Abstract: A method and apparatus for a hybrid variable rate pipe is described. In one embodiment of the invention, a computer implemented method of provisioning a non-BLSR protected layer 2/3 channel over a BLSR, provisioning a tunnel over the BLSR, and protecting the non-BLSR protected layer 2/3 channel between a first and second node of the BLSR with the tunnel is described.

Abstract: Any size and location of concatenated packet data across Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) frames in a SONET signal is provided. In one embodiment, a method may include receiving portions of packets and placing the portions into buffers. Additionally, the method may determine packet boundaries among the portions of packets in the buffers to locate a number of packets. Additionally, the method may concatenate the packet data into a Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) SONET signal. The concatenation can be across any locations within the TDM SONET signal, and the size of the concatenation can be in increments of single SONET frames. In another embodiment, the number of packets may be concatenated within locations in the TDM SONET signal not occupied by the TDM data traffic. In one embodiment, the TDM SONET signal having the concatenated packet data may be transmitted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for switching data of different protocols through a network are described. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving data from a number of interfaces. Additionally, the method includes switching the data through a first switch fabric upon determining that the data is being processed as packet data. The switching of the data through the first switch fabric includes de-encapsulating a first number of protocol headers from the packet data. The switching of the data through the first switch fabric also includes encapsulating a second number of protocol headers from the packet data. Moreover, the method includes switching the data through a second switch fabric upon determining that the data is being processed as Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) traffic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a hybrid variable rate pipe is described. In one embodiment of the invention, a computer implemented method comprises provisioning a hybrid variable rate pipe on a span of an optical ring and transmitting a set of traffic in the hybrid variable rate pipe.

Abstract: A header is provided for use with an automatic door that can form a door system including a door frame. A door operator is disposed in the interior of a header housing such that the operator is located above the door when the door is closed. A crank arm links the operator to the door such that the operator acts to open the door. In the disclosed embodiment, the housing has an inverted U-shaped configuration with a flange portion to affix a frame plate to define a frame head piece. A cover plate may be used to enclose the housing interior. In this embodiment, a sub-frame mounts on the cover plate, and the crank arm extends laterally through a slot in the sub-frame. The sub-frame can define a top strike for the door.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the incorporation of any size and location of concatenated SONET frames, which carry packet data, in an SONET signal are described. In an embodiment, a method includes receiving packet data. Additionally, the method includes concatenating the packet data into a Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) signal. The concatenation can be across any locations within the TDM SONET signal, and a size of the concatenation can be in increments of single SONET frames. The method also includes transmitting the TDM SONET signal having the concatenated packet data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the incorporation of any size and location of concatenated SONET frames, which carry packet data, in an SONET signal are described. In an embodiment, a method includes receiving packet data. Additionally, the method includes concatenating the packet data into a Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) signal. The concatenation can be across any locations within the TDM SONET signal, and a size of the concatenation can be in increments of single SONET frames. The method also includes transmitting the TDM SONET signal having the concatenated packet data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a hybrid variable rate pipe is described. In one embodiment of the invention, a computer implemented method comprises provisioning a hybrid variable rate pipe on a span of an optical ring and transmitting a set of traffic in the hybrid variable rate pipe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a hybrid variable rate pipe is described. In one embodiment of the invention, a computer implemented method comprises provisioning a non-BLSR protected layer 2/3 channel over a BLSR, provisioning a tunnel over the BLSR, and protecting the non-BLSR protected layer 2/3 channel between a first and second node of the BLSR with the tunnel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing data packets of differing protocols across different channels within signals are described. In an embodiment, a method includes receiving at least one signal, wherein the at least one signal includes a number of channels such that each of the number of channels can include different protocols and different configurations for the different protocols. The method also includes processing data packets in each of the number of channels in a predefined order.

Abstract: Foamed cement slurry compositions and a process or method for cementing well casings or pipes utilizing such compositions are described, the compositions being characterized by critical ratios of particular solid and liquid components. The slurry compositions formed provide unique properties such as rapid set or hydration, and are designed particularly for use with weakly consolidated formations.

Abstract: A numeric processor system is provided with a floating point adder subsystem having a set of parallel dedicated numeric processors, each of the numeric processors comprising a plurality of calculation units operative in parallel on common operands to present candidate results, at least one of each of the dedicated numeric processors producing a correct result, the dedicated numeric processors reporting status information to a control unit, wherein the control unit determines which of the candidate results is the correct result for further processing. The numeric processor system according to the invention is capable of producing a final result on a floating point computation with very low latency, that is, with very few gate delays for a complete and independent computation. The numeric processor system according to the invention is particularly useful in a computation environment where successive floating point calculations are dependent.