Abstract: A router includes a classifier that classifies packets assigned to 2n−m classes of service into 2n classes of service that are supported by the router. The classifier then sets the loss priorities of the respective packets to one of m levels. The router uses a modified weighted random early detection scheme that is based on probabilities of discard associated with the 2n+m classes of service to determine whether to retain or discard particular packets. The router uses a single buffer to store packets directed to all of the various output ports. The available storage locations in the buffer are linked to a free queue and a weighted average depth of the free queue, is used to determined whether or not to retain a given packet. The router compares the weighted average depth of the free queue to maximum and minimum thresholds associated with the particular 2n+m class of service to which the packet is assigned. If the weighted average is above the maximum threshold, the packet is retained.

Abstract: A method of sensing fluid pressure in which a deformable tube provides an accessible and substantially flat section. Deflection of the flat section reflects line pressure. In one embodiment, a fluid pressure sensing apparatus comprises a deformable tube for carrying fluid and at least one constraint member comprising an inner surface and a pressure sensing opening. The inner surface comprises a substantially flat portion and a constraint portion. The tube is positioned against the inner surface and constrained by the constraint portion such that a portion of the tube is deformed against the substantially flat portion of the inner surface. This produces a substantially flat section of the tube adjacent to, and accessible through, the pressure sensing opening. Similarly, a method of manufacturing a fluid pressure sensing apparatus comprises the steps of: providing a deformable tube, and constraining the tube to provide an accessible and substantially flat section of the tube.

Abstract: A network switch including a plurality of network ports for receiving and transmitting data, where each port includes at least one statistics register for storing statistics information, such as Ethernet statistical and configuration information. The switch also includes a switch manager, which further includes a memory, retrieval logic for detecting a statistics request signal and for respondingly retrieving the statistics information for storage in the memory, and response logic for asserting a statistics response signal after the statistics information is stored. A processor is coupled to the switch manager through a bus, where the processor asserts the statistics request signal and then detects assertion of the statistics response signal. Upon detecting the response signal, the processor retrieves the statistics information from the memory.

Abstract: A fluid pressure transducer assembly (10) includes an exemplary silicon or ceramic capacitive transducer (22) having a relatively flexible diaphragm portion (22e) mounted on a ceramic substrate or circuit board (18) over a bore (18a) so that the diaphragm is exposed to fluid pressure from a port (12m) received through the bore. The circuit board is received in a plastic housing (12) laterally positioned by guides (12e, 12f) on three height control pins (12d) to vertically position the circuit board a defined, precise distance above a platform (12b) on which a bead of adhesive sealing material has previously been placed, the sealing material having a height greater than the distance between a plane in which the free end of the height control pins lie and a plane in which the top surface of the platform lies. As a result, the circuit board is sealed to the plastic housing through a bead having a uniform, precise height all around its circumference to isolate temperature expansion stresses.

Abstract: A digital carrier telephony system for delivering voice and data telephony services to subscribers in rural locations having low population densities. A Central Office processes telephony signals having subscriber channels. A Terminal (COT), which is connected to the CO and to one end of a digital carrier line, can transmit outgoing digital carrier line signals on the digital carrier line in response to multiplexing the subscriber channels of telephony signals received on a wired link from the CO. The COT also can transmit telephony signals to the CO in response to demultiplexing subscriber channels of incoming digital carrier line signals received on the digital carrier line. At subscriber locations, multiple remote drop units are typically connected to the digital carrier line. The remote drop unit can insert one of the subscriber channels into the multiplexed subscriber channels of one of the incoming digital carrier line signals.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for processing tagged commands from a Fibre Channel host in a Fibre Channel network to one or more SCSI streaming target devices through a SCSI router. The method includes the step of determining whether the command is a tagged command. If the command is a tagged command, then the command processing method of the current invention determines whether the intended target device is a streaming target device. If the intended target device is a streaming target device, the method and system of the present invention can convert the command's format from a tagged command format to an un-tagged format and forward the command to the intended target device. Flags in an internal SCSI router register can be set to track which, if any, devices attached to the SCSI router can support tagged commands. Upon completion of the command, the method of the present invention can forward the command complete message to the issuing Fibre Channel host.

