Abstract: A portable power fault testing apparatus for testing telecommunications equipment's line cards to BellCore's AC power fault standards. A switched transformer unit is coupled to a single-phase AC line voltage source for generating a switched voltage output in 0-220 volt range or in 0-1100 volt range. A primary control relay is coupled to the switched transformer unit for applying the switched voltage output for selected time durations under control of an external computer. A test selector switch coupled to the primary control relay connects the switched voltage output to either a resistive test circuit portion or an inductive test circuit portion, each of which is designed to comply with the respective AC power fault testing conditions.

Abstract: A system (210) for facilitating bidirectional data transfer between a customer premises equipment (212) and information service providers (228A-N) includes a channel service unit (258) which receives packets of data from the information service providers (228A-N), and passes the packets of data to a router (256). The router (256) segregates the packets of data based on which customer premises equipment (212) is destined to receive the packets of data. An asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) adapter (264) converts the packets of data to an ATM cell, and an ATM modulator (266) synchronizes the ATM cell to facilitate transmission over an ATM broadband network (232).

Abstract: A scheduling system for distributing asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) telephone signals from an ATM cell queuing device. The scheduling system includes a number of port shapers. A port shaper can support a number of flows with each flow identifying a number of ATM cells. A port shaper directs the subscriber. Each flow assigned to a port shaper identifies ATM cells which are to be distributed to a different device used by a subscriber, such as a telephone or computer. A port shaper further includes a number of time descriptors. Flows are linked to the time descriptors. The time descriptors are sequentially activated. When a time descriptor becomes active, a flow linked to the time descriptor can emit an ATM cell, and after emitting the cell the flow is relinked to subsequent time descriptors based ona weighting increment I to accommodate different device bandwidths.

Abstract: A telecommunications environment (10) includes a first network (12) that uses a first protocol to transport a first frame structure (14). The telecommunications environment (10) includes a second network (16) that uses a second protocol to transport a second frame structure (18). The first frame structure (14) includes a header portion (22) and a payload portion (24) that is transported across the first network (12). For transport through the second network (16), the header portion (22) and the payload portion (24) are placed in a payload portion (26) of the second frame structure (18). The first frame structure (14) is reconstituted with the overhead portion (22) and the payload portion (24) extracted from second frame structure (18) at a destination node (17) of the second network (16) for transfer to a third network (20) having the first protocol.

Abstract: A method of performance monitoring telecommunication signals having various formats, includes receiving a plurality of telecommunication signals comprising at least one signal having a first format and at least one signal having a second format, identifying the format of each signal received, and for each signal, proceeding with a performance monitoring activity in accordance with a set of rules associated with the identified format of each signal.

Abstract: A bidirectional telephony (POTS or ISDN) system utilizes RF technology to move the signalling away from the baseband frequency. The method translates baseband telephony signalling into one or more RF signals over twisted pair copper channels, in conjunction with an ADSL or VDSL signal on the same medium.

Abstract: A method (100) for preventing message looping in a telecommunications network (70) includes the steps of receiving a UDT/S query message, determining a next destination for processing the query message and a route for delivering the query message to the next destination (102). A determination is then made as to whether the route to the next destination is XUDT/S capable (104). The UDT/S query message is converted to an XUDT/S format by inserting a hop counter (38) therein if the route is XUDT/S capable (108). The query message is then delivered to the next destination via the route (110). The hop counter (38) in the query message is then decremented at the next destination in response to receiving a message of the XUDT/S format (112). A message loop error is recognized and processed when the hop counter (38) reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: An acousto-optical filter having a wide tuning range and a method of making the same. An acoustic transducer is provided for generating an acoustic pressure wave of a selected frequency that is propagated longitudinally along an optical fiber member. The pressure wave generates a plurality of alternating localized compressions and rarefactions in the optical fiber such that a grating (i.e., periodic changes in the fiber's refractive index) is created therein. The grating reflects optical signals of a particular wavelength depending upon its period or pitch (i.e., Bragg resonance wavelength). The acoustic pressure wave's frequency is modulated by controlling the acoustic transducer such that a variable grating pitch is obtained, thereby causing a corresponding change in the Bragg resonance wavelength of the grating. In response, a reflected optical signal selected from incoming multiplexed optical signals tunes to a different wavelength.

Abstract: An optical local loop having a bus topology with a pair of optical fibers disposed among a plurality of Optical Network Units (ONUs). A Host Digital Terminal (HDT) is disposed at the head end of the optical local loop for concentrating optical signals for a network. Redundant transceiver banks are provided within the HDT for operating with the optical signals effectuated at a plurality of wavelengths which are multiplexed and de-multiplexed via a pair of Wavelength Division Multiplex (WDM) couplers disposed on corresponding optical fibers. During transmission, the ONUs excite both optical fibers and the received optical signals are monitored in the HDT for quality and integrity of the optical paths. A selectively actuatable mechanism is provided in the HDT to switch downstream transmission to the ONU nodes from one optical path to the other optical path of the local loop based on the path quality and integrity.

