Abstract: In a distributed switch architecture, each incoming signal is sliced into a plurality of sub-signals. A checksum function is applied to subsets of data in each sub-signal to generate and add a checkbit to the sub-signal for each subset of data. Two copies of the augmented sub-signal are routed in parallel through redundant portions of the distributed switch fabric. Only one of the resulting routed sub-signals is selected for use in generating the corresponding outgoing signal, which is generated by combining data from selected routed sub-signals corresponding to all of the original sub-signals. Checksum analysis is performed on the two routed sub-signals to determine if a fault has occurred. If a fault is detected in the routed sub-signal currently being selected for use in generating the outgoing signal, the selection is changed so that the other routed sub-signal is used.

Abstract: A push-pull thermooptic interferometer switch can be controlled using only one control lead and one drive signal per switch. Advantageously, using only control signal lead and one electrical driver per switch can greatly reduce the complexity of the electronics needed to drive a switch array. The single control lead push-pull thermooptic interferometer switch can be driven by controllable voltage or current signals. The connections of the control and other signal leads to an array of these switched can be made in a planar manner without the need for crossover paths.

Abstract: A delayed interference all-optical wavelength converter is arranged to convert and reshape a pulsed input signal Pin at &lgr;1 into the wavelength converted signal Pconv at &lgr;2, where &lgr;1 and &lgr;2 are different. A delayed interference all-optical wavelength regenerator is similar, but is arranged to reshape a pulsed input signal Pin into the wavelength converted signal Pconv, where the wavelengths of the input signal and the converted signal are the same. The converter/regenerator comprises an input-signal coupling unit for receiving the pulsed input signal and supplying it to one input of a modulation section, the other input to which is a carrier signal Pcw. The output of the modulation section Pint, which is generally speaking, a phase modulated signal which may also have an amplitude modulated component, is applied to a delay interference section arranged to transform Pint into a primarily amplitude-modulated signal.

Abstract: An omnidirectional video camera captures images of the environment while moving along several intersecting paths forming an irregular grid. These paths define the boundaries of a set of image loops within the environment. For arbitrary viewpoints within each image loop, a 4D plenoptic function may be reconstructed from the group of images captured at the loop boundary. For an observer viewpoint, a strip of pixels is extracted from an image in the loop in front of the observer and paired with a strip of pixels extracted from another image on the opposite side of the image loop. A new image is generated for an observer viewpoint by warping pairs of such strips of pixels according to the 4D plenoptic function, blending each pair, and then stitching the resulting strips of pixels together.

Abstract: Congestion across links in a network, such as the Internet, is reduced by diverting traffic from the congested link to alternative, shortest paths by adjusting splitting factors associated with the congested and alternative links. The alternative shortest paths comprise equal cost paths. Alternatively, adjustments occur after the creation of additional equal cost paths/shortest paths if none are initially available within the network. Unique programs control the adjustment of the splitting factors and the creation of the additional shortest paths. The programs make use of both existing, real networks and constructed, virtual networks in conjunction with novel traffic flow relationships to divert traffic from a congested link without causing further congestion within the network. Another unique program deletes shortest paths once used to accept traffic diverted from a congested link when traffic in the network decreases.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for generating consistent parameterizations for a set of meshes each of which includes data points representative of a corresponding surface. The consistent parameterizations preferably share the same base domain, and are generated using a net tracing algorithm. The net tracing algorithm involves determining for each of the meshes a net of paths having a connectivity substantially the same as that of the base domain. In an illustrative embodiment, the net tracing algorithm as applied to a given one of the meshes includes determining, for each edge in the base domain, a tentative path for use in the net of paths corresponding to the mesh. The tentative paths are then prioritized based on length, and selected ones of the tentative paths are used to construct a spanning tree of the base domain.

Abstract: A wireless means of guidance for a device in accordance with the present invention includes receiving signals from at least one wireless base station indicating at least a respective position thereof, determining the current position of the device using at least the information contained in the received signals, calculating a vector between the determined current position and a predetermined desired destination for the device, and making trajectory corrections to the device's current trajectory so as to guide the device to the desired destination. In addition to the information contained in the received signals, the guidance system may also use stored information regarding parameters, such as the location, communication protocols and operating frequencies of the wireless base stations, as well as previous position information, for determining a current position for the device.

Abstract: An optical connector assembly is described. In one example, a panel includes a plurality of apertures formed therein. A plurality of receptacles are respectively supported within the plurality of apertures. Each of the plurality of receptacles is adapted to communicate with an optical connector. In addition, each of the plurality of receptacles is disposed at an angle with respect to a plane of the panel, where the angle is less than 90 degrees. In another example, a housing includes opposing side walls. A panel is mounted within the housing. The panel includes a plurality of apertures for supporting optical connectors. A spool is mounted to one of the opposing side walls of the housing.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for processing a silicon workpiece including a hybrid thermometer system for measuring and controlling the processing temperature where fabrication materials have been or are being applied to the workpiece. The hybrid thermometer system uses optical reflectance and another thermometer technique, such as a thermocouple and/or a pyrometer. Real-time spectral data are compared to values in a spectrum library to determine the “surface conditions”. A decision is then made based on the surface conditions as to how the temperature is measured, e.g., with optical reflectance, a pyrometer, or a thermocouple, and the temperature is measured using the appropriately selected technique. Utilizing the hybrid thermometer system, the temperature of a silicon workpiece may be accurately measured at low temperatures while accounting for the presence of fabrication materials.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the detection of optical channels in an optical signal and their reliable discrimination against optical amplifier noise, i.e. amplified spontaneous emission (ASE), includes splitting, using an optical filter, an input optical signal into two replicas separated by a delay and adjusting the delay such that a periodicity of the optical filter substantially matches the channel spacing of the input optical signal, such that the optical channels within the input optical signal are directed to a first output and noise within the input optical signal is divided between the first output and a second output. The method and apparatus further include determining a difference in power between the first output and the second output wherein the difference in power is an indication of the presence or absence of optical channels within the input optical signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the dispersion characteristics of minimum phase filters using substantially only an amplitude response of a minimum phase filter under test includes fitting an amplitude spectrum of the minimum phase filter with a substantially straight line curve, and determining the dispersion characteristics of the minimum phase filter using the straight line curve and the relationships determined by the inventors. Various inventive equations determined by the inventors representative of the relationship between an amplitude response of a minimum phase filter and the dispersion characteristics of the minimum phase filter are used for determining the dispersion characteristics of the minimum phase filter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an ATM network for implementing a fair servicing of all connections during a back-logged condition through the use of a weighted fair queuing technique. The system is particularly suited for systems where the packets/cells are of a fixed size. Although some important approximations are made in the proposed implementation, all of the properties of an ideal weighted fair queuing algorithm are preserved. The sorting methods and apparatus are advantageous in that it is possible to maintain appropriate servicing of connections without sorting all of the individual connections. This may be accomplished by pre-sorting each of the individual virtual circuit connections into a finite number of predetermined bins according to a weight associated with the connection. Thereafter, only the bins need be sorted without having to sort each of the individual connections.

