Abstract: A symbol synchronizer comprises a distance metric computation module for computing a metric from received samples using a distance metric function within a symbol sampling period and based on a timing signal for each of the possible symbols in a constellation, a control signal computation module for selecting a smallest and a second smallest metrics, producing a difference by subtracting the smallest metric from the second smallest metric, and deriving a control signal from the difference, and a voltage-control clock for producing the timing signal based on the control signal.

Abstract: The code space associated with the communication system is divided into at least two subspaces where each subspace is assigned to a different mode of operation. In one mode, such as a voice mode, each user is given full time access to a portion of the subspace associated with that mode of operation. In a second mode, such as a data mode, each user uses the entire subspace associated with that mode on a time shared basis. Additionally, in-sector handoffs from one Walsh code to another are used to more efficiently distribute the code space.

Abstract: A method for growing a crystal includes steps of providing a 3D framework with an collection of solid structures and flowing a liquid starting material around and between individual ones of the solid structures of the 3D framework. The method also includes a step of growing a single crystal through the collection of solid structures by adjusting a property of the liquid starting material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing a colorless polarization independent Mach-Zehnder-interferometer (MZI)-based tunable dispersion compensator (TDC) that has only three MZI stages (two in a reflective MZI-TDC) and two adjustable couplers which are responsive to one control voltage, making it compact, low power, and simple to fabricate, test, and operate. Polarization independence is obtained by using a half-wave plate positioned across the midpoints of the two path lengths of middle stage MZI of the three stage MZI-TDC and by using a quarter-wave plate in front of a reflective facet of the reflective MZI-TDC. A cascaded MZI-TDC arrangement with also only a single control is formed by cascading two MZI-TDC arrangements and driving all adjustable couplers with the same control signal.

Abstract: An alert-me management system for a telecommunications infrastructure and a method of providing an alert-me service. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) distributed alert-me request servers configured to receive and aggregate alert-me requests pertaining to uniquely identified wireless terminals from calling parties and (2) an alert-me service manager configured to receive the alert-me requests from the distributed alert-me request servers, further aggregate the alert-me requests into a table based on the uniquely identified wireless terminals, generate status checks for the uniquely identified wireless terminals and respond to the distributed alert-me request servers with positive alert-me indications to prompt the distributed alert-me request servers to generate alerts to the calling parties.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for project management and reporting. A specification manager suitably operates in the context of a business management system. The specification manager collects project information useful for constructing a high level overview of a project and creates a project model describing high level functional elements of the project. The specification manager receives detailed information about the project, suitably by periodically querying a database that is continually updated with project information as the project proceeds. The specification manager organizes the information. The information is organized around high level functional elements. The specification manager may report on and manage the project at a more general or a more specific level of detail. The specification manager supports project changes by maintaining links between change orders and the project model, so progress on a change order is automatically tracked and its impact on cost and revenue easily seen.

Abstract: An active inductor with a smaller voltage drop with respect to the power supply voltage of an integrated circuit can be realized by an active inductor which is biased from a voltage higher than the power supply voltage, the higher voltage being generatable on the integrated circuit. Advantageously, more headroom is left for the amplifying circuit coupled to the active inductor to operate properly than with prior art active inductors. Furthermore, by not simply operating the entire active inductor from a higher voltage, the power dissipation remains the same as if the active inductor were connected as in the prior art only to the power supply voltage, and the task of generating the voltage higher than the power supply voltage is simplified, because only leakage current, e.g., nanoamps, is required.

Abstract: A method for determining the security level associated with transmissions in a telecommunications network includes means for alerting parties of the security status of the transmission. When a route interconnecting the parties includes an insecure link, an alert is provided so that the parties are aware of the insecure nature of the call before communications begin. Alternatively, the parties may elect to decline or alter content of the communications to preserve integrity.

Abstract: An efficient, low-loss, low sidelobe, high dynamic range phased-array radar antenna system is disclosed that uses metamaterials, which are manmade composite materials having a negative index of refraction, to create a biconcave lens architecture (instead of the aforementioned biconvex lens) for focusing the microwaves transmitted by the antenna. Accordingly, the sidelobes of the antenna are reduced. Attenuation across microstrip transmission lines may be reduced by using low loss transmission lines that are suspended above a ground plane a predetermined distance in a way such they are not in contact with a solid substrate. By suspending the microstrip transmission lines in this manner, dielectric signal loss is reduced significantly, thus resulting in a less-attenuated signal at its destination.

Abstract: A content delivery system for a content provider that comprises at least two content delivery servers for delivering contents, a preference database for storing an estimated distance between each of the at least two content delivery servers and a client, and a content provider domain name server for mapping the name of the content provider to the at least two content delivery servers and selecting one of the content delivery servers to deliver the content, that has a shortest estimated distance to the client in the preference database.

