Abstract: A communication system (KS) with a hierarchical server structure is indicated for a demand service, which makes possible a suitable compliance with requests for services from users (U1 . . . UN). To that end, the communication system (KS), as viewed by the respective user (U1 . . . UN), is divided into a central (I) and a local (II) distance zone. Movies (A1 . . . A10) frequently requested by the users (U1 . . . UN) are stored in local servers (SL1 . . . SLN) and seldom requested movies (B1 . . . B100) are stored in central servers (SM). According to the invention, in case the local server (SL1) is unable to provide a movie (B2) requested by a user (U11 . . . U13), the central server SM or another local server (SL2 . . . SLN) complies with the request through a switched connection between the requesting user (U11 . . . U13) and the central server (SM), or the other local server (SL2 . . . SLN).

Abstract: A bursty traffic multiplexing arrangement (A) includes a multiplexing unit (MUX) to multiplex a plurality of bursty input flows (IF1, . . . , IFI, . . . , IFN) into an output flow (OF). Congestion due to insufficient throughput capacity of the multiplexing unit (MUX) is avoided by incorporating an input shaping device (ISDI) for each input (MII) of the multiplexing unit (MUX). Data elements constituting such an input flow (IFI) are stored in an input buffer (IBI) which forms part of the corresponding input shaping device (ISDI), and are applied to the multiplexing unit (MUX) at a rate (BI) which does not exceed a predetermined maximum input buffer reading rate (BIMAX) associated to this input buffer (IBI). Furthermore, via feedback input flow rate control information (IFRI), the input flow rates (A1, . . . , AI, . . . , AN) can be controlled to thereby avoid input buffer overload.

Abstract: It is proposed to use several distributed conference units (KE1, KE2) in a conference system (KS) for carrying out conferences, particularly broadband conferences, and to mix the signals (S1 . . . S4). The signals (S1 . . . S4) from subscriber stations (T1 . . . T4) involved in the conference are not necessarily mixed in a single conference unit, rather the mixing is distributed to several conference units (KE1 . . . KE2). In this way it is possible to mix signals that have a partially common transmission path in the communication system into a component signal (12) by means of a first conference unit (KE1). This mixed component signal (S12) is then transmitted to a second conference unit (KE2) and is mixed in this second conference unit (KE2) with one or more other signals (S3, S4). Since the mixed component signal (S12) during the transmission occupies the same bandwidth as a single signal (S1 . . . S4), the transmission capacity of the communication system (KS) needed for the conference can be kept small.

Abstract: To simplify the connection protocols of an optical communication network using wavelength division multiplexing and to increase the throughput of the network, each node sends messages on a specific wavelength and associates destination labels with them. A network controller receives the messages and the labels and forwards the messages on the receive wavelength of their destination node(s). Applications include local area networks.

Abstract: A method of dispatching documents, wherein the basic idea is to first convert the documents from a customer-specific data format to a standardization data format, and only then to decide by means of a decision logic using the document in the standardized data format, whether the document is further transmitted to the recipient as an electronic document, or whether it is converted from the standardized to a postal data format in a converter station. The converter station then dispatches the document to a postal service printing center in the area where the recipient is located. There the document is printed out and directed for delivery by postal service personnel.

Abstract: A method of applying a silica having fluorine therein by spraying silica simultaneously with a fluorine-containing gas by a POD method plasma torch.

Abstract: In synchronous digital communication systems using a synchronization quality marker (SSM), timing loops can be created. To avoid such timing loops, a synchronous digital communication system is provided having network elements (NE11, . . . , NE33) in which two classes (top, bottom) are defined for interface units (S.sub.1, . . . , S.sub.x, . . . , S.sub.X+i).

Abstract: A multimode composite resonator, in particular for a microwave filter, includes a resonant cavity, a dielectric resonator element disposed inside the cavity, a tuning element for each mode and a coupling element for coupling between modes. The resonator element is shaped to have plural vertices which are short-circuited together by the conductive walls of the cavity via direct or RF electrical contact between the vertices and the walls. Various geometrical resonator shapes are possible.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conserving energy in a system including first and second devices interconnected by a data communication link via respective first and second interfaces in the first and second devices by sending a message over the link to put the interface in one device on standby. This message is sent by the interface in the other device. The first or second interface is reactivated by the other interface by electrical means via a physical medium of the link.

Abstract: A set of parameters (W) is calculated for an equalizer which equalizes a transmission line impulse response (LIR) in such a way that the equalized impulse response (EIR) approximates a target impulse response (TIR) with predetermined length (L). An error function (E) is minimized via eigenvalue-eigenvector calculation of a channel dependent matrix (O). This channel dependent matrix (O) is built up from a signal (X), a distorted signal (Y), and length (L) and delay (D) of the target impulse response (TIR). The error function (E) comprises a first contribution which represents the difference between the equalized impulse response (EIR) and the target impulse response (TIR) and a second contribution which represents the energy (E.sub.DC) that is transmitted in unused frequency bands. The eigenvector corresponding to the minimum eigenvalue of the channel dependent matrix (O) represents the set of equalizer parameters (W).

Abstract: A method and a system for locating ground equipment transmitting signals to a geostationary satellite, the method and the system being based on identifying the arrival directions of such signals within the coverage zone of the satellite. In the method, the arrival directions of the signals are identified by using a beam-forming active-module array antenna system on board the satellite, the system being controlled to define simultaneous beams in the radiation pattern of the antenna, the beams being superposed on one another with small offsets, the superposed beams corresponding to a limited analysis zone being illuminated within the coverage zone of the satellite, the system further being associated with a digital processing program which identifies the arrival directions of the signals which are received in the analysis zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for programming electrically reprogrammable non-volatile memory associated with a processor which is also conventionally associated with read/write memory, both of which memories are necessary to operate the processor in a determined manner, optionally within some larger unit. In order to load the permanent data required for operation of the processor into the non-volatile memory, a memory-activation signal provided by the processor is switched to a temporarily connected auxiliary memory in order to start up the processor on the basis of initiation data contained in the auxiliary memory, to transfer into the read/write memory data that is present in the auxiliary memory and that corresponds to the data for recording in the non-volatile memory, and then to transfer the data from the read/write memory into the non-volatile memory after the processor has deactivated the auxiliary memory.

