Abstract: A method of transmitting precoded signals can include precoding an optical signal to produce a precoded optical signal, transmitting a precoded optical signal over an optical portion of a first transmission channel, converting the precoded optical signal to a first MIMO signal, transmitting the first MIMO signal over a wireless portion of the first transmission channel, transmitting the precoded optical signal over an optical portion of a second transmission channel, converting the precoded optical signal to a second MIMO signal; transmitting the second MIMO signal over a wireless portion of the second transmission channel; wherein the precoding takes account of both first channel state information associated with the first transmission channel and second channel state information associated with the second transmission channel.

Abstract: An optical network comprising: an optical splitter configured to split an optical signal incident on the optical splitter into at least a control signal and a data signal; an optical switch; a first optical path configured to carry the control signal between the optical splitter and the optical switch; and a second optical path configured to carry the data signal between the optical splitter and the optical switch. The optical network is configured to transmit the control and data signals such that the data signal is incident on the optical switch after the control signal. The optical switch is configured to selectively switch the optical network between a first configuration and a second configuration in accordance with the control signal. The application also relates to a method of configuring an optical network.

Abstract: There is provided an optical network comprising first and second PONs, each including an OLT; one or more ONUs; and an optical splitter downstream of the OLT and upstream of the one or more ONUs. The splitter includes a plurality of inputs, one of the inputs being coupled to the OLT, and a plurality of outputs, each of the ONUs being coupled to one of the outputs. The optical network further includes an optical switch configured to switch the optical network from a first configuration to a second configuration in response to a fault being detected on the first PON. The second PON's splitter has a spare output that is uncoupled in the first configuration; and the first PON's splitter has a spare input that is: uncoupled in the first configuration, and coupled to the spare output of the second PON's splitter in the second configuration.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to predicting blockages in underground ducts. According to one aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method of identifying one or more locations along a route for an underground duct which indicate a blockage risk, the route extending between two ends, the method including obtaining a terrain elevation profile for the route; estimating a duct elevation profile for the route based on the terrain elevation profile; and predicting one or more blockage risk locations along the route by determining where water entering the duct from each of the two ends would settle, based on the duct elevation profile.

Abstract: An optical fiber including a plurality of embedded optical reflectors distributed periodically along the length of the fiber and a method of quantifying loss associated with an optical connector that is connected to optical fiber comprising a plurality of embedded optical reflectors distributed periodically along the length of the fiber. The method includes inserting an optical signal into the fiber through the optical connector; measuring a component of the optical signal reflected by at least one of the plurality of embedded optical reflectors, in which the component is received through the optical connector; calculating the difference in power level between the inserted and reflected signals; and quantifying, based on the calculated power level difference and the reflectivity of the embedded optical reflector, the loss associated with the optical connector.

Abstract: A method for operating a communications network node, the node including a first amplified optical section, a second non-optical section, and an optical bypass section the method including receiving at the node, a first optical channel at a first wavelength and a second optical channel at a second wavelength; directing the first optical channel to the first amplified optical section; directing the second optical channel to the second non-optical section during a first time period; and directing the second optical channel to the optical bypass section during a second time period.

Abstract: A method for operating a communications network node, the node including a first amplified optical section, a second non-optical section, and an optical bypass section the method including receiving at the node, a first optical channel at a first wavelength and a second optical channel at a second wavelength; directing the first optical channel to the first amplified optical section; directing the second optical channel to the second non-optical section during a first time period; and directing the second optical channel to the optical bypass section during a second time period.

Abstract: An optical network including a processing device configured to receive from photodetectors, information indicative of a time period between loss of light received through a first optical fiber and loss of light received through a second optical fiber. The first optical fiber has a first latency and the second optical fiber has a second latency. The first optical fiber and the second optical fiber extend along a common path through the optical network: a first end of the path being defined by the photodetectors and a second end of the path being defined by a second location in the optical network. The processor is configured to calculate, based on the timing information and a difference in latency between the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber, a distance along the common path from the photodetectors to an event resulting in the losses of light.

Abstract: An optical fiber including a plurality of embedded optical reflectors distributed periodically along the length of the fiber and a method of quantifying loss associated with an optical connector that is connected to optical fiber comprising a plurality of embedded optical reflectors distributed periodically along the length of the fiber. The method includes inserting an optical signal into the fiber through the optical connector; measuring a component of the optical signal reflected by at least one of the plurality of embedded optical reflectors, in which the component is received through the optical connector; calculating the difference in power level between the inserted and reflected signals; and quantifying, based on the calculated power level difference and the reflectivity of the embedded optical reflector, the loss associated with the optical connector.

