Abstract: An improved multi-channel optical equalizer method and apparatus for intersymbol interference mitigation compensates many wavelength channels simultaneously and requires few adjustable parameters. The equalizer unit has only two control signals, one to control signal magnitude and one to control signal phase, yet it can still compensate many wavelength channels simultaneously. The equalizer includes a coupler with a controllable coupling ratio for splitting the light into two portions and a controllable interferometer means having two arms, one arm having an additional delay which is equal to an integer multiple of 1/&Dgr;f, where &Dgr;f is the channel spacing of the multiwavelength system. The controllable interferometer unit also has a controllable delay in a first or second arm for adjusting the relative phase of the light passing therethrough. A coupler combines the two signal portions from the first and second arms to form the equalized output signal.

Abstract: A distributed Bragg reflector laser is fabricated wherein material defects are produced in the laser's tuning waveguide region. The defects may be created by introducing impurities into the region. The defects increase the non-radiative recombination rate of injected carriers, thereby decreasing FM efficiency and improving RF performance. Injected carrier electrons are substantially separated from injected carrier holes to reduce bimolecular and Auger recombination rates, thus improving tuning range.

Abstract: A method for deadline based scheduling for asynchronous transfer mode adaptation layer, type 2, messages, in accordance with the present invention, includes calculating, for a list of channels, a last possible transmit time for messages on each of the channels in accordance with system criteria. The list of channels is prioritized in an ordered list based on a last possible transmit time for the messages for each of the channels. The messages for the channels are transmitted in accordance with the ordered list. Also disclosed is a method for requesting for quality of service.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimally provisioning connectivity for network-based mobile virtual private network (VPN) services. The method and apparatus includes provisioning each of a plurality of IP service gateways (IPSGs) to support virtual private network (VPN) tunneling between customer premise equipment of a subset of VPN customers and at least one mobile access point (MAP). Each MAP is geographically remote from the plurality of IPSGs, and supports VPN tunneling to mobile nodes of the subset of VPN customers.

Abstract: A telecommunications service application. The application includes associating, each of a plurality of subscribers with at least one respective avatar, where the at least one avatar includes at least one of a visual avatar and an audible avatar. In response to a first subscriber attempting to establish a communications link to a second subscriber, at least one avatar associated with the first subscriber is transmitted to the second subscriber.

Abstract: Optical fiber closure having improved optical fiber connection and tracing features is described. The optical fiber closure supports a plurality of optical connector panels, each of which includes a plurality of receptacles respectively associated with a first plurality of indicia that is identical for each of the plurality of optical connector panels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the RF spectrum of an optical signal under test includes combining an optical signal under test with a quasimonochromatic continuous signal to produce a combined signal, imparting a third order nonlinear effect on the combined signal such that a temporal intensity of the optical signal under test component of the combined signal modulates the electric field of the quasimonochromatic continuous signal component of the combined signal, and measuring the optical spectrum of the combined signal to determine the RF spectrum of the optical signal under test.

Abstract: A method and for establishing a virtual private network (VPN) session for a priority request. The method and apparatus includes identifying a priority request from a plurality of VPN session request classes. Reserved bandwidth is allocated to the priority request if a nominally allocated bandwidth is insufficient to satisfy the priority request. Once the allocated bandwidth is assigned, admission control is applied to the priority request.

Abstract: A system for and method of, increasing provisionable bandwidth in a multiplexed communication link and a network management system incorporating the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a defragmentation calculator that calculates a defragmentation of the communication link, the defragmentation containing at least one granularity, (2) a candidate slot selector, associated with the defragmentation calculator, that finds reduced cost candidate slots for the at least one granularity and (3) a circuit mover, associated with the candidate slot selector, that identifies target slots into which circuits occupying the candidate slots can be moved.

Abstract: In a wireless communication system, in which a mobile station is operable to monitor the signal strengths of a plurality of pilot signals transmitted from a plurality of base stations, a method and device by which the mobile station determines the membership of Active Set pilots by generating a quality metric derived as a function of (i) detected pilot signal strengths corresponding to the Active Set of pilots, and (ii) detected pilot signal strengths corresponding to a non-Active Set of pilots, determining a threshold value, the threshold value determined as a function of the quality metric, and assigning the pilot to, or removing the pilot from, the Active Set of pilots if the signal strength corresponding to the pilot exceeds the threshold value.

