Abstract: A system and method provided for the acquisition and retention of knowledge assets. The system includes a user interface, a processor, and memory storage devices. In order to use the system, system users perform different tasks. Initiators and knowledge stewards provide for the generation and monitoring of specifications which describe in detail performance issues which have been encountered. These issues are stored in a database and common issues are linked together. Implementors retrieve the specifications and implementation plans to resolve performance issues. These implementation plans are also stored in the database and are accessible by the initiator and the knowledge steward who may provide an assessment of the success of the implementation plan. The structure of the database is such that links may be established between specification and implementation plans with common subject matter.

Abstract: A compact lightweight antenna for receiving microwave direct line of sight wireless data signals used in services such as Local Multipoint Distribution Services (LMDS). The antenna provides for precise control over isolation of polarized signals. The antenna consists of an external parabolically shaped dome formed of a suitably resilient material such as thermoplastic. A polarizing metal grid is formed on the interior surface of the dome and serves as a transreflector for initially passing received radiation having a vertical polarization. A twist reflector disposed at a point along an axis defined by the metal grid reflects the received radiation, back in the direction of the transreflector with a different polarization. The now differently polarized energy is reflected by the parabolically shaped metal grid at a feed point located in the center of the twist plate. Operation for transmitting energy is analogous.

Abstract: On the basis of a portion of the signal, a coder selects a parameter vector belonging to a reference library containing 2Q vectors each designated by an address of Q bits. This coder, or a transcoder located downstream, forms a digital data stream (&PHgr;) containing an index deduced from the address of the vector selected. For each rate value corresponding to an integer p≧0, the index contained in the digital data stream is formed of Q−p bits which, completed by p bits of predetermined positions, define indices of Q bits representing a group of 2p addresses including that of the vector selected from the reference library. The decoder receiving the digital data stream, or a transcoder located upstream, is capable of reconstructing appropriate parameter vectors on the basis of the truncated index. Thus very fine steps are obtained in the adjustment of the transmission rate.

Abstract: An antenna enclosure and mounting arrangement for transmitting meter-related information from a remotely readable commodity meter positioned within a subterraneous pit to a remote reading station. The antenna arrangement includes an antenna housing having an outwardly tapered support portion that contacts an inwardly tapered support surface formed in the pit lid. When the antenna housing is mounted within the pit lid, the top surface of the antenna enclosure is flush with the top surface of the pit lid, while the antenna contained within the antenna housing is positioned slightly below the top surface of the pit lid.

Abstract: A method for time synchronization of a plurality of telephony application units in a computer network retrieves a master clock value from a master telephony application unit configured to establish communication between two or more individuals and synchronizes a client clock value of a telephony application unit with the master clock value. Each of the plurality of telephony application unit is coupled to the master telephony application unit and is also configured to establish communication between two or more individuals.

Abstract: A method and system for testing trunks and modems of communication lines includes identifying a trunk and a modem in a communication line from trunk signaling (SS7) data. Historic performance data of the modem in the communication line is then measured. The historic performance data includes the time the modem is connected with the trunk, the speed at which data is communicated through the modem and the trunk in the communication line, and the rate at which the modem connects with the trunk. The performance data of the modem is then correlated with the trunk signaling data to associate the performance data of the modem with the trunk in the communication line. The performance data of the modem is then analyzed to determine if the communication line is operating improperly. The analysis is performed to determine whether the trunk or the modem is operating improperly.

Abstract: This invention describes new developments in Sagnac Raman amplifiers and cascade lasers to improve their performance. The Raman amplifier bandwidth is broadened by using a broadband pump or by combining a cladding-pumped fiber laser with the Sagnac Raman cavity. The broader bandwidth is also obtained by eliminating the need for polarization controllers in the Sagnac cavity by using an all polarization maintaining configuration, or at least using loop mirrors that maintain polarization. The polarization maintaining cavities have the added benefit of being environmentally stable and appropriate for turn-key operation. The noise arising from sources such as double Rayleigh scattering is reduced by using the Sagnac cavity in combination with a polarization diversity pumping scheme, where the pump is split along two axes of the fiber. This also leads to gain for the signal that is independent of the signal polarization.

Abstract: A method of branch metric calculation of trellis coded data, suitable for a decoder of phase angle on a carrier modulated with phase shift keying (PSK) modulation, begins with an expressing angles of phase shift by a vectorial representation of sectors within quadrants of a circle. The sectors are subdivided into sub-sectors of differing sizes, and the sub-sectors are divided further into equal increments of angle referred to as PIEs. The PIEs and the quadrants are identified and, in each quadrant, there is an assigning of a set of branch metrics to serve as identifiers of respective ones of the sub-sectors in each sector of the quadrant. The set of branch metrics in one sector of the quadrant differs from the set of branch metrics in another of the sectors of the quadrant by a permutation of the branch metrics. The phase data is outputted in the form of branch metrics and quadrant for use by a decoder such as a Viterbi decoder.

Abstract: A method for dynamically allocating signal processing resources in a wireless multichannel broadband base station (BBS) for a cellular communications network. The method includes the steps of determining a number of available channel processor (CP) resources which are unused among a set of RF processing chain (RFP) resources allocated to a communications cell. Each RFP processes a single frequency channel and contains a plurality of CPs. The plurality of CPs process at least one of a plurality of traffic channels contained on said frequency channel. In response to notification of a subscriber call to be processed by the BBS, a determination is made as to whether the number of available CP resources is at least one. If so, the call is assigned to the available CP resource. In addition, an apparatus for performing the method is disclosed.

