Abstract: A communication system having a proxy architecture is disclosed. The system includes a platform that provides performance enhancing functions. The platform includes a backbone connection apparatus that routes information within a communication system. The backbone connection apparatus receives backbone connection parameters from the platform and maintains the current parameters in one or more backbone connection profiles. The backbone connection apparatus routes packets of information throughout the communication system based on the backbone connection profile. The backbone connection apparatus supports the use of different backbone protocol for different types of backbone links. Further, in a configuration where multiple backbone links of different types exist, the backbone connection apparatus supports the use of a different backbone protocol for each type of link at the same time.

Abstract: A network apparatus for providing performance enhancements of a communication network is disclosed. The network apparatus includes a plurality of communication interfaces that are configured to receive and to forward messages according to a prescribed protocol. The network apparatus also includes a plurality of modules configured to process the messages to effect performance enhancing functions. Further, the network apparatus includes a plurality of buffers that are configured to store the received messages and messages that are generated by one of the plurality of modules. A portion of the plurality of buffers is shared by the plurality of modules based upon execution of a particular one of the performance enhancing functions. Each of the plurality of buffers has a data structure that includes an expandable header to accommodate different message types. The present invention has particular applicability to a bandwidth constrained system, such as satellite network.

Abstract: A communication system having a proxy architecture is disclosed. The system includes a platform that provides performance enhancing functions. The platform includes a management protocol agent that gathers information associated with the platform. The system also includes a network management system that communicates with the platform. The network management system receives information from the management protocol agent. The information provides at least one of event data and alarm data, wherein the platform has a profile that specifies configuration parameters. The network management system is configured to selectively modify the profile in response to the received information and to forward the modified profile to the platform. The above arrangement has particular applicability to a bandwidth constrained communication system, such as a satellite network.

Abstract: A communication system having a proxy architecture is disclosed. The system includes a platform that provides performance enhancing functions. The platform includes a prioritization apparatus that routes information within a communication system. The prioritization apparatus receives prioritization parameters from the platform and maintains the current parameters in one or more prioritization profiles. The prioritization apparatus routes packets of information throughout the communication system based on the prioritization profile. The above arrangement has particular applicability to a bandwidth constrained communication system, such as a satellite network.

Abstract: A communication system having a proxy architecture is disclosed. The system includes a platform that provides performance enhancing functions. The platform includes a path selection/activation apparatus that routes information within a communication system. The path selection/activation apparatus receives path selection and path activation parameters from the platform and maintains the current parameters in one or more path selection/activation profiles. The path selection/activation apparatus routes packets of information throughout the communication system based on the path selection and/or path activation profile. The above arrangement has particular applicability to a bandwidth constrained communication system, such as a satellite network.

Abstract: A flexible induction heating coil comprising an elongated flexible core having proximal and distal ends. The core includes a plurality of core segments flexibly interconnected to make the core more flexible than the individual core segments. An elongated flexible inductor extends along the core.

Abstract: A thermal gate for turning on or off the flow of molten molding material into a mold cavity comprises a narrow passage formed by an extremely thin-walled tube of iron-nickel alloy surrounded by a thin sleeve of insulation, this sub-assembly being inserted into a water-cooled mold. When the tube is supplied with electric current, it rapidly heats to a temperature above the melting point of the molding material, permitting such material to flow into the mold cavity. The thin insulating sleeve maintains a temperature gradient across its wall thickness to permit the tube to remain at the desired temperature without undue power input. When it is desired to stop flow of material through the passage, the current is shut off, and the low thermal inertia of the tube and sleeve permit the tube to rapidly transfer its heat to the water-cooled mold, thereby freezing the molding material in the passage.