Abstract: A feedback circuit is included in paralleled power supply modules using a modified master/slave current sharing scheme. The feedback circuit is activated in the slave modules to force the internal control signal generated by each of the controllers acting as slaves to operate in a predetermined manner. This predetermined manner can be by adjusting the local control signal such that it approximates the master control signal, either by forcing it to follow the master control signal, or by separately regulating the local control signal to approximate the master control signal, or it can be by maintaining the local control signal at a predetermined value. The feedback circuit acts to prevent sudden changes in the output voltage when the master module fails and another module becomes master by placing its control signal on the current-share bus.

Abstract: Pump depletion modulation crosstalk between WDM channels in Raman amplified systems is virtually eliminated by exclusive use of backward pumping.

Abstract: A surface mountable power supply and a method of manufacturing the power supply.

Abstract: In the password protocol, the communicating parties exchange calculation results, which each include an exponential, to generate a key. In generating the calculation results, each party adds the password to their respective exponential. If the authorizing information previously sent by one party is acceptable to the other party, then this other party uses the key established according to the password protocol. The channel authorizing information is sent over a secure communication channel. The secure communication channel is also used in other embodiments to verify a hash on at least one calculation result sent between the parties. If the hash is verified, then a key is established using the calculation results sent between the parties.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring large computer files across computer networks that has a file splitter that separates a computer file into component sections, and a file transmitter that independently sends the component sections to a receiving computer by a recursive process that starts recursively splitting from a preselected maximum size for a component section and stops when the size of the smallest component section is equal to or less than a selected minimum size for a component section.

Abstract: A system for detecting the movement of a device that receives a signal broadcast from a relative fixed position, such as a set-top terminal in a Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) system, is disclosed, using the phase shift of the broadcast signal, as received by the device. A set-top terminal or similar mechanism restricts access to the transmitted multimedia information using stored decryption keys. If a set-top terminal is moved, the distance between the set-top terminal and the satellite will change, thereby causing a measurable phase shift in the signal received by the set-top terminal. The set-top terminal periodically or intermittently records a sequence of bits received from the satellite and provides the recorded bits to the service provider server for analysis. If the set-top terminal has been moved, the recorded bits will shift.

Abstract: A system for customizing service in a wireless communication system in accordance with a user profile, unique to each user of the system, is described. In this system, a base station receives a call establishment request either via an external MTSO (mobile telephone switch office) or PSTN (public telephone switch network), or internally from a call establishment request, broadcasted by a wireless terminal associated with a first subscriber within a cell of interest. Both the base station and the wireless terminal are located in a cell (i.e., the cell of interest) of the wireless communication system. The base station determines whether it has a free channel, or resource, to service the call establishment request. If the base station does not have a free channel to service the call establishment request, then a call processor determines a service priority level contained in a user profile of the first subscriber. This service priority level is communicated to the base station.

Abstract: A bipolar peak detector that maintains the charge on its capacitor longer than prior art peak detectors can due to the discharging thereof that occurs during long periods of reception of only a single value in the received signal, e.g. a long string of zeros, by substantially exactly duplicating, i.e., duplicating to within manufacturing tolerances, the current that is leaking out of the capacitor and injecting the duplicate current into the capacitor.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for providing a caller with information about a called party. In one preferred embodiment, the information includes information concerning the charges to be incurred in making a call to the called party. Advantageously, in an environment wherein number portability allows a call which previously was a local call, to become a toll call because the called party has made a geographic move, without changing the called party's telephone number. For wireless service, in those cases in which the caller pays at least a part of the charges, and the charges for a call to a roamer are different if the roamer is locally found than if the roamer is remotely located, this service allows a caller to decide on whether to complete a call, and if the decision is made to complete a call, on what length call to aim for.

Abstract: The specification describes techniques for soldering IC chips, or other components, to interconnection substrates using a patterned epoxy layer to define the solder interconnections. The epoxy layer is photodefined to form openings that expose the bonding sites on the IC chip (or alternatively the interconnect substrate). Solder paste is deposited in the openings. With the IC chip and the interconnect substrate aligned together, the solder paste is heated to reflow the solder and solder bond the IC chip to the substrate. Heating is continued to cure the epoxy, which serves the function of the conventional underfill. The shape of the solder interconnection is defined by the lithographically formed openings, and the interconnections can be made with very fine pitch. The application of the epoxy underfill in this manner assures complete filling of the gap between the IC chip and the interconnection substrate.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, particle contamination in drawing optical fiber is reduced by coating the glass preform with a particle-digesting coating prior to introducing the preform into the induction furnace. At least the end of the preform should be coated and preferably all of the preform. When the preform enters the hot zone, the coating melts and digests refractory particles. The coating material and digested particles dissolve into the silica glass at a low surface concentration that does not substantially change the performance of the drawn fiber. The preferred particle-digesting coating is lithium tetraborate.

