Abstract: The present invention is an optical harness and method for an optical cross-connect. The optical harness is defined primarily by a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the optical harness comprises a number M of fiber optic row cables where each fiber optic row cable comprises an array of a number N of fiber optics arranged on a first plane. The first plane on which each fiber optic row cable is disposed is substantially parallel to each of the other first planes on which a fiber optic row cable is disposed. The second portion of the optical harness comprises a number N of fiber optic column cables where each fiber optic column cable comprises an array of a number M of fiber optics arranged on a second plane. Each fiber optic column cable is disposed on a second plane being substantially parallel to each of the other second planes on which each other fiber optic column cable is disposed.

Abstract: Enhanced Internet service is provided over an ISDN line by eliminating from the D-channel any packets that will introduce unacceptable delay in packets transmitted over the B-channel. The enhancement is achieved by segregating the packets between the B-channels and the D-channel based on the stream to which the packets belong. Furthermore, instead of bonding together both B-channels and the D-channel, only the B-channels may be bonded to each other, while the D-channel is kept independent. To do so, instead of using MLPPP over the combination of both B-channels and the D-channel, as in the prior art, MLPPP is used over only both B-channels, while data that is separately directed to the D-channel employs another protocol, e.g., PPP. Advantageously, the number of protocols used to transmit the information over the D-channel may be reduced, resulting in a higher bandwidth for applications.

Abstract: A technique is described for determining the performance of substrate-side emitting VCSELs formed on a wafer. The technique involves forming top-emitting VCSELs on the same wafer as bottom-emitting VCSELs and then testing the top-emitting VCSELs and using the results to determine the performance of the bottom-emitting VCSELs of the wafer.

Abstract: A protocol converter converts from a first data and command exchange protocol to a second, different data and command exchange protocol. The protocol converter includes a first interface for sending and receiving data and commands in a first protocol, such as DSCH, and a second interface for sending and receiving data and commands in a second, different protocol, such as Ethernet. The device can receive data and commands simultaneously at either interface and convert from the first protocol to the second protocol or from the second protocol to the first protocol without loss of integrity to the flow of the data and commands. Additionally, the device provides a redundant connection, a safeguard in the event of primary path failure.

Abstract: A microprocessor includes a multiply-accumulate unit (MAU) for performing high-speed signal processing operations. First and second caches provide first and second operands (x, y) directly to the MAU when a multiply-accumulate (MAC) instruction is executed. In addition, a multiplexer is included to select data from either the first and second caches when a normal instruction is executed. A translation look-aside buffer may be included that has page table entries that include additional “reconfigure” and “way” bits to control writing data into the caches. In this manner, the microprocessor may use a conventional n-way set-associative cache to simultaneously access two or more operands.

Abstract: The invention relates to use of a material containing a polymerizable monomer or oligomer, the material exhibiting desirable shrinkage compensation upon polymerization. The material contains an expansion agent having a cleaving moiety with the capacity to be cleaved or fragmented by a catalytic reaction, e.g., acid catalysis. The cleavage, by increasing the number of molecules in the material, causes expansion that compensates, at least in part, for shrinkage induced by polymerization of the monomer or oligomer. The expansion agent is capable of providing compensation such that no more than 0.4%, advantageously no more than 0.2%, volume shrinkage per molar concentration of polymerized monomer functional groups occurs, where such compensation is performed at relatively low temperatures of less than 40° C.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of creating a cavity to contain an interconnect leading to a location within a substrate. The substrate has a first dielectric layer of a first etch rate over the location, and a semiconductor device containing the interconnect. One of the methods includes the steps of: forming a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer wherein the second dielectric layer has a second etch rate that is slower than the first etch rate, forming a photoresist layer on the second dielectric layer and etching into the first and second dielectric layers to form the cavity leading to the location. The second dielectric layer acts as a profile guiding layer to form a plug and runner simultaneously in a single etching step while controlling relative size of the plug and runner.