Abstract: A precise fiber array is formed using a chuck to tightly hold as an array with hexagonal packing a group of precision ferrules into ones of which is inserted and bonded a fiber end. The bonding is typically performed by gluing the fiber into the ferrule. The ferrules may also be bonded to each other. Once the ferrules are bonded together, the chuck may be removed. The terminating end of the fibers may be polished. Alternatively, cleaved terminating fiber ends may be employed, with the various terminating ends being coordinated, e.g., by an optical flat. The ferrules may have a tip and a conical entrance. The chuck may hold the ferrules in a straight orientation. The fiber terminating faces of all of the ferrules may be substantially coplanar. The ferrules may be arranged in a hexagonal configuration.

Abstract: A method for allocating data rate to a stream of information to be transmitted over a communication channel of a communication system is provided. Modified union bounds are used to determine the channel characteristic experienced by each of the streams to select their respective data rates from an MCS that can be handled by the communication channel of the communication system.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are illustrated which provide a media access control polling protocol, using two types of polls, for packet data transmission in the uplink direction, in fixed wireless communication systems. The preferred system embodiment includes a plurality of subscriber units having transceivers for wireless communication, a base station having a transceiver for wireless communication with the plurality of subscriber units, and a data interface unit (DIU) operatively coupled to the base station through a network access controller. The DIU transmits a first poll, which authorizes transmission of a first predetermined amount of data, referred to as a standard allocation, for prompt throughput of small messages, such as acknowledgements.

Abstract: A tunable optical waveguide is enclosed in an enclosure containing a controllably moveable region of fluid with a refractive index greater than the optical fiber such that at least a first transmission property of the waveguide is modified when the region of fluid is moved. In a first embodiment, the optical device comprises a Bragg grating that is tuned by moving the fluid over the grating to vary the amplitude of desired wavelengths that are reflected back through the core of the fiber. In a second embodiment, the optical device comprises a long-period grating that is tuned by moving the fluid over the grating to vary the amplitude of desired wavelengths that are transferred into the cladding of the fiber and, as a result, to decrease the amplitude of those desired wavelengths that are transmitted through the core of the fiber.

Abstract: A switch employs two or more parallel optical switch fabrics, e.g., arrayed waveguide gratings (AWG), combined with a set of transmitter cards. Each transmitter card has a tunable laser and two or more modulators, each configured to modulate a different copy of the output of the laser with a different set of data. Outputs of the modulators in each transmitter card are coupled to a set of corresponding input ports in the AWGs. A set of receiver cards, each receiver card having the number of receivers matching that of modulators in the transmitter cards, is coupled to output ports of the AWGs, such that each receiver card receives signals from a set of corresponding output ports in the AWGs. Each transmitter card can be configured to send data to any receiver card by setting the wavelength of its laser to the value corresponding to the set of output ports in the AWGs coupled to that receiver card. A parallelized optical switch may be optimized based on a desired set of criteria, e.g.

Abstract: In a method for minimizing reverse link power control overshoot in a wireless communications system, the output power of a mobile station is detected to determine whether it falls outside a dynamic range of the mobile station. If outside the dynamic range, a new output power falling within the dynamic range is calculated and set, and the mobile station is instructed to transmit at the new output power.

Abstract: A method providing communication between an MSC and a mobile terminal in a wireless communications system including using the 10 digit MIN identifier for identifying the mobile terminal in all messages requiring a mobile terminal identifier sent from the MSC via a base station to the mobile terminal and using the 15 digit MIN-based IMSI identifier for identifying the mobile terminal in all messages requiring a mobile terminal identifier sent from the mobile terminal via the base station to the MSC. The method can also include deploying the use of 15 digit MIN-based IMSI identifiers in one MSC at a time. The invention also includes a system for providing mobile terminal identification information in a wireless system. The system includes a mobile terminal capable of receiving and responding to messages using a 10 digit MIN for identifying the mobile terminal and sending messages having a MIN-based IMSI identifier for identifying the mobile terminal.

Abstract: A system for, and method of, simulating traffic loads in a packetized communication network. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) an initial arrival generator that generates an initial arrival for a simulated user session at an independent time from a previous user session arrival and (2) a subsequent arrival generator, associated with the initial arrival generator, that generates a number of connections to be associated with the simulated user session as an independent variable and, if the number of connections is greater than one, generates a mean connection interarrival time for the simulated user session and a plurality of timings of subsequent arrivals.