Abstract: An architecture for a SONET network element, such as a hybrid STM/ATM add-drop multiplexer. The disclosed system includes an interconnection system for a network element, including a line unit slot, a switch fabric slot, and two or more service unit slots. The line unit slot is connected as a hub to the switch fabric slot and the service unit slots in a first star interconnection configuration. The switch fabric slot is connected as a hub to the line unit slot and the service unit slots in a second star interconnection configuration. The star interconnection configurations provide fault isolation between different units, and allow for replacement of failed units without interfering with the links of other units to the hub. In a preferred embodiment, the switch fabric slot and one of the service unit slots comprise the same slot, thus permitting flexible configuration of the device within a minimal space.

Abstract: A printed balun satisfies performance requirements for operation at a desired operational frequency (e.g., ƒ=5.3 GHz) while minimizing space requirements on a circuit board. Segments of microstrip are connected at right angles that define fingers whose dimensions can be tailored for operation at a desired operational frequency while minimizing the corresponding space required on a circuit board. Minimal separation between the fingers avoids undesirable internal interference. Mounted at the edges of distinct fingers are the necessary ports for operation of the balun including a single-ended port, an isolation port, and two differential ports.

Abstract: A wireless communications system is provided that enables a user to send data pertaining to the shipment and/or delivery of goods, preferably from a handheld device, to at least one data file associated with at least one respective application program residing on a remote computing device. The application program rapidly receives the sent data and integrates the data into at least one data file associated therewith, thereby enabling more timely and efficient business operations. In a preferred embodiment, user input is minimized by using a macro feature, and users can input data fields in any order without affecting the performance or reliability of the system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a piezoelectric resonator that has a piezoelectric plate that has formed thereon a pair of main electrodes and has formed thereon a second electrode surrounding the peripheral edge of the main electrode with a gap being provided between the second electrode and a peripheral edge of the main electrode. The material of the main electrode and the material of the second electrode are differentiated from each other. As the material of the second electrode there is used a material the density of that is lower than the material of the main electrode. With this construction, there is obtained means for suppressing the occurrence of spurious due to an inharmonic mode generating in the high frequency piezoelectric resonator.

Abstract: A system is provided for receiving, managing, and distributing data to multiple data destinations. Data is received from at least one data source normalized into a standard configuration. An identifier is associated with the normalized data. The identifier associated with the normalized data indicates the type of data included in the normalized data. The normalized data is transmitted along with the associated identifier to the multiple of data destinations. Each data destination determines whether to retrieve or ignore the normalized data based on the identifier associated with the normalized data. The normalized data may be transmitted in a data packet that includes the identifier associated with the normalized data. In certain instances, the normalized data represents a two-dimensional array of data elements.

Abstract: A method for transferring thermal energy from an electronic card in a card shelf includes providing a divider configured for high absorption of thermal energy adjacent to an electronic card in the card shelf. Thermal energy generated by the electronic card is absorbed in the divider and transferred away from the electronic card via the divider. The divider may include a roughened surface texture, surface coating, or other dull surface exhibiting high thermal energy absorption properties. The divider may convectively transfer the thermal energy away from the electronic card. The divider may also be thermally coupled to a heatsink to conductively transfer the thermal energy away from the electronic card.

Abstract: A method of broadband amplification divides an optical signal of wavelength of 1430 nm to 1620 nm at a preselected wavelength into a first beam and a second beam. The first beam is directed to at least one optical amplifier and produces an amplified first beam. The second beam is directed to at least one rare earth doped fiber amplifier to produce an amplified second beam. The first and second amplified beams are combined.

Abstract: A paging system including one or more pagers having a transmitting function. The pagers can transmit to a base station a response upward signal acknowledging reception of a paging signal, and a pager initiative signal through direct sequence spread spectrum modulation. The pager assigns different spreading codes to the response upward signal acknowledging the reception of the paging signal and the pager initiative signal, so that the base station can receive them independently.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a small ruggedized electrical connector assembly to a body. In general, the electrical connector assembly comprises an insulative housing made of a first material, an electrical contact assembly, and a stiffening member made of a second material. The electrical contact assembly comprises one or more electrical contacts extending through the insulative housing. The stiffening member transfers forces from a plug inserted into the electrical connector assembly to the body instead of to the more fragile electrical contacts. The stiffening member comprises a shroud positioned adjacent to the insulative housing and plurality of mounting flanges connected to the shroud. The mounting flanges are fastened to the body and may also be layered with, and fastened to, corresponding mounting flanges integral with the to the insulative housing.

Abstract: A circuit and method for adaptive precorrection of first signals applied to RF signal combiners of a broadcast signal transmitter provides a sample of the combined signal output of the RF combiner and a sample of a second signal to a hybrid so as to cancel from the combined signal the second signal, and to apply the resulting signal sample representing the first signal to an adaptive precorrector which precorrects the first signal before it is applied to the RF combiner. The circuit and method can be used with a two signal combiner, or with a multiple signal combiner.

Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the speed at which a graphics image is displayed on a raster, such as in a liquid crystal display. The method incorporates off-line created look-up tables which are stored in memory means associated with a graphics processor unit. Thus, real time calculations are reduced resulting in a faster graphics image response time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out synchronous co-division multiple access (SCDMA) communication of multiple channels of digital data over a shared transmission media such as a cable television system coaxial cable, a fiber optic or copper conductor telephone link, terrestial microwave, satellite link, local or wide area network, wireless including cellur network or some combination of these media using suitable interface circuitry. The system includes modems at remote units and a central unit to receive time division multiplexed digital data arranged into timeslots or channels and uses orthogonal codes to encode each channel of multiple data and spread the energy of each channel data over a frame of data transmitted in the code domain. Spreading the data this way makes the system less susceptible to impulse noise.

Abstract: An advanced SONET add/drop multiplexer capable of supporting packet over SONET and multiprotocol label switching. The add/drop multiplexer is capable of adding and/or dropping both STM and packet traffic, such as Internet Protocol traffic. This SONET add/drop multiplexer allows Internet Protocol streams which are added or dropped at different nodes to be carried over the same SONET path in a network, thereby greatly saving bandwidth.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for phase shifting signals wherein the phase shifting circuitry may be disposed in a relatively small footprint. The preferred embodiment utilizes PIN diodes to provide switched line phase shifting, wherein the switched lines are microstrip and/or stripline transmission lines of predetermined lengths. To minimize the space required, the switched lines of the preferred embodiment are disposed on different layers of a multi-layered support structure, such as a multi-layer circuit board. Layer changing vias are preferably adapted to provide a constant impedance to thereby make changes in layers in the transmission path electrically transparent to a transmitted signal.

Abstract: A circuit for increasing the precision of an N-bit digital-to-analog converter. The N-bit digital-to-analog converter includes a digital signal input and an analog signal output. The analog signal output connects to the analog signal input of a translating circuit. The translating circuit includes an analog signal output and a bias enable input. The N-bit digital-to-analog converter receives an N-bit digital signal and converts it into a first analog output signal having 2n possible values over a first voltage range. When the enable input is in an enabled state, the translating circuit translates the first analog output signal into a second analog voltage having 2n possible values over a second voltage range, the second voltage range having a smaller maximum value than maximum value of the first voltage range.

Abstract: A modified UTOPIA interface for inter-board applications is provided where the address timing generated by a polling master is extended to be two clock cycles long with no NULL address being driven onto the address line in between addresses. Output and input circuitry is provided in conjunction with the polling master and user ATM boards to accommodate hot insertion and to help drive the circuit. The master preferably includes an outgoing address latch and address latch control associated with the address bus, and a register associated with the enable signal. The master also includes a hot insertion buffer on the incoming cell available signal. The user device(s) include hot insertion buffers on the address bus, the data bus, and the enable signal. A remapping function is also preferably provided in associated with the user board which permits the user board to map received addresses into desired addresses.

Abstract: A method for developing a call traffic pattern for a company having a plurality of remotely located facilities is disclosed. A long distance carrier phone bill is examined to determine which call records correspond to intra-company calls. The intra-company call records are then grouped by originating company facility. Data from the grouped call records are then summed and examined to assemble a call traffic pattern. The call traffic pattern may include total charges for intra-company calls by facility, total calls by facility, total call duration by facility, peak phone usage by facility, and time of peak usage by facility. The call traffic pattern may be particularly useful in designing a voice over data network solution for a company.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for automated technical support in a computer network having a client machine and at least one server. The method begins by selecting a diagnostic map useful in gathering diagnostic data for evaluating a given technical problem requiring diagnosis and correction. The diagnostic map encapsulates a set of one or more methods that, upon execution, explore the client machine and gather data. The diagnostic map is then executed by a diagnostic engine to generate a data set indicative of a current operating state of the client machine. This data set is forwarded from the client machine to the server for analysis. Based on the analysis performed at the server node, the data gathering process is repeated at the client machine, iteratively, until given information is available to a user of the client machine to correct the given technical problem.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus is connected to a telephone network and to an internet network. The facsimile apparatus is capable of receiving E-mail data via the internet network and transmitting facsimile data to a facsimile destination via the telephone network. A detector detects a password indicating an instruction to relay the received E-mail data to the facsimile destination, and a telephone number of the facsimile destination, in a mail address of the E-mail data. A generator, when the detector detects the password and the telephone number, deletes the password from the mail address, and generates header information including a mail address after deleting the password. A converter converts the E-mail data, including the header information, into facsimile data. A transmitter transmits the converted facsimile data with the header information, but without the password to the facsimile destination indicated by the telephone number.