Abstract: Systems and methods are described for enabling flexible signal pathways within a satellite of a satellite communications system. For example, a pathway selection subsystem in a bent-pipe satellite enables a flexible arrangement of non-processed signal pathways that couple uplink antenna ports with downlink antenna ports via uplink and downlink pathway selectors. The pathway selectors can be dynamically reconfigured (e.g., on orbit), so that the configuration of the pathway selectors at one time can form one set of signal pathways between respective uplink and downlink antenna ports, and the configuration at another time can form a different set of signal pathways between respective uplink and downlink antenna ports. The pathway selection subsystem can have a simulcast mode which, when active, couples each of at least one of the uplink antenna ports with multiple of the user downlink antenna ports to form one or more simulcast signal pathways.

Abstract: A network device includes an enclosure, a multi-chip module (MCM), an optical-to-optical connector, and a multi-core fiber (MCF) interconnect. The enclosure has a panel. The MCM is inside the enclosure. The optical-to-optical connector, which is mounted on the panel of the enclosure, is configured to transfer a plurality of optical communication signals. The MCF interconnect includes multiple fiber cores for routing the plurality of optical communication signals between the MCM and the panel. The MCF has a first end at which the multiple fiber cores are coupled to the MCM, and a second end at which the multiple fiber cores are connected to the optical-to-optical connector on the panel.

Abstract: A network device includes an enclosure, a multi-chip module (MCM), an optical-to-optical connector, and a multi-core fiber (MCF) interconnect. The enclosure has a panel. The MCM is inside the enclosure. The optical-to-optical connector, which is mounted on the panel of the enclosure, is configured to transfer a plurality of optical communication signals. The MCF interconnect has a first end coupled to the MCM and a second end connected to the optical-to-optical connector on the panel, for routing the plurality of optical communication signals between the MCM and the panel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for enabling flexible signal pathways within a satellite of a satellite communications system. For example, a pathway selection subsystem in a bent-pipe satellite enables a flexible arrangement of non-processed signal pathways that couple uplink antenna ports with downlink antenna ports via uplink and downlink pathway selectors. The pathway selectors can be dynamically reconfigured (e.g., on orbit), so that the configuration of the pathway selectors at one time can form one set of signal pathways between respective uplink and downlink antenna ports, and the configuration at another time can form a different set of signal pathways between respective uplink and downlink antenna ports. The pathway selection subsystem can have a simulcast mode which, when active, couples each of at least one of the uplink antenna ports with multiple of the user downlink antenna ports to form one or more simulcast signal pathways.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for enabling flexible signal pathways within a satellite of a satellite communications system. For example, a pathway selection subsystem in a bent-pipe satellite enables a flexible arrangement of non-processed signal pathways that couple uplink antenna ports with downlink antenna ports via uplink and downlink pathway selectors. The pathway selectors can be dynamically reconfigured (e.g., on orbit), so that the configuration of the pathway selectors at one time can form one set of signal pathways between respective uplink and downlink antenna ports, and the configuration at another time can form a different set of signal pathways between respective uplink and downlink antenna ports. The pathway selection subsystem can have a simulcast mode which, when active, couples each of at least one of the uplink antenna ports with multiple of the user downlink antenna ports to form one or more simulcast signal pathways.

Abstract: A universal multi-core fiber (UMCF) interconnect includes multiple optical fiber cores and a shared cladding. Each of the optical fiber cores is configured to convey first optical communication signals having a first carrier wavelength using multi-mode propagation, and to convey second optical communication signals having a second carrier wavelength using single-mode propagation. The shared cladding encloses the multiple optical fiber cores.

Abstract: A system includes a pair of network devices, a universal multi-core fiber (UMCF) interconnect, and a pair of wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) devices. Each network device includes (i) first optical communication devices configured to communicate first optical signals having a first carrier wavelength and (ii) second optical communication devices configured to communicate second optical signals having a second carrier wavelength. The universal multi-core fiber (UMCF) interconnect includes multiple cores that are configured to convey the first optical signals and the second optical signals between the network devices, using single-mode propagation for the first optical signals and multi-mode propagation for the second optical signals. Each WDM device is connected between a respective network device and the UMCF interconnect and configured to couple the first and second optical communication devices of the respective network device to the cores in accordance with a defined channel assignment.

Abstract: A universal multi-core fiber (UMCF) interconnect includes multiple optical fiber cores and a shared cladding. Each of the optical fiber cores is configured to convey first optical communication signals having a first carrier wavelength using multi-mode propagation, and to convey second optical communication signals having a second carrier wavelength using single-mode propagation. The shared cladding encloses the multiple optical fiber cores.

Abstract: A network device includes an enclosure, a multi-chip module (MCM), an optical-to-optical connector, and a multi-core fiber (MCF) interconnect. The enclosure has a panel. The MCM is inside the enclosure. The optical-to-optical connector, which is mounted on the panel of the enclosure, is configured to transfer a plurality of optical communication signals. The MCF interconnect has a first end coupled to the MCM and a second end connected to the optical-to-optical connector on the panel, for routing the plurality of optical communication signals between the MCM and the panel.

