Abstract: For fast ethernet switches, a modular and scalable structure using programmable one-port communication modules is disclosed. The forwarding process is sequential and operates in a store-and-forward mode. The design follows a strictly predictable scheme. The forwarding process, the distribution logic, maximum latency and programmable functions, i.e. traffic monitoring capabilities, traffic filtering/policing capabilities and network management function capabilities are described and explained with reference to typical examples.

Abstract: In a magnetically borne position-stabilizable flywheel, the force generation systems (at least for the radial drive) are designed in accordance with the electrodynamic principle and disposed in the interior of the wheel hub. The coils are situated on the stator and the associated permanent magnets on the rotor. Undesired oscillations are effectively damped. As a result of the displacement of the drive into the wheel hub, it is possible to use small coils. The swivel range of the wheel is sufficiently large.

Abstract: A coaxial switch for making or breaking an electric contact between inner conductors of coaxial cables includes a wall component defining an inner space into which end portions of the inner conductors project and a contact guiding assembly including first and second parallel-spaced spring diaphragms each having an outer peripheral portion and a mid portion; one portion being fixedly held and the other portion being displaceable in a switching direction towards or away from the inner conductor ends. The contact guiding assembly further has first and second leaf springs provided in the diaphragms. Each leaf spring has a first segment connected to a respective spring diaphragm for hinging displacements relative thereto; and a second segment hingedly connected to the first segment. The first and second segments are oriented such that motion components of the two segments transverse to the switching direction are opposite one another.

Abstract: A computer system having a plurality of mutually independently operating processor systems, coupling elements and a system bus which connects the processor systems and a central decision logic unit for administering the system bus. The computer system includes at least two processor subsystems that are connected by the system bus and each includes a plurality of the independently operating local processor systems. The local processor systems of a processor subsystem are connected with one another or with the system bus by way of a coupling element. A decision logic unit within the coupling element here determines, as a function of a fixed priority rule, the sequence of processing of communications requests.

Abstract: A process and device are disclosed to measure angular speeds. In order to determine the Sagnac phase from the output signal of a fiber optic annular interferometer, without the need for costly circuits for regulating a phase modulator that acts on the interference light and for regulating the intensity of the light, the Sagnac phase shift .phi. is deduced from the amplitudes (A.sub..nu.-1, A.sub..nu., A.sub..nu.+1) of three spectral lines of the interference light that is emitted by the interferometer.

Abstract: A stepping motor for rotating a body through small angles of rotation, the stepping motor having a stator and a rotor, an actively moveable connection unit for selectively connecting each of the stator and rotor to the body, and a drive which can be triggered and acts on the rotor. For performing an individual rotational step, the triggering of the drive and the connecting of the rotor with the body are essentially effected during a given period of time, and each time after performing a rotational step, triggering of the connection of the stator with the body takes place in order to maintain the body in the particular position attained.

Abstract: An encoder comprises a rotatable or longitudinally displaceable body having a plurality of sawtooth-shaped regions which lie one behind the other in the direction of rotation or displacement. Each sawtooth-shaped region is separated by a steep edge that extends transversely to the direction of rotation or displacement. Upon movement of the body due to its sawtooth-shaped configuration, the distance of the surface of the sawtooth-shaped regions changes relative to a distance sensor arrangement. An evaluation circuit receives the output signals of the sensor arrangement and determines the rotation angle or the displacement of the body. The sensor arrangement comprises two distance sensors being offset relative to one another in the direction of movement by less than one sawtooth-shaped region forming distance signals, with the distance signals input to the evaluation circuit. The evaluation circuit evaluates only one of the distance signals in order to determine the angle or displacement of the body.

Abstract: A bearing for radially and axially holding a rotor with large radial dimensions about a stator has sensors (22-25) for determining tilt angles of the rotor with respect to the stator's X and Y axes, and controllers for generating control currents in control coils (17-20) associated with the stator's X and Y axes. The generated currents depend on the output signal of the sensors and, in combination with permanent magnet rings arranged on rotor, exert moments on the rotor, influencing the tilt angles. The controllers have alternating couplers which disable the connection of the tilt axes generated by gyroscopic effects. The controllers may include proportional-derivitive controllers having a gain which is modified proportionately to the square of the speed of the rotor, and a time constant which changes in inverse proportion to the rotor's speed. The central bearing for the radial movement in the X/Y direction either acts passively as a permanent magnet, or actively, as an electromagnet.

Abstract: A microwave switch arrangement for the selective connection of n input lines with n+ a output lines including m microwave switches, where m.gtoreq.n, each including a rotor and a stator with at least two waveguide passages in the rotor and waveguide switch inputs and outputs in the stator, as well as waveguides for establishing interconnections between the microwave switches. The microwave switches are fastened to a carrier plate by means of respective waveguide flanges; waveguide connections, corresponding in their dimensions to the waveguide passages, are formed in the carrier plate; further waveguide connections extend at least in one plane parallel to the carrier plate; and selected of the microwave switch inputs and outputs are connected with the waveguide connections formed in the carrier plate, via the associated waveguide flanges, and with the further waveguide connections.

Abstract: In a process for filtering the consecutive results yi of a north-seeking gyroscope which are ooverridden by interference signals, the difference between the extreme measured values within a time window is determined. Only if this difference is less than a given maximum deviation y is the means value of the measurements in this time window given as the corrected direction of north.

