Abstract: A method of operating a flash memory which can be recorded in "byte" o in "word" form, but can only be erased in blocks, is disclosed. A memory optimization algorithm is used where the degree of filling of the individual blocks in the flash memory is determined and compared to a threshold. According to the degree of filling, data are shifted to the end of the memory, or it is determined whether an entire block can be erased, or whether copying can take place into open areas of blocks within the memory so that an entire block can be erased, or whether files can be temporarily stored in areas marked for erasure and reconstructed after the block has been erased, or if files can be overwritten to areas marked for erasure by means of a linkage. In the event that optimization is not possible, a user inquiry may be made.

Abstract: A method for a program-package change in a multicomputer system (MRS) and a computer (PR1) for the multicomputer system (MRS) are disclosed. During the program-package change, the interruption of the processes being controlled by the multicomputer system (MRS) is to be kept as short as possible. In addition, for reasons of security, fallback on operation of the multicomputer system (MRS) with the replaced, old program package is to be possible. According to the invention, each computer (PR1, . . . , PRN, SR) of the multicomputer system (MRS) has in its main memory (RAM1) an area (PPN) in which the new program package is stored before the actual replacement procedure begins. During the program-package change, each of the computers (PR1, . . . , PRN, SR) is loaded with the new program package from its main memory (RAM1).

Abstract: A method for the establishment of a connection from a first network to a second network. During call set-up, a part (N3) of the call number assigned to a subscriber (B) is transmitted from a first network (PUBNET) to a second network (PRNET) using a method different from that used to signal address information. In particular, the dialing of an IN service transports a part of the call number, in the area intended for the ISDN subaddress, to a private branch exchange (EX4) associated with the called subscriber (B).

Abstract: A synchronous digital transmission system has network nodes each operating at a respective fixed internal clock rate, each with a justification device for adapting an incoming signal to the respective fixed internal clock rate thereof by positive or negative justification actions, and for controlling a memory device which stores payload bytes of a frame of the incoming signal and outputs the payload bytes at the internal clock rate of a respective network node. The justification device has a first circuit (10) for counting incoming/outgoing frame bytes and calculating at sampling instants (T.sub.i) a difference value (.DELTA..sub.i) and a change (.DELTA..sub.i -.DELTA..sub.i-1) in the difference value (.DELTA..sub.i), has a second circuit (20) for calculating a control value (OFFSET) which is dependent on the change (.DELTA..sub.i -.DELTA..sub.i-1) in the difference value (.DELTA..sub.i) and on a correction factor (LEAK), and has a third circuit (30) for comparing at the sampling instants (T.sub.

Abstract: The levels of received time-division multiple access (TDMA) signals may vary widely from section to section. In DC-coupled amplifier circuits, the received signals are distorted by offset voltages. Conventional correcting or balancing methods use control mechanisms which do not allow for level variations or offset drift and tend to result in miscompensation of individual signal sections. Other methods depend on time intervals defined in the received signal and having a known average value. It is the object of the invention to provide a correcting method and a circuit arrangement for carrying out the same which achieve a self-adjusting, not widely varying (floating) correction value, thus avoiding miscompensation. This is accomplished by selecting the individual time slots in a comparator with the aid of limit value.

Abstract: An axle counter which compares axle passage pulses generated in an electromagnetic rail contact with a predetermined threshold value and, when this threshold value is exceeded, feeds an axle counter pulse to presence-of-trains indicating equipment, is equipped with overwritable memories (SMA, SMI) for storing this threshold value. In response to a setup command entered manually by depressing a key or transferred from a distant control facility (STW), the memories can be overwritten with a current axle passage pulse value or a statistically determined value corresponding to an average axle passage pulse. This eliminates the need to reposition the rail contact at regular intervals and permits this repositioning to be replaced by an adaptation of the threshold value to the axle passage pulses, which change as a result of rail wear, for example.

