Abstract: An initial phase-loading circuit (IPLC) for a fractionally-spaced linear equalizer (FSLE) includes a signal coupling component adapted to be coupled to the FSLE in a configuration so as to selectively introduce time-shifted discrete signals. The FSLE includes a set of initial filter tap coefficients that provide a discrete signal to the FSLE, perform discrete signal equalization using the FSLE at least until substantial convergence of the filter tap coefficients, and provide to the FSLE a time-shifted discrete signal to replace the previously provided discrete signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for encoding a plurality of data streams in a code division multiple access format to produce a composite signal. The apparatus comprises a plurality of channel units coupled in series, where each channel unit encodes at least one of the plurality of data streams. Each channel unit also combines the data encoded therein with a preceding encoded output signal provided by a preceding one of the channel units to thereby produce an associated encoded output signal. At least one channel unit is capable of providing the associated encoded output signal as a direct output signal to a first subsequent channel unit, and of providing a bypass output signal having cumulative encoded data to a further subsequent channel unit to effect a bypass of the first subsequent channel unit.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles of manufacture are provided for adjusting the parameters of ones of a plurality of recognition models. The recognition models collectively represent a vocabulary. The recognition models are utilized to identify a known word represented within a received input signal. The received input signal may include within vocabulary and out of vocabulary words. An output signal representing a confidence measure corresponding to the relative accuracy of the identity of the known word is generated. Particular ones of the plurality of recognition models are adjusted as a function of the output signal to improve the confidence measure. The systems, methods and articles of manufacture are preferably implemented in accordance with discriminative techniques, and the adjustment process is used during either a preferred training or a recognition mode.

Abstract: Applicants have discovered methods for making electron emitters using commercially available diamond particles treated to enhance their capability for electron emission under extremely low electric fields. Specifically, applicants have discovered that electron emitters comprising ultra-fine (5-10,000 nm) diamond particles heat-treated by a hydrogen plasma, can produce electron emission current density of at least 0.1 mA/mm.sup.2 at extremely low electric fields of 0.5-1.5 V/.mu.m. These field values are about an order of magnitude lower than exhibited by the best defective CVD diamond and almost two orders of magnitude lower than p-type semiconducting diamond. Emitters are preferably fabricated by suspending the ultra-fine diamond particles, preferably in the nanometer size range, in an aqueous solution, applying the suspension as a coating onto a conducting substrate such as n-type Si or metal, and then subjecting the coated substrate to a plasma of hydrogen, preferably at temperatures above 300.degree. C.

Abstract: A sensing system including an optical receiver for receiving downstream optical signals and for converting the downstream optical signals to downstream electrical signals. An optical transducer impresses information in an upstream data signal onto upstream optical signals. At least one sensor responsive to an external stimulus provides sensor information signals. A processor receives the downstream electrical signals and establishes communication channels to at least one communication terminal providing communication information signals, and to the at least one sensor. The at least one terminal and the at least one sensor provide the communication and sensor information signals, respectively, to the processor which forwards the information signals to the optical transducer as the upstream data signal.

Abstract: A clock recovery circuit for following rapid changes in the time phase of a data stream is disclosed. The circuit comprises a low Q resonator coupled to a detection device, such as an electro-optic modulator in a time division demultiplexer or a decision circuit of a receiver. Preferably, a high Q resonator or phase locked oscillator is provided, as well. The present invention is particularly useful in a telecommunications system for transmitting solitons. A method of compensating for changes in time phase of a data stream is also disclosed.

Abstract: Sub-micron PMOSFETs including n.sup.+ polysilicon gates and buried channels having impurity concentrations comprising indium or gallium are provided. The buried channel PMOSFETs have improved short channel characteristics and are particularly suitable for use in CMOS technologies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling quantization and buffering for video digital signal compression wherein a processor determines a bit budget value based on a number of frames to be skipped and a target buffer fullness. The bit budget value is used to retrieve a default Q-step value from a table of default quantization step size values and corresponding bit budget values. A default Q-step value is used to quantize the input digital signal only if it is less than a maximum. If, however, the default quantization step size value exceeds the maximum, then the number of frames to be skipped and the target buffer fullness may be increased to achieve a lower default quantization step size.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are taught which modify digital integrated circuits for partial scan testing and do so with little or no impact on the circuit's performance characteristics. Illustratively, the scan memory elements are selected from among all memory elements in a circuit based on their ability to eliminate feedback cycles in the circuit and on considerations of the potential performance degradation due to the inclusion of scan memory elements. A feedback cycle is defined as a feedback path from the output of a memory element to the input of said memory element.

Abstract: In a telecommunications call a different charge is incurred for intervals of noncommunication than for intervals during which communication may take place. For example, a period of hold is one during which the party on hold cannot communicate with the other end of a connection. Such intervals are accumulated for a call and the charge for the call is adjusted in accordance with the total length of the noncommunicating intervals. Advantageously customers are charged primarily for the period of time during which they can actually communicate, without having to disconnect and later reestablish a call.

Abstract: An optical amplifier having high overall gain and low gain tilt, useful in an optical transmission system or the like. The amplifier has a doped optical fiber as the amplification medium and two pumps, the shorter wavelength one propagating with the signal being amplified and the longer wavelength one propagating opposite the signal being amplified. A wavelength selective reflective fiber grating is disposed along the doped fiber to reflect the second pump signal. The addition of the grating allows the amplifier to have a higher gain with a lower gain tilt than amplifiers without the grating. Positioning the grating along the fiber allows for the control of the overall gain with respect to the gain tilt for a given fiber length.

