Abstract: A multi-mode transmission unit processes data to form an error correction code in accordance with one of a plurality of selectable processes. The data, correction code and a process identifier can be transmitted to a receiving unit which can carry out error correction of the data in accordance with the identified process.

Abstract: A multi-point communications system is set forth herein. The communications system includes a transmitter for transmitting OFDM/DMT symbols over a predetermined number of bins across a transmission medium. The OFDM/DMT symbols are generated using at least one timing signal. At least one of the predetermined number of bins includes a pilot tone sub-symbol having a frequency corresponding to a clock signal. The communications system may also include a receiver for receiving the OFDM/DMT symbols via the transmission medium. The receiver demodulates the received symbols using at least one timing signal.

Abstract: Procedures, apparatuses, systems, and computer-readable media for operating primary and backup network elements (NEs). The procedure for operating the primary NE includes determining a failure in a primary path in which the primary NE is interposed. A switch-over notification message is provided via an inter-chassis communication link to a backup NE. At least one status synchronization message is communicated with at least one of the backup NE via the inter-chassis communication link and a head-end NE in accordance with a standardized protection switching protocol. The procedure for operating the backup NE includes receiving the switch-over notification message, indicating failure in a primary path, via the inter-chassis communication link. A status synchronization message is provided in accordance with the standardized protection switching protocol to a head-end NE to establish communication with the head-end NE via a secondary path.

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 an upstream switching system that the downstream traffic arrived intact 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: The present invention provides for a method for reserving spare bandwidth for a link in a communication network including a plurality of links. The method provides for monitoring the volume of traffic routed through each link of the communication network. A single link failure for each link is then simulated and the volume of traffic which would be rerouted through each link for maintaining communication and the volume of traffic removed from each link are determined for each simulated single link failure. The difference between the volume of traffic which would need to be rerouted through each link and the corresponding volume of traffic removed from each link is then computed, and a maximum difference value is determined for each link for all simulated single link failures. An amount of spare bandwidth equivalent to the determined maximum difference is then reserved for each link.

Abstract: A procedure, and an apparatus, system and computer program that operate in accordance with the procedure, for operating a dual homed communications network. In the procedure, a backup aggregation n ode is configured in accordance with a configuration of a primary multi-service router. A failure is detected in a first communication path that includes a primary multi-service router. In response to the detection, a second, backup communication path is activated that includes a backup multi-service router. In response to the activation, a router is negotiated with so that traffic forwarded by the router is provided to the second, backup communication path instead of the first communication path.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for configuring a Provider Backbone Bridge (PBB) interface within Virtual Private LAN Service using Multi-Protocol Border Gateway Protocol (MP-BGP). Previously, the only ways to enable PBB interfaces for transmission were by learning, which poses security and scalability concerns due to flooding, or by manual configuration, which is impractical for large networks. Embodiments of the present invention enable custom topologies to be built in a controlled manner, which has not previously been possible for PBB over VPLS. By using MP-BGP messages to exchange PBB interface information between nodes, peering relationships are established, and communities may be built with any desired topology. Previously, PBB has only been used as a connectionless bridge; embodiments of the present invention use PBB as a connection between edge nodes. Network designers are provided increased flexibility, and security and congestion are improved, benefiting end users.

Abstract: An electrical circuit and a procedure for tracking at least one input pulse width applied to the electrical circuit. The electrical circuit includes a threshold component (e.g., a comparator) arranged to provide an output pulse width based on whether an input to the threshold component exceeds a threshold. The circuit also includes a controller arranged to control the threshold of the threshold component, based on the at least one input pulse width applied to the electrical circuit, such that the output pulse width of the threshold component tracks the at least one input pulse width applied to the electrical circuit. The controller includes at least a switch, and the output pulse width tracks the at least one input pulse width by following or anticipating the pulse width. In one example embodiment the tracking is performed for a series of pulses of varied widths.

Abstract: Service providers can reduce multiple overlay networks by creating multiple logical service networks (LSNs) on the same physical or optical fiber network through use of an embodiment of the invention. The LSNs are established by the service provider and can be characterized by traffic type, bandwidth, delay, hop count, guaranteed information rates, and/or restoration priorities. Once established, the LSNs allow the service provider to deliver a variety of services to customers depending on a variety of factors, for example, a customer's traffic specifications. Different traffic specifications are serviced on different LSNs depending on each LSN's characteristics. Such LSNs, once built within a broadband network, can be customized and have its services sold to multiple customers.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention comprises determining a gain tilt based on power measurements from a power measurement block, determining a noise figure penalty based on the gain tilt, determining a gain tilt compensation to compensate for the gain tilt taking into account the noise figure penalty, and communicating the gain tilt compensation to an amplifier block to apply the gain tilt compensation to subsequently received wavelengths.