Abstract: An emergency call system includes a wireless telecommunication network having predetermined radio channels, at least one wireless emergency call transmission device for reading emergency data and transmitting the data in an emergency call message on at least one of the radio channels, and at least one emergency call receiver device. The at least one emergency call receiver device receives and evaluates the emergency call message, and triggers at least one alarm function and/or further conducts the emergency data to an alarm center connected to the wireless telecommunication network. The system may also be embodied in a wire-bound network.

Abstract: A method of operating a switching network, a switching network, and an exchange with such a switching network are described. The switching network consists of several switching modules and an interconnect network between these switching modules. The interconnect network includes a switch unit and interconnects the switching modules in accordance with a logic interconnection structure. The switch unit is simple and can be implemented by all-optical means. By means of the switch unit the logic interconnection structure can be reconfigured. This makes it possible to reconfigure the switching network in the event of a failure of a switching module or according to the load characteristic (video, voice, computer-computer communication). Further, a uniform switch unit can be used to meet different requirements ("flexible hardware").

Abstract: A frame-structured bus system, particularly for a local operation network for automotive applications, is disclosed in which a plurality of bus stations share a data bus, and in which one of the bus stations generates a sequence of data frames of constant bit length. Each data frame includes an isochronous frame module and an asynchronous frame module, and the division of each data frame into the isochronous and asynchronous frame modules is dynamically variable. The message transmitted by a station is passed through a central star coupler to all stations.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling and adjusting an arbitrary number of adjustment units for a motor vehicle includes an electro-pneumatic bus to which are connected in arbitrary sequence, both electrically and pneumatically, all the pertinent adjusting units. The electro-pneumatic bus is composed of at least one pneumatic adjustment pressure line and of at least one electric control signal line which may contain several conductors. While reference data from a central control electronics are applied through the electric control signal line of the electro-pneumatic bus, the individual adjusting units are connected through associated valves in the pneumatic system to the pneumatic adjustment pressure line of the electro-pneumatic bus. The adjusting units preferably are designed to be modular control loops. As a result the pneumatically driven adjusting members units not only two positions, but also they may be set and controlled in quasi-analogue manner.

Abstract: A mobile-radio network (MRS) includes a mobile switching center (MSC) for receiving incoming calls from mobile-radio subscribers (A). In response to the incoming calls, certain ones of the incoming calls are selected if the respective mobile-radio subscriber (A) has a debit account assigned to it and the debit account has a credit balance. The credit balance is compared with a predetermined minimum balance (Dmin1) and a call is completed if the credit balance exceeds the predetermined minimum balance. The debit account for the respective mobile-radio subscriber is charged a unit fee. Incorporated in the mobile switching center (MSC) is a service switching point (SSP). Additionally, a service control point (SCP) is connected to the service switching point and includes an arithmetic unit (DC) for call charging.

Abstract: Provision of an area-covering, low-cost infrastructure for a telepoint system. Use of public telepoint base stations (TP) and private base stations (1, 2, 3). Every subscriber can make a call via any private base station or any telepoint base station.

Abstract: In the prior art, equipment lists (B, G, W) are searched successively, or a list is searched which contains all equipment numbers (MEI.sub.1 to MEI.sub.n) along with the respective equipment lists to which they are assigned. Thus mobile stations (MEI.sub.1 to ME.sub.n) are assigned to one of several equipment lists (B, G, W; black, grey, white list). This assignment must be checked by the mobile switching center (MSC) prior to the establishment of a connection. The present method uses an algorithm where each equipment number (MEI.sub.1 to MEI.sub.n) is assigned a search key (KEY.sub.1 to KEY.sub.p ; KEY) such that groups of equipment numbers (MEI.sub.1 to MEI.sub.n) correspond with a respective one of the search keys (KEY.sub.1 to KEY.sub.p ; KEY), and that the search key (KEY.sub.1 to KEY.sub.p ; KEY) covers a number of different structural elements (S.sub.1 to S.sub.q ; DAT). In a corresponding apparatus for determining the assignment of a mobile station (ME.sub.1 to ME.sub.

