Abstract: An optical communications system for transmission of optical signals using relaxation oscillation subcarrier, on-off keying modulation of the optical signals. Relaxation oscillation subcarrier on-off keying improves the signal-to-noise ratio of a receiver receiving the modulated optical signals and the data rate of the optical signal. A modulation device generates relaxation oscillations by pulsing a driving current for a transmitter between a first level below a threshold current and a second level above the threshold current. The optical communication system can further include a fiber optic link between the transmitter and the receiver. The optical communications system can further incorporate multiple frequency shift keying. The modulation device and modulation scheme can be used in all digital optical communications systems using a pulsed laser diode.

Abstract: An integrated circuit output buffer that is fabricated using a relatively low voltage technology is capable of driving a relatively high voltage swing to an output conductor. For example, a buffer implemented in 3.3 volt CMOS technology can deliver a 5 volt output swing. This is achieved by scaling up the output voltage swings from the lower voltage level to the higher voltage level using one or more intermediate inverters that operate at successively higher voltage levels. In a preferred embodiment, the voltage levels are provided using a power conservation circuit that limits current flow through a resistor voltage divider network.

Abstract: A cordless telephone arranged for operation in a frequency hopping system includes an arrangement which achieves optimum utilization of multiple cordless telephone portable units by permitting these units to access a common base unit and also access each other. The portable units are configured for subsequent operation with the base unit and each other during a registration process by having the base unit select from a plurality of communication channels available in the frequency hopping system a different starting channel for each one of the portable units. The portable units are thereby advantageously selectably addressable by the base unit and by each other. Any one of the registered portable units, for example, is capable of selectively paging and communicating with any other one of the registered portable units over selected ones of the plurality of communication channels.

Abstract: A barrel plug for an insulated electrical cable, a power cord and a method of manufacturing the barrel plug.

Abstract: A modular optical fiber ribbon has a repetitive color identifier arrangement for the individual coated fibers defining one or more adjacent modules. Each module is identified by a digital code imprinted or otherwise marked on the top surface of the ribbon so that each individual fiber in the entire ribbon structure is uniquely identified. Each module or portion thereof can be broken out from the ribbon by means of a break-out tool which is sufficiently hard to cut the matrix bonding material which holds the fibers in the ribbon configuration, but which is not hard enough to cut the fiber coating.

Abstract: Bit error rate of an output data stream, reconstructed from a holographic recording, is reduced by reducing the length of same-state pixels on the spatial light modulator.

Abstract: A user interface for resolving contention for a data channel is coupled to a broadband network having a plurality of user interfaces and a distribution hub. The user interface comprises a contention circuit for generating a contention signal in substantial absence of a common frequency with other user interfaces. The contention signal is a contention request for allocation of a data channel on the broadband network. A sensor for sensing other contention signals on the broadband network determines a status of the contention request. In a further enhancement, the contention signal is related to the unique id number. This relationship in a further enhancement is based on a multiple of a step frequency relative to a base frequency, wherein the multiple is related to the unique id number. In a yet further enhancement, a contending user having a highest unique id number is given access to the data channel.

Abstract: A multiple star implementation of RITE-Net.TM. type structure is implemented hereby. The structure provides an economical way of introducing PONs by serving a greatly increased number of subscribing ONUs for each fiber leaving the central office. Accordingly, the fiber gain reduces the installation cost of the fiber plant by reducing the average run length. Additionally, the larger number of subscribers reduce the average cost per subscriber for a laser at the central office.

Abstract: A knowledge processing system includes a memory for storing knowledge in a plurality of knowledge modules in a knowledge bank, in which the knowledge includes data associated with pre-existing solutions to previous problems; and a processing unit, operating knowledge-based software, and including a knowledge processing unit for generating a plurality of artificial intelligence based modules, and for executing the plurality of artificial intelligence base modules to process input data, including problem related data, for generating a plurality of solution-related modules from the data representing the pre-existing solutions, with the solution-related modules corresponding to solutions to the current problem; a numerical processing unit for generating a confidence level associated with a respective solution to the current problem; and a database processing unit for controlling the storing of the solution-related modules in the memory.

Abstract: An electrical contact with an insulated wire conductor is established by defining a wire passage in a connector housing to receive an insulated wire conductor, and capturing a contact member having an electrically conductive hook portion in the housing. An end of the hook portion projects into the wire passage. When an insulated wire conductor is fed into the passage, insulation on the conductor slides along the hook portion of the contact member. Upon withdrawing or displacing the conductor a certain distance relative to the hook portion, an end of the hook portion engages and pierces the insulation on the conductor to make electrical contact with the conductor.