Abstract: In a stopping device for a shaft, which acts in all three dimensions and is unaffected by large accelerations, a gear on the shaft of an engine is stopped by a locking pawl which engages the gear when the electromagnet is not excited. A magnetic field generated by the passage of current through a coil produces a torque which turns the rotating armature against the force of a spring in such a way that the locking pawl is moved radially outward around the gear and over a guide pin on the rotating armature which can be moved in a guide slot of the locking pawl, and thereby releases the gear and hence the shaft.

Abstract: A torsional vibration drive for a laser gyro comprises a hub, spokes and an outer rim, with piezoceramics arranged on the spokes. Bending elements provided at the junction of the spokes and rim ensure high flexibility for rotations of the rim around the axis of rotation of the drive.

Abstract: A system for setting in particular the rotor (2) of a coaxial or waveguide switch in n possible locking positions S.sub.1, S.sub.2, S.sub.3, . . . has an axially staggered drive on one side and on the opposite side a locking means (6, 7, 8/9, 10/11, 12). On the side facing the stator, the drive (3, 4, 5) has a drive winding composed of the drive coils (5) connected to only one pair of conductors by means of which a current of a determined polarity is supplied to the drive winding (5) and which turns the rotor (2) in the direction of the n locking positions S.sub.1, S.sub.2, S.sub.3, . . . by means of magnetic forces. The main purpose of the locking means (6, 7, 8/9, 10/11, 12) is to turn the rotor (2) into the exact locking position and to maintain it in that position.

Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed which carries a vehicle orientation system FOA together with a north-seeking system operating independently therefrom for orienting its equipment.According to the invention, the two systems are bidirectionally linked together and results determined in the individual systems are transmitted to the respectively other system so as to increase its accuracy and for other corrections.

Abstract: Device for setting the rotor of a rotary switch in one of three possible switching positions (positions 1 to 3). Such rotary switches can be for example wave guide or coaxial switches. The excitation of windings in this device for a rotary direction is effected by a pair of conductors with a current pulse. This current pulse, via an initial drive system and by means of a drive torque produced by the windings of the latter, moves the rotor from an initial end position (position 1) in the direction of a mid-position (position 3) and to an intermediate position. After the current pulse has been switched off, a permanently imprinted magnetic detent torque brings about the further rotation of the rotor to the mid-position (position 3), where the rotor is centered by the shape of the detent torque. A further current pulse on the same pair of conductors produces a drive moment which moves the rotor from the mid-position (position 3) to the other end position (position 2).

Abstract: A waveguide switch with four outputs or inputs (A, B, C, D) normally has one rotor (2) with three passages (3, 4, 5) with which, as appropriate, two waveguide connections can be effected in specific rotor positions. In two switching positions only the central waveguide passage (3) conducts HF signals, whereas in the two other switching positions both curved passages (4, 5) simultaneously conduct HF signals. Whereas the transmission losses in the central passage are low, a very high reflection level has hitherto been obtained in the two curved passages because of the points of inflexion. In order to improve the transmission characteristics, it is proposed to design the curved passages with an elliptical shape. For this, the longitudinal passage (3) is narrowed toward the central point of the rotor, so that sufficient space is provided for the curved portion of the lateral passages. The circular shape of the curved passages (4, 5) can also be approximated by a facet-like shaping of the sidewalls.

Abstract: A drive and locking system enables a rotor (2) to be turned between two end portions which are rotationally displaced in relation to one another through a present angle, and allows the rotor to be locked in an end position. Corresponding to the end positions are end stops (1a, 1b) against which the drive urges the rotor (2). In this position movable levers (12), which are disposed between two parts and fixed to one of them, can be released. The levers (12) are provided with teeth (11) which then engage in recesses in the rotor (2). The still-effective drive moment of the drive system then entrains the part (13), to which the levers (12) are not fixed, in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the rotor. The levers (12) are then guided from the position in which they link both parts by passing over sloping surfaces, and the levers (12) are then brought into a locking position of the rotor (2) and of the part (14) which is provided with the levers (12).

Abstract: A waveguide switch selectively connects at least one coaxial input line with at least one of two output lines of which at least one is a coaxial line. The waveguide switch includes a rotor having at least one rectangular waveguide passage which has a height which is relatively small, as well as a housing for rotatably supporting the rotor. The housing has a plurality of waveguide sections, each of the waveguide sections have substantially the same cross-sectional dimensions, and which are connectable with one another by the waveguide passage in the rotor by rotation of the rotor. At least one of the plurality of waveguide sections has an adapter for connection to at least one of the coaxial input line and at least one of the two output lines.

Abstract: A rpm-measuring device including a closed light path comprising a coil formed of a plurality of winding layers of an optical fiber having first and second ends; a beam splitter connected to the first and second ends; an arrangement for passing two light beams in opposite directions through the coil by applying the two light beams to the first and second ends, respectively, and an arrangement for superposing the two light beams subsequent to their passage through the coil and for evaluating a phase-shift based on the Sagnac-effect. The distance of the light path between the first end and any selected first location of the optical fiber is identical to the distance of the light path between the second end and a second location of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A fiber-optic rotation sensor (fiber gyro) includes an optical transmission system into which a light signal is fed by means of a laser diode. The modulation is effected by means of a piezomodulator. The coupled-out signal is fed to a receiver diode and the amplified output signal of the latter is fed to a phase sensitive rectifier and to a peak-to-peak value measuring device. The measured peak-to-peak value represents the proportionality factor K through which the output signal of rectifier is divided. Therefore it is possible with this method to constantly measure the proportionality factor K, which changes under various influences and to thus eliminate errors in the determination of the Sagnac phase.