Abstract: A monitor access is gradually applied an removed from a communications circuit, including a digital subscriber line (DSL), by a gradual monitor access (GMA) technique, in which a variable impedance element is gradually applied to the communications circuit until the monitor can be introduced to the communications circuit without data disruption.

Abstract: A system for testing a segment of a data-packet-network has a first probe connected substantially at one end of the segment; a second probe connected substantially at the opposite end of the segment from the location of the first probe; and a process application distributed to each probe. The first and second probes collect data from and time stamp data packets as they pass forming first and second records of the individual packets whereupon the second-formed records of each packet are compared with the first records of each packet for record matching, time-stamp comparison and test result processing.

Abstract: A method and system of communicating visual communication quality information, includes extracting reduced-reference (RR) feature data from visual content, embedding the RR feature data in the visual content; and transmitting the visual content with the embedded RR feature data. Visual communication quality is assessed by receiving visual content which includes visual content data and a first set of embedded RR feature data, retrieving the first set of RR feature data from the visual content data, and generating a second set of RR feature data from the visual content data. The second set of RR feature data corresponds to substantially identical features of the visual content data as that used to generate the first set of RR feature data. The first set of RR feature data is compared to the second first set of RR feature data to determine a quality of the visual content based upon the comparison.

Abstract: A system for supplying power in a communication network includes a network element and a plurality of subscriber devices in communication with the network element. Each of the plurality of subscriber devices is configured to communicate with the network element via a respective communication line, each of the plurality of subscriber devices includes a power supply for supplying power to the subscriber device. Each subscriber device of at least a subset of the plurality of subscriber devices includes a power transmission circuit in communication with the respective power supply. The power transmission circuit is configured to transmit a portion of the power supplied by the power supply of the subscriber device to the network element via the respective communication line. The portions of power supplied from the at least subset of the plurality of subscriber devices are aggregated to provide power for the network element.

Abstract: A system for accelerating circuit measurements includes a circuit. A signal is applied to the circuit. A set of measurements is taken of a response of the circuit to the applied signal. The system includes a circuit model. The circuit model is a representation of the circuit. A final value of the response of the circuit is determined utilizing the circuit model in accordance with the set of measurements. A stimulus signal is generated in accordance with the final value for driving the circuit model to the final value. The system includes a stimulus generator in communication with the circuit. The stimulus generator is configured to apply the stimulus signal to the circuit. The stimulus signal is configured to accelerate the response of the circuit to reach the final value.

Abstract: A system for diagnosing impairments in computer networking services a plurality of connector gateways for interfacing to a plurality of data sources to provide access by the system to computer network data, business-related data, and extra-enterprise environmental data in the plurality of data sources. The system includes a knowledge manager in communication with each of the plurality of connector gateways for analyzing data from the plurality of data sources to generate diagnostic conclusions for resolving the impairments in the computer networking services. The system also includes an interactor in communication with the knowledge manager for generating format information for displaying at least the diagnostic conclusions to a user. The system can include a graphical user interface for displaying at least the diagnostic conclusions associated with edges of an edge model of the computer networking services of the user.

Abstract: A system for mitigating noise associated with information communication includes means for determining when a first set of information is transmitted by a transmitter. The system includes a receiver for receiving a second set of information in response to the first set of information. The system also includes control means for temporarily suspending at least one process when the determining means determines that the first set of information is being transmitted and for continuing the at least one process after the second set of information has been received by the receiver. The at least one process produces noise that interferes with an integrity of the second set of information received by the receiver.

Abstract: A monitor access is gradually applied an removed from a communications circuit, including a digital subscriber line (DSL), by a gradual monitor access (GMA) technique, in which a variable impedance element is gradually applied to the communications circuit until the monitor can be introduced to the communications circuit without data disruption.

Abstract: In a system and method for producing functions for generating pseudo-random bit sequences, an extended shift register (ESR) is formed. Each bit in the ESR is shifted to a next higher bit and the lowest-order bit is replaced with an EXCLUSIVE-OR operation of at least two other bits in the ESR. A plurality of bit equations is generated. For each bit equation, a bit in the ESR is replaced with an AND operation between shifted contents of the ESR and one of a plurality of first bit masks that isolate the bit. Each of the plurality of bit equations is combined. Shifts of the same shift distance are merged. Redundant bit masks are removed. Bit masks are transformed into bit masks comprising a sequence of zero bits and one bits. Bit masks are replaced with bit shift operations to form a function for generating the pseudo-random bit sequences.

