Abstract: A method for determining an optimal configuration and redundancy allocation for a system containing a plurality of units grouped into a plurality of elements and one or more modules. The method conducts random statistical sampling of a combinatorial space reflecting the possible combinations, redundancies and integrations of the units and elements in a given system. For each sample combination, the method calculates an optimization metric that reflects the reliability and/or the cost of that combination. The optimization metric may incorporate relative weighting of constraints used to evaluate whether the combination is optimal. The optimum configuration will be the configuration having the lowest optimization metric out of all the samples.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an electrically and/or thermally conducting interconnection is disclosed wherein a first surface and a second surface are contacted with each other via a plurality of nanostructures disposed on at least one of the surfaces. In one embodiment, a first plurality of areas of nanostructures is disposed on a component in an electronics package such as, illustratively, a microprocessor. The first plurality of areas is then brought into contact with a corresponding second plurality of areas of nanostructures on a substrate, thus creating a strong friction bond. In another illustrative embodiment, a plurality of nanostructures is disposed on a component, such as a microprocessor, which is then brought into contact with a substrate. Intermolecular forces result in an attraction between the molecules of the nanostructures and the molecules of the substrate, thus creating a bond between the nanostructures and the substrate.

Abstract: A novel design for an optical differential quadrature phase shift keying (DQPSK) modulator comprises two intensity modulators in a three-arm interferometer.

Abstract: An MBE effusion cell is configured to produce an inverted temperature gradient; that is, the top surface of the melt is not cooler than the bottom surface of the melt. In one embodiment, the MBE effusion cell comprises a crucible having tip, central and base regions. First filaments are located laterally adjacent the tip region; second filaments are located laterally adjacent the central region; and third filaments are located laterally adjacent all three of the regions. The radial density of the number of the heater filaments is lower adjacent the base region than adjacent the tip or central regions. In another embodiment, further tailoring of the inverted temperature gradient is obtained by reducing the amount of insulation at the base of the crucible. In another embodiment, at least one heater filament extends substantially along the longitudinal axis of the crucible and is located adjacent its lateral wall.

Abstract: A packet switched IP call to a mobile user device in a wireless network is supported where the mobile user does not have a static IP address and where the mobile user is not engaged in communications in which an IP address is currently assigned. The originating party utilizes the directory number of the mobile user to initiate the packet switched call with at least an originating packet being directed to a home agent in the wireless network. The home agent assigns a temporary IP address to the mobile user's UE and translates packets addressed to the user's directory number to the assigned IP address. A switching node forwards the assigned IP addressed packets to the corresponding UE.

Abstract: Disclosed is a technique for compensating for optical passband shift of an optical component (for example an optical demultiplexer). A broadband source coupled to a dispersive element generates a chirped pulsed optical signal. Data is modulated onto particular wavelengths of the chirped pulsed optical signal by appropriately synchronizing a data modulator. The modulated signal is transmitted to the downstream optical demultiplexer, which may be subject to passband shift due to, for example, changes in environmental conditions. A feedback signal from an output port of the demultiplexer is provided to the transmitter and is used to phase shift the modulator. The phase shift results in effectively adjusting the wavelength onto which the data is modulated to substantially correspond to the passband centers of the demultiplexer.

Abstract: A real-time networked telephony or computer system has a feature complex and/or applications that offer a class of features to a subscriber, including call information, and permits the subscriber to manage incoming and existing calls through available features accessed using spoken utterances. A speech processing unit coupled to the system interprets a subscriber's spoken utterances without requiring the subscriber to train the system to recognize his or her voice. The interpretation of spoken utterances is enabled by a system state database that is maintained at the speech processing unit and comprises a database of the possible system slates, including possible call flows for a call, and a database associated with the system state database comprising context-specific grammar that a subscriber may recite at respective points in the call flow. The speech processing unit may also convert message signals from the network to speech which is read to the subscriber using a text to speech translator.

Abstract: Call admission methods for admitting connections into ATM/IP networks having a plurality of communication channels are disclosed. An overbooking technique is utilized which distinguishes among the different service classes. Each service class is assigned an overbooking factor. The call admission is determined based on the overbooking factor assigned to the class and the effective bandwidth for that service class. In addition, methods are disclosed for performing appropriate bookkeeping, i.e., updating and maintaining information concerning the state of the system.

Abstract: Path metric normalization in calculating trellis-based algorithms is improved by normalizing the path metric with an average value (rather than a maximum or a minimum) of the path metrics. Using an average rather than a maximum or a minimum provides various advantages without adversely affecting the execution of the trellis-based algorithm. Due to the relatively faster computation time available when an average is computed, average value normalization can be applied every cycle, because its critical path is less than that of the ACS unit.

Abstract: A wireless data network distinguishes among different users connected to the network and associates each user with a service class that offers a selected level of service. The base station in the network queries the user for its unique user identification code and accesses a database linking user identification codes with their corresponding services classes. The network then controls the service level given to that user based on the service class associated with the user identification code. The user identification code can be sent to the network via existing fields in current standards.