Abstract: An improved telephony system for calling card calls is provided. The system comprises a method and system for allowing preregistered names to be displayed on pager devices when a calling card call is placed to a pager. In the invention, a calling card account number is utilized to retrieve the pre-registered name to be displayed at the pager device. A speed paging option may also be provided. The invention is particularly apt for use in telephony systems having AIN-capable switching devices.

Abstract: A conversion circuit in a transceiver system is capable of converting a single-ended input voltage signal to balanced differential output signals. An input voltage signal can be referenced to the ground (zero voltage) GND and can travel both above and below the zero voltage. A plurality of feedback circuits, having a plurality of transistors and a plurality of resistances, disposed and coupled in a mirror image, to boost an input impedance to an output impedance of a gain of one of the transistors, to isolate an output load from an input of the conversion circuit, and to provide a voltage gain from the input to an output determined by the plurality of resistances.

Abstract: In a longitudinally coupled multi-mode surface acoustic wave filter, for the purpose of setting a stop band width of reflectors to a proper width according to a required filter, since a line occupation rate of the reflectors has been made smaller than a line occupation rate of an IDT electrode, and respective periods of the reflector and the IDT electrode are set properly such that the stop band width of the reflector and the band width of the longitudinally coupled multi-mode surface acoustic wave filter have been approximately equal to each other, means for broadening the band of the longitudinally coupled multi-mode SAW filter can be obtained for a broad-band RF filter of a portable telephone used in a new system.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method and apparatus for supporting increased capacity on a backhaul communications link carrier frequency of a wireless communication system the uses a repeater station. Uplink RF carrier signals from a plurality of mobile units each having a first modulation scheme, are received at a serving repeater station. These uplink signals containing traffic and control information are demodulated and then re-modulated by a second modulation scheme having a higher-order modulation than the first modulation scheme. The re-modulated signal containing a plurality of uplink carrier signals within a single RF carrier signal is then transmitted over an uplink channel of a backhaul communication link. Additionally, the invention discloses a method for aggregating data on the uplink channel of a backhaul communications link. A plurality of uplink RF carrier signals from a plurality of mobile units are each received at a repeater station.

Abstract: The inventive system provides a set of human input and output devices such as a video monitor and keyboard, in conjunction with a processing means such as a Personal Computer, an in-circuit microprocessor emulation means, and control software which allows a software developer to interactively and intelligently view the contents of bit-mapped hardware control and status registers in a descriptive manner. Further, the system interacts with the in-circuit emulator and code development environment to automatically create hexadecimal representations of complete register values to be read and written, and performs validity rule checking in order to notify the software developer if disallowed combinations of bit fields have been selected.

Abstract: A dipole antenna for use with a mobile subscriber unit in a wireless network communications system. The antenna is fabricated with printed circuit board (PCB) photo-etching techniques for precise control of the printed structure. The dipole antenna includes a planar substrate made of dielectric material. A conductive planar element is layered on one side of the substrate in an upper region of the substrate, and a conductive planar ground patch is layered on the other side of the substrate in a lower region of the substrate. That is, the conductive planar element is stacked above the conductive planar ground patch. A feed strip is connected to the bottom of the conductive planar element, and extends from the element to a bottom edge of the substrate and terminates at a bottom feed point. Typically, the feed point is connected to a transmission line for transmitting signals to and receiving signals from the dipole antenna.

Abstract: A system and method for adaptive packet-length IP telephony includes a first IP telephony communication device located on a data network and enabled to establish an IP telephony connection to a second IP telephony communication device. Optionally, the first communication device is enabled to access network topology information from a server regarding a network segment connecting the first and second communication devices. If the network topology reflects the presence of a low efficiency router on the network segment, the first communication device enters a fixed packet-length operational mode. If the network topology indicates an absence of a low efficiency network router on the segment, the first communication device enters an adaptive packet-length operational mode.

Abstract: An improved mousepad (100) includes a telephone integrated therewith. A keypad (108) for the telephone is disposed beneath a mylar layer (130). The keypad (108) includes a plurality of capacitive switches (108a, 108b) disposed just beneath the mylar layer. In a mousepad mode, a mouse may be moved around the surface of the mylar in the standard fashion. In a telephone mode, the user may activate the keypad (108) by pressing the buttons which are viewable beneath the mylar.

Abstract: An encrypting device is provided that ensures confidentiality of an email transmitted from an Internet facsimile machine (IFAX), without any additional components or construction added to an existing IFAX. A signal type detecting section detects a type of a signal received through an interface section connected to an IFAX. When a predetermined signal type is detected, a mail data communication section receives email data. Then, after an encrypting section encrypts the received email data, the mail data communication section transmits the encrypted email data through an interface section connected to a network.

Abstract: A plastic heat exchanger which is simple and inexpensive. The heat exchanger includes an outer duct and a stack of inner ducts, the inner ducts for establishing a first flow path for cooling air or air to be cooled. Each inner duct includes end portions which are stackable upon one another and a middle portion which has a reduced dimension. A seal is placed about each stack of end portions and a second flow path for cooled air or cooling air is formed within the outer duct, between the seals and around the outside of the middle portions of the inner ducts.

Abstract: A system for maintaining a customer's telephone number when a switch from one service provider to a second provider is made interfaces with a regional customer number database to keep track of local numbers and the corresponding local service provider which services each number. Service providers interface with the database and obtain information at the telephone number level that permits individual providers to determine which carrier is providing service to which telephone number. A neutral third party maintains and administers the database allowing free access by any participating provider.