Abstract: A near-optimal scheduling method for a group of elevators uses advance traffic information. More particularly, advance traffic information is used to define a snapshot problem (24) in which the objective is to improve performance for customers. To solve the snapshot problem (24), the objective function is transformed into a form to facilitate the decomposition of the problem into individual car subproblems (26). The subproblems (26) are independently solved using a two-level formulation, with passenger to car assignment (28) at the higher level, and the dispatching of individual cars (30) at the lower level. Near-optimal passenger selection and individual car routing (38) are obtained. The individual cars are then coordinated through an iterative process (40, 42) to arrive at a group control solution that achieves a near-optimal result for passengers.

Abstract: A near-optimal scheduling method for a group of elevators uses advance traffic information. More particularly, advance traffic information is used to define a snapshot problem (24) in which the objective is to improve performance for customers. To solve the snapshot problem (24), the objective function is transformed into a form to facilitate the decomposition of the problem into individual car subproblems (26). The subproblems (26) are independently solved using a two-level formulation, with passenger to car assignment (28) at the higher level, and the dispatching of individual cars (30) at the lower level. Near-optimal passenger selection and individual car routing (38) are obtained. The individual cars are then coordinated through an iterative process (40, 42) to arrive at a group control solution that achieves a near-optimal result for passengers.

Abstract: A near-optimal scheduling method for a group of elevators uses advance traffic information. More particularly, advance traffic information is used to define a snapshot problem (24) in which the objective is to improve performance for customers. To solve the snapshot problem (24), the objective function is transformed into a form to facilitate the decomposition of the problem into individual car subproblems (26). The subproblems (26) are independently solved using a two-level formulation, with passenger to car assignment (28) at the higher level, and the dispatching of individual cars (30) at the lower level. Near-optimal passenger selection and individual car routing (38) are obtained. The individual cars are then coordinated through an iterative process (40, 42) to arrive at a group control solution that achieves a near-optimal result for passengers.

Abstract: A near-optimal scheduling method for a group of elevators uses advanced traffic information. More particularly, advanced traffic information is used to define a snapshot problem in which the objective is to improve performance for customers. To solve the snapshot problem, the objective function is transformed into a form to facilitate the decomposition of the problem into individual car subproblems. The subproblems are independently solved using a two-level formulation, with passenger to car assignment at the higher level, and the dispatching of individual cars at the lower level. Near-optimal passenger selection and individual car routing are obtained. The individual cars are then coordinated through an iterative process to arrive at a group control solution that achieves a near-optimal result for passengers.

Abstract: An optical waveguide amplifier fiber comprises a core region at least in part comprises Er2O3, Al2O3, GeO2 and Ga2O3. The amplifier fiber also comprises an inner clad surrounding the core region, and an outer clad surrounding the inner clad. The relative refractive index percentages and radii of the core region, inner clad and outer clad are chosen from the following ranges: the relative refractive index percent of the core segment within the range of from about 0.5% to about 1.2%; the relative refractive index percent of the inner clad within the range of from about 0.0% to about 0.3%; the outer radius of the core region within the range of from about 2.0 &mgr;m to about 5.0 &mgr;m; and, the outer radius of the inner clad within the range of from about 3.8 &mgr;m to about 10.2 &mgr;m.

Abstract: An optical communication system that includes an optical network is disclosed having a plurality of nodes and a plurality of optical fiber links which includes optical fiber links that interconnect the nodes. Signals passing through the network are similarly pre-compensated and/or similarly post-compensated. The network preferably includes dispersion-managed optical fiber spans, and preferably further includes distributed amplification, preferably erbium amplifiers and/or Raman amplifiers. Preferably, the network is transparent.

Abstract: A system and method for amplifying an optical signal within an optical waveguide amplifier including providing at least one optical waveguide amplifier having an input for receiving an optical source signal therein and an output, wherein a forward pumping direction extends from the input to the output and rearward pumping direction extends from the output to the input. The system also includes providing at least one excitation light source in optical communication with the optical waveguide amplifier and capable of generating at least one excitation light. The system further includes amplifying the source signal by pumping a first excitation light from the excitation light source in the rearward pumping direction, and amplifying the source signal by simultaneously pumping a second excitation light from the excitation light source in the forward direction.

Abstract: An optical waveguide amplifier fiber comprises a core region at least in part comprises Er2O3, Al2O3, GeO2 and Ga2O3. The amplifier fiber also comprises an inner clad surrounding the core region, and an outer clad surrounding the inner clad. The relative refractive index percentages and radii of the core region, inner clad and outer clad are chosen from the following ranges: the relative refractive index percent of the core segment within the range of from about 0.5% to about 1.2%; the relative refractive index percent of the inner clad within the range of from about 0.0% to about 0.3%; the outer radius of the core region within the range of from about 2.0 &mgr;m to about 5.0 &mgr;m; and, the outer radius of the inner clad within the range of from about 3.8 &mgr;m to about 10.2 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A system and method for amplifying an optical signal within an optical waveguide amplifier including providing at least one optical waveguide amplifier having an input for receiving an optical source signal therein and an output, wherein a forward pumping direction extends from the input to the output and rearward pumping direction extends from the output to the input. The system also includes providing at least one excitation light source in optical communication with the optical waveguide amplifier and capable of generating at least one excitation light. The system further includes amplifying the source signal by pumping a first excitation light from the excitation light source in the rearward pumping direction, and amplifying the source signal by simultaneously pumping a second excitation light from the excitation light source in the forward direction.