Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed wherein nanostructures or microstructures are disposed on a surface of a body (such as a submersible vehicle) that is adapted to move through a fluid, such as water. The nanostructures or microstructures are disposed on the surface in a way such that the contact between the surface and the fluid is reduced and, correspondingly, the friction between the surface and the fluid is reduced. In an illustrative embodiment, the surface is a surface on a submarine or other submersible vehicle (such as a torpedo). Illustratively, electrowetting principles are used to cause the fluid to at least partially penetrate the nanostructures or microstructures on the surface of the body in order to selectively create greater friction in a desired location of the surface. Such penetration may be used, for example, to create drag that alters the direction or speed of travel of the body.

Abstract: A device fabricated using a multi-layered wafer that has an embedded etch mask adapted to map a desired device structure onto an adjacent (poly)silicon layer. Due to the presence of the embedded mask, it becomes possible to delay the etching that forms the mapped structure in the (poly)silicon layer until a relatively late fabrication stage. As a result, flatness of the (poly)silicon layer is preserved for the deposition of any necessary over-layers, which substantially obviates the need for filling the voids created by the structure formation with silicon oxide.

Abstract: In the method of estimating a signal-to-interference+noise ratio (SINR), either the polarities or bit values of a plurality of received data symbol samples are estimated. Then an SINR estimate is generated based on the plurality of received data symbol samples and the estimated polarities or bit values of the plurality of received data symbol samples such that the SINR estimate is not substantially dependent on the polarities or a bit value of the plurality of received data symbol samples.

Abstract: A method of operating a network node in PIM-SM (Protocol Independent Multicast-Sparse Mode) is disclosed. In one embodiment, a Rendezvous Point Tree (RPT) to Shortest Path Tree (SPT) switch over process is initiated after the packet flow rate of the RPT data stream is compared against a predetermined threshold using a reverse rate limiting technique. If the packet flow rate of the RPT data stream exceeds the threshold, further analysis can be performed to decide whether the RPT to SPT switch over process should be initiated. Otherwise, if the packet flow rate does not exceed a predetermined threshold, the network node continues to receive multicast packets via the RPT until the predetermined threshold is reached.

Abstract: A system includes a pulse reshaper for reshaping and re-amplifying optical signals in a communications network. In one embodiment, a vertical cavity semiconductor optical amplifier (VCSOA) device, comprising dual mode reflectors optically cooperating at each of an input signal wavelength (?s) and an offset wavelength (?c) proximate the input signal wavelength (?s) to provide thereby non-linear amplification of input signal (?s).

Abstract: A method for dynamically varying the allocation and distribution of a base station's resources in response to fluctuations in demand for services. The method includes transmitting a status signal from a base station to a base station controller over an Iub interface. The status signal may correspond to the demand of the base station's transmit power for a data transmission service, such as HSDPA, and for at least another service, such as a dedicated voice channel. In response to receiving the usage information signal, the base station controller may vary the transmit power of the base station allocated for HSDPA and/or for the dedicated voice, data and/or both integrated voice and data channel. In response to receiving users' status information for HSDPA services, the base station controller may vary its call admission status for HSDPA and/or dedicated voice, data and/or both integrated voice and data users.

Abstract: A process optically transports digital data over an all-optical long-haul communication path. The process includes transporting digital optical data signals at a selected bit rate and a selected wavelength over a sequence of transmission spans. The sequence includes 70 percent or more of the spans of the long-haul all-optical communication path. Each span of the sequence has a primary local maximum optical power point for the wavelength on a transmission fiber and nearest to an input of the span. The transporting causes a cumulative dispersion of each signal to evolve such that residual dispersions per span are positive over some of the spans and are negative over other of the spans. At the primary local maximum power points, magnitudes of cumulative dispersions of the signals in pico seconds per nanometer remain at less than 32,000 times the inverse of the bit rate in giga bits per second.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for communicating a multimedia messaging service message from a source mobile device to a target mobile device in a telecommunications network. The method comprises receiving a request for a multimedia message and associating the multimedia message to the multimedia messaging service message. The multimedia messaging service message along with the associated multimedia message may be provided for transmission to the target mobile device. For example, an advertisement from a gateway associated with a telecommunication company network may be appended to a multimedia messaging service message as an add-on multimedia messaging service message. An engine may determine content of the appended add-on multimedia messaging service message based on a profile for an end-user and a subscriber profile of an advertising service. A database may store a record of a call to provide information including billing data to one or more concerned parties.

Abstract: In a method of detecting signaling information in a signal received in a wireless communication system, signaling information for a signal received in a subsequent time instant may be detected using an estimated value for the subsequent time instant. The estimated value for the subsequent time instant may be determined based on one or more measured parameters related to an estimated value for detecting signaling information in a current time instant.