Abstract: An audio note taking system and method that permit a user to record audio information during a conversation on a wireless or wired communications device and distribute the information to other users in an efficient and accurate manner by working in concert with other types of communication and information devices, such as voice mail and electronic mail servers. The audio note taking system has a processor for controlling when an audio recording is to be commenced, which parties are to be recorded and what processing is to be performed on the recorded message. The notes recorded by one party are fully independent from the notes recorded by the other parties. As a consequence, each party can record private comments by muting transmission to the other parties involved in the call. The recorded message may be distributed to other parties as an audio or text file utilizing electronic mail and voice mail servers.

Abstract: A stable, reliable ohmic contact, and improved semiconductor articles and opto-electronic circuits incorporating same, are disclosed. According to an illustrative embodiment of the invention, an ohmic contact having a plurality of thermodynamically-stable layers and layer interfaces is formed by providing a structure comprising multiple, appropriately-thick and specifically-organized layers of suitably-selected material, and exposing the structure to heat to cause reaction to take place between the various layers. Due to the thermodynamic stability of the resulting reacted layers and the interfaces between such layers, there is substantially no tendency for further reaction to occur within the ohmic contact.

Abstract: A wire clip having resilient cantilevered tines which move in a cooperating manner to permit a wire to pass therethrough. The wire clip includes a base and first and second arms connected to and extending from the base. The first and second arms have distal ends which form the resilient tines. Wires must be manually maneuvered through the tines to be inserted into the clip. The tines will not inadvertently release a wire from the clip.

Abstract: A feed-forward compensated negative feedback circuit comprises an operational amplifier having an inverting and a non-inverting input and an output. A feedback element is connected between the output of the operational amplifier and its inverting input to form a negative feedback loop. The inverting input of the op-amp is driven with a first transconductance amplifier which produces an output current proportional to an input voltage. A feed-forward transconductance amplifier receives the input voltage and produces an inverted output current proportional to the input voltage. A feed-forward current is injected at the output of the operational amplifier. By providing at the output of the op-amp the current it would be required to carry over the feedback loop, a voltage differential at the op-amp inputs is avoided, thus eliminating parasitic current flows across the parasitic input capacitance and thereby improving the circuits overall performance.

Abstract: A step joint between two plastic pieces suitable for an ultrasonic weld joint. A first plastic piece includes a series of ribs, each rib having generally horizontal top surface. A generally vertical section extends upward behind the ribs. A second plastic piece includes a generally horizontal section for mating with the ribs, the horizontal section of the second plastic piece covering the generally horizontal section of two or more ribs. The second plastic piece also includes a generally vertical section suitable for mating with the generally vertical section of the second plastic piece.

Abstract: A system and method for manipulating virtual objects in a virtual environment, for drawing curves and ribbons in the virtual environment, and for selecting and executing commands for creating, deleting, moving, changing, and resizing virtual objects in the virtual environment using intuitive hand gestures and motions. The system is provided with a display for displaying the virtual environment and with a video gesture recognition subsystem for identifying motions and gestures of a user's hand. The system enables the user to manipulate virtual objects, to draw free-form curves and ribbons and to invoke various command sets and commands in the virtual environment by presenting particular predefined hand gestures and/or hand movements to the video gesture recognition subsystem.

