paths established through the cross-connect circuits remain undisturbed. A scanning signal is communicated between each pair of cross-connected circuits over the TRACE conductor. In the event a patch cord is used to temporarily redirect a signal connection, the scanning signal is transmitted over the shield or sleeve conductor of the patch cord. The scanning signal provides identification and other information concerning the transmitting circuit.

Abstract: A circuit for a cable modem termination system is provided. The circuit includes a backplane interface and a packet processing engine coupled to the backplane interface. The circuit further includes a plurality of media access control (MAC) circuits, each media access control circuit coupled to the packet processing engine, each MAC circuit supporting one of N contiguous downstream channels with a single upconverter and each MAC circuit also supporting a plurality of upstream channels.

Abstract: A monitor circuit for indicating whether a digital cross-connect bay has a cross-connect jack that cross connects equipment being tested that includes a non-intrusive sensor for sensing current changes in a power feed line of the bay being monitored. The non-intrusive sensor is operatively coupled to a sensor device that generates a signal to activate an external sensor if a current change is detected by the sensor. The sensor device is powered from the same power supply as the bay it is monitoring.

Abstract: A frequency estimate of an incoming data input is generated and transmitted with network traffic to a receiver. At the receiver, the estimate is recovered, decoded, and is used to seed an algorithm for locking the data access rate of the receiver to the incoming data. Data is buffered in buffers at each end of the system, and data flow out of the buffers is managed depending upon data rate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fixture for holding a plurality of fiber optic connectors. The fixture includes a holding plate defining a plurality of ferrule receiving openings spaced about a reference axis. The holding plate includes a plurality of movable portions with each of the moveable portions at least partially defining one of the ferrule receiving openings. The moveable portions are moveable between open positions in which the ferrules can be inserted in the ferrule receiving openings, and clamped positions in which the ferrules can be clamped within the ferrule receiving openings. The fixture also includes a drive member mounted to allow relative rotation between the drive member and the holding plate, and a plurality of retaining members spaced about the reference axis. The retaining members are positioned between the drive member and the movable portions of the holding plate.

Abstract: An apparatus monitors spectral information of an optical transmission system. The apparatus comprises a monolithic spectrometer and at least one transmission signal detector for producing output signals of separated transmission signal components and optical noise.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a jack assembly including a jack mount having a front side and a rear side. A jack of the assembly is adapted to be slidably mounted in a jack receiving region of the jack mount. The jack assembly also includes a plurality of cross-connect contacts, and a rear interface assembly. The rear interface assembly includes a dielectric cover piece and a plurality of rear connectors that project outward from the dielectric cover piece.

Abstract: A telecommunications network is provided. The network uses a ring of ring switches to provide a transport mechanism for data packets that is transparent to the data and protocols contained in the data packets. This transport mechanism is simple and low cost to implement. Such networks can carry, for example, data to and from the Internet to a subscriber with a cable modem hook-up to a cable network or a DSL modem connection to a copper wire DSL enabled telephone network.

Abstract: A key system using an ID card which can output ID data is combined with a mechanical ignition key. The key system is provided with a transceiver for receiving ID data from the ID card, a flash memory for storing the ID data and a CPU. When the stored ID data in the flash memory coincides with the ID card data obtained by the transceiver and operation is performed with the ignition key, the CPU enables the operation of an engine start. Furthermore, if a preset protection time has elapsed since the CPU recognizes the coincidence of the stored and ID card data, the operation by the ignition key is nullified.

Abstract: An apparatus for containing objects, such as electronic circuit cards, and a method for making the same, the apparatus having a housing; at least one case disposed within the housing, the case adapted to confine the objects to different locations within the housing and comprising a frame, the region within the frame divided into two regions by a first partition, each of the two regions divided into a plurality of sections by a plurality of second partitions, each of the second partitions thermally coupled to the frame and the first partition, each of the sections divided into a plurality of slots, each slot having an object disposed therein for thermal contact between the first partition, a second partition, and one of a second partition and the frame; and at least one heat sink adapted to absorb heat from the case, the heat sink thermally coupled to the case and the housing.

Abstract: An electrical signal is equalized at the receiving end of a transmission path by applying the signal both to a frequency-dependent emphasizer and to a first port of a mixer and applying the output signal of the frequency-dependent emphasizer to a second port of the mixer. The mixer combines the signals received at its first and second ports in accordance with the amplitude of a mixer control signal to generate a mixer output signal. A control signal is generated from the mixer output signal. The control signal has an amplitude dependent on the absolute value of the derivative of the amplitude of the output signal of the mixer during an interval that starts after the beginning of a bit cell and ends before the end of the bit cell. The control signal is applied to the mixer as the mixer control signal.

Abstract: A connector module includes a housing having a front panel for fiber optic terminations, and an interior. A front fanning strip manages the front cables. A rear fanning strip manages the rear cables within an interior of the housing. The front fanning strip includes flexible fingers including an arched portion, a linear portion, and an angled end. The rear fanning strip includes retainers with first and second cooperating fingers wherein the first finger is linear and includes a finger tab, and a blocking tab, and wherein the second finger is curved toward the first finger, and includes a blocking tab.

Abstract: A fiber optic circuit provides signal access and monitoring. A module housing the circuit and the module is mountable to a chassis. The module housing includes mounting flanges for mounting the module to the chassis; and a plurality of exposed adapters along at least one of the front and rear faces. Each of the plurality of adapters is connectable to a fiber optic connector external to the module. The plurality of adapters define first and second transmit signal ports and first and second receive signal ports. A transmit signal pathway is between the first and second transmit signal port. A receive signal pathway is between the first and second receive signal ports.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for distributing power in a media converter system. The method involves converting an input voltage to an intermediate voltage and transmitting the intermediate voltage to a downstream converter. The downstream converter converts the intermediate voltage to a usable output voltage that is supplied to the media converter ports. The apparatus includes a main power supply for creating the intermediate voltage and downstream converters located remotely from the main power supply for converting the intermediate voltage to the usable output voltage. Transmission cables are also included for providing the intermediate voltage to the downstream converters. The apparatus may also include a bus with connections for the power supply and a power distribution module. The power supply and power distribution module utilize identical connections thereby providing flexibility in positioning the power supply and distribution module in a chassis.

Abstract: A telecommunications electrical connector positions the contacts in a manner to reduce crosstalk problems. An insert assembly positions the spring contacts within a jack for electrical contact with the contacts of a plug. The insert assembly staggers the relative positions of adjacent spring contacts in the y-direction, and staggers the spring contact pivot points in the x-direction, yet maintains a common contact region for all the spring contacts for contacting the contacts of the plug. The distal ends of alternating spring contacts are positioned so as to increase the isolation between adjacent springs. The insert assembly includes selected air passages between spring contacts mounted to the insert assembly to increase isolation and selected dielectric to increase crosstalk cancellation.