Abstract: Motion video is represented by digital signals. The digital signals can be compressed by coding to reduce bitrate and thus save time and expense in transmitting and reproducing the video. The present invention is a system and method for reducing the amount of information required to satisfactorily reproduce video signals by distinguishing more pertinent portions of the video from less pertinent portions. In particular, edges are detected based on amplitude variations in the luminance characteristic of the picture elements. Sharp edges are deemed to be "focused". The portion of the video frame between the focused edges is deemed to be focused, as well. A template is created corresponding to the focused portion. A signal corresponding to the outline of the template is combined with the original frame signal to create a segmented frame signal. When motion detection information is available, a motion-based template may be created and intersected with the focus template.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for establishing voice band telecommunications connections using a cross connect/switching system (CCSS) for establishing all or part of the connection setments required for individual calls. The CCSS contains bundles of provisioned paths and also has facilities for establishing individual per call paths which do not use these bundles. When a call is received, the CCSS switches the call through a combination of provisioned and unprovisioned paths. In the preferred embodiment, the CCSS is an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch enhanced with converters to communicate with pulse code modulation (PCM) facilities for communicating with other switches and with associated PCM switches. Terminal adapters are provided in either the CCSS or the associated switches or both for processing voice signals to perform functions such as echo cancellation or speech quality enhancement.

Abstract: A cladding pumped optical fiber laser comprises a length of optical fiber having a rare earth-doped region of diameter d.sub.RE >d.sub.01 where d.sub.01 is the mode diameter of the LP.sub.01 mode of the fiber at the laser radiation at wavelength .lambda.. In one embodiment the fiber has a core diameter d.sub.c selected such that the LP.sub.01 mode is the only guided spatial mode of the fiber, and d.sub.RE is greater than d.sub.c. In another embodiment the fiber supports at least one higher order guided spatial mode, typically LP.sub.11 or LP.sub.02, and d.sub.RE is approximately equal to or larger than d.sub.c. Currently preferred embodiments comprise a grating-defined laser cavity that comprises a mode-coupling refractive index grating. Cladding pumped lasers according to the invention will typically have efficient conversion of pump radiation to laser radiation, and consequently can typically be shorter than analogous prior art cladding pumped lasers.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for reducing background noise in a telecommunications device, the telecommunications device including a microphone for receiving acoustic sights and generating corresponding electrical signals therefrom, the acoustic signals including voice signals and background noise signals. The apparatus of the present invention in one embodiment include an amplifier having an input for receiving the electrical signals from the microphone and an output, said amplifier operable to receive electrical signals at the first input and provide amplification to the electrical signals to produce amplified electrical signals. The amplifier is further operable to provide amplification at a first gain level and a second gain level, said first gain level exceeding the second gain level. The apparatus also includes a feedback device connected to the output of the amplifier and further operably connected to control the operation of the amplifier.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a apparatus for coupling an optical fiber end holder at houses an end portion of one or more optical fibers in a spaced arrangement, to respective optical waveguides coupled to an optical integrated circuit (OIC) housed in an OIC unit. The apparatus includes a bridge member situated to extend across an interface between end surfaces of the holder and the unit. The apparatus also includes a shim layer with a first side that contacts the bridge member and a second side that contacts portions of the holder and the unit adjacent their respective ends surfaces. The shim layer, when in its uncured, liquid state, allows the ends of the optical fibers and the optical waveguides exposed in the ends surfaces of the holder and unit, respectively, to be aligned.

Abstract: An integrated circuit employing quantized feedback is capable of compensating for decay in capacitively-coupled digital signals. In an exemplary embodiment, the integrated circuit includes a quantized feedback receiver connected to a capacitively-coupled integrated circuit input. The capacitively-coupled input produces a decaying signal for corresponding intervals of an input digital signal that are substantially DC voltages. Longer sequences of consecutive data bits of the same logic state in the input signal are represented by a corresponding longer DC voltage signals resulting in a greater decay in the capacitively-coupled signal. The receiver operates by generating a complementary feedback signal which is combined with the capacitively-coupled signal. The feedback signal is generated with a magnitude rate of change that compensates for the decay in the capacitively-coupled signal such that the digital information in the combined signal can be detected substantially without error due to the decay.

Abstract: An automatic line equalizer for use with a T1 or an E1 repeater in a telecommunications system is disclosed. The equalizer includes a first equalizing means for equalizing an input line having a line length falling within a first range and a second equalizing means for equalizing an input line having a line length falling within a second range. The equalizer includes a line condition/length detector. The equalizer includes switch means for selectively coupling one of the first and second equalizers to the selected input line as a function of a line condition indication. The switching means prevents hunting between said first and said second equalizers.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for reconnecting a severed multi-fiber optical cable using random splicing is disclosed. Each of the fibers of a first cable section are randomly reconnected to each of the fibers of a second cable section and it is determined which fiber interconnects each of the first units to each of the second units and a reconnection database describing such interconnections is established. Using interconnection data of an original database, established prior to cable severing, together with the reconnection database, the connection of one or more inputs to the first group of first units are switched so that the resulting connections between those inputs and the second units are the same as the connections described by the original database.

Abstract: An integer of potentially unbounded size is compression coded by first transforming the integer into a binary representation in which the length of the sequence of bits representing the integer is self-contained within the sequence itself. Each of the bits within the sequence is then coded with a binary arithmetic coder, such as the QM-Coder, which uses as a conditioning context for each bit, the bits of the sequence previously coded. In order to limit the amount of memory used to store the probability information associated with each conditioning context, memory is allocated for storing such information as that conditioning context is needed. Also, once a predetermined amount of memory has been used to store this probability information for different conditioning contexts, no further memory space is allocated for newly occurring conditioning contexts. Rather a special overflow memory space is allocated and used for all conditioning contexts not previously defined.