Abstract: Techniques are described for maintaining the extinction ratio of an output optical signal over temperature and aging. In some examples, the techniques may determine the instantaneous slope efficiency of the laser outputting the optical signal, while the laser is outputting the optical signal. Based on the determined slope efficiency, the techniques may determine the needed drive current components (e.g., at least one of the bias current and the modulation current) that results in maintaining the extinction ratio to within a desired range.

Abstract: A system comprises an optical network terminal (ONT) that terminates an optical fiber link of an optical network to provide an optical network interface. The ONT may include an optical module that receives optical signals via the optical fiber link and converts the optical signals to electrical signals and an optical media access control (MAC) unit that converts at least some of the electrical signals to data units. The optical MAC unit may be selectively configurable to support a plurality of optical network protocols. For example, the optical MAC unit is selectively configurable to support two or more of BPON protocol, a GPON protocol, a GEPON protocol and an active Ethernet protocol. In one instance, the optical MAC unit is selectively configurable to support at least one active optical network protocol and at least one passive optical network protocol.

Abstract: A system comprises an optical network terminal (ONT) that provides an interface to a passive optical network (PON). The ONT is coupled to a subscriber gateway device via at least one cable. The ONT may be located outside a subscriber premises while the subscriber gateway device may be located within the subscriber premises. The ONT converts optical signals received from PON to electrical signals and transmits the electrical signals to the subscriber gateway device without performing any MAC layer functions. The subscriber gateway device includes an optical media access control (MAC) unit that converts the electrical signals into MAC layer signals and a gateway unit that distributes the MAC layer signals to one or more subscriber devices. In this manner the MAC and gateway layer functions are relocated from the ONT to the subscriber gateway device.

Abstract: One or more example techniques of this disclosure may be directed to providing a diversity of ways in which a network interface device may receive information from or transmit information to one or more of subscriber devices within a subscriber premises. For example, the network interface device may wirelessly transmit and receive information. The network interface device may also be coupled to a power supply device, and may receive information from and transmit information to the power supply device. The power supply device may receive information from and transmit information to the one or more of the subscriber devices utilizing wireless techniques and/or power line communication (PLC) techniques.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an optical network terminal (ONT) for use in a passive optical network (PON) that provides reliable battery status reporting and, optionally, remote monitoring and configuration of an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) unit. In particular, the UPS unit provides power to the ONT via a power line and transmits data to the ONT via the power line. Generally, the described invention supports one-way or two-way communication of status, alarm, and configuration signals using a single power line. Specifically, such signals may be transmitted over the power line by inserting a carrier frequency, such as a carrier frequency of approximately 1 MHz, onto the power line. In this manner, the invention may provide a simple battery status monitoring system while also reducing the cost of installation.

Abstract: A system comprises an optical network terminal (ONT) that terminates an optical fiber link of an optical network to provide an optical network interface. The ONT may include an optical module that receives optical signals via the optical fiber link and converts the optical signals to electrical signals and an optical media access control (MAC) unit that converts at least some of the electrical signals to data units. The optical MAC unit may be selectively configurable to support a plurality of optical network protocols. For example, the optical MAC unit is selectively configurable to support two or more of BPON protocol, a GPON protocol, a GEPON protocol and an active Ethernet protocol. In one instance, the optical MAC unit is selectively configurable to support at least one active optical network protocol and at least one passive optical network protocol.

Abstract: A system comprises an optical network terminal (ONT) that provides an interface to a passive optical network (PON). The ONT is coupled to a subscriber gateway device via at least one cable. The ONT may be located outside a subscriber premises while the subscriber gateway device may be located within the subscriber premises. The ONT converts optical signals received from PON to electrical signals and transmits the electrical signals to the subscriber gateway device without performing any MAC layer functions. The subscriber gateway device includes an optical media access control (MAC) unit that converts the electrical signals into MAC layer signals and a gateway unit that distributes the MAC layer signals to one or more subscriber devices. In this manner the MAC and gateway layer functions are relocated from the ONT to the subscriber gateway device.

Abstract: Manufacturing lines include inspection systems for monitoring the quality of parts produced. Manufacturing lines for making semiconductor devices generally inspect each fabricated part. The information obtained is used to fix manufacturing problems in the semiconductor fab plant. A machine-vision system for inspecting devices includes a light source for propagating light to the device and an image detector that receives light from the device. The devices, such as semiconductors, are placed in trays for inspection at one or more inspection stations. A compartment for holding a plurality of trays is positioned near a first inspection station having a first inspection surface. An elevator elevates one of the trays from the compartment and presents the tray and the devices held by the tray to the first inspection surface. After being inspected at a first station, a tray-transfer device moves the tray from the first inspection station to a flipper mechanism. The flipper mechanism includes two jaws and a rotator.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for using a field-programmable gate-array circuit as a crossbar switch. In order to connect a first port of the crossbar switch to a second port, an address within the field-programmable gate-array circuit is calculated, and a first data pattern to load at that address is determined. A second data pattern to load at that address is determined in order to disconnect the first port from the second port. The first port is then connected to the second port by loading the first data pattern at the calculated address in the field-programmable gate-array circuit. Subsequently the first port is disconnected from the second port by loading the second data pattern at the calculated address in the field-programmable gate-array circuit. Mechanisms are provided for analog or digital ports, for multiple-bit digital ports, for combinations of logical functions with the crossbar-switch functions, and for latching the data within the crossbar switch.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting a fluid surface and a circuit for an ultrasonic transducer for detecting such a fluid surface. In accordance with the method, an ultrasonic transducer driver generates a first voltage proportional to the resonant frequency of the ultrasonic transducer. A reference voltage is generated and the reference voltage and the first voltage are monitored and compared, and a surface detect signal is generated when the first voltage drops below the reference voltage. The circuit of the invention includes means for generating a first voltage proportional to the resonant frequency of the transducer, means for generating a reference voltage, and a comparator for monitoring the first and reference voltages and generating a surface detect signal when the first voltage drops below the reference voltage.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a variable attenuator for attenuating alternating signals, preferably, in a frequency band extending from approximately 10 Hz to 30 MHz. The invention utilizes a junction field-effect transistor (JFET) as a variable impedance. The low drain-to-source capacitance exhibited by the JFET allows it to be modeled as a variable resistor or potentiometer. Further, the low drain-to-source capacitance of the JFET improves the bandwidth of the attenuator. A remote DC control signal defines the resistance provided by the JFET. A feedback loop, responsive to the resistance of the JFET and the remote control signal, controls the resistance provided by the JFET in a linear manner. The DC control signal is low-pass filtered at the feedback loop to reduce any high frequency noise acquired during transmission.