Abstract: An optical network node capable of being powered, comprising—a reflector arranged to reflect an optical signal, and—a switch arranged to direct the optical signal to the reflector in dependence on whether the optical network node is powered.

Abstract: An optical network including a processing device configured to receive from photodetectors, information indicative of a time period between loss of light received through a first optical fiber and loss of light received through a second optical fiber. The first optical fiber has a first latency and the second optical fiber has a second latency. The first optical fiber and the second optical fiber extend along a common path through the optical network: a first end of the path being defined by the photodetectors and a second end of the path being defined by a second location in the optical network. The processor is configured to calculate, based on the timing information and a difference in latency between the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber, a distance along the common path from the photodetectors to an event resulting in the losses of light.

Abstract: An optical network node capable of being powered, comprising—a reflector arranged to reflect an optical signal, and—a switch arranged to direct the optical signal to the reflector in dependence on whether the optical network node is powered.

Abstract: This invention relates to antiviral drug susceptibility and resistance tests to be used in identifying effective drug regimens for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), particularly treatment regimens including a protease inhibitor. The invention further relates to the means and methods of monitoring the clinical progression of HIV infection and its response to antiretroviral therapy using phenotypic or genotypic susceptibility assays.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for determining the susceptibility of a pathogenci flavirus to anti-viral compounds. This invention also provides methods for determining anti-viral drug susceptibility in a patient infected with a flavivirus. This invention also provides a method for evaluating the biological effectiveness of a candidate anti-viral drug compound. The methods are useful for identifying effective drug regimens for the treatment of flaviviral infections, and identifying and assessing the biological effectiveness of potentia therapeutic compounds. Compositions including resistance test vectors and host cells transformed with resistance test vectors are provided.

Abstract: A circuit board (PCB) and connector design, which provides for better electrical connection between the PCB and its host, especially for when used in high-speed optical systems. The PCB has an electrical flex embedded within it. The flex is connected to electrical component located on the PCB by means of a via at one end and protrudes from the PCB at the other end. The connector has a flex connection means arranged to receive the flex protruding from the PCB.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for identifying whether a compound inhibits entry of a virus into a cell which comprises: (a) obtaining nucleic acid encoding a viral envelope protein from a patient infected by the virus; (b) co-transfecting into a first cell (i) the nucleic acid of step (a), and (ii) a viral expression vector which, lacks a nucleic acid encoding an envelope protein, and which comprises an indicator nucleic acid which produces a detectable signal, such that the first cell produces viral particles comprising the envelope protein encoded by the nucleic acid obtained from the patient; (c) contacting the viral particles produced in step (b) with a second cell in the presence of the compound, wherein the second cell expresses a cell surface receptor to which the virus binds; (d) measuring the amount of signal produced by the second cell in order to determine the infectivity of the viral particles; and (e) comparing the amount of signal measured in step (d) with the amount of signal produced in the

Abstract: The invention provides a method for identifying whether a compound inhibits entry of a virus into a cell which comprises: (a) obtaining nucleic acid encoding a viral envelope protein from a patient infected by the virus; (b) co-transfecting into a first cell (i) the nucleic acid of step (a), and (ii) a viral expression vector which lacks a nucleic acid encoding an envelope protein, and which comprises an indicator nucleic acid which produces a detectable signal, such that the first cell produces viral particles comprising the envelope protein encoded by the nucleic acid obtained from the patient; (c) contacting the viral particles produced in step (b) with a second cell in the presence of the compound, wherein the second cell expresses a cell surface receptor to which the virus binds; (d) measuring the amount of signal produced by the second cell in order to determine the infectivity of the viral particles; and (e) comparing the amount of signal measured in step (d) with the amount of signal produced in the a

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for determining resistance or susceptibility of HIV-1 viruses to d4T based on the viral genotypes. The methods generally comprise detecting, in a gene encoding reverse transcriptase of the HIV-1, the presence of a mutation at codon 65 in combination with one or more mutations at certain other codons. Combinations of mutations associated with resistance and susceptibility to d4T are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical transmitter comprising one control unit and a plurality of optical sources. Control signals are multiplexed and de-multiplexed as appropriate to enable control of all optical sources by the control unit.

Abstract: This invention relates to antiviral drug susceptibility and resistance tests to be used in identifying effective drug regimens for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), particularly treatment regimens including a protease inhibitor. The invention further relates to the means and methods of monitoring the clinical progression of HIV infection and its response to antiretroviral therapy using phenotypic or genotypic susceptibility assays.