Abstract: A ring switch for a ring network is provided. The ring switch includes at least one ring port that is coupleable to transport data packets in a ring network. Further, the ring switch includes at least one local port that is coupleable to at least one local area network. The ring switch also includes at least one address table that tracks the addresses of network devices associated with each port of the ring switch based on source addresses of data packets received at the ports of the ring switch. Data packets received at the at least one ring port that are not destined for a network device associated with any of the at least one local ports of the ring switch are switched to another ring switch coupled to the at least one ring port based on the at least one address table without the use of a token or encapsulating the packet.

Abstract: A ring network for transporting data packets between network devices is provided. The ring network includes a number of ring switches. Each ring switch has at least one ring port, at least one local port and at least one table that self learns which network devices are associated with each port of the ring switch based on a selected source identifier from the packets processed by the ring switch. The source and destination identifiers may, for example, be a media access control (MAC) address from an Ethernet packet, an Internet Protocol (IP) address, at least a portion of a hierarchical address, a combination of two or more identifiers at different protocol levels for the data packet, a port number of a universal datagram protocol, or other appropriate identifier. The at least one ring port of each ring switch is coupled to a ring port of another ring switch in the ring network.

Abstract: A telecommunications network is provided. The network uses a ring of ring switches to provide a transport mechanism for data packets that is transparent to the data and protocols contained in the data packets. This transport mechanism is simple and low cost to implement. Such networks can carry, for example, control data between a primary site and secondary sites of a cable network to set up and deliver pay per view, video on demand or near video on demand programming. The network can also be used, in other embodiments, to provide remote access to utility meters, to centralize network management of the cable network, and other appropriate monitoring and control functions.

Abstract: A telecommunications network is provided. The network uses a ring of ring switches to provide a transport mechanism for data packets that is transparent to the data and protocols contained in the data packets. This transport mechanism is simple and low cost to implement. Such networks can carry, for example, video signals between a primary site and secondary sites of a cable network to provide video on demand, near video on demand, distance learning and other video based services. Such networks can also provide telephony service as voice over IP.

Abstract: A telecommunications network is provided. The network uses a ring of ring switches to provide a transport mechanism for data packets that is transparent to the data and protocols contained in the data packets. This transport mechanism is simple and low cost to implement. Such networks can carry, for example, data to and from the Internet to a subscriber with a cable modem hook-up to a cable network or a DSL modem connection to a copper wire DSL enabled telephone network.

Abstract: A ring network for transporting data packets between network devices is provided. The ring network includes a number of ring switches. Each ring switch has at least one ring port, at least one local port and at least one table that self learns which network devices are associated with each port of the ring switch based on a selected source identifier from the packets processed by the ring switch. The source and destination identifiers may, for example, be a media access control (MAC) address from an Ethernet packet, an Internet Protocol (IP) address, at least a portion of a hierarchical address, a combination of two or more identifiers at different protocol levels for the data packet, a port number of a universal datagram protocol, or other appropriate identifier. The at least one ring port of each ring switch is coupled to a ring port of another ring switch in the ring network.

Abstract: A ring network for transporting data packets between network devices is provided. The ring network includes a number of ring switches. Each ring switch has at least one ring port, at least one local port and at least one table that self learns which network devices are associated with each port of the ring switch based on a selected source identifier from the packets processed by the ring switch. The source and destination identifiers may, for example, be a media access control (MAC) address from an Ethernet packet, an Internet Protocol (IP) address, at least a portion of a hierarchical address, a combination of two or more identifiers at different protocol levels for the data packet, a port number of a universal datagram protocol, or other appropriate identifier. The at least one ring port of each ring switch is coupled to a ring port of another ring switch in the ring network.

Abstract: A ring switch for a ring network is provided. The ring switch includes at least one ring port that is coupleable to transport data packets in a ring network. Further, the ring switch includes at least one local port that is coupleable to at least one local area network. The ring switch also includes at least one address table that tracks the addresses of network devices associated with each port of the ring switch based on source addresses of data packets received at the ports of the ring switch. Data packets received at the at least one ring port that are not destined for a network device associated with any of the at least one local ports of the ring switch are switched to another ring switch coupled to the at least one ring port based on the at least one address table without the use of a token or encapsulating the packet.

Abstract: An optical connector for device to fiber coupling is disclosed comprising a connector housing having waveguide channels formed therethrough. The connector housing is injection molded from a plastic material. These waveguide channels each include a first end and a second end. Attachment apparatus for an optical fiber is included at each of the first ends of the waveguide channels, and attachment apparatus for an optical device is included at each of the second ends of the waveguide channels. Waveguide core portions, positioned within the waveguide channels, are made from an optical plastic material.

