Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method of transmitting and switching multimedia data over an Ethernet network. The method includes allocating a portion of an Ethernet bandwidth for channel allocation, receiving a multimedia signal, assigning a channel allocation priority to the multimedia signal, transmitting data including the channel allocation priority in the allocated portion of the Ethernet bandwidth, performing video predictive coding on the multimedia signal to create a video predictive coded multimedia signal, and transmitting the video predictive coded multimedia signal over the network in real time. The multimedia signal comprises a composite video signal.

Abstract: An optical fiber-based distribution system for converting color video and stereo audio electrical signals for transmission over the fewest possible number of optical fiber cables and for then re-converting such signals back to electrical format for use at each projection room in a multi-theater complex. The color video signals include the red R, green G and blue B color video signals and attendant synchronization signals, horizontal synch H and vertical synch V. The audio signals include left L and right R channel stereo signals. The five electrical video signals R, G, B, V, H are converted in an RGB transmitter to three distinct optical signals for transmission over three fiber optic cables and the two electrical audio stereo signals L, R are converted in a stereo audio transmitter for transmission over one fiber optic cable.

Abstract: The present invention provides an access device which includes a timeslot allocation table having timeslot allocation information and a transmitter coupled to the timeslot allocation table. The transmitter transmits data and updated timeslot allocation information in accordance with the timeslot allocation information. The access device further includes at least one input channel where the transmitter allocates timeslot lengths for the at least one input channel according to the timeslot allocation information. The timeslot allocation table receives updated timeslot allocation information and the transmitter reallocates timeslot lengths according to the updated timeslot allocation information. The timeslot allocation table further includes timeslot allocation information for each of the at least one input channel.

Abstract: A fiber optic link platform in a miniature card cage configuration that is designed for installation into conventional floor and wall boxes. The platform of the present invention comprises a plurality of contiguously mounted fiber link communications modules in a ruggedized card cage, as well as a common power supply module that provides the appropriate voltage and current to power all of the remaining modules. The fiber optic link platform typically uses from one to many multimode or single mode optical fibers depending on the communication function and the number of transmit or receive units. The module/card cage configuration permits selections of those communications functions likely to be utilized at each floor box location.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that provides access between an enterprise network and at least one of a metropolitan area network and a wide area network. The apparatus includes an enterprise area network connection, a controller coupled to the enterprise area network connection, the controller providing Layer 1 and Layer 2 service, and a central office connection coupled to a central office, the central office providing Layer 3 and Layer 4 service. The controller transmits unmapped data across the central office connection to the central office and the central office maps the unmapped data onto a desired format.

Abstract: A self-routing switching node that includes an optical associative memory processor that receives packet header information and a switching array coupled to the optical associative memory processor. The switching array receives control signals from the optical associative memory processor. The self-routing switching node also includes a buffer memory coupled to the optical associative memory processor that stores data packet information. The self-routing switching node further includes a vertical cavity surface emitting laser that transforms electronic packet header information into optical header information.

Abstract: A self-routing switching node that includes an optical associative memory processor that receives packet header information and a switching array coupled to the optical associative memory processor. The switching array receives control signals from the optical associative memory processor. The self-routing switching node also includes a buffer memory coupled to the optical associative memory processor that stores data packet information. The self-routing switching node further includes a vertical cavity surface emitting laser that transforms electronic packet header information into optical header information.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method of transmitting and switching multimedia data over an Ethernet network. The method includes allocating a portion of an Ethernet bandwidth for channel allocation, receiving a multimedia signal, assigning a channel allocation priority to the multimedia signal, transmitting data including the channel allocation priority in the allocated portion of the Ethernet bandwidth, performing video predictive coding on the multimedia signal to create a video predictive coded multimedia signal, and transmitting the video predictive coded multimedia signal over the network in real time. The multimedia signal comprises a composite video signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides an access device which includes a timeslot allocation table having timeslot allocation information and a transmitter coupled to the timeslot allocation table. The transmitter transmits data and updated timeslot allocation information in accordance with the timeslot allocation information. The access device further includes at least one input channel where the transmitter allocates timeslot lengths for the at least one input channel according to the timeslot allocation information. The timeslot allocation table receives updated timeslot allocation information and the transmitter reallocates timeslot lengths according to the updated timeslot allocation information. The timeslot allocation table further includes timeslot allocation information for each of the at least one input channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compressing and transmitting data across a network. Packets of data are received. The packets of data are combined based on packet header destination information to form a first combined file. The first combined file is compressed to form a first compressed file. The first compressed file is transmitting across the network. The first compressed file is repacketized to form a repacketized first compressed file and the repacketized first compressed file is transmitted across the network. The packets combined to form the first combined file have headers addressed to the same first subnetwork and the first subnetwork comprises a plurality of users. Headers addressed to the first subnetwork are inserted on the packets of the repacketized first compressed file. A second group of packets of data with headers addressed to a second subnetwork is selected. the second group of packets of data is combined to form a second combined file. The second combined file is compressed and transmitted.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that provides access between an enterprise network and at least one of a metropolitan area network and a wide area network. The apparatus includes an enterprise area network connection, a controller coupled to the enterprise area network connection, the controller providing Layer 1 and Layer 2 service, and a central office connection coupled to a central office, the central office providing Layer 3 and Layer 4 service. The controller transmits unmapped data across the central office connection to the central office and the central office maps the unmapped data onto a desired format.

Abstract: Systems and methods for time division multiplexing are described. A time division multiplexer-demultiplexer system includes I) a signal transmitting system for transmittal of a serialized signal including A) latency free continuous data and B) at least one member selected from the group consisting of bursty data and packetized data, the signal transmitting system including a multiplexer and a timing control block; and II) a signal receiving system for reception of the signal without disrupting the laminarity of the latency free continuous data, the signal receiving system including a demultiplexer and a sequence detector. The systems and methods provide advantages in that continuous data can be simultaneously transmitted with bursty data and/or packetized data on the same tie line without disrupting the laminarity of the continuous data.