Abstract: An integrated circuit, voltage translating buffer includes input, intermediate and output circuit stages. Each, circuit stage includes first and second n-FETS and a p-FET connected in series. The first n-FET of the input stage receives a first logic voltage within a low voltage range at its gate terminal. The output stage provides a translated output voltage within a higher voltage range at a circuit node between the second n-FET and the p-FET. Each of the second n-FETS of the three stages is operable to drop sufficient voltage across its conducting channel so as to prevent an excessive voltage drop across the conducting channel of the associated series connected first n-FET. Consequently, low voltage transistors may be used for the n-FETS, such that the buffer circuit can be manufactured with a reduced number of mask levels.

Abstract: The present invention is a heat sink with a heat transfer medium for enhancing the heat transferring ability of the heat sink. In one embodiment, the heat sink comprises a plurality of fins with cavities, a base and a fluid heat transfer medium. The fins are in thermal contact with the base and configured to form a series of longitudinal channels through which air or a fluid medium may pass. The fluid heat transfer medium contained within each of the cavities. The fluid heat transfer medium enhances the heat sink's ability to transfer heat without increasing its surface area, size and/or weight. This enhancement is due to the fluid heat transfer medium's latent heat of vaporization and condensation. Specifically, a larger amount energy is required to vaporize the fluid heat transfer medium. Thus, a large amount of heat can be conducted from the base to the fluid heat transfer medium.

Abstract: A switched power amplifier circuit employs non-linear amplifier stages including MOSFET transistors. The transistors each have source, gate, drain and backgate terminals. An input Rf signal is applied to the gate terminals and the source (or drain) terminals are connected to a load. The transistors are operated as switches by selectively applying clock signals to the backgate terminals to activate desired transistors, thus causing the transistors to turn on and allow current to flow through the load to generate power. The power to the load is increased by turning on multiple transistors at any given time.

Abstract: A low voltage CMOS input buffer protection circuit that is used to protect an input buffer from any high voltage signal (e.g., 5 V) that may appear along a signal bus. The protection circuit is also "hot-pluggable", meaning that the protection circuit will not draw any current when not powered (i.e., when VDD is not present). The circuit includes a CMOS transmission gate and utilizes on-chip generated reference voltages to provide the necessary protection.

Abstract: A switching network having a plurality of independent switching units with each switching unit switching one bit of each group of data from external data links through a telecommunication switching system. The plurality of switching units is greater than the number of bits that must be switched which increases reliability. This allows the extra switching units to be utilized as replacement switching units should a switching unit actively switching a bit of the incoming data be disabled. The switching units provide full broadcast switching of data from any individual external link to any number of the other external links. A plurality of port units terminate the external links, and a plurality of control paths are provide from a central controller to each of the port units. Each of the switching units communicated one of the control paths. For control, each port unit determines a set of control information that is identical from a majority of the control paths.

Abstract: The invention is a laser assembly with reduced distortion ripple. The assembly includes a spherical lens for collimating light emitted from the laser. The lens is made of a material which attenuates scattered light which is the source of ripple without appreciably affecting the main beam.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge ground path for a fuse installable in a fuse holder includes an area of metallization on at least one insulating surface of the fuse extending from an exposed surface of the fuse to a contact area within the fuse holder.

Abstract: An RF power amplifier network with a redundant power supply comprising a plurality of RF power amplifiers. Each RF power amplifier includes a power supply unit and an amplifier load. The power supply unit is adapted for receiving a primary input voltage Vin and producing a secondary output voltage Vout, and the power supply unit is further adapted for generating a power supply fail signal upon failure of the power supply unit. The network further includes a supply bus to which is connected each power supply unit of each RF power amplifier, and each amplifier load of each RF power amplifier. A switch associated with each of the power supply units is responsive to the fail signal for disconnecting the power supply unit from the bus in the event of failure of the power supply unit.

Abstract: A device for shifting data in a cascade multiplexer shifter allows the shifter to be used in a full-length mode or in a split mode where the shifter is divided into two equal halves with upper and lower half fields thereof respectively receiving individual data numbers. Each data number is thereafter simultaneously shifted right or shifted left a given shift amount to effect a dual right or dual left shift function.

Abstract: A security bracket for use with a door latch mechanism of the type having a pivoting handle actuator disposed on the exterior of the door. The bracket is sandwiched between the door latch mechanism and the door and includes an opening through which the operating mechanism of the latch can extend through an opening in the door. The bracket includes a pair of tabs extending away from the door, each with an opening. A padlock shackle extends through the tab openings to overlie the door latch and prevent its operation.

