Abstract: A protection system for a power distribution system is provided. The protection system includes a central computer, a plurality of data modules, and a data network. The data modules are each in communication with a different circuit breaker of the power distribution system. The data network communicates between the central computer and the plurality of data modules. The central computer sends an instruction to the plurality of data modules over the data network to aid in synchronization of sampling of a power condition at the plurality of data modules.

Abstract: A method for troubleshooting broadband connections, e.g., a digital subscriber line (DSL) connections, includes detecting a problem with the broadband connection at an end device. Then, a determination is made as to whether the problem can be resolved at the end device. After determining that the end device cannot resolve the problem, a request is sent to a data network connection device connected remotely to the end device to attempt to determine the cause of the problem. In particular embodiment, the problem at the end device can be resolved based on information obtained by the data network connection device. Further, the problem at the end device can be resolved based on information obtained by the end device.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing a transmit queue. A queue pair context memory is provided for storing a set of pointers for each queue pair. The set of pointers are used to control the transmit queue for receiving, processing, and sending messages. Responsive to identifying an error for a queue pair, a limit pointer enable bit and a limit pointer to identify a last request for processing after the error are stored in the queue pair context memory for the queue pair.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a customer support call system including an interactive voice response system configured to receive a customer support call and configured to determine a caller identification. The interactive voice response system is configured to determine whether the customer support call is associated with a computer system having an installed self-support tool. The customer support call system further includes a call center management system responsive to the interactive voice response system. The call center management system is configured to direct the customer support call in response to determining whether the customer support call is associated with the computer system having the installed self-support tool.

Abstract: A benchmarking apparatus includes an interface, storage medium containing software instructions that determine and report a performance result of a computer system. The benchmarking apparatus is a handheld device and can be provided to consumers to aid in determining the performance of one or more computer systems, for example, to aid in purchase decisions. The software instructions include a benchmark routine which is loaded onto and executed by the computer system to determine the performance result. The benchmarking apparatus can be removably coupled to a computer system, for example, through a standard computer interface such as a USB port.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an impact absorber for an exhaust sensor. The impact absorber comprises a collar of deformable material disposed around a housing of the exhaust sensor. The collar extends radially outward from the housing. The collar may be formed from a material selected to degrade at exhaust temperature, or the collar may be formed from a material that provides radiation shielding to a portion of the sensor after installation. The collar may be disposed around a sealing gasket. A wall may be disposed around at least a portion of a perimeter of the collar, the wall being spaced apart from a plurality of facets formed on the housing to form a recess for receiving a socket wrench tool.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recording segment execution times in a processing system are provided. The method includes the steps of recording a timestamp corresponding to the beginning of a segment to be executed, wherein the recording step is conducted through a firmware operation. The method further includes the step of updating the timestamp with an elapsed segment execution time, wherein the updating step is conducted through a plurality of hardware based operations that are executed without firmware interaction.

Abstract: A method for operating a power distribution system is provided. The power distribution system includes a plurality of components, and at least one node electronics unit coupled to at least one control processing unit. The method includes associating a unique identifier with at least one component class of the power distribution system, identifying each component based on the identifier, determining a specification associated with each identifier, and operating at least one of the node electronics unit and the control processing unit based on the determined specification.

Abstract: An update management system provides access to software updates (patches and upgrades) and to an update catalog server. The catalog server includes a chronology generator. When a request for an update family tree for a target update is received, the chronology generator accesses an index to find the database and record number for the target update. The record is retrieved, indicating updates superseded by the target update and updates superseding the target update. Records for the superseded and superseding updates are, in turn, retrieved. The process is iterated until there are no further superseding and no superseded updates indicated. The succession relations indicated in the retrieved records are arranged into a family tree for the target patch. The family tree can be used (along with dependency data) to help determine an update for a given workstation that optimizes performance and compatibility.

Abstract: A method of monitoring and controlling a power distribution system is provided. The power distribution system includes a plurality of circuit breakers, a plurality of node electronic units, and wherein each associated circuit breaker is electrically coupled with each respective node electronic unit. The system also includes at least one digital network, and at least one central control processing unit (CCPU) wherein each CCPU includes a first power system global information set, and each CCPU is communicatively coupled to the plurality of node electronic units. The method includes transmitting at least one digital message from each node electronic unit to each CCPU over a respective network, determining an operational state of the power distribution system from the digital message, and transmitting at least one multicast message from each CCPU to each node electronic unit such that the circuit breakers are operable from each CCPU.

Abstract: AC to DC inverters that are formed from electronic switches, such as MOSFETs, that are controlled by gating pulses obtained from comparators. The comparators compare a varying signal against two closely spaced reference voltages so as to provide gating pulses with delays needed to prevent shoot-through in the electronic switches.

Abstract: A sensor may comprise a first electrode and a second electrode in mutual ionic communication with an electrolyte, a first socket disposed near a rear portion of a sensor element, a first lead disposed in electrical communication with the first electrode and in physical contact with the first socket and configured for electrical communication with a first terminal element, a second socket disposed near the rear portion of the sensor element, and a second lead disposed in electrical communication with the second electrode and in physical contact with the second socket and configured for electrical communication with a second terminal element. The first socket is disposed through at least one of an edge and an end of the sensor element, and the second socket is disposed through at least one of the edge and the end of the sensor element.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a planar sensor, comprises disposing a film of a material on a substrate, wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of platinum, rhodium, palladium and mixtures and alloys comprising at least one of the foregoing materials; annealing the material; measuring a resistance value of the material; laser trimming the annealed material; heat treating the laser trimmed material; and laser trimming the heat treated material to form the sensor.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for implementing a receive function over an interconnect network, such as InfiniBand. A virtual lane (VL) with a pending packet for a queue pair (QP) is selected. Then the pending packet is checked for an exceptional condition. Responsive to identifying the exceptional condition for the pending packet, a state bit is set for freezing the selected VL; and an interrupt is generated to firmware. Responsive to receiving the interrupt, the firmware determines a cause for freezing the selected VL and performs a responsive action. For example, the responsive action performed by firmware includes firmware performing an error recovery procedure (ERP) for the QP; firmware updating a state for the QP; or firmware performing application unique processing for the QP.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an impact absorber for an exhaust sensor. The impact absorber comprises a collar of deformable material disposed around a housing of the exhaust sensor. The collar extends radially outward from the housing. The collar may be formed from a material selected to degrade at exhaust temperature, or the collar may be formed from a material that provides radiation shielding to a portion of the sensor after installation. The collar may be disposed around a sealing gasket. A wall may be disposed around at least a portion of a perimeter of the collar, the wall being spaced apart from a plurality of facets formed on the housing to form a recess for receiving a socket wrench tool.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing queue pair connection protection over an interconnect network, such as InfiniBand. A message packet is received for a queue pair (QP) and the QP is checked for an imminent connection failure. Responsive to identifying an imminent connection failure, a special message processing mode is established for the QP. After the special message processing mode is established, packets of the message are received without establishing a message queue entry and without storing packet data.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for implementing global to local queue pair translation in a network transport layer. A global queue pair number is identified. The global queue pair number is translated to a smaller local queue pair number. The local queue pair number is used for storing local queue pair context data for outbound header generation and inbound header checking. Upper layers of the network protocol above the network transport layer are allowed to use the global queue pair numbers.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing a transmit queue. A queue pair context memory is provided for storing a set of pointers for each queue pair. The set of pointers are used to control the transmit queue for receiving, processing, and sending messages. Responsive to identifying an error for a queue pair, a limit pointer enable bit and a limit pointer to identify a last request for processing after the error are stored in the queue pair context memory for the queue pair.