Abstract: Opportunistic use of spectrum is disclosed that allows a device access to a wireless local area network (WLAN) when necessary on a restricted frequency band and provides efficient scanning and switching of device communications to an unrestricted frequency band when channels become available in the unrestricted frequency band. A device operating in the network on the restricted frequency band may receive information on a channel set over a channel in the restricted frequency band. The channel set may be a subset of channels in the network and indicate network channels available for potential use in the unrestricted frequency band. The device may then only scan the subset of channels in the channel set to search for available channels in the unrestricted band. The channel set may be determined by the network based on the operation of the device in the coverage of the restricted frequency band.

Abstract: A method for monitoring radio frequency (RF) transmitters in an environment, that fits a probability mixture model (PMM) comprising a plurality of probability density functions (PDFs) at least two of which are of a different type, to RF power measurements of RF signals received in the environment to determine a number and characteristics of RF transmitters operating in the environment.

Abstract: Opportunistic use of spectrum is disclosed that allows a device access to a wireless local area network (WLAN) when necessary on a restricted frequency band and provides efficient scanning and switching of device communications to an unrestricted frequency band when channels become available in the unrestricted frequency band. A device operating in the network on the restricted frequency band may receive information on a channel set over a channel in the restricted frequency band. The channel set may be a subset of channels in the network and indicate network channels available for potential use in the unrestricted frequency band. The device may then only scan the subset of channels in the channel set to search for available channels in the unrestricted band. The channel set may be determined by the network based on the operation of the device in the coverage of the restricted frequency band.

Abstract: A method for monitoring radio frequency (RF) transmitters in an environment, that fits a probability mixture model (PMM) comprising a plurality of probability density functions (PDFs) at least two of which are of a different type, to RF power measurements of RF signals received in the environment to determine a number and characteristics of RF transmitters operating in the environment.

Abstract: A technique for a wireless device to obtain white space information from a component configured for cellular communication, such as a cellular phone. The wireless device and cellular phone may communicate using a short-range connection, such as a peer-to-peer connection, ensuring that the white space information, which is location based, generated by the cellular phone is also accurate for the location of the wireless device. With such white space information, the wireless device can comply with regulatory requirements for white space use by accessing a regulatory database identifying, by location, available white space channels. When the cellular phone is configured for accessing a wide area network, the cellular telephone may provide the white space information as a set of channels available for white space communication. Channels of the set may be prioritized based on one or more parameters, including frequency, permitted transmit power or detected noise.

Abstract: A technique for a wireless device to obtain white space information from a component configured for cellular communication, such as a cellular phone. The wireless device and cellular phone may communicate using a short-range connection, such as a peer-to-peer connection, ensuring that the white space information, which is location based, generated by the cellular phone is also accurate for the location of the wireless device. With such white space information, the wireless device can comply with regulatory requirements for white space use by accessing a regulatory database identifying, by location, available white space channels. When the cellular phone is configured for accessing a wide area network, the cellular telephone may provide the white space information as a set of channels available for white space communication. Channels of the set may be prioritized based on one or more parameters, including frequency, permitted transmit power or detected noise.

Abstract: A server blade is provided which comprises a processor. The server blade additionally comprises an enclosure which encloses the processor. The server blade is configured as a field replaceable unit removably receivable in a carrier of a modular computer system, and is configured as an oversized unit to span more than one standard information processing module receiving location in the carrier.

Abstract: Apparatus forming a computer system or such-like is disclosed that includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a power supply unit. The CPU provides a digital voltage ID (VID) signal output indicative of the power supply voltage that it desires to receive. The power supply unit has a control input for receiving a digital VID signal from the CPU. The power output from the unit is then provided to the CPU at a voltage level in accordance with the received digital VID signal. A VID offset generator is interposed between the CPU and the power supply unit. This receives the digital VID signal from the CPU, and modifies it by applying a positive or negative offset. The modified digital VID signal is then passed to the power supply unit, which supplies a voltage to the CPU as per the modified VID signal, rather than the VID signal originally output by the CPU.

Abstract: A cooling module is provided for an electrically powered apparatus. The cooling module comprises a non-volatile memory arranged to store a module identifier code for the module.

