Abstract: A system for monitoring and controlling electrical devices has a local central processor with memory for storing an operating and control systems for controlling analog or digital sensors, instruments, and devices. A web browser interfaces with a communications system to exchange data with the local central processor. External hardware couples to the local central processor via an inter integrated circuit interconnection system. Plural sensors and instruments couple to the local central processor, and are controlled over the internet. Electrical devices include any combination of temperature sensors, potentiometric sensors, oceanographic sensors and instruments, industrial sensors and instruments, voltammetric sensors, light sensors, atmospheric sensors and instruments, water sensors, pH sensors, and amperometric sensors and instruments. Sensor data is stored in a removable data storage arrangement.

Abstract: A switching arrangement for optical fibers is provided with a plurality of first optical fibers and a plurality of second optical fibers. A photoemitter element is arranged to communicate optically with a selectable one of the plurality of first optical fibers, and a photodetector element communicates optically with a selectable one of the plurality of second optical fibers. A communications arrangement enables optical communication between the photoemitter and photodetector elements, and respectively selected ones of the first and second optical fibers simultaneously. The communications arrangement has a displaceable portion and a stationary portion. A drive arrangement is coupled to the displaceable portion of the communications arrangement. A controller is coupled to the drive arrangement for controlling a displacement of the displaceable portion of the communications arrangement. Displacement is effected along a linear path, or in other embodiments, along a circular path.