Abstract: A cable tray is provided comprising a housing defining an interior portion, the housing having at least one positioned opening formed therein and also having plural, open ends in communication with the interior portion and the at least one positioned opening for passage of at least one cable therethrough. The housing is adapted to be coupled to at least one external surface, such that at least one of the plural, open ends substantially aligns with at least one open end of a housing of at least one further cable tray.

Abstract: An optical ring network has one or more working wavelengths and multiple protection wavelengths adapted to support the working wavelength(s). Routing tables may be used in network nodes to assign traffic of a failed working wavelength to a protection wavelength. The protection technique may be applied to networks employing, for example, Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM).

Abstract: A voltage rectifier circuit having a storage element and a switching stage that is switchable to enable the storage element to capture a peak voltage of an alternating power source. The switching stage includes transistors arranged in a back-to-back configuration. In one example, the storage element is a capacitor and the transistors are PNP bipolar junction transistors. The configuration of the circuit enables reduced loading on the power source, as well as reduced sensitivity to temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing frame alignment using cyclic redundancy check (“CRC”) corrections are disclosed. In one embodiment, a process of frame alignment searches a predefined bit pattern within a first multi-frame structure and provides an assumed frame boundary after identifying the predefined bit pattern in the first multi-frame structure. While calculating a CRC value in response to the assumed frame boundary, the process further corrects the CRC value in accordance with a saved residue and F-bits identified by the assumed frame boundary. The assumed frame boundary is subsequently verified by comparing the calculated CRC value with embedded CRC value obtained from a second multi-frame structure.

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 procedure for selecting targeted content, and a computer program, apparatus, and system that operate in accordance with the procedure. The procedure includes monitoring a user's activity in a first type of provided service, and selecting content from a second type of provided service, based on the monitoring. In one example the first type of provided service is a data service, the second type of provided service is a video service, and the user's activity includes web browsing. Also in one example, the content includes advertising content, such as in video form, and such content is selected based on a user interest profile generated based on the user's activity.

Abstract: An optical connector system having a first optical connector, a plurality of second optical connectors, and a mounting system hosting the first optical connector and the second optical connectors. The mounting system can be formed integrally with at least one pluggable optical device. The system also has a mechanism arranged to connect the first optical connector to the second optical connectors. The system also includes at least one further pluggable optical device having at least one optical interface optically coupled to the first optical connector of the at least one pluggable optical device. In one example, the pluggable optical device is a CFP device, and the further pluggable optical device is a QSFP+. With this configuration, the QSFP+ can accommodate at least one of a 40 G and 10 G interface capability. Also provided is a connector system and an apparatus (e.g., pluggable optical device) that enable such a capability.

Abstract: A method for routing C-band and L-band optical signals, and a system, apparatus, and computer program that operate in accordance with the method. The method comprises selecting one or more C-band optical signals using one or more C-band components, resulting in one or more selected C-band optical signals. One or more L-band optical signals are selected using one or more L-band components, resulting in one or more selected L-band optical signals. The selected C-band and L-band optical signals are combined.

Abstract: A reconfigurable optical add drop multiplexer core device includes a light distributor, a light combiner, and first and second sets of add and drop ports. The light distributor is configured to receive an optical signal along a primary input of the reconfigurable optical add drop multiplexer core device and to distribute the received optical signal along a plurality of subtending outputs. The light combiner is configured to receive optical signals along a plurality of subtending inputs, to combine the received optical signals into a combined signal, and to output the combined signal. The add and drop ports in the first set function as add and drop ports, respectively, and the add and drop ports in the second set function as both add and drop ports, respectively, and as express ports connectable to another reconfigurable optical add drop multiplexer core device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a network connection using a temporary Internet Protocol (“IP”) address are disclosed. The process, in one embodiment, is operable to detect link status from a link which is connected to a port of an access device. After identifying a link configuration from a set of predefined link configurations in accordance with the link status, an interface corresponding to the link configuration is enabled. Once a temporary IP address associated with the interface is assigned, the process sends a message indicating that the access device is reachable via the link in accordance with the temporary IP address.