Abstract: Thin film transistors in which the active layer is an ordered film of a phthalocyanine coordination compound with a field-effect mobility greater than 10.sup.-3 cm.sup.2 /Vs and a conductivity in the range of about 10.sup.-9 S/cm to about 10.sup.-7 S/cm at 20.degree. C. are disclosed. Examples of suitable pthalocyanines include copper phthalocyanine, zinc phthalocyanine, hydrogen phthalocyanine, and tin phthalocyanine. Thin film devices made of these materials have an on/off ratio of at least about 10.sup.4. It is advantageous if the device is fabricated using a process in which the substrate is heated to a temperature in the range of about 30.degree. C. to about 200.degree. C. when the film is formed thereon.

Abstract: The passive optical network system and method for providing a predetermined wavelength of data to remote users according to the present invention includes a multiple wavelength transmitter for transmitting a multiwavelength signal. The multiwavelength signal includes a plurality of signal components of predetermined wavelengths provided by a plurality of access providers. Each access provider provides a signal component of wavelength different from that of the other access providers. A power-splitting passive optical network receives and power-splits the multiwavelength signal into a plurality of distributed multiwavelength signals each associated with a respective remote user. A filter selectively filters out, for each remote user, ones of the signal components of the associated distributed multiwavelength signal to provide the remote user with a selected one signal component of predetermined wavelength.

Abstract: A modular apparatus is described which houses electronic equipment. The apparatus includes a plurality of electronic modules surrounded by an air vent system. In one embodiment, the air vent system cools the electronic components indirectly, through a connection module. In another embodiment the electronic components are cooled directly. One of the main advantages of the present invention is its modular configuration which allows additional components to be added with relative ease as the requirements of the system are expanded over time.

Abstract: The specification describes a method and apparatus for chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) to produce planar layered semiconductor structures. Non-uniformities in polishing behavior due to radial temperature variations across the semiconductor wafer are compensated by locally controlling the temperature of the wafer. Heating/cooling is implemented by installing temperature controlling coils in the head of the wafer carrier.

Abstract: The subscriber activated wireless telephone call rerouting system enables the subscriber to reroute incoming calls to an alternate destination which is off network. This service can be activated from either the subscriber's wireless telephone or from any other telephone that is part of the wireless telephone network or the non-wireless public switched telephone network and can be deactivated by the subscriber simply initiating a call from their wireless telephone. The alternate destination selected by the subscriber can be any telephone that is part of the wireless telephone network or the non-wireless public switched telephone network, either a local calling area number or a long distance number.

Abstract: A method of defining an address for a mobile terminal host (T/H) linked to a wired communications network, e.g, the global Internet. The method includes assigning an address to the mobile (T/H), the address corresponding in part to a first network base station to which the mobile T/H becomes linked, for example, by roaming into a cell of the base station. The address assigned to the mobile T/H is changed when the T/H roams and becomes linked to a second network base station, the changed address corresponding in part to the address of the second base station. At least one stationary terminal host in the network is informed of a current address assigned to the mobile T/H by establishing a connection between the mobile T/H and the stationary host. Message data is exchanged between the mobile and the stationary hosts as long as a connection is maintained between them.

Abstract: A filter including an enclosure, a dielectric material within the enclosure, at least two microstrip antennas within the enclosure, and at least one frequency selective surface including a metallic pattern. The frequency selective surface is utilized to filter an electromagnetic signal propagated within the enclosure. The geometry of the antennas and the frequency selective surfaces as well as the resonant frequencies of the frequency selective surfaces determine whether the filter is a bandpass, bandstop, notched, or combination filter. If the frequency selective surface is omitted, the combination acts as a delay circuit for delaying the electromagnetic signal, where the time delay is a function of the dielectric constant of the dielectric material.

Abstract: A system and method for echo cancellation in a communication system having a digital echo canceller and an analog echo canceller for analog reduction of cross coupling echo components in an analog output signal when in analog form before digital processing by the digital echo canceller. An analog cancellation signal is generated which is substantially the same as the acoustic coupling echo component in the analog output signal before digital processing by the digital echo canceller. The analog echo cancellation signal is combined with the analog output signal to reduce the cross coupling echo component before digital processing by the digital echo canceller.

Abstract: A construction and a method for measuring the clamping force exerted by a fastener securing together two bodies. The construction includes a piece of material the same as that of a first of the bodies and a stack of at least two pieces of the same material as the second body. The overall height of the stack is equal to the thickness of the second body. A fastener secures all the pieces together. By measuring the force required to move a piece of the stack relative to the other pieces of the stack, an indication of the force exerted by the fastener is provided.

Abstract: A real-time, layered video multicast transmission system for transmitting video frames as a stream of encoded video data packets from a sender to one or more receivers over a network, comprises a device for generating one or more independent layers of video substreams out of the encoded video stream, each of the one or more receivers capable of subscribing to one or more layers of the independent video substreams; a device for transporting each of the independent video substreams over the network, the transporting device transporting each substream as an independent flow capable of being received by each of the one or more receivers; a device for monitoring congestive state of the network and the receiver to determine receiver's capability for receiving each of the video substream layer; and a controller provided to enable the receivers to select one or more of the independent video streams in accordance with the congestive state of the receiver.