Abstract: To ensure error-free transmission of digital information, very stringent requirements are placed on the accuracy and stability of the clock generators. It is known to use microprocessor-controlled digital phase-locked loops for this purpose, which contain costly high-stability crystal oscillators. An accurate system clock signal is to be provided even if the reference clock signal fails. Contradictory requirements are placed on the phase-locked loops, namely, on the one hand, a wide bandwidth to achieve a small time interval error, and, on the other hand, a narrow bandwidth to minimize the effect of jitter and wander on clock accuracy if the reference clock signal should fail. The invention provides a circuit arrangement for a low-cost clock generator which generates a highly accurate clock frequency even in the event of a failure of the reference clock signal.

Abstract: A method is provided for temporarily storing data packets, in which incoming data packets (D1, D2, D3) are distributed to and temporarily stored in two or more logic queues (QU1, QU2) on the basis of data (P1, P2) contained in the incoming data packets (D1, D2, D3), and in which all of the logic queues (QU1, QU2) share a common buffer memory (MEM) having locations that are dynamically allocated to the logic queues (QU1, QU2) only when required. The method features the steps of rejecting individual data packets (D1, D2, D3) if proper treatment is not ensured for all data packets, determining queue length data on the lengths of the logic queues (QU1, QU2), determining queue allocation data on which of the logic queue (QU1, QU2) an incoming data packet (D1, D2, D3) will be allocated, and selecting the incoming data packets (D1, D2, D3) to be rejected on the basis of the queue length data and the queue allocation data.

Abstract: A random distribution of a traffic stream to several traffic streams is carried out by a cyclic shifting and swapping of elements of an allocation list with at least one random operation. A switching element is implemented according to this approach, wherein incoming cells are distributed to several outputs on the basis of the periodic processing of an allocation list which is changed after each cycle by shifting and randomly swapping two list elements. This results in a simple algorithm, suitable for implementation in hardware. Such can generate all possible permutations with settable minimum and maximum delays. This solution is also usable for problems in other areas, such as efficient allocation of multiprocessor resources.

Abstract: It is desirable to offer the subscribers of a cable television distribution network, in addition to the cable TV service, a video-on-demand service. Since, in the foreseeable future, the fiber-optic portion of the cable television distribution networks will not extend to the subscribers (111) but will terminate in optical network terminations (ONT.sub.i) from which a respective optical access network (108-110) will extend to the subscribers, the problem arises how to transmit the entirety of subscriber-assigned video signals to the subscribers so that the latter can receive the requested video signals. According to the invention, the transmission from the center (100) through the fiber-optic distribution network (101-107) to the optical network terminations (ONT.sub.i) is digital, using time- and wavelength-division multiplexing.

Abstract: A fiber-optic network has a branching net in which only three optical waveguides are interconnected at each of a plurality of active or passive branch points (A, B). The branch points are designed to permit bidirectional transmission in each of three paths. Subscriber facilities (F) are connected or connectable to the optical waveguides of the network at arbitrary points. To increase reliability, a fiber-optic ring main (50) is provided to which the ends of the optical waveguides forming a branching net are connectable via controllable optical switches (D).

Abstract: The compensation device is used in an optical network where signals are transmitted from a main station (M) to one or a plurality of user stations (US1 to US3). It compensates for analog optical signal distortion caused by laser chirp of a laser in the main station (M) which generates said analogue optical signal and fiber dispersion of the fiber link over which the optical signal is transmitted. The device includes a distance measuring device (R) generating a result signal (MS) indicative of the distance between the main station and the user stations and which is possibly already available in the network to perform ranging when the latter network is also used to transmit digital signals from the user stations to the main station using Time Division Multiple Access.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microwave generator which is characterized by a multimode fiber ring laser (1) having associated with it an intermediate-frequency device (22) which generates the microwave frequency by forming the difference of the frequencies assigned to the modes.