Abstract: A first communication device receives a set of bits for transmission over a plurality of lanes of an optical communication link. The optical communication link includes a larger number of lanes than a number of lanes needed to support transmission at a particular clock rate to provide a maximum speed supported by the optical communication link. The first communication device multiplexes the set of data bits for transmission over respective lanes and transmits the multiplexed set of bits over the lanes to a second communication device. The first communication device uses the larger number of lanes for transmission of error correction code bits in addition to the set of bits at the particular clock rate over the plurality of lanes at the maximum speed supported by the optical communication link and/or uses the larger number of lanes to provide one or more redundancy lanes in the optical communication link.

Abstract: A communication device includes a plurality of communication pipelines configured to receive respective input data streams and a multiplexer coupled to the plurality of communication pipelines. The multiplexer is configured to generate an output data stream by combining the input data streams and to insert one or more special characters into the output data stream in response to a fault with one of the communication pipelines.

Abstract: A communication device is configured to receive data at a first data rate and to transmit the data at a second data rate that is greater than the first data rate. The communication device includes a plurality of communication pipelines and a multiplexer. Each communication pipeline is configured to receive a respective input data stream including first data blocks having a first format compatible for transmission at the first data rate, convert the first data blocks into second data blocks having a second format compatible for transmission at the second data rate, and provide an indication when one of the input data streams that is expected to be received is not received. The multiplexer is configured to receive the second data blocks from the communication pipelines and to generate an output data stream for transmission at the second data rate when one of the input data streams is not received.

Abstract: A propulsion unit for a wellbore tool includes a tool body and at least one wheel section disposed along the tool body. The wheel section comprises a tractor pad movably coupled to a tractor housing coupled to the tool body. The tractor pad is movable only in a lateral direction with respect to the tool body. A wheel rotatably is supported in the tractor pad so as to contact a wall of a wellbore when the tractor pad is moved away from the tractor housing. An hydraulic motor is rotationally coupled to the wheel. The hydraulic motor comprises a displacement changing element operable to change displacement of the hydraulic motor. The unit comprises means for moving the tractor pad between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: A communication device is configured to receive data at a first data rate and to transmit the data at a second data rate that is greater than the first data rate. The communication device includes a plurality of communication pipelines and a multiplexer. Each communication pipeline is configured to receive a respective input data stream including first data blocks having a first format compatible for transmission at the first data rate, convert the first data blocks into second data blocks having a second format compatible for transmission at the second data rate, and provide an indication when one of the input data streams that is expected to be received is not received. The multiplexer is configured to receive the second data blocks from the communication pipelines and to generate an output data stream for transmission at the second data rate when one of the input data streams is not received.

Abstract: The present invention is direct to data communication. In a specific embodiment, multiple independent data streams, which are at a first data rate, are transcoded by separate communication pipelines into data blocks. The data blocks, associated with these separate and independent data streams, are multiplexed with alignment markers to generate an output data stream. The output data stream is transmitted at a second data rate, which is higher than the first data rate.

Abstract: The present invention is direct to data communication. In a specific embodiment, multiple independent data streams, which are at a first data rate, are transcoded by separate communication pipelines into data blocks. The data blocks, associated with these separate and independent data streams, are multiplexed with alignment markers to generate an output data stream. The output data stream is transmitted at a second data rate, which is higher than the first data rate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to data communication. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides switching mechanism for choosing between redundant communication links. Data received from a first set of communication links are processed to have alignment markers removed, and first figure of merit value is determined based on the data without alignment markers. Similarly, a second figure of merit value is determined for the data received from the second set of communication links. A switch selects between the first set of communication links and the second set of communication links based on their respective figure of merit values. Alignment markers are inserted into the data transmitted through the selected set of data links. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to data communication. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides switching mechanism for choosing between redundant communication links. Data received from a first set of communication links are processed to have alignment markers removed, and first figure of merit value is determined based on the data without alignment markers. Similarly, a second figure of merit value is determined for the data received from the second set of communication links. A switch selects between the first set of communication links and the second set of communication links based on their respective figure of merit values. Alignment markers are inserted into the data transmitted through the selected set of data links. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to data communication. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides switching mechanism for choosing between redundant communication links. Data received from a first set of communication links are processed to have alignment markers removed, and first figure of merit value is determined based on the data without alignment markers. Similarly, a second figure of merit value is determined for the data received from the second set of communication links. A switch selects between the first set of communication links and the second set of communication links based on their respective figure of merit values. Alignment markers are inserted into the data transmitted through the selected set of data links. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to data communication. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides switching mechanism for choosing between redundant communication links. Data received from a first set of communication links are processed to have alignment markers removed, and first figure of merit value is determined based on the data without alignment markers. Similarly, a second figure of merit value is determined for the data received from the second set of communication links. A switch selects between the first set of communication links and the second set of communication links based on their respective figure of merit values. Alignment markers are inserted into the data transmitted through the selected set of data links. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to data communication. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides switching mechanism for choosing between redundant communication links. Data received from a first set of communication links are processed to have alignment markers removed, and first figure of merit value is determined based on the data without alignment markers. Similarly, a second figure of merit value is determined for the data received from the second set of communication links. A switch selects between the first set of communication links and the second set of communication links based on their respective figure of merit values. Alignment markers are inserted into the data transmitted through the selected set of data links. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: A propulsion unit for a wellbore tool includes a tool body and at least one wheel section disposed along the tool body. The wheel section comprises a tractor pad movably coupled to a tractor housing coupled to the tool body. The tractor pad is movable only in a lateral direction with respect to the tool body. A wheel rotatably is supported in the tractor pad so as to contact a wall of a wellbore when the tractor pad is moved away from the tractor housing. An hydraulic motor is rotationally coupled to the wheel. The hydraulic motor comprises a displacement changing element operable to change displacement of the hydraulic motor. The unit comprises means for moving the tractor pad between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to data communication. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides switching mechanism for choosing between redundant communication links. Data received from a first set of communication links are processed to have alignment markers removed, and first figure of merit value is determined based on the data without alignment markers. Similarly, a second figure of merit value is determined for the data received from the second set of communication links. A switch selects between the first set of communication links and the second set of communication links based on their respective figure of merit values. Alignment markers are inserted into the data transmitted through the selected set of data links. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to data communication. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides switching mechanism for choosing between redundant communication links. Data received from a first set of communication links are processed to have alignment markers removed, and first figure of merit value is determined based on the data without alignment markers. Similarly, a second figure of merit value is determined for the data received from the second set of communication links. A switch selects between the first set of communication links and the second set of communication links based on their respective figure of merit values. Alignment markers are inserted into the data transmitted through the selected set of data links. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to data communication. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides switching mechanism for choosing between redundant communication links. Data received from a first set of communication links are processed to have alignment markers removed, and first figure of merit value is determined based on the data without alignment markers. Similarly, a second figure of merit value is determined for the data received from the second set of communication links. A switch selects between the first set of communication links and the second set of communication links based on their respective figure of merit values. Alignment markers are inserted into the data transmitted through the selected set of data links. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to data communication. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides switching mechanism for choosing between redundant communication links. Data received from a first set of communication links are processed to have alignment markers removed, and first figure of merit value is determined based on the data without alignment markers. Similarly, a second figure of merit value is determined for the data received from the second set of communication links. A switch selects between the first set of communication links and the second set of communication links based on their respective figure of merit values. Alignment markers are inserted into the data transmitted through the selected set of data links. There are other embodiments as well.