Abstract: A circuit for, and method of, reducing a preload current required to maintain a duty cycle of an asymmetrical DC/DC converter and a DC/DC converter incorporating the circuit or the method. In one embodiment, the circuit includes an auxiliary inductor, coupled in series with an output capacitor of the converter in an output current doubler thereof, that reduces ripple current in the output current doubler and thereby maintains the duty cycle.

Abstract: For use with a DC fan, a detection circuit and a method of detecting an operational condition thereof. In one embodiment, the detection circuit includes: (1) a sensor, coupled to the DC fan, that senses a current through the sensorless DC fan and produces an intermediate signal based thereon and (2) an alarm circuit, coupled to the sensor, that compares the intermediate signal to a range defined by an upper limit signal and a lower limit signal and generates an alarm signal when the intermediate signal is outside of the range.

Abstract: A filter for an inrush relay, the relay having a relay coil having first and second leads includes a common-mode inductor connected to the relay coil leads across the relay coil. A first capacitor is connected to the first relay coil lead and a chassis ground potential. A second capacitor is connected to the second relay coil lead and the chassis ground potential. A third capacitor is connected to the relay coil leads across the relay coil. A first resistor is connected to the first relay lead, and a second resistor is connected to the second relay coil lead. The inductor and first and second capacitors form a high frequency common-mode filter. The third capacitor and first and second resistors form a high frequency differential mode filter.

Abstract: A wavelength-dependent splitter/router is made by chirping a waveguide grating router, such that the path-length difference between pairs of adjacent grating arms is not a constant. With careful design, a device can be fabricated that acts as an optical splitter in one wavelength band and as an optical router in another wavelength band. The invention has applicability in optical networks, because it enables the overlaying of a wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) network (which relies on routers) with a broadcast type of network (which relies on splitters).

Abstract: An electronically variable optical attenuator includes focusing optics that enable the use of a micro-mechanical actuation device with minute movement properties. The actuation device controls the position of a light blocking member relative to the path of a focused light beam to thereby control the attenuation of the light beam.

Abstract: A telecommunication network including one or more personal communication networks with a conference bridge for making voice conference connections between some of a plurality of mobile telephones associated with a personal communication network having a plurality of mobile subnetworks respectively for providing mobile telephone service to the plurality of mobile telephones as well as with fixed-location or non-mobile telephones associated with a Public Switched Telephone Network switching center provided with a disconnection voice conferencing system that detects disconnection of a communication link between any one of the mobile telephones and the communications bridge, distinguishes between an intentional disconnection and accidental disconnection of the one mobile telephone, and if the disconnection is determined to have been unintentional, automatically establishes reconnection of the communication link.

Abstract: A telephone system having a voice mail system and supporting virtual telephone numbers for called parties. A switching system in the telephone system has a plurality of telephone lines connected to the switching system with each telephone line having a telephone number. Each called party in the system has a virtual telephone number that is not associated with a particular telephone line. When a called party desires to receive incoming telephone calls over a telephone line, the called party performs a log-in from the telephone line. The log-in causes the switching system to extend all calls specifying the virtual telephone number of the called party to the telephone line. If the incoming call is not answered, the call is extended to a voice mail system which records a message and stores the message in a voice mail box associated with the virtual telephone number of the called party.

Abstract: A multi-processor interface is described having two processors. The first processor lacks a ready input and is continuously operating. The two processors share a memory, where the operation of the second processor is suspended when it requests memory access while the first processor has memory access. The multi-processor interface also includes a bus arbiter which selectively connects the memory to the first or second processor. The bus arbiter suspends operation of the second processor when the second processor requests memory access while the first processor has memory access.

Abstract: A split-architecture modem splits the physical layer protocol into a logical operations portion and a signal processing portion. A first processor (e.g., a general purpose processor (GPP)) of the modem performs the logical operations of the physical layer protocol along with the data link layer protocol. A second processor (e.g., a digital signal processor (DSP)) of the modem performs the signal processing portion of the physical layer protocol.

Abstract: A method and structure providing a dual layer silicon gate film having a uniform boron distribution therein and an ordered, uniform grain structure. Rapid thermal annealing is used to cause the diffusion of boron from an originally doped film to an originally undoped film, resulting in a uniform boron distribution within the structure, thereby rendering the structure resistant to vertical and lateral diffusion of the boron during subsequent processing at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention an optical fiber communication system comprising a source of optical signals and an optical fiber transmission line is provided with one or more multiple-order distributed Raman effect amplifiers downstream of the source for amplifying the transmitted signals. As compared with a communication system using conventional first order Raman amplifiers, multiple-order amplifier systems can have reduced noise, longer fiber span lengths and reduced nonlinearities. In a preferred embodiment the system uses signal wavelengths in the range 1530-1570 nm, first order Raman pumping at 1430-1475 nm and second order pumping at about 1345 nm. Advantageously, the second order pump light is copropagating with the signal light and the first order pump is counterpropagating with the signal.