Abstract: A method for bundling messages for transmission in a telecommunications network includes receiving a first message and a disparate second message. The first and second messages are inserted into a shared packet and transmitted over the telecommunications network in the shared packet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing subscriber alerts that warn the subscriber to severe weather and traffic conditions is provided wherein the subscriber may receive the alerts on a cellular phone, on a public switched telephone network phone (PSTN), on a pager, or by e-mail. Additionally, the subscriber may receive wakeup and reminder calls according to his or her subscriber profile If a defined weather condition is occurring or is about to occur in a defined zone, for example, or if a specified traffic condition is occurring on the defined traffic artery the subscriber receives alerts as specified in a subscriber profile stored within a server coupled to an intelligent network (IN) type of PSTN. A server, e.g., an SCP or IP, generates signaling to prompt an autodialer to dial a call to the subscriber and an IVR to play the select message.

Abstract: An integrated multi-services access platform includes a time division multiplex interface coupled to a time division multiplex network, a matrix in communications with the time division multiplex interface, a frame relay groomer coupled to the matrix, an asynchronous transfer mode matrix coupled to the frame relay groomer, and an asynchronous transfer mode interface coupled to a frame relay/asynchronous transfer mode network.

Abstract: A telecommunications card for use in a telecommunications terminal. The telecommunications card includes at least one programmable channel capable of satisfying different telecommunications standards based on configuration input. The different telecommunications standards, such as impedance, gain, and transhybrid impedance, relate to different countries. The card may include circuit blocks that provide different circuit paths that correspond to different telecommunications standards. The card may include a programmable codec for impedance and/or transhybrid balance.

Abstract: An optical filter having a wide tuning range and a method of making the same. A fiber Bragg grating member having a selected grating pitch is coupled to a plurality of actuating members such as Shape Memory Alloys. A current source or thermal source is included for providing a controlled amount of current or heat so as to cause a change in the length of the actuating members. The length of the fiber Bragg grating member is accordingly changed also. The grating pitch is correspondingly altered, thereby causing a change in the Bragg resonance wavelength of the grating. In response, a reflected optical signal selected from incoming multiplexed optical signals tunes to a different wavelength. A closed-loop controller is provided for controlling energy inputs to the actuating members to modulate the tuning of the reflected optical signals.

Abstract: A method of providing a back up communications link for control messages within a delivery unit. The primary means of transport for both network data and control data within the delivery unit is by means of ingress and egress buses between application modules of the delivery unit. However, control messages from a unit controller can also be delivered by means of a separate link, typically to a bus control module.

Abstract: A system and method for managing faults in a data transmission system that includes a data path for transmitting signals containing data, and a plurality of application cards located along the data path for processing the signals. The method includes the steps of detecting the occurrence of a fault of a particular type at one of a plurality of points along the data transmission path; in response, the application card generating a fault report for the purpose of identifying the cause of the detected fault; and, preventing the generation by the application card of subsequent fault reports relating to that particular type of fault until receiving a signal indicating that fault report generation may be reenabled. In the fault management system, the data transmission system also includes at least one unit controller for controlling the application cards, and at least one system manager for controlling the at least one unit controller.

Abstract: Spiral inductors are provided on multiple internal layers of a printed circuit (PC) board and configured to form a filter. An external end of each of the spiral inductors can be coupled by a via to opening in ground planes provided on external surfaces of the PC board. Using such vias, the external end of each of the spiral inductors can be coupled by lumped elements, such as a capacitor, an inductor, or combination of capacitors and inductors to the ground planes to enable tuning of the filter after the PC board has been manufactured. Such lumped element components can further interconnect the external ends of two spiral inductors to provide alternate filter configurations which are easily tunable. Internal ends of the spiral inductors can also be connected together by a via to the ground planes to provide superb grounding due to limited line lengths between filter components and ground.

Abstract: A network interface card (100) includes a line interface unit (102) operable to receive inbound network telecommunications signals having one of a plurality of first formats. A transceiver framer unit (104) converts the inbound network telecommunications signals from the first format to a second format. A matrix interface unit (106) transports the inbound network telecommunications signals having the second format to a pair of redundant switching matrix planes (A, B). The matrix interface unit (106) also receives outbound, network telecommunications signals having the second format from the redundant switching planes (A, B) for transport to the transceiver framer unit (104). The transceiver framer unit (104) converts the outbound network telecommunications signals from the second format to an appropriate first format for transport to network elements through the line interface unit (102).

Abstract: A craft interface device for accessing a telecommunications network having several levels or layers of interactive structure has a graphical user interface for displaying on a monitor a sequence graphical representations of operatively interconnected objects in a respective layer of the telecommunications network, whereby a user can navigate graphically through the network from a highest hierarchical level of objects to a lowest hierarchical level of objects and operational interrelationships. The graphical user interface is operatively connected to a display interactive user input component (e.g., a mouse) for detecting user selection via the input component of a broadband first end point displayed in a first window by the graphical user interface and a broadband second end point displayed in a second window by the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A generic translator (10) is provided for processing service requests sent by a digit collection client (16). Requests include billing validation (11), call routing (19), call screening (17), account code validation (15) or other services. These requests are processed by the generic translator (10) and successful results are sent back to the digit collection client (16) or a trunk selection process (20). The generic translator (10) can access an external entity (18) to assist in digit translation (13).