Abstract: An integrated circuit-based charge pump generates an output voltage having a greater magnitude than a power supply voltage. The charge pump has a charge pump section having a plurality of alternating stages driven by first and second alternating, non-overlapping clock signals, said plurality of alternating stages including an input stage for receiving the power supply voltage and an output stage for generating at a last stage node a last stage voltage having a greater magnitude than the power supply voltage. A gating transistor is coupled at a drain terminal to the last stage node, wherein the gating transistor is clocked by one of said clock signals and is biased so that the gating transistor, during a boost phase, gates the last stage voltage to a load coupled to the source terminal of the gating transistor without a voltage drop and, at other times, turns off to prevent charge from flowing from the load into the last stage node of the charge pump section.

Abstract: An asymmetrical half-bridge power converter and a method of manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, the asymmetrical half-bridge power converter includes: (1) first and second power switches configured to be controlled by complementary drive signals having nominal first and second duty cycles of D and 1-D, respectively and (2) first and second capacitors, having intrinsic capacitance values proportional to 1-D and D, respectively, and intrinsic equivalent series resistance (ESR) values proportional to D and 1-D, respectively, configured to reduce input ripple current associated with the asymmetrical half-bridge power converter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously authorizing a computer for use. A proximity detection system provides a coded message from a badge on an authorized user to a proximity reader in communication with the computer. The computer contains a process either in its kernel, operating system, and/or application program to repeatedly and continuously detect the presence of an authorized user within a desired proximity of the computer. If an authorizing code is received from an authorized user, the computer continues to allow full use of the computer. If an authorizing code is not received, a desired feature of the computer (e.g., the display, the keyboard, the mode of the processor) is disabled until the authorized user again enters the proximity zone of the computer.

Abstract: A dust cover for protecting a sleeve housing of a fiber optic adapter having opposed interior sidewalls is provided, which includes an elongate member having first and second opposed ends wherein the elongate member has a multifaceted outer surface with at least one planar surface for engaging the opposed interior sidewalls of the fiber optic adapter. The first end of the elongate member is sized and shaped to align the elongate member within the fiber optic adapter and receive the sleeve housing. The first end of the elongate member also includes a longitudinally extending central bore for receiving the sleeve housing and a plurality of landings, which are contiguous the longitudinally extending bore, and which are tapered toward the second end. The landings securely hold the sleeve housing within the central bore of the elongate member.

Abstract: A system for handling semiconductor workpieces, by aligning a movable pick and place device and a movable optical control device, is disclosed. The system and method provide for the formation of an imprint by the pick and place device. The optical control device can then be aligned to that imprint, creating alignment between the pick and place device and the optical control device. Once alignment is complete the imprinted material may be replaced with one or more semiconductor workpieces. The system provides precise, repeatable alignment between the pickup point for the pick and place device and the optical control device.

Abstract: A process for device fabrication is disclosed in which two substrates having different crystal lattices are bound together. In the process the substrate surfaces are placed in physical contact with each other. A flexible membrane is placed in physical contact with a surface of one of the substrates. Pneumatic force is applied to the flexible membrane. The duration of the contact and the pressure of the contact are selected to facilitate a bond between the two substrate surfaces that results from attractive Van der Waals' forces between the two surfaces. The bulk of one of the substrates is then typically removed. Thereafter, the bonded surfaces are heated to a high temperature to effect a permanent bond.

Abstract: Three-phase composite materials system having a low dielectric constant and physico-chemical properties suitable for IC fabrication conditions, and a method for making such materials, are disclosed. The three-phase composite material includes an organic phase, an inorganic phase and a void phase. The organic phase is in the form of an organic polymer matrix, the void phase is represented by microporosity present in the matrix, and the inorganic phase is implemented as inorganic particles that are coupled, via a coupling agent, to the organic matrix. The low dielectric constant of the composite is attributable to the microporous organic polymer matrix. The inorganic particles are responsible, at least in part, for providing thermal stability and other required physico-chemical properties to the composite.

Abstract: A first and a second fixed-frequency oscillator coupled in a ring topology to generate a variable frequency output is provided. Frequency variation is achieved by varying the coupling between the two oscillators. The coupling may be varied by using a variable current or voltage source. The first fixed frequency oscillator may generate a first signal which is ninety degrees out of phase with a second signal generated by the second fixed frequency oscillator. An apparatus is provided comprising a first oscillator which produces a first signal, a second oscillator which produces a second signal which is about ninety degrees out of phase with the first signal, and first and second coupling modules, coupling the first and second oscillators. A frequency control circuit is provided which varies the coupling of the first and second coupling modules and thereby varies the frequency of the first signal and the second signal.

Abstract: A printed wiring board assembly includes a pallet that is coupled to the bottom surface of a printed wiring board. An insert is provided having a first portion that is slidably mounted to the pallet and a second portion that is bonded to the bottom surface of the printed wiring board so that the insert is movable, relative to the pallet, in a plane parallel to the PWB. In one embodiment, the pallet includes an opening having a first portion and a second portion that is larger than the first portion, and the first and second portions of the insert fit at least partially in the respective first and second portions of the pallet opening. In another embodiment, the insert has a thickness that is equal to or greater than the thickness of the pallet.