Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a magnetoresistive device having a magnetic junction is provided. The magnetic junction includes at least one fixed magnetic layer structure having a fixed magnetization orientation; and at least two free magnetic layer structures, each of the at least two free magnetic layer structures having a variable magnetization orientation; wherein the at least one fixed magnetic layer structure overlaps with the at least two free magnetic layer structures such that a current flow is possible through the magnetic junction; and wherein the at least one fixed magnetic layer structure and the at least two free magnetic layer structures are respectively configured such that the fixed magnetization orientation and the variable magnetization orientation are oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by an interface between the at least one fixed magnetic layer structure and either one of the at least two free magnetic layer structures.

Abstract: A method for identifying faulty modules within telecommunication devices, such as ATM switches, involves generating and attaching verification codes, such as a CRC or checksum codes, to data packets at an upstream location determining the integrity of the verification codes at each of multiple downstream location within a telecommunication device; and signaling an error condition where a corrupted data packet has been detected. A verification code may be written to a field of a data packet which is not used while the packet is in transit through the telecommunication device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for replacing a CPU cooling system, for example, a fan, while a computer continues to operate has a mechanism for maintenance personnel to signal that cooling fan replacement is about to begin. In response to the signal, a control mechanism causes the CPU to shift into an operating mode in which heat generation is reduced. In some cases, a clock frequency of the affected CPU and/or a duty cycle at which the CPU operates is reduced. After the fan has been replaced the control mechanism returns the CPU to a normal operational mode, for example, by increasing the clock frequency or duty cycle to a normal level. During the fan replacement procedure, the CPU and its software continues to run at lower than normal performance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for replacing a CPU cooling system, for example, a fan, while a computer continues to operate has a mechanism for maintenance personnel to signal that cooling fan replacement is about to begin. In response to the signal, a control mechanism causes the CPU to shift into an operating mode in which heat generation is reduced. In some cases, a clock frequency of the affected CPU and/or a duty cycle at which the CPU operates is reduced. After the fan has been replaced the control mechanism returns the CPU to a normal operational mode, for example, by increasing the clock frequency or duty cycle to a normal level. During the fan replacement procedure, the CPU and its software continues to run at lower than normal performance.

Abstract: Cards in an electronic device are mounted parallel to one another. The cards are offset relative to one another. The electronic device has a case. In a vicinity of the cards the case follows a crooked path to provide an aperture-bearing portion adjacent to an outer end of each of the cards. Transitional portions of the case connect adjacent aperture-bearing portions which are at different levels. Vent apertures are provided in the transitional portions.