Abstract: A method of interstitial pre-discharge in a circuit includes providing the circuit, which includes a pre-charge node coupled to a clock evaluate node operable to receive a clock evaluate input cycle. Multiple pull-down stacks each including an interstitial node interconnect between the pre-charge node and ground. The interstitial node of each pull-down stack couples to an interstitial discharger device gated to ground. The method further includes operating the circuit in a pre-charge phase of the clock evaluate input cycle, including pre-charging the pre-charge node and the interstitial nodes, and keeping the devices in the pull-down stacks and the interstitial dischargers in a high impedance state. The method additionally includes operating the circuit in an evaluate phase of the clock cycle, including discharging the pre-charge node to ground through a pull-down stack, and discharging the interstitial node to ground through the interstitial discharger device to preclude charge share.

Abstract: A non-autonomous fiber optic network having the capability of monitoring optical data communications of said fiber optic network comprises an optical fiber cable which provides an optical medium (i.e., bus) for communicating optical signals. A bus controller controls the communications of optical information on the optical fiber cable. The bus controller also monitors the optical information outputted on the optical fiber cable, thereby verifying the integrity of the optical information transmitted to terminals connected to the optical fiber cable. An optical interface of the bus controller taps a percentage of power that is outputted onto the optical fiber bus and routes that signal to a receiver unit of the bus controller. The signal coupled back to the receiver unit is utilized by the bus controller to monitor the integrity of the transmitted data that is outputted on the optical fiber bus.

Abstract: The fiber optic network of the present invention is within a structure having a plurality of bulkheads. The network comprises a plurality of terminal groups, each terminal group having at least one terminal. The network includes a reflective star coupler having m ports, m corresponding to the number of terminal groups. The terminal groups (having more than one terminal) include a 1.times.n transmissive coupler having 1 input port and n output ports, the input port being connected to the reflective star coupler via one of the m fiber optic cables, such that each bulkhead has a single fiber optic cable passing through the bulkhead.