Abstract: A power supply and a method of manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, the power supply includes: (1) a substrate, (2) a main power supply mounted on the substrate and having an input and a main output, (3) an auxiliary power supply mounted on the substrate, coupled to the input and having an auxiliary output and (4) a cooling device mount, coupled to the power supply, configured to receive and support a cooling device, the auxiliary output configured to provide electric power to the cooling device.

Abstract: An electronic isolation shield mounts on a circuit board, around an electronic component to provide a minimum amount of shielding over a set period of time. The shield has a body made from a shielding material that is sized and shaped to fit around and cover the electronic component. The body has a sealing edge that is adapted to contact an upper surface of the circuit board and surround the electronic component. Resilient downwardly projecting tabs are attached to the body and each includes a securing end that extends past the sealing edge. The tab is securable to the circuit board along a securing axis. The sealing edge of the body is forced into sealing engagement with the upper surface of circuit board. The tab is laterally displaced with respect to the securing axis continuously over the set period of time so that the sealing edge is forced into the circuit board sufficiently to provide the minimum amount of shielding to the electronic component over the set period of time.

Abstract: This invention discloses an apparatus for managing a switched routed network including a network configuration learning unit operative to learn a configuration of the switched routed network, a VLAN assignment unit for generating a division of the network into virtual LANs (VLANs) based on the learned configuration of the network; and a change manager operative to detect a change in the configuration of the network and to modify the division of the network into VLANs. A method for generating a division of a switched routed network into virtual LANs based on a learned configuration of the network is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for communications network base stations within a tower interior wherein each base station is secured between upper and lower platform plates by a pair of co-axial swivel mounts. The swivel mounts allow the base stations to be rotated about a vertical axis between a first angular position suitable for the base station to operate and to allow the platform to be raised and lowered and a second position in which the base station door can be fully opened to provide access to the base station interior for maintenance purposes.

Abstract: Communication apparatus is disclosed that comprises a handset 100 that has spaced charging contacts 186, 188 in its lower end 180 and a base 200 that has a recess 220 having a first portion 222 that is shaped to accommodate the handset parallel to the base in either a face in or face out position and a second portion 226 that is shaped to accommodate the handset 100 transverse to the base in either a face in or face out position. The lower end of the first portion 222 of the recess 200 has charging contacts 228 while the lower end of the second portion 224 of the recess has charging contacts 226.

Abstract: A divider circuit provides a divide operation with a multiplier, counter and comparator. The divide operation of two values, x and y, to produce the value of x divided by y, x/y, is provided by sequentially multiplying y in the multiplier with values from the counter until the product of y and a current counter value is determined to cross a unity level, or "1," as determined by a comparator. Therefore, the current value in the counter is approximately equal to 1/y. Then, the determined value of 1/y is multiplied by x to provide x/y. A preferred embodiment of the divider circuit employs a single multiplier, and the divide circuit includes a mux, a multiplier, a counter, a comparator, and an optional buffer. The mux receives two values x and y and a selection signal provided by the comparator. The counter is loaded with an initial value, which may be a zero dataword.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the approximate distance and direction of a mobile unit from a plurality of cells in order to determine whether and how to handoff the mobile unit and which cell may be the best serving cell. The CDMA timing system is used to provide an estimate of the subscriber's location to be determined by a CDMA base station. A distance calculation is made by the serving cell site sending a request for signal strength message to a mobile unit. The mobile unit measures pilot signal strength and a time offset from the expected time of such pilot signals. The signal strength and time offsets are returned to the cell site. a processor in the system can then determine if a handoff is really desirable, and with which of the cell sites is the best serving all for the mobile unit the mobile unit with a high degree of confidence that the call will be maintained.

Abstract: A printed wiring board employing a grooved path conductive lead configuration. The printed wiring board is formed on a substrate having a surface area. Grooved paths having side walls are formed in the substrate and the sidewalls are coated with a conductive material to form a conductive lead for carrying an electronic signal. The grooved path leads permit closer spacing between adjacent lead pairs without increasing crosstalk between the lead pairs. The grooved path leads also accommodate the inclusion of obstructions such as mounting areas on the substrate because the spacing between adjacent grooved path leads can be condensed without increasing crosstalk levels.