Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for exchanging information between a solid state drive (SSD) and a write-in-place non-volatile memory via a host device. In an embodiment, access control information defines state of the SSD, where the access control information determines and/or is based on an access by the host device to other non-volatile memory of the SSD. The access control information includes address conversion information defining a correspondence of a logical address with a physical address for a location of the other non-volatile memory of the SSD. At least some of the access control information is stored by the SSD to the write-in-place non-volatile memory for later retrieval by the SSD. In another embodiment, the SSD signals that a commit operation is to be performed to flush any cached or buffered access control information into the write-in-place non-volatile memory.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to preserve data of a solid state drive during a power loss event are disclosed. An example method includes sending, upon detection of the power loss event, from a processor of the solid state drive, a command to abort an ongoing write operation of an aborted memory cell. In response to an indication that the ongoing write operation is aborted, the data to be written to the aborted memory cell is recovered. A first portion of the data to be written to the aborted memory cell is written to a first memory cell. A second portion of the data to be written to the aborted memory cell is written to a second memory cell.

Abstract: A constant current termination is provided for cable locating tones on communication and control cables that may be buried or placed in underground duct structures. The constant current termination limits the current on each branch of the cable to that required for cable location, thus ensuring that branches furthest from the tone source have adequate current for location purposes. The termination is the same for each branch, regardless of its position along the cable system. This eliminates the need to calibrate and recalibrate termination distances for a cable on installation and when branches are added. It also allows the location of damaged cables where the tone signal strength on a damaged branch is less than that for which the termination was designed.

Abstract: A counter arrangement comprises a plurality of counter registers and at least the same number of checksum registers being controlled by control means. The counter control means change the content of only one of the counter registers for each change in the counting sequence and comprise means to update the checksum registers, whereby the content of each checksum registers is defined by an associated function which allows recovery of the content of each counter register and a function performed on the content of all checksum registers results in a constant value to validate the checksum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are used for locating cable breaks and resistive faults in cables, including fibre optic cables. The conductive shield or armour of the cable is divided into sections, usually at a splice. A step function voltage is applied to one end of the conductive shield. Remote sensors at the end of each section monitor the voltage and current as a function of time and at steady state. The measured data are encoded as current pulses and transmitted along the armour to the end of the cable. A computer at the cable end calculates from the measured voltages and currents the capacitance of each section of the shield. A broken section is identified by comparing the calculated and original capacitances of the sections and the distance along the broken section to the break is calculated from the calculated and original capacitances of the broken section.