Abstract: An optical line protection switching system is realized by employing a plurality of rare earth-doped fiber optical amplifiers as gain-switched optical connections, for example gain-switched optical distributors, i.e., commutators, and/or gain-switched optical selectors in a gain switched optical line protection switching system. In one embodiment, at least one or more gain switched optical distributors are employed to realize so-called head-end switching of an incoming optical signal and one or more gain switched optical selectors are employed to realize so-called tail-end switching of the optical signal to form a 1.times.1 (1.times.N) optical line protection switching system. In another embodiment, an incoming optical signal is bridged to one or more optical paths, while the tail-end switching is realized by employing one or more gain-switched optical selectors to form a 1+1 (1+N) optical line protection switching system.

Abstract: An optical apparatus that can be used to monitor and/or test targeted optical fibers. The apparatus is contained within a housing that is sized to fit within a shelf of the frame of a fiber administration system. Within the housing is a stationary plate having a face surface. Incoming optical fibers connect to connectors in an array on the side of the housing. The connector array interconnects the incoming optical fibers to a plurality of optical leads in the housing. The optical leads in the housing are optically coupled to target points on the face surface of the stationary plate. A motor is positioned across from the stationary plate. The motor selectively turns an armature that is attached to the shaft of the motor. A light receiving element is disposed on the armature, wherein the light receiving element optically aligns with each of the target points on the face surface of the stationary plate when moved by the motor.

Abstract: A signal router includes a free space region with input and output sides. A number of input and output waveguide arms extend from the respective input and output sides of the free space region. At least a subset of the input or output waveguide arms are configured such that a signal applied to one of the waveguide arms excites multiple modes of that waveguide arm. Coupling between the multiple modes of the various waveguide arms is used to shape a multi-channel output radiation pattern of the router. The excitation of multiple modes may be provided by configuring a given waveguide arm to include a first portion and a second portion, with the second portion arranged between the first portion and a side of the free space region and having a width which is greater than a width of the first portion. Alternatively, the excitation of multiple modes may be provided by including one or more auxiliary waveguide arms between a given pair of main input or output waveguide arms.

Abstract: A system and method for a voice controlled video screen display system are provided. The voice controlled system is useful for providing "hands-free" navigation through various video screen displays such as the World Wide Web network and interactive television displays. During operation of the system, language models are provided from incoming data in applications such as the World Wide Web network.

Abstract: A adapter for wireless networking provides for reconfigerable media access control and data packet formats. The flexible adapter comprises a modem interface for controlling an RF modem for transmitting data signals to and receiving data signals from another RF modem; a media access control circuit; and a computer system interface circuit. The computer system interface circuit provides an interface between a host computer system, the modem interface circuit and the media access control circuit.

Abstract: A differential comparison circuit obtains an improved common mode range with respect to the voltages on first and second inputs. A first comparator is activated when the first and second input voltages are above a first level. A second comparator is activated when the first and second input voltages are below a second level. The output of the comparator that is activated is selected for providing the comparison output signal. In this manner, the comparator having improved performance, typically in terms of differential input voltage sensitivity, may be selected for the voltages present at the inputs. In a typical embodiment, the first comparator uses n-channel input devices, and the second comparator uses p-channel input devices. The activation is provided by voltage level-sensing circuitry, and may include hysteresis to help ensure reliable operation.

Abstract: An input digital sample containing voice and DTMF signal is used as an input to an adaptive filter. The output signal of the adaptive filter is used to generate a residue from the difference between the input sample and the output signal. The residue signal is used to update the coefficients of the adaptive filter. Upon the convergence of the adaptive filter, the residue signal comprises voice reduced DTMF signal while the adaptive filter's output signal contains the detected DTMF signal.

Abstract: A wireless communications system includes a number of clusters of repeaters wherein all repeaters within a cluster arc connected to a common hub via respective millimeter-wave radio links. Wireless signals received by the repeaters from end-user devices are transparently carried by the millimeter-wave radio links to respective hubs that act as concentrators for the repeaters. The hubs may be linked to a wireless network base station (in an outdoor setting) or alternatively to a server or a PBX (in an indoor environment) via a high-speed transmission facility, such as a fiber optic cable that is thus shared by all the repeaters.

Abstract: The interface card consists of a circuit pack containing the line or trunk circuitry and a face plate connected to one side of the circuit pack. A first connector is located on the side of the circuit pack opposite the face plate for connecting the line card to the backplane of the switching system or other network element. A second connector is provided on the face plate for connecting the circuit pack to the cable plug of the cabling. To disconnect the connector, an ejection mechanism is provided on the face plate of the interface card. The ejection mechanism slides relative to the face plate to force camming surfaces into engagement with abutment surfaces on the cable plug thereby forcing the cable plug perpendicularly away from the face plate. Thus the plug is removed without damaging the pin connectors. A locking device can be optionally provided on the ejection mechanism to lock the cable plug into engagement with the pin connector to prevent inadvertent disconnection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decoding a signal in the presence of linear or nonlinear interference, correlated noise or a combination thereof. The method involves a concatenated decoder comprising an inner decoder and a postprocessor. N most likely paths are generated by the inner decoder, or a combination of the inner decoder and an error event generator. These paths are then presented to the postprocessor which computes metrics for each path based on information about the signal, not considered by the inner decoder. These metrics can be based on linear or nonlinear model of the channel and optionally, a noise whitened signal for noise decorrelation. The path with the best metric is selected as the concatenated decoder output. The postprocessor can also be implemented in the presence of channel codes. It is also shown that the postprocessor is especially suited for a trellis implementation. When applied to magnetic recording channels, the method of the present invention allows for increased recording capacity.

