Abstract: A method of operation in a communications node is disclosed. The method of operation includes combining a first of a plurality of latency sensitive signaling/control traffic with a first of a plurality of latency sensitive data, and transmitting the first latency sensitive signaling/control traffic in combination with the first latency sensitive data. Embodiments of the present invention include but are not limited to communications nodes and devices, subsystems, and systems equipped to operate in the above described manner.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for communicating in a wireless network using multi-protocol label switching (MPLS). A network service node is configured to send identical packets substantially simultaneously to each of a serving network access station and one or more target network access stations via two or more respective MPLS tunnels in response to a handoff trigger message. Additional embodiments and variations are also disclosed.

Abstract: A smokable rod for a smoking article, such as a cigarette, possesses a co-axial or concentric construction. A longitudinally extending inner core of tobacco cut filler is positioned within a smokable rod. The outer material that circumscribes the inner core in an annular fashion is composed of a tobacco material treated with an optional burn suppressing agent, and the outer material acts as a substrate for an aerosol forming material. A preferred aerosol forming material is glycerin. An outer paper wrapper circumscribes the length of the smokable rod, and another paper wrapping material also can circumscribe the inner core material. In use, one end of the smokable rod is lit. When the opposite end of the smokable rod is drawn upon, an aerosol composed of tobacco smoke, thermal decomposition products of tobacco, and volatilized aerosol forming material, is provided.

Abstract: A method and system for open-loop congestion control in a system fabric is described. The method includes determining which traffic class each received network packet belongs, determining a path to be taken by each packet through a switch fabric, classifying each packet into one of a plurality of flow bundles based on the packet's destination and path through the switch fabric, mapping each packet into one of a plurality of queues to await transmission based on the flow bundle to which the packet has been classified, and scheduling the packets in the queues for transmission to a next destination through the switch fabric.

Abstract: A method and system for a network node for attachment to switch fabrics is described. The system includes an access unit to provide access to communications from an external network, a classification element to label received packets with information identifying an associated flow and queue, a mapping element to place the packets into one of a plurality of queues based on the label identifiers, a scheduler to schedule packets in the queues for transmission, and an encapsulation element to encapsulate the scheduled packets into uniform size frames. The uniform size frames may then be transmitted to a next destination through a switch fabric.

Abstract: A circular cross-sectional fuel pipe can be prevented from undesired rotation in an engine cylinder head, by a key-key slot combination having a relatively small radial dimension. The key slot is formed by a groove formed in a cylindrical sleeve that is press fit in a counterbore machined in the cylinder head. The mating key can be a ball, or pin, or bar press fit into a side surface of the fuel pipe.