Abstract: The overload protection circuit 12 comprises a resistor bridge 20 with a low impedance sensing resistor r and high impedance resistors R1 to R4 which generates voltages Va and Vb at the inputs 32 and 34 of a comparator 22. Voltage Vb depend upon the value of the load current so that the comparator provides at its output 36 a control signal for opening the switching device 24 comprising a field effect transistor when the load current exceeds a maximum value. Resistor R5 reinforces the effect of the control signal. This circuit can be used in a system which comprises a central power supply unit 8 which powers a plurality of devices such as 4. The status of the circuit 12 is reported to the system 8 though line 14 and circuit 12 comprises a control circuit 26 which is responsive to set and reset control signals on lines 14 and 18 from the unit 8 to close or open the switch 26.

Abstract: An Active Remote Module (ARM) attaches end user devices to any port of a multiport communications processing unit. The ARM includes circuit arrangements which receive serial streams of data and clock information which are arranged into data slots, control slots and outband slot carrying characteristic information, including ARM address, ARM type, end user data rate, etc., about the ARM and the end user devices. By issuing selective commands, a line adapter in the multiport communications processing unit is made aware of the user devices connected to its port and structure the data to meet the requirement of the attached end user devices.

Abstract: The remote power On devices used for powering a system from a remote console, to restart the system after a power failure. The remote console is connected to the system through switched network and autoanswer modem. When the connection is established the ring indicator signal of the modem interface is provided to the power control system controlling the power distribution in system. In response to this signal, the system service processor is powered on so that it is able to send messages to console inviting an operator to enter a password authorizing the general power on of the system. The password entered by the operator is sent to processor, checked and if it is correct the general power on of the system occurs. If not, the function is cancelled. In addition, the function may be inhibited at the remote system. This insures that the remote powering function is performed safely.

Abstract: A flexible capacitor (1) includes a dielectric made of flexible material, coated on each side with conductive material for insertion between a cable shield being at the ground potential of a remote electrical machine, and a part on a local machine being at the local ground potential (3, 5, 2) for example at a connector (7) level.

Abstract: Interconnection system for attaching a maximum number n of equipment users EU (DCE or DTE) to the line adapter (2) of a communication processing unit. The user data and control bits are carried on transmit and receive serial link 4 and 6 in data and control slot entities arranged in frame of period T, comprising one entity per user. These entities are allocated to the user equipments through multiplexing/demultiplexing circuit (10), link adapters (12-1) to (12-8) and connecting boxes (30-1) to (30-8). The user equipments are connected through active remote modules which are specific to the standardized interfaces of the user equipments. Link adapters (12-1) to (12-8) add to the data and control slot entities an outband slot which is used for exchanging control information, such as the active remote module address and type which are stored in memory (42), to be transmitted to the line adapter (2). The advantage of the interconnection system is that the attachment of the user equipments is simplified.

Abstract: A time-division multiplexing method and device are disclosed for combining a data signal and several secondary binary signals into a train of pulses, whereby data signals can be transmitted at various bit rates in synchronous or asynchronous mode. The data signal and N secondary signals are multiplexed together using two different frames respectively termed "synchronous frame" and "asynchronous frame," depending on whether data transmission is to be performed in synchronous or asynchronous mode. The asynchronous frame comprises a frame-alignment bit having a predetermined value, a data bit, and N bits pertaining respectively to the N secondary signals. The synchronous frame is divided up into n subframes, l.sub.1 bits in length each, where n is equal to the integer that is immediately larger than the quantity N/(l.sub.1 -2). Length l.sub.1 is defined by the relation l.sub.

Abstract: Binary/ternary transmission process and device. Several trains of binary signals are time-multiplexed by using registers RG1 and SER to generate a first binary sequence L applied to an ENCODE unit which also receives a second binary sequence D and clock information CP. When the information of sequence L is at one binary level, the resulting signal is coded in bipolar code. When the information of sequence L is the other binary level, the resulting signal is coded in biphase code.