Abstract: A bus arbitration method for use in a multiprocessor system having a plurality of agents and a system bus, for determining a sampling point at which bus arbitration-related signals on the system bus are latched and arbitration-related signals on the system bus based on the latched arbitration-related signals, each of the bus arbitration-related signals representing a bus request signal asserted on the system bus by one of the agents for gaining an access to the system bus, wherein the system bus is arbitrated during an arbitration period in synchronization with a bus clock signal formed by a train of clock pulses generated at each clock period, the arbitration period being greater than N but not greater than (N+1) clock periods with N being a positive integer. At a first step, an initial sampling point is set at a predetermined point on a clock pulse.

Abstract: A method for recovering an outgoing data signal from an incoming signal received over a transmission network. The method provides for preparing a bit error rate (BER) map for a data regenerator, determining, on the BER map, an optimal operation point for a provisioned BER.sub.prov value, and monitoring the data regenerator to function in the optimal operation point for providing a regenerated data signal. In addition, the errors in the regenerated data signal may be further corrected using current forward error correction circuitry. To prepare a BER map, the data regenerator operates in an error mapping mode, wherein the incoming signal is decoded using a slicing level V.sub.i and a phase shifted clock signal CL.sub.j. Each value BER.sub.i,j is measured over a preset period of time T.sub.prov for a pair V.sub.i, .phi..sub.j and stored in a memory. The BER maps may be prepared once a day or at any other suitable interval.

Abstract: A dual polarized aperture coupled patch antenna system having a back plate, a ground plane and a patch plane. The patch plane has a conductive patch layer forming a plurality of conductive patches on one side. The ground plane has a slot layer on one side and a microstrip feed network layer on the opposite side. The ground plate is positioned between the patch plane and the back plate, with the slot layer confronting the conductive patch layer of the patch plane and the microstrip feed network layer confronting the back plate. The slot layer comprises a conducting coating having a plurality of intersecting polarization slot pairs etched into the coating. The microstrip feed network layer comprises two feed lines and a plurality of feed probes. Two feed probe members are coupled to each conductive patch through one arm of each slot pair and one feed probe member is coupled to each conductive patch through each other slot pair.

Abstract: In an amplifier circuit, bias feedback to an amplifying transistor is provided by interconnecting the DC bias voltage applied to the transistor output and the transistor input with a feedback circuit consisting of a switching transistor and bias resistors. Bias current and stable operation is provided by this design. In a particular embodiment two common emitter amplifying transistors are connected to a common output and each has a separate bias feedback circuit including a respective switching transistor. A single DC control input connected to the inputs of both switching transistors can be used to switch between the two amplifying transistors depending on the value of the control voltage thereby amplifying either an input signal of the first amplifying transistor or an input signal of the second amplifying transistor.

Abstract: A backplane comprises a support structure which has a plurality of apertures defined along it, the apertures communicating with an optical path extending along the structure. An equipment module has a connector which carries optical devices, the connector engaging with one of the apertures so as to provide mechanical support for the module and to put optical devices into communication with the optical path. Preferably the backplane also has electrical conductors which couple with contact lobes on the connector for powering the module. Preferably the optical devices are moveable between shielded and operable positions.

Abstract: A multi-stage ATM switch has a plurality of inlet stage fabrics, core stage fabrics and outlet stage fabrics. ATM cells routed by the switch have destination fields including (i) an identification of the outlet stage fabric and (ii) an identification of the outlet port. Cells incoming to a given inlet stage fabric are queued up in queues representing each of the outlet stage fabrics. A queue having at least the number of cells as there are core stage fabrics (or one having a lesser number of cells where cells have been waiting longer than an a pre-defined time) is identified and, in a time slot, cells are transmitted from the front of the identified queue, in parallel, one to each of the core stage fabrics (with blank make-up cells being sent, as necessary, where the identified queue had less cells than there are core stage fabrics).

Abstract: An enhanced mechanism for the reverse link power control in a wireless communication system, especially for high speed data applications and fixed wireless communication applications, dynamically adjusts the power control step size of the reverse link power control. The power control step size is dynamically adjusted based on various factors including types of service, number of reverse supplemental code channels, total received power at the base station, estimated diversity gain and required mobility, among others. The system which includes stationary infrastructure, can query a subscriber unit's capability in the support of a pre-defined set of power control step sizes before assigning it to the subscriber unit. Furthermore, the subscriber unit may decide its optimized power control step size based on certain feedbacks from the system.

Abstract: A method efficiently manages equipment and personnel within a closed passage such as a tunnel and the like. At a first step, sensing values measured by sensors through a corresponding AUX device in each set are monitored to generate a set of monitored sensing values. At a next step, each monitored sensing value in the set is compared with a corresponding predetermined threshold value to provide information corresponding to the comparison result. At a final step, it is decided whether or not a trouble is detected within the passage based on the comparison result information to produce information representing the decision result and, in response to the decision result information, automatically sending predetermined emergency guide information to each of predetermined agencies and controlling the operation of each of components within the passage.

