Abstract: A method for managing nodes in a network includes assigning to a cycle set a cycle having a size of n, the preferred maximum nodes per cycle, or smaller. If this cycle set does not include the all of the nodes in the network, the method includes increasing n by one and assigning to the cycle set a cycle that accesses at least one of the nodes not currently in the cycle set and has a size n, until the cycle set includes all of the nodes in the network. The method further includes moving from the cycle set to a final set a cycle that accesses a node that is accessed by only that particular cycle. If this final set does not include all of the nodes in the network, the method includes moving a remaining cycle from the cycle set to the final set wherein the remaining cycle carries a largest intracycle traffic among cycles in the cycle set, until the final set includes all of the nodes in the network.

Abstract: A communication system includes a first ingress content processor that receives information associated with a first traffic type. The first ingress content processor places the information associated with the first traffic type into a system cell having a common system cell format. A second ingress content processor receives information associated with a second traffic type. The second ingress content processor places the information associated with the second traffic type into a system cell having the common system cell format. A switch fabric receives system cells from the first and second ingress content processors. System cells from the first ingress content processor are automatically sent to the switch fabric while system cells from the second ingress content processor are required to be scheduled before being sent to the switch fabric.

Abstract: A monitoring system monitors wear of a connector by counting insertions or extractions between circuit boards. The monitoring system includes a sensor that senses insertions or extractions through contact or non-contact sensing. The monitoring system also includes a monitor connected to the sensor to monitor insertions or extractions and, optionally, store data in memory and generate an alarm signal if a predetermined threshold has been exceeded. The monitoring system may be positioned at any location in an electronic system and may be configured such that the sensor connects to the monitor directly, indirectly, or over a network.

Abstract: Recovery time upon the failure of a link or switching system in an asynchronous data network can be minimized if downstream data switches can provide upstream messages to upstream switching systems indicating to upstream switching systems that the downstream traffic arrived in tact and was properly handled. In one embodiment, the loss or failure of the upstream status message to an upstream switching system, causes an upstream switching system to reroute data traffic around a failed link or failed switch with a minimal amount of lost data.

Abstract: A telecommunications mesh network includes a plurality of nodes each interconnected by an edge. A traffic demand is received having a working path with a link of edges interconnecting a source node with a destination node. The telecommunications mesh network has one or more pre-cross-connected trails associated therewith that are subdivided into one or more subtrails. Subtrails that do not meet pre-determined conditions are discarded. A logical graph representation of the telecommunications mesh network is created from subtrails that have not been discarded. Unused, shortcut, and rival edges are inserted into the logical graph. A shortest admissible protection path from the source node to the destination node is identified from the logical graph.

Abstract: An example embodiment of the present invention is a method of managing network communications layers on a network. The example embodiment (i) selects nodes in a network normally configured with server layer resources (e.g., SONET/SDH) to support client communications on a communications path between source nodes and destination nodes and (ii) instantiates client layer resources (e.g., Ethernet or IP) to support communications at branch nodes among the selected nodes at which communications paths from a common source node split to take different paths toward different destination nodes or at which communications paths toward a common destination node merge from different source nodes. Dynamic configuration of client layer resources is thus provided, and the given node may operate in an autonomous manner, instantiating client layer resources on an as needed basis.

Abstract: A pilot tone generator receives optical energy from an optical communication medium carrying a plurality of optical signals. Each optical signal carries data modulated at a unique wavelength and further modulated with a unique identification signal. The identification signal has an amplitude corresponding to an optical power of the associated optical signal. The pilot tone receiver detects each identification signal from the optical energy received and determines its corresponding amplitude. The pilot tone receiver calculates the optical power of each optical signal in the optical energy in response to the amplitude of the associated identification signal.

Abstract: A method and system provide for sensing multiple wavelengths simultaneously in a single wavelength sensing device. The system may have a plurality of laser signals and a plurality of identifiable modulation signals. A respective laser signal of the plurality of laser signals is combined with a respective identifiable modulation signal of the plurality of identifiable modulation signals so that each of the laser signals is identifiable. A combined optical signal is then formed from the modulated laser signals. A sensor has an input port that receives the combined optical signal. The sensor identifies, for each of the modulated laser signals, a respective laser signal via the identifiable modulation of the respective modulated laser signal.

Abstract: Each node of a telecommunications network determines a connection type attributes available for each signal type supported by the node. Each signal type represents a different connection routing layer within the telecommunications network. Adaptation costs involved in traversing from one connection routing layer to another connection routing layer in the node are calculated. The connection type attributes and adaptation costs are included in a link state advertisement broadcasted by each node in the telecommunications network. A route calculation is performed for a desired signal to determine a route through the telecommunications network for the signal. The route calculation takes into account the various connection type attributes, availability, and adaptation costs in determining the shortest route for the signal through the telecommunications network.