Abstract: A method is described for the automatic recognition of at least one handwritten symbol. A representation of such symbol is provided, in a data storage medium, as a sequence of one or more discrete strokes having respective initial and final endpoints, a spatial location and a tangent angle being associated with each endpoint. Representations of plural library symbols, each a prototype of a possible class to which the input symbol may be assigned, are retrieved from a data storage medium. A comparison between the input-symbol representation and each of the retrieved library symbol representations includes comparing the respective tangent angles of the input symbol with the corresponding tangent angles of at least some of the library symbols, and comparing the respective endpoint locations of the input symbol with the corresponding endpoint locations of at least some of the library symbols.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention includes an arrangement for monitoring RF signals for use in a base station, said arrangement comprising a demodulation circuit operable to demodulate RF signals, an RF signal transceiver, and a controller. The RF signal transceiver is operable to transmit downlink RF signals to a wireless terminal and receive uplink RF signals from the wireless terminal.

Abstract: A method for automatically updating shared secret data stored in a mobile terminal comprises initiating a shared secret data update procedure upon receipt of an access attempt by a mobile terminal in a mobile switching center. The shared secret data update procedure is initiated in accordance with a schedule determined by the wireless service provider. Reporting of the outcome of the shared secret data update attempt is issued by the mobile switching center to wireless service provider personnel for telecommunications system maintenance purposes. Advantageously, shared secret data updates occur automatically without intervention by wireless service provider personnel.

Abstract: A module, for upgrading optical fiber systems, includes an appropriate length of Dispersion Compensating Fiber (DCF) for nulling chromatic dispersion, together with a pump, which uses Stimulated Raman Scattering for amplifying signal in the DCF, thereby compensating for power loss associated with the DCF.

Abstract: A distributed processing telephone system for providing "plug-and-play" capability. In particular, a key telephone system comprises a plurality of telephone sets. Each telephone set is coupled to a least one common communications channel, or telephone line, and includes at least one tunable RF modem. There is no key service unit (KSU). That is, the system is KSU-less. Resources of the telephone system are allocated using a peer-to-peer protocol. For example, as each telephone set is newly added to the system, the new telephone set adaptively determines its own allocation of resources, e.g., intercom numbers, etc. During operation, each telephone set requests the appropriate resources from its peers.

Abstract: A system to deliver data at very high data transmission speeds to many units in a distributed processing system simultaneously. A distributed processing system is supplied with a local area network (LAN) which is connected to each unit of the distributed processing system. Each unit is also equipped with a LAN interface card so that it may receive messages (and send messages if necessary) between itself and the system supplying the data. Speed of data delivery is increased to the speed of the LAN, which may be many times greater than is currently possible.

Abstract: Global planarization of a non-planar substrate surface is accomplished using a sacrificial material in conjunction with an etching and chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) technique. The sacrificial material has a greater rate of removal relative to the substrate during the CMP process and at a lesser rate relative to the material during the etching process. The use of the sacrificial material enables the etching process to substantially reduce the height of topographic features that occur in the non-planar surface. The CMP process is then performed on the etched material surface to produce a planarized material surface that is substantially free of feature dependent dishing. Such a process is useful for planarizing material layers in fabricating integrated circuit devices as well as for planarizing recessed structures in such devices.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, arrays optical sources are combined in a multilevel planar optical waveguide structure for insertion into an optical fiber laser. The basic element of the combiner is a planar array of multiple waveguides which converge and are gradually tapered to a single output waveguide. A plurality of such elements integrally formed on successive cladding layers provides a high power stack of vertically aligned outputs. An arrangement is described for using such apparatus in the amplification of optical communications signals.

Abstract: An improved fiber optic cable connector is provided that exhibits a consistent return loss rating of 60 dB or better. The connector comprises matable connector housings that terminate the ends of respective optical cables to be joined. Within each housing, the optical fiber of the respective cable is secured within a ceramic ferrule that extends axially of the connector. The endface of each optical fiber is exposed at the end of its respective ferrule. The ends of the ferrules are ground and polished in such a way that the endfaces of the optical fibers exhibit a planar undercut with respect to the lip of the axial passageway in which the fibers are secured. When the ferrules are brought and pressed together end-to-end as the connectors are mated, the material of each ferrule compresses until the endfaces of the optical fibers engage each other with near null pressure.

Abstract: A snap together spring block enables the reliable capture, formation and support of metallic conductors known as lead frames. First and second body halves are designed to mate forming the complete spring block. Each body half incorporates a plurality of cavities and projections, similar to hills and valleys. The cavities and projections can be designed to fit various configurations of lead frames. Integrally molded or formed into one of the body halves is an internal attachment mechanism, such as a clip, which is designed to fit an internal recess molded into the second body half, or mating half, of the spring block for mating the two halves. The plurality of cavities and projections are alternately spaced such that when the first body half is mated to the second body half, the projections are received within the cavities forming a plurality of apertures.