Abstract: The disclosed Mach-Zehnder (MZ)-type devices are planar waveguide devices, with interferometer arms of essentially equal length, with a maximum spacing between the arms (e.g., between the waveguide core centers) selected to make possible simultaneous exposure of both arms to refractive index-altering radiation. Exemplarily the maximum spacing is in the range 20-100 .mu.m. The simultaneous exposure of both waveguides makes it possible to form gratings of essential equal strength, such that typically no individual trimming is required. The resulting devices (typically add-drop filters) are substantially less sensitive to environmental changes (e.g., temperature gradients, mechanical vibrations) than prior art fiber-based devices, and are advantageously used in, for instance, WDM optical communication systems.

Abstract: This invention involves an optical system in which optical radiation containing a wavelength .lambda. is directed onto a patterned mask, in order to form an image feature on a photoresist layer located on the image plane of the system. The patterned mask has a main object feature, which has the form of the image feature. The object feature has a portion whose width is everywhere less than (1.5).lambda./NA, where NA is the numerical aperture of the image side of the system. An assist feature whose width is everywhere less than (0.5).lambda./NA is located on the mask in a neighborhood of the portion of the main object feature. Advantageously, the optical radiation is directed through an annular aperture ("off-axis illumination") in an opaque screen and through a collimating lens onto the mask. In one exemplary situation, the assist feature is located outside the main object feature and has a distance of closest approach to the main object feature that is everywhere equal to less than .lambda./NA.

Abstract: A method to be used in a Source Routed Bridged LAN by which access points maintain location information of mobile stations, and forward packets destined for mobile stations that have moved to another access point. This method resolves the problem that correspondent stations do not (timely) update the routing information to the mobile stations.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the active cancellation of broad band noise and/or single frequency tones emanating from rotating machinery, such as an air moving device, by detecting related mechanical and acoustic signals therein and causing canceling vibrations to be applied directly to the rotating machinery by a transducer.

Abstract: A technique for displaying the results of a query on a database. The technique associates a subquery of the query with a space in a display and represents the results of the subquery by means of a symbol whose appearance varies with a characteristic of the results of the subquery. The technique may be used with queries on a data base of statistical articles. The display is a grid with each field of the grid representing a journal-year pair. A symbol appears in the field if a search of the data base results in a minimum number of hits in the year and journal represented by the pair. The appearance of the symbol varies with properties such as the number of hits and the number of pages in the hits. Bar graphs along the sides of the grid indicate total numbers of hits per journal and year.

Abstract: A universal grounding clip for use with a cable having a frame assembly with a first end and a second end, a base member form at the first end of the frame, and a pair of leg members extending from the first end of the frame toward the second end of the frame where a crossmember is positioned and extends between each of the leg members, thus defining a central opening through the frame adapted to receive a cable. A pair of opposed grip members are supported in the opening, and are adapted to be moved toward each other for affixing a cable to the frame. Each grip member has a pair of bifurcated legs having, on either side of the bifurcation, an arcuate toothed leg portion adapted to grip the cable. At least one ground wire opening is defined in the base member and extends therethrough adapted to simultaneously fasten a ground wire to the frame as the grip members affix the cable to the frame.

Abstract: An inductive structure is provided which displays an increased self-inductance and improved Q at high frequencies. The improvement resides in the disposition proximate the inductive structure an amount of magnetic material to increase mutual inductance between adjacent portions of the inductor's conductive path with current flow.

Abstract: A method for forming a grating in a photosensitive medium such as a photosensitive optical fiber. The method comprises impinging a pair of interfering, actinic beams onto the medium, and during the impinging step, advancing the illuminated portion of the interference pattern relative to the medium. The advancement is carried out without changing the phase, or registration, of the interference pattern. According to one embodiment of the invention, a grating having a spatially dependent period is produced by varying the wavelength or the intersection angle of the actinic beams during the advancement. According to a second embodiment of the invention, a grating having a spatially dependent refractive index perturbation is produced by varying the dose of actinic radiation received by the medium during the advancement.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided to determine the optimum non-congested path to connect two termination points on a distributing frame with a specific type of jumper cable. The length of the jumper cable to be routed through the path is calculated and subsequently a measurement of the same cable and associated slack is displayed on a screen along with the non-congested path with a representation of the cable and slack therein.

Abstract: A direct-view display comprising an array of micro-mechanical modulators is disclosed, he modulator used to form the display comprises a suspended, vertically moving membrane and a substrate. The device functions based on optical interference effects between the membrane and the substrate which cause the modulator to either substantially reflect or absorb an optical signal. The interference effects are a function of the size of the air gap between the membrane and substrate, which varies as the membrane moves. The membrane moves in response to a data signal, representative of an image, delivered to the modulator. The display generates an image based on the pattern of light and dark sections of the display corresponding to the reflectivity of each modulator at a given point in time.