Abstract: An information processing system is provided. The information processing system comprises: an information processing subsystem including a processor and a processor support chip in data communication therewith. The processor support chip is operable to provide processor support functions for the processor, and comprises a local management entity. The system further comprises a remote management entity connected to communicate with a remote management network. The local management entity is connected to communicate with the remote management entity via a first management communication channel; and the local management entity is operable to monitor the remote management entity and, in response to detection of an error status of the remote management entity, to divert management communications to a second management communications channel bypassing the remote management entity to maintain communications with the remote management network.

Abstract: An electrically powered cooling unit (130), such as a fan unit, is mountable on a support structure (110) within a housing (140), for example a computer housing. The support structure (110) can mount one or more electrically powered cooling units (130). Each cooling unit (130) includes an electrical connector (400) fixed relative to the cooling unit and cooperable with a connector of the support structure, so that offering the cooling unit up to its mounting position completes the electrical connections between the cooling unit and the support structure. In alternative embodiments, a single structure is used both to physically support and electrically connect the cooling unit (130) to the support structure (110).

Abstract: A computer system comprises a plurality of shelves. Each shelf has a carrier for removably receiving a plurality of information processing modules and a switching module. Each shelf also has an interconnection member for providing connections between the information processing modules and the switching module. The switching modules of the respective shelves are interconnected in a logical stacking configuration to form a logical stacking arrangement.

Abstract: A computer system comprises a plurality of shelves. Each shelf has a carrier for removably receiving a plurality of information processing modules and a switching module. Each shelf also has an interconnection member for providing connections between the information processing modules and the switching module. The shelves are logically connected into a plurality of stacks, the switching modules of the respective shelves in each stack being interconnected in a logical stacking configuration.

Abstract: A computer system is arranged to provide protection against faults. The computer system comprises a plurality of processing sets (14, 16), each having at least one processor (52) and a bridge (12) coupled to each of the processing sets (14, 16) and operable to monitor a step locked operation of said processing sets (14, 16). Each of the processors (52) has a processor identification register (64) which is read/writeable and is operable to store in the register data representative of a processor identification. The processors (14, 16) are arranged, consequent upon a masking condition, to load a common predefined data value into the processor identification register, which predefined common data value has an effect of masking the processor identification. The erroneous detection by the bridge (12) of a fault condition resulting from functionally the same processors having a different processor identification is thereby avoided, or at least the likelihood of a false detection reduced.

Abstract: A computer system is arranged to provide protection against faults. The computer system comprises a plurality of processing sets (14, 16), each having at least one processor (52) and a bridge (12) coupled to each of the processing sets (14, 16) and operable to monitor a step locked operation of said processing sets (14, 16). Each of the processors (52) has a processor identification register (64) which is read/writeable and is operable to store in the register data representative of a processor identification. The processors (14, 16) are arranged, consequent upon a masking condition, to load a common predefined data value into the processor identification register, which predefined common data value has an effect of masking the processor identification. The erroneous detection by the bridge (12) of a fault condition resulting from functionally the same processors having a different processor identification is thereby avoided, or at least the likelihood of a false detection reduced.

Abstract: Apparatus forming a computer system or such-like is disclosed that includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a power supply unit. The CPU provides a digital voltage ID (VID) signal output indicative of the power supply voltage that it desires to receive. The power supply unit has a control input for receiving a digital VID signal from the CPU. The power output from the unit is then provided to the CPU at a voltage level in accordance with the received digital VID signal. A VID offset generator is interposed between the CPU and the power supply unit. This receives the digital VID signal from the CPU, and modifies it by applying a positive or negative offset. The modified digital VID signal is then passed to the power supply unit, which supplies a voltage to the CPU as per the modified VID signal, rather than the VID signal originally output by the CPU.

Abstract: An electrically powered cooling unit (130), such as a fan unit, is mountable on a support structure (110) within a housing (140), for example a computer housing. The support structure (110) can mount one or more electrically powered cooling units (130). Each cooling unit (130) includes an electrical connector (400) fixed relative to the cooling unit and cooperable with a connector of the support structure, so that offering the cooling unit up to its mounting position completes the electrical connections between the cooling unit and the support structure. In alternative embodiments, a single structure is used both to physically support and electrically connect the cooling unit (130) to the support structure (110).