Abstract: The technique is described whereby an external application computer can exercise call monitoring and control over calls in a packet network telephony environment, wherein a separate application computer is utilized to communicate with the gatekeeper computer already known in the art of packet network telephone communications, and wherein that gatekeeper computer is enhanced beyond the current art to implement the required communication protocol with the external application computer.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the tire pressure on the basis of the signals provided by the individual wheel speed sensors includes an electronic evaluating circuit which determines correction factors for the wheel speeds of the individual wheels. The values of the individual correction phases are determined and stored in a learning phase. The deviation of the correction factors from the learnt values is detected and analyzed in an identification phase, and possible loss of tire pressure is signaled. A switch is mounted on the wheel suspension of each vehicle wheel which resets the memories, upon rebound of the wheel until its end position, and re-starts the learning phase for the correction factors.

Abstract: A copper wire pair linking network terminating equipment in a home with a relatively localized multiplexer, e.g., in a street cabinet, carring high data rate, e.g., VDSL, signals such as ATM and ISDN, combined at the multiplexer. It is necessary for the multiplexer to be provided with a power supply but, in the event of failure of the power supply, VDSL signals could not be generated in the multiplexer. To provide some fall-back in such a case, a metal link from the local exchange to the network terminating equipment is formed, for example, by using relays, thereby permitting ISDN signals to be received in the home even though the higher data rate ATM has now failed.

Abstract: A special coding scheme is disclosed for more effectively acquiring a long code and frame timing during a cell search in a CDMA communications system. A code set of length M Q-ary code words including symbols from a set of Q short codes is defined with certain properties. The primary property to be satisfied is that no cyclic shift of a code word yields a valid code word. The other properties to be satisfied are that there is a one-to-one mapping between a long code message and a valid code word, and a decoder should be able to find both the random shift (thereby implicitly finding the frame timing) and the transmitted code word (i.e., its associated long code indication message) in the presence of interference and noise, with some degree of accuracy and reasonable complexity.

Abstract: Digitally compressed video/audio bit streams, when transmitted over digital communication channels such as digital subscriber loop (DSL) access networks, ATM networks, satellite, or wireless digital transmission facilities, can be corrupted due to lack of sufficient channel bandwidth. This invention describes schemes to ensure lossless transmission of bit streams containing pre-compressed video signals within the communication channels. The schemes herein comprises a rate conversion system that converts the bit rate of a pre-compressed video bit stream from one bit rate to another, and that is integrated with a digital communication channel, and a means to convey the maximum channel transmission rate to the rate conversion system to allow satisfactory transmission of the bit stream from the input of the rate converter through the transmission facility.

Abstract: Packet production by a digital signal processor (DSP) is synchronized with modem transmission opportunities in a cable network. The cable modem computes the average waiting time a packet spends waiting to be transmitted by the modem. The DSP re-syncs transfer of packets to the modem by using this average waiting time minus a small amount sufficient to account for the maximum anticipated propagation delay, as the amount to delay the transmission of its next packet to the cable modem. This invention is a mechanism for re-synchronization that is largely independent of any propagation delays inherent in the hardware architecture.

Abstract: In an MPEG-2 transmission system a plurality of programs each consisting of a plurality of elementary streams are multiplexed on a transport stream by a multiplexer (8). The transport stream is transmitted by the transmitting means (10) via a transmission medium (16) to a receiver (18). In the receiver (10) the signal is demodulated by the receiving means (12) and demultiplexed by the demultiplexer (14). In order to be able to find the different elementary streams which form a program several tables are used. Said tables which can change over time, are updated by information present in the transport stream. The tables are identified by a version number in order to be able to distinguish different versions of them. The version numbers are not necessarily subsequent numbers. In a prior art transmission system filtering has to be performed on all possible version numbers to find updates of a table.