Abstract: The invention is a test method for testing ISDN interfaces from a remote location. The test method of the invention applies predetermined energy signals to the tip and ring leads of the customer subscriber line in a prescribed sequence, delays 10 to 100 ms, and then makes measurements of the voltage across the tip and ring leads. The voltage measurements are compared to limit values identified from the NT1-U dc characteristic curve to determine pass/fail of the tested interface.

Abstract: A noncontact fiber cleaning and tensioning device for cleaning optical fibers of dust and other particulate matter collected thereon. The noncontact fiber cleaning and tensioning device includes a housing formed from a cleaning and an exhaust section and includes a fiber passage formed therethrough and through which the optical fibers are passed. A series of spray nozzles are mounted to the cleaning section of the housing, and communication with the fiber passage and direct fluid sprays under pressure against the fiber as the fiber moves through the fiber passage to dislodge dust and particulate matter therefrom. A vacuum means is connected to the exhaust section and draws the dust and particulate matter dislodged from the fibers by the fluid sprays through the fiber passage and out through the exhaust housing to exhaust the dislodged particulate matter for collection and removal under controlled conditions.

Abstract: A high performance isolated gate drive circuit for driving MOSFET is disclosed which uses a MOSFET pull-down device, provides unusually low gate discharge impedance, exceptionally fast turn-off of the controlled switch and reduced power dissipation in the overall gate drive circuit. It also provides superior off-time noise immunity.

Abstract: A tunable tandem Fabry-Perot etalon in used in optical systems as a filter between two amplifier stages. The etalon filters the signal going from the preamplifier to the amplifier and provides further filtering as the output of the amplifier also passes through the etalon.

Abstract: A plurality of telecommunication switches are coupled to agent communication terminals (ACTs) which are used by agents for handling incoming calls. An integrated control system is coupled to the ACTs and controls the distribution of incoming calls among the ACTs. An intelligent node in the system can access an agent queue that stores data indicating availability of ACTs to handle the call and a call queue which stores data concerning calls waiting for ACD service. A database stores processing instructions for the handling of incoming calls based on data contained in the agent and call queues, and subscriber specified instructions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a virtual circuit network is disclosed that enables hand-off management. An illustrative embodiment establishes a virtual ciruit by receiving, at a radio port, a virtual circuit identifier from a wireless terminal and attaching the virtual circuit identifier to an OA&M cell. The radio port then transmits, over a pre-established unidirectional virtual ciruit, the OA&M cell to a radio port manager.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing phonemic synthesis which operate to generate an output data set of acoustic B parameters from a received textual data set wherein the output data set represents patterns of transition from one speech excitation state to another. The textual data set is converted to a plurality of phonetic data sets, at least one phone descriptor is assigned to each of the phonemic data sets, and the output data set is generated by processing the phonetic data sets as a non-linear function of a speech excitation control variable whereby the collective contributions of the phonetic data sets are determined for each pattern of transition from one speech excitation state to another. The speech excitation control variable represents selected portions of a human vocal system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a combined RF/power tap unit. The power and RF portions are provided in separate compartments with a cover for the power compartment so that access to the internal RF circuitry is possible without disturbing the power compartment. The cover for the power portion extends beyond the sides of the compartment, and the compartment includes appropriate grooves and seals to protect the wire connections from the outside environment. Detents are provided in one side of the compartment to hold the drop wires, and ribs in the cover supply strain relief.

Abstract: An optical fiber support member is made by forming on a monocrystalline silicon substrate member (26) a first mask layer (27) of, e.g., silicon dioxide. The first mask layer is masked and etched to a first depth to define a pattern of first (29) and second (30) features, the first features defining the locations of optical fiber support grooves (15), and the second features defining the locations of support member reference surfaces (17, 19). Next, only the second features are etched to a second depth deeper than the first depth. Finally, the first and second features are simultaneously etched into the substrate such that the second features are etched to a greater depth than the first features. By defining the first and second features simultaneously in a single mask and etch step, one can assure the final precise alignment of etched V-grooves to etched reference surfaces.

Abstract: Heteroepitaxial growth of phosphorus-containing III/V semiconductor material (e.g., InGaAsP) on a non-planar surface of a different phosphorus-containing III/V semiconductor material (e.g., InP) is facilitated by heating the non-planar surface in a substantially evacuated chamber to a mass-transport temperature, and exposing the surface to a flux of at least phosphorus form a solid phosphorus source. This mass-transport step is followed by in situ growth of the desired semiconductor material, with at least an initial portion of the growth being done at a first growth temperature that is not greater than the mass transport temperature. Growth typically is completed at a second growth temperature higher than the first growth temperature. A significant aspect of the method is provision of the required fluxes (e.g., phosphorus, arsenic, indium, gallium) from solid sources, resulting in hydrogen-free mass transport and growth, which can be carried out at lower temperatures than is customary in the prior art.