Abstract: Traffic is transported within a system in the form of TDM packets. These packets are generated at source line units and transported from the line units to a switch. The switch routes the packets to appropriate target line units based on information contained within the packet. At the switch, packets from the source line units may be merged. A gather function relies on each of the line units sourcing packets to exclusively drive lines at software-assigned timeslots within the packet. The switch performs a simple OR function of each byte in merging the packet payloads.

Abstract: An asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) downstream high speed cell bus interface protocol allows ADSL cell packets to be transmitted downstream from an ADSL bank control unit (ABCU) to a plurality of ADSL line units at a high rate of downstream throughput with flexible and efficient allocation of bandwidths and reduced error probability. The frame boundaries of an ADSL frame are derived from a conventional subscriber bus interface (SBI) frame for carrying conventional narrowband plain old telephone service (POTS) traffic, thereby allowing the ABCU and the ADSL line units to be implemented in existing channel banks with standard channel bank backplane traces.

Abstract: Traffic is transported within a system in the form of TDM packets. These packets are generated at source line units and transported from the line units to a switch. The switch routes the packets to appropriate target line units based on information contained within the packet. At the switch, packets from the source line units may be merged. A gather function relies on each of the line units sourcing packets to exclusively drive lines at software-assigned timeslots within the packet. The switch performs a simple OR function of each byte in merging the packet payloads.

Abstract: The specification discloses an automated apparatus and method for packaging surgical needles having sutures attached thereto wherein a bundle of needles and sutures are placed at a semi-automated separation station and an operator feeds the needles, one at a time, into a rotating needle feed wheel. As the feed wheel advances, the suture is tensioned and directed along a pre-determined path to separate it from the remaining sutures in the bundle. The apparatus has a plurality of individually rotatable tool nests which are sequentially spaced on a rotating or indexing turntable. These tool nests sequentially receive plastic packages for receiving the needle and suture at a first station. At a second station, a needle is inserted into the package by robotic fingers which have retrieved the needle and attached suture from the rotating needle feed wheel. The rotating needle feed wheel and the rotating tool nests are synchronized to step together as each advances.