Abstract: A fault-testing node for a connectionless data link has at least two opposing communication ports; a soft switch for controlling port-to-port data flow through the device; and an instance of software for modifying packet header information. The node enables loop-back testing by one or more port-to-port data flow paths being switched through activation of the soft switch to loop incoming packets back to the sender of the packets through the device and wherein the instance of software reverses the order of source and destination addresses of data units to insure acceptance of looped data units at the sender station.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a plurality of communication circuits includes an impedance element configured to be switchably connected to one of the plurality of communication circuits. The impedance element is configured as a short circuit relative to the one of the plurality of communication circuits. The system includes an AC current mirror in communication with the impedance element. The system includes a monitor access element in communication with the AC current mirror. The system includes a communication circuit monitor configured to be connected to the monitor access element. To monitor the one of the plurality of communication circuits, the impedance element is switchably connected to the one of the plurality of communication circuits, thereby connecting the communication circuit monitor to the one of the plurality of communication circuits with a minimum of disruption to data communication within the one of the plurality of communication circuits.

Abstract: A monitor access is gradually applied an removed from a communications circuit, including a digital subscriber line (DSL), by a gradual monitor access (GMA) technique, in which a variable impedance element is gradually applied to the communications circuit until the monitor can be introduced to the communications circuit without data disruption.

Abstract: A system for determining characteristics associated with a communication channel includes a transmitter for transmitting a first signal via the communication channel. The system includes a receiver for receiving a second signal via the communication channel in response to the first signal. The second signal is associated with the first signal. The system includes a correlator for performing frequency domain correlation between a frequency domain representation of the second signal and frequency domain representations of a plurality of time-delayed versions of the first signal to generate frequency domain correlation information. The system includes an analyzer for identifying correlation peaks in a magnitude of the frequency domain correlation information to determine locations of discontinuities of the communication channel. The identified correlation peaks are associated with the locations of the discontinuities of the communication channel.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a communications circuit includes at least one impedance element connected to the communications circuit when the communications circuit is established. Communication devices communicating via the communications circuit adapt to the presence of the at least one impedance element. Each impedance element is switchably connected to a respective reference ground point. The system includes at least one monitor access element configured as a virtual reference ground point. Each impedance element is switchably disconnected from a respective monitor access element. The system includes at least one communications circuit monitor connected to the respective monitor access element. To monitor the communications circuit, the at least one impedance element is switchably connected to the respective monitor access element and switchably disconnected from the respective reference ground point.

Abstract: A self-cleaning filter and cooling system are disclosed for filtering ambient air used to cool the interior of an equipment enclosure. The system includes an enclosure for housing predetermined equipment to be cooled, the enclosure including an air intake port and an exhaust port. The system includes a blower for causing ambient air to be inducted into the enclosure through the air intake port and expelled from the exhaust port. The system also includes a filter that includes a predetermined filter media that covers the air intake port and the exhaust port. The filter moves relative to the air intake port and the exhaust port. The enclosure and blower are configured so as to create a single air flow path for equipment cooling and for discharging exhaust through the filter media to dislodge any particulate matter entrapped in the filter media.

Abstract: An electrical cable includes one or more conductors with one or more shields encircling the one or more conductors. Each of the shields includes a conductive layer with a nonconductive layer electrically separating the conductive layer from one another. Connection mechanisms to the conductive layers can be through the use of a plurality of drainwires, which are each in substantially continuous contact with one conductive layer of at least one shiel. Each of the connection mechanisms is eletrically separated from other conductive layer of other shields and from the other connection mechanisms. Each connection mechanism and conductive layer in contact therewith can constitute an electrode that is electrically connectable at an end of the cable.

Abstract: A system for diverting an optical component signal from a multiplexed optical signal includes an optical communications channel having a first portion and a second portion. A multiplexed optical signal having a plurality of component signals may be transmitted through the optical communications channel. Each component signal lies within a different optical bandwidth. The system also includes a branch optical channel having a first section and a second section. A signal diverter that optically couples the first portion of the communications channel to the second portion of the communications channel directs a diverted portion of the multiplexed optical signal into the first section of the branch optical channel. The signal diverter also allows a non-diverted portion of the multiplexed optical signal to propagate into the second portion of the optical communications channel.