Abstract: The per sector or per cell downlink capacity in a spread spectrum wireless network is determined using a single test mobile that is operating within a background of simulated co-channel interference being broadcast in each sector by all cell sites in the network whose capacity is of interest. From all sectors, an Orthogonal Channel Noise Simulator (OCNS) generates a multiple number of calibrated test signals, which are aggregated and broadcast downlink, where each transmitted test signal simulates the downlink power transmitted to a live mobile. Each component test signal in the aggregated OCNS output transmitted in each sector is a sample of a stochastic process with a set mean and standard deviation that are determined from the mean and standard deviation of the power of a real signal transmitted downlink to the test mobile as it is moved around the network's coverage area.

Abstract: Carbon particles, such as, carbon fibrils and carbon nanotube molecules, may be assembled into substantially pure aligned fibers by a) dispersing the carbon particles within a curable liquid, b) aligning the carbon particles by flowing the mixture of curable liquid and carbon particles down a tapering tube, and c) curing the flowing mixture of curable liquid and carbon particles in the general vicinity of the end of the tapering tube to form a fiber. The curable liquid may be cured using ultraviolet light. The solidified mixture may be further processed by d) heating the fiber so as to cause the volatile elements of the solidified curable liquid portion to substantially dissipate from the fiber, e) twisting the fiber to increase its density, f) heating the fiber to sinter the carbon particles within the fiber, and g) cladding the fiber. The resulting fiber may then be spooled onto a take-up drum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying virtual private networks (VPNs) in a network of a service provider. The method and apparatus includes generating a VPN routing forwarding—route target (VRF-RT) table for the network. From the VRF-RT table, at least one of a VRF-VRF table and a VRF connectivity graph is generated. From the VRF-RT table, a set of atomic full-mesh components are identified, and from the at least one of a VRF-VRF table and a VRF connectivity graph, at least one set of other types of VPN components are identified, such as atomic single hub-and-spoke components, molecular multi-hub-and-spoke components, composite full-mesh components, composite single hub-and-spoke components, and/or composite multi hub-and-spoke components.

Abstract: A telecommunications system includes a plurality of networks. At least one of the networks is a network for wireless telecommunications. Each network comprises a network controller, and the system also comprises a user controller. The user controller negotiates with the network controllers for of transport for a service to the user. The user controller agrees to contracts for transport with at least two networks, in respect to each of which the probability of providing transport is less than one.

Abstract: Downlink diversity in a CDMA system is provided by employing Walsh codes in conjunction with M transmit antennas at a common base station serving K mobiles, where M may or may not be to equal to K. The present invention provides methods and apparatus for improving downlink diversity in a CDMA system. Each transmit antenna transmits a signal representing the result of the modulation of Walsh codes by data signals for each of the K mobiles, assuming there is data pertaining to a particular mobile. The assignment of Walsh codes is accomplished in accordance with a transmission matrix T. The transmission matrix maps the user data symbols onto the Walsh codes for each antenna and is preferably designed such that its columns are representative of the transmit antennas and orthogonal.

Abstract: A vehicle speeding alert system is implemented on a GPS enabled wireless device in communication with a wireless network. The alert system periodically determines the speed of a vehicle by determining the speed of the wireless device carried therein, using GPS signals received by the wireless device. For example, speed can be calculated by dividing a certain distance that the wireless device travels by the time it takes to travel that distance. The vehicle's speed is then compared to the speed limit of the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling. The speed limit is determined by comparing the wireless device's location to map data relating to the geographic area around the location. The map data may be stored on the wireless device, or obtained from a map database accessible over the network. If the vehicle speed is above the speed limit, a notification or alert is issued.

Abstract: Techniques for defragmenting at least one time division multiplexed link in a communication system, wherein provisioned circuits corresponding to traffic demands are assigned to particular time slots of the link. An optimum layout of free space for the link is computed, subject to an interface rate constraint that may be specified as a minimum cross-connect rate and a maximum cross-connect rate. Particular free slots from the optimum layout of free space are selected, and a hitless migration sequence is determined for migrating one or more of the circuits to one or more of the selected free slots. The time slot assignments of one or more of the circuits are adjusted in accordance with the determined migration, sequence in order to defragment the link.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for determining a routing table for use in a network comprising a plurality of type-one nodes and a plurality of type-two nodes where the type-two nodes use respective type-two routing tables having one next-hop node associated with each of a plurality of destination nodes of the network. The method includes obtaining, from the type-one nodes and the type-two nodes, link status information associated with each of a plurality of links of the network, obtaining traffic measurement information from the type-one nodes and the type-two nodes, and determining, using the link status and traffic measurement information, type-one routing tables for the respective type-one nodes. The type-one routing tables are determined as a group in a substantially coordinated manner, and each type one routing table includes a plurality of next-hop nodes associated with each of the destination nodes.

Abstract: An application server component of an apparatus in one example receives an indication of one or more communication devices that are to receive one or more invitations to join a communication session. The application server component notifies the one or more communication devices of the one or more invitations to join the communication session. Upon acceptance of one or more of the one or more invitations by one or more of the one or more communication devices, the application server component connects the one or more of the one or more communication devices to the communication session.

Abstract: A first interleaved address generator is configured to generate a first interleaved address, and a second interleaved address generator is configured to generate a second interleaved address substantially concurrently with the first interleaved address generator generating the first interleaved address. A controller is configured to disable the second interleaved address generator from generating the second interleaved address if the second interleaved address is not needed to produce a continuous stream of interleaved addresses.