Abstract: This document describes a protocol for reliably synchronizing states of nodes in a distributed environment through use of a Scalable Atomic Multicast (SAM) Service that ensures both atomicity and total order among messages sent to a multicast group. In addition to possessing good scalability property, this fault-tolerant protocol does not require explicit knowledge of multicast group membership, allows for non-disturbing state synchronization, and supports asynchronous non-blocking communications. According to one aspect of this invention, a dedicated sequencer is responsible solely for assigning sequence numbers to the multicast messages. The sequencer does not multicast the messages. Another aspect of the invention is the use of receiver-driven negative acknowledgments. According to third aspect, the invention supports message consolidation and garbage collection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adapting a network topology including at least one hybrid digital cross-connect system (DCS)/SONET ring structure such that DCS network elements are managed by a DCS element management system, while SONET network elements such as ring structures are managed by a SONET element management system. A digital link is created to separate pure DCS equipment from SONET equipment within the hybrid DCS. Based on this separation, the hybrid DCS is logically decomposed into separate DCS and SONET equipment such that a SONET ring structure including an add-drop multiplexer (ADM) included within the DCS may be managed as a homogeneous SONET ring by a SONET network element manager, while the DCS equipment is managed by a DCS element manager.

Abstract: Methods and systems to provide monitoring of operation of threads of a multi-threaded process. In one aspect a reusable thread monitor class is provided that permits each thread desiring monitoring to register with a monitor supervisor. The monitor supervisor may be instantiated in a thread of the process and monitors the operable/inoperable status of the registered threads. The monitor supervisor may be instantiate in any thread of the multi-threaded process or in a specific thread spawned specifically for the monitor supervisor. In a preferred, best presently know mode of practicing the invention, the monitor supervisor is instantiated in the main thread of the process. Monitoring may include “IsAlive” thread status checks, HeartBeat signaling status checks, and/or Polling status check capabilities.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for determining an amount of reserve material required to meet demand. A period of uncertainty during which varying demand for a product or component must be considered may be computed by taking into account various time intervals relating to the time required to obtain a component of a product and to and incorporate it into a product that is ready for delivery. The number of reserve products or components required may be computed by taking into account the demand for the component. The demand may suitably be expressed in terms of a forecast demand per time unit and a variance factor that provides a desired assurance that demand can be met in the face of deviations from the forecast demand. The forecast demand and variance factor are used to compute a reserve needed in light of the period of uncertainty for the product or component being considered.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for adhering dielectric layers to metals, in particular inert metals, using an adhesive layer comprising silicon-rich silicon nitride. Good adhesion is achieved at temperatures of less than 300° C., thereby facilitating the fabrication of semiconductor structures containing II-VI and III-V semiconductors.

Abstract: A port-multiplexed system (and associated method and software) are disclosed. Such a system includes: a computing resource having a port; a monitoring interface to the computing resource available via the port; plural end user devices to be connected to the monitoring interface; and a liaison interface to multiplex the plurality of end user devices to the monitoring interface via the port. The computing resource can be a mobile switching center and the monitoring interface can be configured to obtain status display pages (SDPs).

Abstract: An encoder generates an estimate of apparent inter-image motion utilizing a dense motion field in a sequence of video frames or other images. The estimate in an illustrative embodiment includes a motion vector for each pixel of the dense motion field. The estimate is generated at least in part as a solution to a constrained optimization problem based on a multiscale data model characterizing the motion between pixels of the dense motion field and designated neighbor pixels. The estimate is used for motion compensation in encoding the corresponding images, and is itself encoded for transmission to a decoder for use in decoding the encoded images. In the illustrative embodiment, the multiscale data model characterizes spatial, temporal and scale coherence properties of the motion as a Markov random field (MRF), thereby ensuring that the resulting motion vectors can be efficiently coded for transmission to the decoder.

Abstract: In a packet network, a feature wherein each node in the call path grants immediate admission to the network at a possibly reduced or even zero initial bandwidth. Additional bandwidth is incrementally allocated to the call as it becomes available until the maximum requested bandwidth has been allocated to the call for each node in the call path.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are provided for message-based intelligent tandeming of an incoming call to an application node in telecommunication systems. The various embodiments utilize a new parameter, referred to as a tandem parameter, to designate whether incoming calls to a particular subscriber are to be tandemed to an application node or are to be delivered directly to the subscriber. The preferred system embodiment includes an adjunct network entity, a database, and a switching center. The adjunct network entity, such as a service circuit node or service control point, has one or more application nodes or platforms, supporting various telecommunication services such as prepaid services, calling party pays services, and one number services. The database, such as a home location register or visitor location register, stores information such as subscriber profiles, and includes storing the tandem parameter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for selectively passing or blocking an optical signal using an opaque or reflective shutter that is selectively positioned in or out of the light path. The disclosed wavelength blocker can be employed to filter input wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) signal comprised of N wavelength channels, where a mechanical shutter array selectively passes each of the N wavelength channels. Each mechanical shutter may be controlled, for example, by a micromachine control element that physically lifts the shutter into or out of the lightpath. The disclosed wavelength blockers may be utilized in wavelength-selective cross connects, as well as other optical devices. In an exemplary wavelength-selective cross connect, an array of mirrors are employed in a planar waveguide having two sets of waveguide gratings intersecting at an angle.