Abstract: A wiring trough for an enclosure for telecommunications equipment (such as a building entrance protector) has a male piece adapted to be received by a female piece at a number of different positions to define an opening having different sizes to accommodate different amounts of wiring. As the amount of wiring needed to be handled increases (e.g., as more enclosures are stacked end to end on a wall one on top of the other), the two-piece wiring trough can be reconfigured without having to remove the wiring trough from the enclosure to expand the size of its opening to accommodate the larger amount of wiring.

Abstract: A combination fastener for attaching a cellular phone base station to a mounting bracket includes alignment and spacing features. The alignment features ensure that a door of the base station will be properly aligned when the door closed. The spacing features ensure that a gasket for the door will be placed under proper compression by the closed door.

Abstract: A laser bar loading and unloading apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a mounting surface, a movable coating fixture having a plurality of spacers, and at least a first vacuum source for providing a vacuum on a laser bar mounted on the mounting surface. The spacers are movable to place a fully loaded fixture in a closed position and to place an empty fixture in an opened position. A second vacuum source directs a vacuum on a laser bar to assist in moving the laser bar into the fixture and onto one of the spacers. A third vacuum source directs a vacuum on the loaded laser bars to maintain their position in the fixture.

Abstract: An optical cable [100] having one or more optical fibers [11] that are surrounded by an improved filling material [10] is disclosed. The filling material includes one or more synthetic oil(s) that are present in an amount, which is 80 to 95 percent by weight of the filling material and which have an average molecular weight that is greater than about 350. The filling material further includes an organic gelling agent, which is a diblock copolymer that is present in an amount of about 5 to 20 percent by weight. However, no more than 1.5 percent by weight of inorganic gelling agents may be used without impairing the long-term stability of the viscosity and the yield stress of the filling material. Preferably, a blend of two different polyalphaolefin oils are used while inorganic gel ling agents are completely avoided. Critical-yield stress is kept appropriately low (i.e., less than 0.01 psi) by the use of diblock copolymers.

Abstract: An integrated circuit comprising a balanced differential amplifier. The balanced differential amplifier has a first single-ended differential amplifier coupled at a first negative differential input terminal to a first input signal through a feedback network also coupled to an output terminal of the first amplifier. The first amplifier is also coupled at a first positive differential input terminal to a second input signal through a first resistor and to a reference voltage. The balanced differential amplifier also has a second single-ended differential amplifier coupled at a second negative differential input terminal to the second input signal through a second feedback network also coupled to an output terminal of the second amplifier. The second amplifier is also coupled at a second positive differential input terminal to the first input signal through a second resistor and to the reference voltage.

Abstract: A centralized token generating server is disclosed for limiting access to remote equipment. The token generating server provides outgoing authentication of a user, before permitting the user to leave the network environment to access remote equipment. The token generating server generates responses (tokens) for authorized users to satisfy challenges posed by remote equipment and maintains a log of all processed transactions. The token generating server provides an initial outbound access control, whenever a user desires to leave the network environment to access remote equipment, and the remote equipment performs a secondary authorization to ensure that a given user can access the given remote equipment. Each attempt by a user to obtain token-regulated access to remote equipment requires two token management sessions. During a token acquisition process, the user establishes a first session with the token generating server to obtain an access token to obtain access to a given piece of remote equipment.

Abstract: A reverse-engaging patchcord plug has a rearward-facing connector channel, and is used in connection with a wiring block assembly. A cover pivots between two positions. In the first position covering the channel, the hook-shaped channel will not snag on wiring while being pulled out of troughs. A detent releasably retains the cover in the first position. In the second position uncovering the channel, the plug will engage the connecting block to allow signals to be conducted between them. A latch is attached to the plug. With the cover in the second position, the latch has a hook that engages a strike attached to the wiring block assembly for retaining the plug on the wiring block assembly. The latch is resilient, requiring minimal applied force to secure and release.

Abstract: The specification describes a recessed chip IC package in which the IC chip is bonded to a translator, and power and ground planes for IC power and ground interconnections are formed on separate interconnect levels of the translator. The multilevel interconnection capability of the translator allows crossovers, and allows power and ground pins from the IC chip to be both isolated from signal I/Os, and consolidated into fewer interconnections going to the next board level. The translator also has a large area outboard of the IC chip area to allow fan out from high pin count chips to large pitch interconnection sites for interconnection to the next board level.

Abstract: Various methodologies and related apparatus associated with mobility management issues within a packet-based multiaccess mobile communications system, which includes a plurality of mobile user stations and a plurality of network nodes, are provided. Location management techniques include tracking and/or locating mobile stations within the system. The invention makes use of home and visiting location registers in which information such as mobile station addresses and/or host names associated with mobile stations are stored. Mobile access methodologies include a complete mobile access method and a direct mobile access method. The former allows a mobile station to preferably include a unique address in the packets being transmitted, while the latter allows the station to merely use the host name of the destination station. The invention also includes various in-call mobility management techniques, including handoffs, which make use of the concept of an anchor.