Abstract: A method of providing a predetermined set distance apart between two members in article manufacture. This involves clamping the members together with a mixture of an adhesive and glass microspheres between opposing surfaces of the members, the microspheres being of specific grid size. The largest diameter microspheres are gripped between the opposing surfaces thereby determining the distance between the members. The invention is particularly useful for precise location apart between members with small gaps therebetween, e.g. less than 3 mil. It is useful particularly for magnetic device cores of small dimensions.

Abstract: A wireless access architecture, having redistributed wireless access functions, comprises a plurality of cell sites connected to a main switching point. The cell sites communicate with cellular users within their respective cell site areas and comprise a communication segment for exchanging communication signals with the cellular users. The main switching point controls the communication with the cellular users and the communication segment and includes a processing segment for processing the communication signals from the cell sites. The processing segment includes a segment for modulating and demodulating the communication signals, and a segment for bit stream processing the communication signals.

Abstract: Disclosed is an architecture of a RAM (random access memory) with BIST (built-in self test) or functional test function. The RAM has a memory cell for storing differential or single-ended binary data and bit line signals are fully differential or single-ended. Shadow write is applied to read only and read-write bit lines. With the test function, port-to-port bit line shorts and port-to-port word line shorts are sensitized.

Abstract: A surface wave device comprises first and second SPUDT (single phase unidirectional transducer) resonator filters each comprising first and second transducers, which are preferably RSPUDTs (resonant SPUDTs), the resonator filters being the same except that one transducer of the second resonator filter is a mirror image of the corresponding transducer of the first resonator filter to provide a phase difference of 180.degree.. The surface wave device serves as a balun by having an unbalanced signal connection to the first transducers, and a balanced signal connection comprising signal connections to the second transducer of each of the first and second resonator filters. The resonator filters can be arranged side by side on a common piezoelectric substrate.

Abstract: An active/stand-by determination method for use in a duplicated system, wherein two elements, one given a priority and the other not given a priority, in the duplicated system operate in an active mode and a stand-by mode alternatively by using an X.sub.-- ACTIVE signal, a S.sub.-- ACTIVE signal, a STATUS signal for each element and a SIDE signal, the method comprising the steps of: a) setting both the elements in the stand-by mode upon power-on; b) checking the X.sub.-- ACTIVE signal and the STATUS signal at both the elements; c) entering into the active mode if it is determined at the step b) that both the X.sub.-- ACTIVE signal and the STATUS signal are "high"; d) remaining in the stand-by mode if it is determined at the step b) that at least one of the X.sub.

Abstract: A process for the dissimulation of concealment of a secret code in a data authentication device by encrypting the secret code by an encrypting function for forming an image of the secret code and storing the secret code image in the authentication device. Beforehand, an encrypting function is chosen such that with each stored secret code image corresponds a plurality of antecedent codes all differing from the secret code, but which, once encrypted by the encrypting function have an image identical to that of the secret code. The secret code of a user has an authentication device in which is stored the secret code image.

Abstract: An alphanumeric, and graphics liquid crystal display having utility in portable devices used in communications, measurement, and data display systems generally, is disclosed in the environment of a wireless telephone handset. The display includes a transparent viewing screen having a reflective substrate adapted to display thereon transitory opaque symbols in response to data signals received during a telephone call or generated at a keypad of the handset when a call is placed. Positioned under the substrate, an illumination screen has selectable elements which are illuminated in response to control signals generated in correspondence with the data signals. Being in registry with portions of the substrate on which the symbols are displayed, the selected elements of the illumination screen provide backlighting for viewing the symbols under low ambient light levels without illuminating the entire viewing screen, thereby conserving power in an on-board battery.

Abstract: An integrated broadband and narrowband access arrangement, includes a multiplexed ATM adapter and an ATM core. The ATM core terminates a broadband access system and a narrowband access system whereby to deliver ATM cells to a SDH/ATM trunk or to the adapter. The services comprising the narrowband system are terminated each by a respective adapter providing an individual virtual circuit connection to the multiplexed adapter. The narrowband services within that virtual circuit having permanently assigned time slots whereby to retain time slot sequence integrity throughout the adaptation process.

Abstract: To mount a semiconductor i.c. die on a support substrate the upper surface of the die is provided with electrically conductive bumps all of which are the same height. The bumps are provided on the ground connection pads on the upper surface of the die. The conductive pads on the die including the ground connection pads are connected to corresponding contacts on the upper surface of the substrate on which the die is mounted. Additionally, a thermally conductive, electrically conductive slug overlies the die and is mounted on and bonded to the bumps. The slug provides required heat removal from the die and also provides necessary ground connection to circuitry within the die.