Abstract: An interleaving combiner (ILC) that may be used to implement hybrid amplification in a bidirectional interleaved wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) system. The ILC implements a composite pump/signal combining and interleaving filtering function in a single topology characterized by relatively low insertion losses. In a preferred form, the ILC is a four-port device that is configured to (i) route bidirectional optical signals corresponding to different communication channels to and from unidirectional lumped optical amplifiers and (ii) combine those signals with a pump signal for distributed amplification in a fiber span between different lumped amplifiers. The ILC provides relatively high rejection for the pump signal along optical paths different from the intended one and relatively low in- and out-of-band crosstalk for the communication channels. The ILC may be implemented using a Gires-Tournois interferometer.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for associating call data with particular users instead of line ports. This call data includes the last incoming and outgoing calls associated with a particular number. This allows the services such as automatic callback, automatic recall, and customer originated trace to be implemented with dynamic line assignment allowing users to maintain the same level of subscribed services at different locations. For mobile users, automatic callback, automatic recall, and customer originated trace can be implemented at the home mobile switching center as well as roaming mobile switching centers. If the mobile user is roaming, updating the call history of the mobile station at the new mobile switching center allows the mobile user to experience seamless services across a large territory.

Abstract: Recovery from link failure in a WDM ring network is implemented by forming an active ring and a protection ring through the same nodes. Failure in any wavelength channel of a link causes a node adjacent to the link to reroute any subsequent incoming signal from the source node and on the active ring to the protection ring and in an opposite direction. The oppositely directed signal is rerouted again at the other adjacent node back to the active ring to arrive at the destination node. The physical ring serving as the active ring to odd wavelength channels serves as the protection ring to even wavelength channels, and vice versa.

Abstract: The system to pre-qualify copper subscriber loops for high bandwidth access service determines electrical characteristics of a subscriber line served by a central office switch from a location remote from said subscriber line absent a direct metallic connection exclusively to said subscriber line. This is accomplished where the subscriber line has subscriber equipment connected thereto at an end distant from said central office switch by establishing a communication connection through the central office switch between the service provider and the subscriber equipment connected to said subscriber line. In response to the establishment of this communication connection, electrical signals, comprising voice signals, are applied to the subscriber line to enable the service provider to determine the electrical characteristics of the subscriber line by analyzing the received electrical signals.

Abstract: An optical imaging arrangement includes a wavelength router having (1) N waveguides connected to different locations of the input curved boundary of the router, (2) a grating that forms multiple paths through the router and which transforms a particular wavelength applied to one of the N waveguides into N interleaved sets of equally spaced output images corresponding to the different orders of the grating (3) an output curve illuminated by the various images and (4) N interleaved sets of reflective elements placed along the output curve with properly chosen periodicity, such that all significant orders of each set of images are reflected back through the arrangement, so as to effectively produce a single input reflection in only one of the N waveguides of the arrangement, and the particular waveguide is determined by the phase shifts produced by the sets of reflective elements.

Abstract: A drive circuit for a MEMS device, an integrated circuit having a plurality of MEMS devices and drivers, a method of operating the drive circuit and a method of manufacturing the integrated circuit. In one embodiment, the drive circuit includes: (1) an electrode driver and (2) a switching network, coupled to an output of said electrode driver that: (a) in a first configuration, couples said output to a first electrode of an axis of said MEMS device and grounds an opposing second electrode of said axis of said MEMS device and (b) in a second configuration, couples said output to said second electrode and grounds said first electrode.

Abstract: Substantial reduction in crosstalk and improved scalability for supporting high channel counts in dense wavelength division multiplexed (DWDM) systems is achieved in an optical demultiplexer arrangement that partitions the total number of input optical channels into separate demultiplexer modules, demultiplexes smaller groups of optical channels in the separate demultiplexer modules, and filters the individual optical channels at the outputs of the separate demultiplexer modules. Partitioning the total number of channels into smaller demultiplexing groups and post-filtering a reduced number of demultipexed optical channels reduces the number of non-adjacent channels that can contribute to the total crosstalk level. The modularity of the optical demultiplexer arrangement results in smaller device footprints and smaller free spectral ranges associated with the demultiplexer modules. This modularity also allows for future system upgrades without redesign and without disruption to existing service.

Abstract: A MEMS device having a movable mirror and a movable actuator plate mechanically coupled together such that a relatively small displacement of the plate results in mirror rotation by a relatively large angle. In a representative embodiment, the mirror and actuator plate are supported on a substrate. The actuator plate moves in response to a voltage difference applied between the plate and an electrode located on the substrate beneath that plate. One or more springs attached to the plate provide a counteracting restoring force when they are stretched from their rest positions by the plate motion. A spring attached between the actuator plate and the mirror transfers the motion of the actuator plate to the mirror such that, when the actuator plate moves toward the substrate, the mirror moves away from the substrate.

Abstract: A method of forwarding a call properly for a wireless terminal when the wireless terminal is roaming in a different region (or country) than where its home location register resides is disclosed. In particular, this is accomplished by having the home location register and the serving wireless switching system implement procedures for internationalizing, when appropriate, forward-to numbers, and for nationalizing, when appropriate the same forward-to numbers.

Abstract: An electromagnetic interference shield comprises a non-rigid porous metallic material and a conforming element. The non-rigid porous metallic material is shaped by the conforming element to have a top and sidewalls extending downward from the top. The shaped porous metallic material defines a cavity for receiving at least one circuit component therein.