Abstract: A star-coupler and a method for constructing the star-coupler employing injection molding technology are disclosed. The star-coupler may be constructed from a single injection molded block or a plurality of mating sections, and is supplied with a plurality of input ports and a plurality of output ports. Each input port as well as each output port is connected to at least one channel. The channels are filled with a fiber optical core material and the single block or mating sections are fabricated from fiber optical core material. Alternatively, a separate cladding material may be coated on the surfaces of the block or mating sections which define the channels. Optical signals are guided and confined by the core and cladding material from input ports to output ports along the channels.

Abstract: A star-coupler and a method for constructing the star-coupler employing injection molding technology are disclosed. The star-coupler may be constructed from a single injection molded block or a plurality of mating sections, and is supplied with a plurality of input ports and a plurality of output ports. Each input port as well as each output port is connected to at least one channel. The channels are filled with a fiber optical core material and the single block or mating sections are fabricated from fiber optical core material. Alternatively, a separate cladding material may be coated on the surfaces of the block or mating sections which define the channels. Optical signals are guided and confined by the core and cladding material from input ports to output ports along the channels.

Abstract: Through the method and apparatus of the present invention the collision of two packets can be detected under a variety of conditions. The preamble of each packet transmitted is modified to include collision detection data comprising an initial pulse having an amplitude sufficiently high to be detected even when attenuated and having a pulse width twice the normal data pulse width followed by a randomly generated code of a predetermined length in which a predetermined number of pulses of the code are at a high binary data signal level. Thus, in the event two packets collide, the collision may be detected by detecting a second large pulse within a time period less than the sum of the packet duration and the gap, by determining if a large initial pulse has a pulse width larger than the generated pulse width, by determining if a subsequent large pulse occurs within the remainder of the packet and by determining if more than the predetermined number of pulses of the code have a high binary data level.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for implementing a token ring network on a token bus network. In accordance with the invention a token ring node is connected to each one of a plurality of token bus nodes such that the token ring node appears to the token bus node to which it is connected as station equipment and the token bus node appears to the token ring node as both the next token ring node and the preceeding token ring node in a ring network. A message is transmitted from a token ring node by forming a token ring frame and transmitting the token ring frame to the next token ring node which is the token bus node to which the token ring node is connected. The token bus node encapsulates the token ring frame that it receives in a token bus frame and transmits the resulting token bus frame to a destination bus node.

Abstract: A high efficiency edge-emitting LED is disclosed in which optical radiation produced in an active layer of the device leaves the device without being substantially absorbed by the material comprising the active layer. The device is constructed so that an optical waveguide is formed such that light produced in the active layer either leaves the device without any reflections or with a maximum of one reflection. The thickness of the active layer and the compositions of the active layer and confining layers are chosen so that electrical carriers are confined in the active layer while light produced in the active layer is not confined therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for recovering data and clock information from high speed self-clocking data streams at rates of up to approximately 50 Mbps. The self-clocking data stream has a predetermined bit period and two voltage levels with negative-going and positive-going voltage level transitions. A pulse is generated for each voltage level transition in the coded stream. This pulse is applied to a non-retriggerable one-shot that produces an output pulse that is approximately the duration of one-half of a bit period. After the output pulse of the one-shot terminates, the one-shot is non-retriggerable for a period of time less than the duration of one-half of a bit period. The output pulse from the one-shot provides clock information derived from the coded bit stream. This clock information is provided to the clock input of a bistable storage device and the coded bit stream is applied to a data input to the storage device.

Abstract: A data communication receiver that provides very low pulse distortion at excellent sensitivity over a wide range of optical signal levels and simplified circuitry for the detection of data collisions. The receiver comprises an amplifier having a series of stages, all but one of which is directly coupled to the preceding stage and one of which is capacitively coupled by a capacitor that also functions as part of an RC differentiator. The output of the amplifier is a series of peak signals that are applied to a Schmitt trigger, the output of which is applied to a collision detection circuit.

Abstract: The alignment of optical fibers is improved by mounting the optical fiber on a mounting block that has a sloping surface relative to an underlying support that bears both the fiber and a light source or photodetector. As a result, the alignment of the fiber and the light source or photodetector may be maintained in the vertical direction by the correct position of the fiber on the sloping surface of the mounting block. The alignment of the fiber in the horizontal direction is determined by the position of the mounting block on the support. Such an arrangement permits the weight of the fiber to be supported by the block while an appropriate cement is being cured to hold the fiber and block in place. Advantageously the mounting block is transparent to ultraviolet (UV) light and UV curable cements are used to secure the fiber to the mounting block and the block to the support.