Abstract: A network device includes an enclosure, a multi-chip module (MCM), an optical-to-optical connector, and a multi-core fiber (MCF) interconnect. The enclosure has a panel. The MCM is inside the enclosure. The optical-to-optical connector, which is mounted on the panel of the enclosure, is configured to transfer a plurality of optical communication signals. The MCF interconnect includes multiple fiber cores for routing the plurality of optical communication signals between the MCF and the panel. The MCF has a first end at which the multiple fiber cores are coupled to the MCM, and a second end at which the multiple fiber cores are connected to the optical-to-optical connector on the panel.

Abstract: Embodiments provide techniques for dynamic spot beam assignment in a geostationary satellite communications network. For example, a ground processing node in the geostationary satellite network can monitor spot beam coverage area location and can detect a beam drift trigger indicating present drifting of one or more coverage areas. Ground terminals can be identified as serviced by spot beams associated with the drifting coverage area(s) and as experiencing a signal quality impact from the drifting. The ground terminal node can compute an update to a beam assignment map having a reassignment of the identified user terminals from their presently servicing spot beams to another of the spot beams in a manner that seeks to address at least some of the signal quality impact identified as associated with the drifting. Some embodiments further account for load balancing, and/or other factors, and/or can maintain stateful communications between the reassigned user terminals and the geostationary satellite.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for enabling flexible signal pathways within a satellite of a satellite communications system. For example, a pathway selection subsystem in a bent-pipe satellite enables a flexible arrangement of non-processed signal pathways that couple uplink antenna ports with downlink antenna ports via uplink and downlink pathway selectors. The pathway selectors can be dynamically reconfigured (e.g., on orbit), so that the configuration of the pathway selectors at one time can form one set of signal pathways between respective uplink and downlink antenna ports, and the configuration at another time can form a different set of signal pathways between respective uplink and downlink antenna ports. The pathway selection subsystem can have a simulcast mode which, when active, couples each of at least one of the uplink antenna ports with multiple of the user downlink antenna ports to form one or more simulcast signal pathways.

Abstract: Embodiments provide techniques for dynamic spot beam assignment in a geostationary satellite communications network. For example, a ground processing node in the geostationary satellite network can monitor spot beam coverage area location and can detect a beam drift trigger indicating present drifting of one or more coverage areas. Ground terminals can be identified as serviced by spot beams associated with the drifting coverage area(s) and as experiencing a signal quality impact from the drifting. The ground terminal node can compute an update to a beam assignment map having a reassignment of the identified user terminals from their presently servicing spot beams to another of the spot beams in a manner that seeks to address at least some of the signal quality impact identified as associated with the drifting. Some embodiments further account for load balancing, and/or other factors, and/or can maintain stateful communications between the reassigned user terminals and the geostationary satellite.

Abstract: A power system includes one or more notification circuits for powering notification devices, a backup power source, and a plurality of primary power supplies. The primary power supplies are configured to provide a combined current to the notification circuits. Each primary power supply regulates its output current to equal a highest output current provided by one of the primary power supplies so that each contributes approximately the same current to the load. The primary power supplies also include boost regulator circuits for boosting the voltage of the backup power supply.

Abstract: A notification appliance circuit (NAC) includes notification devices having a high capacity rechargeable energy storage device such as a supercapacitor and a strobe circuit. The supercapacitor can provide energy to produce flashes over an extended time period without fully discharging. The notification devices can also make use of the fallback power strategy in which the strobe circuit operates with reduced intensity while the supercapacitor is being recharged.

Abstract: A system includes a capacitor, a plurality of notification devices connected in parallel with the capacitor, and a controller. The controller is capable of determining capacitance of the capacitor during charge-up of the capacitor, and the controller is capable of determining the wiring impedance of the emergency notification circuit during discharge of the capacitor.

Abstract: A system for isolating faults in emergency systems, the system including first and second power lines, and one or more zones. Each zone has first and second zone line isolators, the first zone line isolator is connected between the first power line and the respective zone, and the second line isolator is connected between the second power line and the respective zone. Each first line isolator is configured to disconnect the zone from the first power line upon occurrence of a short circuit in the zone. Each second line isolator is configured to connect power from the second power line upon occurrence of an open circuit in the zone.

Abstract: A method for protecting memory segments of a memory device is provided. The method includes receiving, by a processor coupled to the memory device, a request to allocate memory from an application, being executed by the processor, wherein the request includes a requested memory size and allocating, by the processor, a portion of memory having a size greater than the requested memory size. The method also includes creating, by the processor, a permitted read counter associated with the allocated portion of memory, wherein the permitted read counter is initialized to an initial value, and determining, by the processor, whether access to the memory segment is permitted using the permitted read counter. A system for protecting memory segments of a memory device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system includes a capacitor, a plurality of notification devices connected in parallel with the capacitor, and a controller. The controller is capable of determining capacitance of the capacitor during charge-up of the capacitor, and the controller is capable of determining the wiring impedance of the emergency notification circuit during discharge of the capacitor.

Abstract: A system for isolating faults in emergency systems, the system including first and second power lines, and one or more zones. Each zone has first and second zone line isolators, the first zone line isolator is connected between the first power line and the respective zone, and the second line isolator is connected between the second power line and the respective zone. Each first line isolator is configured to disconnect the zone from the first power line upon occurrence of a short circuit in the zone. Each second line isolator is configured to connect power from the second power line upon occurrence of an open circuit in the zone.