Abstract: An optical fiber buildout system including a base, a cap, an attenuator element, and a ferrule sleeve. The base has side flanges and upper and lower panel flanges that extend therefrom which add strength to the buildout. The cap includes a sleeve housing that extends both outwardly and inwardly from the front side of the cap. The sleeve housing has front and rear ends and a passage that extends therebetween. Extending outwardly from the top and bottom sides of the cap are upper and lower latch tabs that are adapted to engage the base to releasably connect the cap to the base. Typically, an attenuator element is used with the system to attenuate the signal being transmitted through the buildout. The attenuator element is slidably mounted in a ferrule sleeve that is inserted into the sleeve housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bi-directional vehicle communication network which has the ability for record management and collection, including updating registration, insurance, inspection and/or maintenance records, as well as for collecting for the transaction fee or cost thereof. Additionally, the present vehicle communication network readily affords the ability of ticketing drivers for traffic violations. Importantly, vehicles are equipped with an electronic tag containing records associated therewith. In response to radio frequency signals from a portable interrogator, vehicular records may be selectively retrieved from the electronic tag. Updated records are then transmitted to the electronic tag for storage. Similarly, those updated records may be also transmitted to a centralized control center for archival purposes, as well as for effecting collection.

Abstract: A chemical-mechanical polishing apparatus includes a polishing table having a top surface and an annular trench formed in the top surface and defining an annular configured polishing area in the polishing table. A drive mechanism rotates the polishing table. An annular diaphragm is positioned within the annular configured polishing area and has a top surface and bottom surface. An annular configured polishing pad is positioned on the diaphragm. A fluid actuated pressure mechanism is associated with the annular configured polishing area for exerting pressure upward onto the bottom surface of the annular diaphragm as a polishing table rotates for exerting an upward biasing pressure onto the polishing pad and imparting a desired counter force against any downward pressure exerted against a semiconductor wafer during chemical-mechanical polishing.

Abstract: In a cellular system based on industry standard IS-95 CDMA (code division multiple access), a symbol error count based reverse link outer loop power control technique uses non-adaptive SER targets. In particular, a base station set a fixed target for a 2nd order statistic, e.g., standard deviation (variance), of the symbol error count as a function of a target frame error rate (FER). The base station monitors a symbol error count of a received signal (transmitted from a mobile station). This symbol error count is used to update an estimate of the standard deviation of the symbol error count. This estimate of the standard deviation of the symbol error count is compared with a target standard deviation of the symbol error count to make changes in the EbT/N0T target. The adjusted EbT/N0T target is used to provide power control.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat sink mounting apparatus for mounting a heat transfer device to an electronic substrate. In one embodiment, the present invention provides for a dielectric strip having a longitudinal axis and opposing first and second sides, with the second side abutting the substrate when the heat sink mounting apparatus is mounted on a substrate. The heat sink mounting apparatus has a series of resilient planar fingers that are disposed on, and extend approximately normal to, the first side of the strip, which fingers are configured to removably engage a thermal transfer device. Notches on the fingers releasably secure the thermal transfer device to the heat sink mounting apparatus.

Abstract: A miniature, multi-branch patch antenna suitable for operating in the 1 GHz to 100 GHz frequency range, a method for making same and a communication system using the same is disclosed. In one embodiment, the antenna comprises a planar dielectric substrate, a plurality of conducting antenna elements each having a feed port, a ground plane and a septum located between each conducting antenna element. In a second embodiment, the antenna comprises a planar dielectric substrate, a plurality of conducting antenna elements each having a feed port, a ground plane and a superstrate that is disposed on the plurality of conducting antenna elements and at least a portion of the dielectric substrate. The septum and the superstrate suppress undesirable coupling mechanisms. In a communication system according to the present invention, the miniature, multi-branch patch antenna is coupled to a transmitter and/or receiver.

Abstract: A system and method for authenticating and authorizing user access to a computer network. An AAA server comprises a plurality of Authentication transport protocol modules that interface with one or more clients using a native authentication transport protocol. The AAA server is coupled with a DBMS system that stores user authentication, authorization and accounting information in a standard format. Authentication and authorization are performed using a five phase process comprising the phases: Augmentation; Selection; Authentication; Authorization and Confirmation. During the Augmentation phase, client requests are translated into a standard internal format. The requests are parsed into a set of attribute/value pairs according to a parse rules table. In the Selection phase, the AAA server determines the details of the access request and identifies the permit required to authorize access.