Abstract: A universal test fixture assembly for circuit packs includes a test fixture body, a top guide plate and a bottom guide plate. Each guide plate includes tracks that extend from a front end to a second end of the guide plates and further includes an integrally formed latching channel that runs perpendicular to the tracks. The top guide plate and bottom guide plate are mounted in an opposing and matching relationship such that the circuit pack slidably engages one of the tracks in the top guide plate and a corresponding track in the bottom guide plate and are moveable relative to one another to accommodate circuit packs of varying sizes. The guide plates include tabs which mate with corresponding slots on the test fixture body to prevent misalignment and reduce tolerance build-ups. A second pair of guide plates are attachable to form a two-tiered structure such that two different circuit pack sizes can be accommodated in the same test fixture.

Abstract: A building entrance protector assembly for interconnecting outside plant wiring to consumer premises wiring. The building entrance protector includes an input termination device (28) for receiving wires contained within the outside plant wiring (12). Similarly, the building entrance protector also includes an output termination device (24) for receiving wires contained within the consumer premises wiring. A first connector port (52) is provided that is electrically connected to the output termination device. A grouping of fusible links (58) is also provided wherein the fusible links have a first end and an opposite second end. The first end (16) of the fusible links is electrically coupled to the input termination device. Furthermore, the second end of the fusible links terminates with a connector (60) that selectively engages the first connector port (52), thereby electrically interconnecting the input termination device to the output termination device.

Abstract: An improved invention providing a solution to a problem endemic to conventional adaptive equalizer systems, a problem known as baseline wander. The invention brings the baseline back down when it has drifted up due to baseline wander. The invention brings the baseline back up when it has drifted down due to baseline wander. The end result is that the invention keeps the data centered about the common mode, thus helping to ensure that the data is equalized properly without distortion.

Abstract: In soliton transmission, third order dispersion of the transmission fibers tends to cause unacceptable variation in the filter strength parameter, .eta. over the wide wavelength bands required for massive wavelength division multiplexing (WDM). The effect of dispersion is substantially eliminated by varying the mirror reflectivities R(.lambda.) of etalon filters with wavelength, such that the strength (.eta.) parameter, in soliton units, essentially remains at the optimal value across the entire WDM transmission band.

Abstract: A video gesture-based three-dimensional computer interface system that uses images of hand gestures to control a computer and that tracks motion of the user's hand or a portion thereof in a three-dimensional coordinate system with ten degrees of freedom. The system includes a computer with image processing capabilities and at least two cameras connected to the computer. During operation of the system, hand images from the cameras are continually converted to a digital format and input to the computer for processing. The results of the processing and attempted recognition of each image are then sent to an application or the like executed by the computer for performing various functions or operations. When the computer recognizes a hand gesture as a "point" gesture with one or two extended fingers, the computer uses information derived from the images to track three-dimensional coordinates of each extended finger of the user's hand with five degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A compact temperature compensating device for an optical fiber grating includes an inner expansion member disposed concentrically within and in a substantially parallel relationship with an outer expansion member. The outer expansion member has a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than that of the inner expansion member. The device further includes a base member and a pivoting lever. The base member is fixedly attached to a distal end of the outer and inner expansion members and to a distal end of the fiber grating disposed concentrically within the inner expansion member.

Abstract: A scan-based BIST architecture for detecting path-delay faults in a sequential circuit converted to a combinational circuit or a less complex sequential circuit including a combinational portion and a plurality of scan flip-flops. The BIST structure includes a test pattern generator for generating two test patterns and a controller for generating a clock signal and an extended scan mode signal which is held high for two clock cycles while the output response of the combinational portion to the first and second test vectors is latched into the scan flip-flops in order to detect a signal transition. The invention is further directed to a method for detection of path-delay faults using this scan-based BIST architecture. To improve the fault coverage for path-delay faults, observation points may be inserted at the inputs of selected scan flip-flops. A predetermined number of scan flip-flops having the highest activation frequency are selected as the observation points.

Abstract: The specification describes an analytical technique for determining trace levels of copper in a background matrix of titanium by dissolving the titanium and the copper impurity in HF, then selectively depositing the copper on a clean silicon surface. The silicon surface is then analyzed for the trace level of copper.

Abstract: A multiple wavelength quantum cascade (QC) superlattice (SL) light source has at least three energy levels in each radiative transition (RT) region, and electron transitions between the levels give rise to emission lines at different wavelengths. In one embodiment, a lower miniband has at least a first energy level and an upper miniband has at least third and fourth energy levels. In another embodiment, the lower miniband has first and second energy levels. In both cases, electron transitions between a first pair of the upper and lower levels generates light at a first spontaneous emission line having a center wavelength .lambda..sub.1 and a line broadening first energy, and electron transitions between a second pair of the upper and lower levels generates light at a second spontaneous emission line having a center wavelength .lambda..sub.2 and a line broadening second energy.

Abstract: A tunable chromatic dispersion compensator for optical communication systems is disclosed. An optical grating, such as a fiber Bragg grating, nonchirped, linearly chirped or non-linearly chirped, is strained to alter the dispersion compensator characteristics, preferably with a gradient-generating body bonded onto the length of the fiber grating. The body may be latchably strained so that the grating characteristics may be changed or tuned while avoiding use of a continuous power supply. Various optical networking applications using such dispersion compensating devices are also disclosed.