Abstract: The input (and output) power of a multi-carrier amplifier can be controlled to allow the amplifier to operate at high RF power levels and still remain within a power rating profile. The amplifier (or amplifiers) power is controlled using an aggregate scaling factor. The aggregate scaling factor is generated from a plurality of amplifier scaling factors. Each amplifier scaling factor is generated based on a comparison of a time-averaged total power and a corresponding threshold.

Abstract: Methods for signaling information to a group of users in a communication network supporting a broadcast-multicast service are described, in which one or more indicator bits of a sequence may be assigned to indicate transmission of signaling information that is related to the group. The sequence may be transmitted to the group on a first channel, with the signaling information related to the group being transmitted on a second channel.

Abstract: A method for distributing logging and tracing information in a network node is disclosed. In one embodiment, log messages generated locally on the line cards are collected by Secondary Log Managers residing on the line cards. The Secondary Log Managers process the collected messages and transfers at least part of them to a Primary Log Manager residing at the control module. Then, the Primary Log Manager can output the logging and tracing messages to a system monitor or to other output devices, such as a Command Line Interface (CLI) shell or a file.

Abstract: Improved network design techniques are provided. More particularly, the invention provides network design techniques that support fast restoration. In one aspect of the invention, a technique for designing a protection capacity to be reserved in a network comprises the following steps/operations. Link capacities associated with a network topology and existing working traffic in the network are obtained. Capacity partitions are determined for links in the network topology. Each of at least a portion of the capacity partitions comprise a protection capacity portion and a working capacity portion that equals or exceeds the existing working traffic on a corresponding link, such that upon a failure on the link, the working traffic on the link is rerouted over a pre-provisioned detour path using the protection capacity portion on one or more links on the detour path. Further, the capacity partition determination step/operation substantially guarantees protection for existing working traffic in the network.

Abstract: A routing technique for supporting an internet protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) Subscriber Locator Function (SLF) is provided. It is, in part, based on using a user's identification information, e.g. a user's realm, to facilitate the routing of information. This technique enables the implementation of a distributed subscriber location function (SLF) in an IMS network. The subscriber locator function (SLF) ultimately allows for accommodation of more users through multiple home subscriber service (HSS) elements.

Abstract: Apparatus including: a substrate layer having a substantially planar top surface; an optically conductive peak located and elongated on, and spanning a first thickness measured in a direction generally away from, the top surface; the optically conductive peak having first and second lateral walls each including distal and proximal lateral wall portions, the proximal lateral wall portions intersecting the top surface; and first and second sidewall layers located on the distal lateral wall portions, the sidewall layers not intersecting the top surface and spanning a second thickness that is less than the first thickness measured in the same direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for manufacturing an apparatus. The process, in one embodiment, includes providing a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device, the micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device including an actuator coupled to a movable feature, sacrificial material fixing the actuator and movable feature with respect to one another, and a layer of material located over the actuator, movable feature and sacrificial material. The process may further include removing only a portion of the layer of material to expose the sacrificial material, and subjecting the exposed sacrificial material to an etchant to release the movable feature.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises a prepay telephone service system component and a personal handyphone system component. The personal handyphone system component employs the prepay telephone service system component to allow a user of a wireless telephone to execute a purchase of one or more units of wireless telephone service. The personal handyphone system component employs the prepay telephone service system component to allow the user to employ one or more of the one or more units of wireless telephone service with the wireless telephone subsequent to the purchase.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing transmitted energy based on early decoding. The method includes accessing a first portion of a block including a plurality of symbols indicative of an encoded message. The first portion has been transmitted at a first transmission power and having less than all of the plurality of symbols. The method also includes attempting to decode the encoded message using the first portion of the block, determining whether the encoded message was decoded, and providing an indication of a second transmission power in response to determining that the encoded message was decoded.

Abstract: A mobile node includes a processor, a network interface, and a storage device having computer program code for execution by the processor. The computer program code includes a network layer for transmitting and receiving packets and an intermediate driver that transmits packets to the network layer and receives packets from the network layer using a virtual internet protocol (IP) address to identify the mobile node. The intermediate driver transmits packets to the network interface and receives packets from the network interface using a routable actual IP address to identify the mobile node. The intermediate driver permits the actual IP address to change when the mobile node moves from a first subnet to a second subnet without a corresponding change in the virtual IP address. A corresponding NAT associates the virtual IP address with a second actual IP address when the NAT is notified that the mobile node is in the second subnet.

Abstract: Apparatus including a substrate and a mechanical switch, the mechanical switch located over the substrate, the mechanical switch including: a first electrical contact over the substrate; a support over the substrate, the support including a region moveable relative to the first electrical contact, the moveable region having a second electrical contact, the second electrical contact located over the first electrical contact; and a self-assembled molecular layer between the substrate and the second electrical contact. Method including placing into operation an apparatus, and applying a coulomb force causing the second electrical contact to move relative to the first electrical contact such that the switch is opened or closed.