Abstract: A tracking system having an acquisition sight for use by a pilot to acquire and track a target. Once the target is acquired an operator using a track handle can control tracking of the target. The operator monitors the target utilizing narrow and wide field of view monitors. A computer receives azimuth and elevation positional signals from the tracking device which may be the acquisition sight, the track handle, or other tracking device. The computer then processes the azimuth and elevation data and provides azimuth and elevation angle signals to a gimballed mirror steering the mirror to the target. The mirror receives image forming light from the target and then directs the image forming light to a wide field of view camera and a zoom telescope. The wide field of view camera is connected to the wide field of view monitor displaying the target on the monitor.

Abstract: In a capacitance type pressure sensor, a diaphragm is formed of a fragile material using an impurity-diffused monocrystal silicon and constitutes a stable pressure-responsive structure which does not undergo a plastic deformation. Between the diaphragm and a movable electrode is formed an oxide film to diminish stray capacitance between the movable electrode and a substrate and also between the movable electrode and a impurity-diffused layer. The oxide film and the movable electrode are each divided into plural regions so that the divided regions of the movable electrode are formed on the divided regions of the oxide film, thereby diminishing stress strain induced by a difference in therm expansion coefficient among the diaphragm, oxide film and movable electrode.

Abstract: A method and system for implementing a communications network having configurable control mechanisms for the identification and transference of particular types of communications data. Detection points are established within the communications network, wherein particular types of communications data transferred through the detection points may be identified. Removable configurable control mechanisms are associated with the detection points mechanisms that manage the transference of communications data through the detection points, such that the removable configurable control mechanisms may be easily replaced and updated without deconstructing the communications network or extensively delaying communication services within the communications network. The communications network can include a wireless or wireline communications or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle tire has a plurality of first marks arranged in a circular pattern on a radially outer area of the vehicle tire. A plurality of second marks is arranged in a circular pattern on a radially inner area of the sidewall. Passing of the first and second marks is detectable by magnetic or inductive sensors. The derived signals are used to determine the longitudinal force acting on the tire or the tire spring travel or the footprint length or the load/pressure ratio during rotation of the tire.

Abstract: To reduce the complexity, size and power dissipation associated with the deployment of xDSL-type modems in distribution points (140-142) of a telecommunications network, a transparent concentrating optical transmission scheme is interposed between an exchange (100) and a subscriber terminal (210). Specifically, xDSL-type modems (102-104 and 220-224) are employed both within the exchange (100) and, nominally each subscriber terminal (210) of the telecommunication system, while an optical fiber supports the transmission of frequency division multiplexed broadband signals sent between the exchange (100) and the distribution points (140-142). Twisted-pairs then couple respective broadband signals received and demultiplexed at the distribution points (140-142) to appropriately addressed subscriber terminals (210), while upstream transmissions are subjected to a complementary process from the xDSL modems (220-224) in the subscriber terminals (210) to the xDSL modems (220-224) in the exchange (100).

Abstract: This invention relates to a cross connection element which comprises at least one input, output and branching means for forwarding through predetermined outputs at least some signal components of a first serial data signal received through the input. To provide such a cross connection element that considerably facilitates the management of the data transmission network, the branching means comprise means for transparently forwarding single signal components of a serial data signal received through said input, as serial data signals through the output indicated by the routing data stored in the memory means of the cross connection element. In addition, the cross connection element comprises at least one output for transparently forwarding a single signal component of a first serial data signal indicated by the routing data stored in the memory means.

Abstract: A communication system and method for a communication network is provided. The communication system and method allow a calling party and a called party to engage in a two-way negotiated call hold. The two-way call hold enables the calling party, placed on hold by a called party, to disconnect the call and be placed in a queue. The calling party is then notified when a selected position in the queue has been reached and the call between the calling party and the called party is then reconnected at the expense of the calling party. The calling party may monitor its position in the queue before the selected position has been reached.