Abstract: A channel is described that has a backplane interface unit that selects a signal from a backplane. The backplane interface unit is coupled to a cross connect table that provides an indication where the signal may be found on the backplane. The indication is correlated to a logical label. The logical label is correlated to a frame location that the selected signal is transmitted within.

Abstract: An electronic system is described having electronic components and an air flow channel that directs cooled air across the electronic components and directs warmed air into a heat exchanger. The electronic components and air flow channel are within a thermal insulating barrier. The heat exchanger converts the warmed air into the cooled air. The heat exchanger has an interface that couples to a ground loop that accepts warmed fluid from the heat exchanger and provides cooled fluid to the heat exchanger when the ground loop is at least partially located within the earth.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a comb generator and multiple modulators is described. In one embodiment, the comb generator generates a multi-wavelength comb of optical frequencies. Each of the modulators receives the comb on one input as well as an input data signal on another input. Each of the modulators modulates the comb with its input data signal, thereby creating a modulated comb signal having duplicate signal sidebands on each spectral line of the comb. Each modulator outputs the modulated comb signal on the output.