Abstract: The present invention is a variable-delay division (VDD) scheme implementable in hardware to execute signed and unsigned integer division and remainder operations in digital processor. The VDD scheme advantageously uses hardware utilized for multiplication to implement a 2-bits/cycle alignment step to iteratively align the divisor with the dividend. This speeds up the alignment phase of integer division. Quotient bits are produced at the rate of 1-bit/cycle using the well-known restoring scheme. For 32-bit 2's complement operands, the scheme has a delay less than a fixed-delay scheme for most operands.

Abstract: An apparatus for, and method of, range-testing a cordless communication device. The device has a first portion adapted to communicate with a second portion via a signal carried on a wireless channel, the signal subject to attenuation as a function of a distance separating the first and second portions.

Abstract: Illustratively, the present invention includes a method of integrated circuit manufacturing which includes forming a raised topological feature upon a first substrate. A portion of the raised feature is removed, thereby exposing a cross sectional view of the raised feature with the substrate remaining substantially undamaged. The cross sectional view has a critical dimension. The critical dimension of the cross sectional view is measured using a first measuring instrument. Then the critical dimension is measured using a second measuring instrument. The measurements of the first and second measuring instruments are correlated. Then, using the second measuring instrument, raised features via plurality of second substrates are measured.

Abstract: Temperature and technology-independent self-calibrating monolithic logarithmic amplifier systems that use integrated cascades of current-summing or voltage-summing differential-limiter gain stages are disclosed. Each stage is trimmed and stabilized by a respective bias replicator cell and a current mirror cell. The bias replicator provides a bias current control signal in response to a change in a given difference between bias currents in a differential pair of amplifiers controlled by a predetermined differential calibration voltage. The differential pair is identical to a differential pair in the limiter amplifier. The differential calibration voltage E.sub.lin is well-within the linear portion of the amplifier's transfer curve during operation, so that the proportional relation between E.sub.k and E.sub.lin, which is the same as that between the given difference between currents and the correct bias current value I.sub.B, remains constant throughout.

Abstract: A system for facilitating a two-way voice path to permit access to call prompter/voice prompter services regardless of the internal system protocols. The system includes a switch for receiving an initial address. The switch including the ability to transmit a query to a control point including subscriber services, wherein the control point including is able to instruct the switch to open a two-way voice path for user-network interaction. The switch is able to open a two-way voice path after receiving instructions from the control point.

Abstract: A reserve power system for a commercial AC load provides DC power to the load when the primary power fails by providing direct current voltage power from a DC power source which enables the load to continue to operate in a normal fashion. A power system supplying commercial AC derived power to a load provides backup power by coupling DC power to the load when the primary AC power fails. AC power is supplied to a primary winding of a power transformer which also has a secondary winding side. A cable is connected, at a first end, to the secondary winding side and at a second end to a load powered by a commercial AC voltage. A battery DC voltage source and a battery charger are connected to the secondary winding side of the power transformer. The battery charger maintains the integrity of the reserve power. A voltage monitoring circuit connected to the power transformer detects a primary power failure and activates switching circuitry for connecting the DC voltage source directly to the load.

Abstract: A package for a power magnetic device containing an isolation transformer having a primary and secondary winding, and a method of manufacture therefor.

Abstract: A wireless digital communication system, such as a cellular mobile communication system, overcomes channel dispersion and multipath fade with an equalizer using matrix division channel estimation followed by maximum likelihood sequence estimation for each time slot. The matrix division channel estimation involves storing transforms of the training symbols and producing a linear combination of received training symbols and the stored transforms.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus and method for creating data analysis applications using reusable software operators . An initial operator is provided for converting source information into a virtual database format. Query operators are provided for receiving data in a virtual database format, processing the data in the virtual database, and outputting the results of the processing in another virtual database which has the same schema as the received virtual database. A plurality of query operators may be combined in order to customize the processing of the virtual database data. A terminal operator is provided for converting data in a virtual database into an external format which may then be further processed by an external operator. By combining initial, query, terminal, and external operators, users may create customizable data processing applications. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, operators are provided for analyzing the difference between a first document and a second document.

Abstract: A modular connector block system used for making terminations of telephone circuit wires. The system enables terminal blocks of different size and density to be formed utilizing similar insulated housings and hardware. Connector modules having multiple pairs of insulation displacement connecting (IDC) terminals, for example, 8 or 10 pair per module, are insertable into a mounting bracket to form the double-sided connecting block. The 8 and 10-pair connector modules utilize an identical insulated housing to save on tooling costs. The same mounting hardware may also be utilized for either module. In addition, certain accessories, such as, circuit protection modules and terminal caps, used for enclosing the terminations, are likewise insertable onto either connector module. Each type of accessory shares an essentially identical housing, which further saves a manufacturer in terms of tooling costs and number of different components that must be produced.