Abstract: A graphical programming language (GPL) that allows GPL user functions to be callable from other software. The present invention employs a client/server model to allow GPL user functions to be called, much like a procedure from one language is called by a second language. The client is a library of ‘C’ procedure calls. The GPL server is the service. This allows a GPL user function to be called by any application that can link in the ‘C’ library. The ‘C’ client can exist on a separate machine from the GPL service or on the same machine in the presence of a multitasking operating system. When calling a GPL user function, the arguments of the ‘C’ call correspond to the input and output terminals of the GPL user function. The data being sent to the GPL user function is the input data. The data being returned from the GPL user function is the result from the execution of the GPL user function.

Abstract: A bit-error rate is tested in a minimal necessary time period. A block of bits is measured and a cumulative number of bit errors is counted in parallel with calculation of a posterior cumulative distribution function. The posterior cumulative distribution function permits a determination to a desired probability whether or not the bit-error rate is less than a desired bit-error-rate limit. The measurement of blocks of bits and accumulation of bit errors relating thereto and calculation of the posterior cumulative distribution function and making of determinations based thereon continue in parallel until one of three events is detected. The three events are: 1) the bit-error rate is less than the desired bit-error rate limit to the desired probability; 2) the bit-error rate is greater than or equal to the desired bit-error rate limit to the desired probability; and 3) a maximal test time has been reached. Upon detection of any of these three conditions, the test is stopped.

Abstract: A plug-in module such as a transceiver for an optical communications system is adapted to be inserted into the front opening of a cage-like reception member and to slide into the reception member towards an end mounting position. The module comprises a latch mechanism for latching the plug-in module in the end mounting position in the reception member. The module includes a front face having opposite sides and the latch mechanism includes a pair of levers tiltably associated with the plug-in module at the opposite sides of the front face. The levers have homologous end portions with a transverse bar extending therebetween in a general bail-like fashion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a master slave arrangement for providing communication between a master device and a slave device, the arrangement comprising: a first serial bus connecting said master device with an intermediate device and a second serial bus connecting said intermediate device with a slave device, said second serial bus comprising a data line, a clock line and one or more addressing lines, wherein said intermediate device i) interprets a request made by said master device; and (ii) sends a signal to said slave device over said one or more addressing lines to identify a memory location of said slave device to which said request is associated.

Abstract: A fibre optic transceiver in which the optical components, interface, management functionality and management interface are all integrated on a single module, capable of being plugged into and removed from the telecommunication's parent system includes a housing having disposed therein a transmitter and a receiver. The housing further includes a pair of rails disposed on opposite sides of the housing to enable the module to be plugged into a suitably configured board. The module is designed primarily for use in 10Gbit serial optical systems, but is equally applicable for use in WDM applications, as well as at other speeds and wavelength.

Abstract: Optical systems that include optical fiber splices are provided. Such an optical system includes first and second optical fibers, each of which has an end surface and a side surface adjacent to the end surface. An adhesive joins the end surface of the first optical fiber to the end surface of the second optical fiber. Additionally, at least a portion of the end surface of the first optical fiber exhibits a wettability for the adhesive that is higher than a wettability for the adhesive exhibited by at least a portion of the side surface of the first optical fiber. Methods and other systems also are provided.

Abstract: A method for controlling electronics across an RF barrier is disclosed. The method comprises a serial data control method that requires a limited number of signals passing through an RF barrier and does not require a free running clock. This method uses a processor with an associated serial data control bus that is located external to the RF chamber. An address dependent form of the serial bus passes through an interface to the RF cavity. The processor uses the serial bus to control electronics inside the RF cavity. The control method uses a minimum number of signals passing through the interface to the RF cavity, thereby preserving the RF isolation of the RF cavity from the external environment.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting RF signal measurement data at signal ports of an RF and microwave device-under-test (DUT). The apparatus comprises means for measuring incident and reflected RF signals at the signal ports of the DUT. Synthesizer means for generating RF signals at a fundamental frequency and higher harmonics. Tuner means arranged for loading the DUT under different impedance conditions for the fundamental frequency and higher harmonics, and means for feeding the RF signals of the synthesizer means to the signal ports of the DUT. The apparatus may form part of a Non-linear Network Measurement System (NNMS).

Abstract: Various asymmetric InGaAsN VCSEL structures that are made using an MOCVD process are presented. Use of the asymmetric structure effectively eliminates aluminum contamination of the quantum well active region.

Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and method for converting digital inputs into analog outputs utilizes resampling switches to regulate the transmission of partial analog signals between analog output elements and a summing circuit to reduce or eliminate “glitches” in the output signal. Each resampling switch may be individually connected to an analog output element to handle a fixed partial analog signal, e.g., a fixed current, generated by that analog output element. Consequently, the resampling switches can be used to reduce or eliminate the glitches in the output signal without introducing switch nonlinearity into the output signal by simultaneously transmitting the partial analog signals to the summing circuit using the resampling switches.

