Abstract: The invention relates to a method and circuit for aligning a serial bit stream with a parallel output. The method comprises latching Q bits from the serial bit stream into a register, locating a position P of a first bit of a start of frame delimiter (SFD) in the register and discarding P-1 bits from the serial bit stream, before the position of the first bit of the SFD, thereby aligning the serial bit stream with the parallel output. The circuit comprises a latch, a fault tolerant analysis logic (FTAL) for locating a position P of a first bit of a start of frame delimiter (SFD) in the register and a shift register for discarding P-1 bits from the serial bit stream, before the position of the first bit of the SFD, thereby aligning the serial bit stream with the parallel output.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and circuit for aligning a serial bit stream with a parallel output. The method comprises latching Q bits from the serial bit stream into a register, locating a position P of a first bit of a start of frame delimiter (SFD) in the register and discarding P-1 bits from the serial bit stream, before the position of the first bit of the SFD, thereby aligning the serial bit stream with the parallel output. The circuit comprises a latch, a fault tolerant analysis logic (FTAL) for locating a position P of a first bit of a start of frame delimiter (SFD) in the register and a shift register for discarding P-1 bits from the serial bit stream, before the position of the first bit of the SFD, thereby aligning the serial bit stream with the parallel output.

Abstract: Methods and communication nodes for assigning unique identifiers to a plurality of nodes. A plurality of data values are maintained in memory, each being associated to one of the nodes. A bit mask value is obtained that, when applied to the plurality of data values, produces a plurality of unique identifiers. The bit mask value is made available to the nodes thereby assigning a unique identifier to each of the nodes.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide for methods and systems that enable frame generation by fields taken from various queues. Protocol control can also or alternatively be distributed so that one or more header fields can be generated separately from other portions of a frame, e.g., the payload. The one or more header fields can be entered into queues from which they are taken to generate frames.

Abstract: Systems and methods according to these exemplary embodiments provide for methods and systems that enable decoupling of medium access control (MAC) functions from other optical transceiver functions to, for example, promote scalability of passive optical networks (PONs). A MAC frame processing unit can communicate MAC frames to optical transceiver modules via an interconnect using an encapsulating frame according to another communications protocol, e.g., XAUI.

Abstract: Systems and methods according to these exemplary embodiments provide for methods and systems improving the protocol efficiency in passive optical networks. Additionally, methods and systems for calculating and transmitting an equalization delay change message are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an anti-reflection surface on an optical element, said method comprising the following steps: a) the optical element is prepared; b) uncharged, spherical, micellar polymer units comprising an inner core region and an outer shell region are prepared; and c) at least one region of the surface of the optical element is coated with polymer units in such a way that the polymer units are essentially regularly dispersed in a film-type layer over the surface of the optical element. The invention also relates to an optical element having an anti-reflection surface (28a, 28b, 28c) comprising spherical micellar polymer units (16a, 16b, 16c) having an inner core region (18) and an outer shell region (20) and being essentially regularly dispersed in a film-type layer (26a, 26b, 26c) over the surface of the optical element (22).

Abstract: A grill that includes a base and, residing thereupon, a cooking surface in the form of a grate for supporting food to be cooked by the grill. A first removable drawer is positionable beneath the grate having at least one burner. A source of combustible fuel, such as a pressurized gas, is contained within a tank located within the base of the grill. A fuel line emanating from the pressurized tank terminates at a control valve having a first gas transmitting position facilitating the combustible fuel fed to the at least one burner and a second gas blocking position preventing the combustible fuel to be fed to the at least one burner. The control valve is capable of assuming the first gas transmitting position only if the first removable drawer has been fully positioned beneath the cooking surface. When an alternative drawer, such as one containing charcoal is employed, fuel from the pressurized tank is blocked from emanating from the tank.

Abstract: In a microscope comprising an objective and an eyepiece, which displays images of an object sensed by the objective, as well as comprising a camera which records the images of the object sensed by the objective, an eyepiece is provided which senses an image generated by a display, said display displaying the image recorded by the camera.

Abstract: A microscope objective system including an objective, which includes an illumination beam path via which illumination radiation from a source is directed onto an object to be examined, as well as a partial detection beam path surrounding at least part of the illumination beam path and, together with the illumination beam path, forms a detection beam path via which radiation to be detected and coming from the sample is guided towards a detector.

Abstract: A grill that includes a base and, residing thereupon, a cooking surface in the form of a grate for supporting food to be cooked by the grill. A first removable drawer is positionable beneath the grate having at least one burner. A source of combustible fuel, such as a pressurized gas, is contained within a tank located within the base of the grill. A fuel line emanating from the pressurized tank terminates at a control valve having a first gas transmitting position facilitating the combustible fuel fed to the at least one burner and a second gas blocking position preventing the combustible fuel to be fed to the at least one burner. The control valve is capable of assuming the first gas transmitting position only if the first removable drawer has been fully positioned beneath the cooking surface. When an alternative drawer, such as one containing charcoal is employed, fuel from the pressurized tank is blocked from emanating from the tank.

Abstract: A method for allowing a second party manager to manage the liability of a first party funded liability issuer by either removing at least a fraction of the funded liability from the issuer's balance sheet or at least offsetting it with a guarantee from the manager to cover the risk of redemption of the liability. The manager will receive a discounted payment of consideration in exchange for taking on the liability. However, the payment will either be calculated such that the liability assumed will likely never be redeemed, minimizing the manager's risk, or else the payment may be invested such that the final value should exceed the potential risk of redemption.