Abstract: The fixed cellular terminals (TCF) include a subscriber identity module which, in order to permit authentication of the identity of the subscriber (U) without any intervention on his part, is fixed. It is of particular application in fixed cellular terminals (TCF) of the GSM type that form part of an access network based on the infrastructure of acellular mobile network. These subscriber identity modules incorporate the function of the subscriber identification number verification. During the installation stage each fixed cellular terminal (TCF) stores the subscriber identification number, which it later provides to the subscriber identity module making it become fully active when the number supplied coincides with that held in the subscriber identity module. In the initialization process, the fixed cellular terminal (TCF) generates a new subscriber identification number, that it stores internally in its subscriber identity module for use in subsequent reinitializations.

Abstract: A multiframe structure is adapted to transmit narrowband telephony signals over a broadband cable link (BCL) carrying also video or television signals. The telephony transmission occurs according to classical telephony protocols such as the channel associated signalling (CAS) or the common channel signalling (CCS) protocols, which are mapped into the multiframe structure. The multiframe is transmitted according to the time division multiple access (TDMA) technique and each frame thereof has 40 time slots (TS00-TS39) carrying bursts of data. The frames include time slots carrying signalling bursts (S01-S30; S01-S04) of telephony signalling information and time slots carrying traffic bursts (D01-D30, C01-C36) of telephony traffic data. For the CCS, the time slots (TS00-TS03) carrying signalling bursts (S01-S04) are grouped within the frames so as to form a wideband common channel, whilst for the CAS, time slots (TS04, TS09, TS14, . . .

Abstract: The invention relates to a non-linear optical mirror comprising an optical fiber loop that operates independently of the polarizations of the signals of respective wavelengths .lambda..sub.s and .lambda..sub.c present on its signal and control inputs. The loop of the NOLM is made up of four polarization-maintaining fiber segments having equivalent optical lengths. These four segments are optically optically interconnected by three splices at three locations. At the first and third splices, the neutral propagation axes of the polarization-maintaining fibers are turned through 90.degree.. According to the invention, a mode converter is inserted in the loop at the second splice, the converter comprising an optical demultiplexer and an optical multiplexer together with two polarization-maintaining optical paths inter-connecting them. The demultiplexer separates the two optical signals present at its input and applies them respectively to said two paths. On the path conveying the control signal, .lambda..sub.

Abstract: For any pair of two distinct objects (i, j) and for each relationship that may exist between said two objects, the management apparatus includes a memory element RMP(i,j) for storing either the existence or the non-existence of said relationship. This memory element includes an input corresponding to a first object (i) and an input corresponding to a second object (j), which inputs are connected to two individual buses (CC(j), LC(i)) corresponding respectively to said two objects. These two inputs must receive two respective control signals simultaneously in order to write information in said element indicating either the existence or the non-existence of a relationship between these two objects.

Abstract: The apparatus and method pertain to generation of two receive carriers which are related to each other in quadrature. The apparatus and method employ a phase-shifter which generates one or more phase-shifted signals from a received signal. A signal selector selects a signal as a function of either a predetermined phase state associated with an initialization symbol during reception of the symbol or an estimated phase state estimated by a demodulation state on the basis of the received signal during reception of the message symbols such that the selected signal constitutes a receive carrier, which is also referred to as a reference carrier. In addition, the selected signal is stored and played back after a symbol duration before delivering the reference carrier. Finally, a second phase-shifter is used to generate a second receive carrier from the reference carrier.

Abstract: When digitized signals are transmitted from a digital transmission system (NET1), e.g. a PDH system, to another digital transmission system (NET2), e.g. a SDH system, which operate at different clock rates (f.sub.1, f.sub.2), the clock rate must be adapted during the transition. To that end, the digitized signals are converted into discrete-time and value-discrete signals in a decoding unit (D1) at the clock rate (f.sub.1) of the one digital transmission system (NET1). A conversion unit (UE1) converts the discrete-time and value-discrete signals into further discrete-time and value-discrete signals, whose pulse repetition rate is adapted to a clock rate derived from the clock rate (f.sub.2) of the other digital transmission system (NET2). This is achieved e.g. with a low-pass filter (FIL1) and a sample-and-hold device (AH1). An encoding unit (K1) converts the further discrete-time and value-discrete signals into digital signals, whose bit rate is adapted to the clock rate (f.sub.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for obtaining semiconductor bars for laser devices starting from portions of a processed wafer and carrying out the cleavage in ultra-high-vacuum. The cleavage mechanical stresses are impulsive forces and are all applied from the processed side of the wafer through a lowerable shaped member actuated by compressed helical springs, which applies these stresses on the ledging parts of the wafer portion held on a central region thereof by a fixed support and held down in position by a suitably shaped centering thrust member. The spring-up occurs by translating the device in the ultra-high-vacuum environment and opposing a locking lever engaging the lowerable member in an upper or first position with a fixed cam.

Abstract: Operation of a terminal equipped with an input keyboard whose function keys can be given fixed and/or variable function assignments and having a display unit on which a text explaining the function of the function keys can be displayed, is facilitated. Execution of a respective function, as well as display of text explaining the respective function, is effected solely by actuation of a respective function key by determining the manner and/or extent of the actuation of the respective function key.