Abstract: An atmospheric pressure ion source, e.g. for a mass spectrometer, that produces ions by atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI). It includes a vaporizer, a photon source for photoionizing vapor molecules upon exit from the vaporizer, a passageway for transporting ions to, for example, a mass spectrometer system, and a means for directing the ions into the passageway. The center axis of the vaporizer and the center axis of the passageway form an angle that may be about 90 degrees. Included in the invention is a method for creating ions by atmospheric pressure photoionization along an axis and directing them into a passageway oriented at an angle to that axis.

Abstract: A device for measuring and testing components of optical networks includes an optical connector over which an optical cable may be optically connected to the device's measuring and/or testing equipment; wherein a first connector element is provided, onto which a complimentary second connector element, attached to the optical cable or to this connectable adapter, may be connected to form an optical coupling; wherein the first connector element is attached to one end of the tubular connection elements, which is connected at its other end to the connector and is reversibly and three-dimensionally flexible.

Abstract: A method and system for calibrating an interferometric optical network analyzer is disclosed. Specifically, a plurality of interferometric measurements for a control optical element using first polarized lightwaves of a first amplitude and second polarized lightwaves of a second amplitude are received in accordance with the invention. Next, a calibration result is derived using the plurality of interferometric measurements in accordance with the present invention. With this calibration result, the optical properties of a device under test (DUT) measured using the first polarized lightwaves of the first amplitude and the second polarized lightwaves of the second amplitude can be determined with reduced uncertainty due to intrinsic optical characteristics of the interferometric optical network analyzer.

Abstract: A vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) capable of producing long-wavelength light has a substrate of GaSb or InAs, and an active region with alternating quantum wells and barrier layers. The target wavelength range is preferably between 1.2-1.4 um. The quantum well is made of GaInSbP, GaInSbAs, AlInSbAs, or AlInSbP, and the barrier layers are made of AlInSbP, AlGaSbP, AlInSbAs, AlGaSbAs, or AlSbPAs. The active region is sandwiched between two mirror stacks that are preferably epitaxially grown Distributed Bragg Reflectors. The active region has large conduction and valence band offsets (&Dgr;Ec and &Dgr;Ev) for effective carrier containment over the wide range of ambient temperatures in which the VCSEL is expected to function. The active region can be designed to have little or no lattice strain on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to determination of a property of an optical device under test, e.g. the group-delay of the optical device under test, by: tuning an optical frequency &lgr; of an optical beam, deriving a dependency of the optical frequency &lgr; of the optical beam over a first time period t, deriving a dependency of the optical property of the device under test over a second time period t+&Dgr;t, synchronizing the time dependency of the optical frequency &lgr; of the optical beam with the time dependency of the optical property of the device under test, and deriving the frequency dependency of the optical property of the device under test from the synchronized time dependencies.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an electro-optical module assembly, which is capable of being plugged into and removed from a DWDM system. The assembly comprises an electro-optical module with horizontal grooves and vertical slots which when inserted into protrusions disposed on the module mounting device, allow for a “drop and slot” type insertion of the module. The present invention also integrates EMI shielding within the electro-optical module assembly.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an electronic apparatus, preferably a microchip testing device, comprising at least one circuit board mounted on a cooling device. This circuit board supports at least one microchip. The circuit board supports the microchip on a side turned to the cooling device, wherein the cooling device is adapted for providing a cooling of a side of the microchip, which side is turned to the cooling device. A thermal conductor is arranged between the microchip and the cooling device for providing a thermal contact between the cooling device and the one side of the microchip turned to the cooling device. The thermal conductor comprises at least one of a group comprising: a thermally conductive knead, a plasticine, a kneadable and thermally conductive material, and a plastically deformable and thermally conductive material.

Abstract: A method for depositing material on a channel plate such that the material is registered to one or more channels formed in the channel plate includes filling at least one of the channels with a resist that is not wetted by the material; depositing the material on at least a region of the channel plate that includes at least part of the resist; and then removing the resist. The method may be used, in one embodiment, to apply an adhesive or gasket material that is used in assembling a switch.

Abstract: A light source for generating and coupling light from a first wavelength into an optical fiber. The light source includes an output laser having a first optical cavity that includes a bottom mirror located outside of the optical fiber, and a top mirror that includes a reflector located within the optical fiber. An active region between the top and bottom mirrors generates light of the first wavelength, preferably through optical pumping at a second wavelength. The reflector is preferably a Bragg reflector and may include a mechanism for altering the wavelength of the light reflected thereby as well as the distance between the top and bottom mirrors. The pumping light is preferably generated by a pumping laser that includes a second electrically pumped optical cavity having a top mirror that is electrically connected to the bottom mirror of the first optical cavity.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a heat sink apparatus that provides electrical isolation for an integrally shielded, electronic circuit. The heat sink apparatus comprises a substrate having a first hole extending between a first and second sides of the substrate, a conductive layer attached to the second side, an electrically and thermally conductive heat sink having a protrusion, wherein the heat sink is attached to the first side of the substrate, and an electrically conductive plate having a second hole extending through the plate. The protrusion extends through the first hole and has a surface located at substantially the same level as that of the conductive layer. An electronic component is attachable to the protrusion surface. The plate is electrically coupled to the conductive layer and to the protrusion surface such that the area between the protrusion and the conductive layer is covered by electrically conducting area of the plate.