Abstract: Recovery time upon the failure of a link or switching system in an asynchronous data network can be minimized if downstream data switches provide upstream messages indicating to upstream switching system that the downstream traffic arrived in tact and was properly handled. Upon this loss or failure of the upstream status message to an upstream switching system, an upstream switching system can reroute data traffic around a failed link or failed switch with a minimal amount of lost data. The upstream status message is conveyed from a downstream switching system to an upstream switching system via a reverse notification tree data pathway.

Abstract: A switch core is set forth that comprises a plurality of duplex switches that are interconnected with a interconnection fabric to implement, for example, strictly non-blocking operation of the switch core for reciprocal traffic. In one embodiment, an N-way reciprocal switch is implemented. The N-way reciprocal switch comprises a plurality of duplex switches numbering N of at least a 1×(N?1) switch type (e.g., the duplex switches have at least N?1 ports available for connection to implement the interconnection fabric). The interconnection fabric interconnects the plurality of duplex switches so that each duplex switch is connected to every other duplex switch used in the interconnection fabric by a single connection. A similar an architecture using switches numbering N of at least a 1×N switch type are also set forth.

Abstract: A communication system (5) comprises a first network (10) including a source (11) arranged to transmit data and a second network (30) including a destination (31) arranged to receive the data. Interruptions in communication between the source and destination are reduced by providing a first primary node (12) and a first secondary node (13) in the first network (10), and a second primary node (32) and a second secondary node (33) in the second network (30). First and second sets of primary routes (14 and 34) and secondary routes (18 and 36) are provided within the first and second networks to facilitate delivery of data to various nodes.

Abstract: A channel in a multiple carrier communication system is equalized by computing a target spectral response, shortening the impulse response of the channel so that a significant part of an energy of the impulse response is confined to a region that is shorter than a target length and filtering the signal based on the target spectral response.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cell based wrapped wave front arbiter (WWFA) with bandwidth reservation are disclosed. The method for reserving bandwidth of a given priority using the WWFA for arbitrating bandwidth among virtual links between input and output ports, each virtual link supporting one or more priorities and corresponding to an arbitration unit (AU) of the WWFA generally comprises performing at least one arbitration pass of a wave front of the WWFA where AUs having a reserved bandwidth request of a given priority and reserved bandwidth credit of the given priority compete for the bandwidth associated with the wave front, and where AUs not having a reserved bandwidth request of the given priority and reserved bandwidth credit of the given priority do not compete for the bandwidth, and performing at least one subsequent arbitration pass where AUs having a reserved bandwidth request of the given priority compete for the bandwidth.

Abstract: A single, normally inactive, protection ring, provides protection against a working channel failure in a fiber optic ring network. The protection channel is established and put into operation by a series of steps that are triggered by the detection of signal degradation or loss of light from one transponder by the other transponder. Each node reacts to a failure of another node in substantially the same way. Incoming traffic from external sources is rerouted from a working input-output interface to a protection interface, to establish a path for the protection signal. Signals are sent between nodes enabling the two nodes to resume communication. Only the portion of the protection ring between nodes is placed into service.

Abstract: In a network environment, a first master timing generator generates a first frame reference signal and a second master timing generator generates a second frame reference signal. A first data source generates a first data source signal, a first frame source signal, and a first clock source signal in response to a selected one of the first and second frame reference signals. Similarly, a second data source generates a second data source signal, a second frame source signal, and a second clock source signal in response to a selected one of the first and second frame reference signals. A timing recovery circuit generates a recovered reference signal and a recovered clock signal in response to a selected one of the first and second frame reference signals. A phase aligner stores the first data source signal in response to the first frame source signal and the first clock source signal.

Abstract: A system provides overload protection in power-switching circuitry, whereby current through a switch is controlled by adaptive circuitry. The switch, configured to deliver a current and a voltage, is connected to two current-limiting feedback circuits. The first current-limiting feedback circuit is coupled to the switch and limits the current through the switch based on current measured through the switch. The second current-limiting feedback circuit is configured to shunt current around the first current-limiting feedback circuit as a function of the voltage delivered to the load, which changes the amount of current the switch can deliver to the load.

Abstract: A method for improving a downlink signal received by a listener on a phone is disclosed. The method includes calculating an environment noise level of the listener and filtering and adjusting gain of the downlink signal based on the environment noise level.

Abstract: A channel in a multiple carrier communication system is equalized by computing a target spectral response, shortening the impulse response of the channel so that a significant part of an energy of the impulse response is confined to a region that is shorter than a target length and filtering the signal based on the target spectral response.

Abstract: A bezel for facilitating the connection between an external device positioned on one side of a communication panel and a module located on the other side of the panel where the panel has an opening for receiving the bezel. The bezel includes a housing defining an interior portion of the bezel, a first open end for insertion into the opening of the panel and the module, where the first open end receives a first communication connection from the module for connection with the external device, and a second open end having a removable cover. The second open end receives a second communication connection from the external device for connection with the first communication connection.