Abstract: In a ring having first and second adjacent nodes, and two fibers carrying information between the first and second nodes, the first fiber carries information in one direction, while the second fiber carries information in another direction. Each fiber includes wavelength capacity allocated to working and protection traffic. The working and protection wavelength capacities in the first fiber are respectively assigned to first and second disjoint sets of wavelengths, while the working and protection wavelength capacities in the second fiber are respectively assigned to the second and first disjoint sets of wavelengths.

Abstract: Analytical solutions to error bounds on the temperature depth distribution have been given in this invention. Solving the one dimensional steady state heat conduction equation for different sets of boundary conditions and radiogenic heat generation and incorporating Gaussian randomness in the thermal conductivity analytical closed form solutions to the mean and variance in the temperature depth distribution have been obtained. These closed form analytical solutions of mean and variance for the temperature field for different conditions have been used to compute and display the plot and results of the temperature depth profiles along with its error bounds. Quantifying the error statistics in the system output due to errors in the system input is very essential for a better evaluation of the system behavior. Earth Scientists involved in understanding the subsurface thermal structure relevant to geodynamical studies will benefit using these findings.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer processing system including a factory interface operating at atmospheric pressure and mounting plural wafer cassettes and plural wafer processing chambers connected to the factory interface through respective slit valves. A robot in the factory interface can transfer wafers between the cassettes and the processing chambers. At least one of the processing chambers can operate at reduced pressure The processing chamber may be a rapid thermal processing chamber including an array of lamps irradiating a processing volume through a window. The lamphead is vacuum pumped to a pressure approximating that in the processing volume. A multi-step process may be performed with different pressures. The invention also includes a wafer access port of a thermal processing chamber which can flow an inert gas in outside of the slit valve to thereby form a gas curtain outside of the opened slit to prevent the out flow of toxic processing gases.

Abstract: A system for use in a bi-directional path switched ring network for detecting a failed optical path and establishing a protection path so as to allow signals from the failed optical path to be re-routed via the protection path is provided. According to one aspect of the system, upon detecting a failure relating to an optical path, the destination node generates a connection request message for transmission to the source node. The connection request message is passed to the source node via one or more intermediate nodes, if any. Each intermediate node examines the connection request message accordingly reserves the requisite wavelength from the protection capacity so as to allow signals from the failed optical path to be re-routed. Upon receiving the connection request message, the source node readies its switching equipment to re-route signals from the failed optical path and generates an acknowledgment message and propagates it back to the destination node via the intermediate nodes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a computer cluster and for conducting user sessions in a managed enterprise computer network. A cluster includes multiple inter-connected nodes with specific roles. Master nodes administer and monitor slave nodes and the slave nodes are used to conduct user sessions with users through terminal nodes that provide an interface to the cluster. The cluster also may include server nodes that provide network services. Master nodes also control admittance to the cluster of external nodes and sub-clusters. Admin nodes form a control plane used to control and administer the cluster through the master nodes. The cluster provides a virtual environment for the user session that is built from at least an operating system image, an application image and other data needed for the user session.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing multiple users with access to network resources including software applications. A system has an architecture that centralizes and manages computer nodes. The computer nodes include server computers and desktop computers. The centralized computer nodes support multiple instances of different operating systems and are accessed by multiple users through a meta-machine. Users have an n-to-n relationship with the computer nodes and with the operating systems. The computer nodes, the meta-machine, and control nodes are managed by a control plane.

Abstract: In a ring having first and second adjacent nodes, and two fibers carrying information between the first and second nodes, the first fiber carries information in one direction, while the second fiber carries information in another direction. Each fiber includes wavelength capacity allocated to working and protection traffic. The working and protection wavelength capacities in the first fiber are respectively assigned to first and second disjoint sets of wavelengths, while the working and protection wavelength capacities in the second fiber are respectively assigned to the second and first disjoint sets of wavelengths.

Abstract: A network element (NE) in a communications network decodes a data stream received over a communication link. Upon synchronization with the data stream, the NE determines a performance metric for the link based on a number of transmission code violations. In response to the performance metric exceeding a predetermined threshold, the NE commands the selection of a different link to carry the data stream via a switch signal. The switching or rerouting of signals may occur between a single pair of NEs (e.g., point-to-point span) or in a more complex topology having a plurality of interconnected NEs.

Abstract: In a ring having first and second adjacent nodes, and two fibers carrying information between the first and second nodes, the first fiber carries information in one direction, while the second fiber carries information in another direction. Each fiber includes wavelength capacity allocated to working and protection traffic. The working and protection wavelength capacities in the first fiber are respectively assigned to first and second disjoint sets of wavelengths, while the working and protection wavelength capacities in the second fiber are respectively assigned to the second and first disjoint sets of wavelengths.

Abstract: Techniques for providing normal operation and service restoration capability in the event of failure of terminal equipment or transmission media in a heterogeneous network, such as a hybrid network containing single- and multi-wavelength lightwave communications systems. An optical switching node (OSN) is placed at each node in the ring network to provide the required connections between various fibers and terminal equipment, but having switch states that allow signals on the protection fibers to bypass the terminal equipment at that node. Ring-switched signals propagate around the ring on protection fibers without encountering the terminal equipment at the intervening nodes. To the extent that the protection fiber links between any given pair of nodes are incapable of supporting all the relevant communication regimes, such links are modified to provide such support.

Abstract: Techniques for providing normal operation and service restoration capability in the event of failure of terminal equipment or transmission media in a heterogeneous network, such as a hybrid network containing single- and multi-wavelength lightwave communications systems. An optical switching node (OSN) is placed at each node in the ring network to provide the required connections between various fibers and terminal equipment, but having switch states that allow signals on the protection fibers to bypass the terminal equipment at that node. Ring-switched signals propagate around the ring on protection fibers without encountering the terminal equipment at the intervening nodes. To the extent that the protection fiber links between any given pair of nodes are incapable of supporting all the relevant communication regimes, such links are modified to provide such support.

Abstract: Analytical solutions to error bounds on the temperature depth distribution have been given in this invention. Solving the one dimensional steady state heat conduction equation for different sets of boundary conditions and radiogenic heat generation and incorporating Gaussian randomness in the thermal conductivity analytical closed form solutions to the mean and variance in the temperature depth distribution have been obtained. These closed form analytical solutions of mean and variance for the temperature field for different conditions have been used to compute and display the plot and results of the temperature depth profiles along with its error bounds. Quantifying the error statistics in the system output due to errors in the system input is very essential for a better evaluation of the system behavior. Earth Scientists involved in understanding the subsurface thermal structure relevant to geodynamical studies will benefit using these findings.

Abstract: A system for use in a bi-directional path switched ring network for detecting a failed optical path and establishing a protection path so as to allow signals from the failed optical path to be re-routed via the protection path is provided. According to one aspect of the system, upon detecting a failure relating to an optical path, the destination node generates a connection request message for transmission to the source node. The connection request message is passed to the source node via one or more intermediate nodes, if any. Each intermediate node examines the connection request message accordingly reserves the requisite wavelength from the protection capacity so as to allow signals from the failed optical path to be re-routed. Upon receiving the connection request message, the source node readies its switching equipment to re-route signals from the failed optical path and generates an acknowledgment message and propagates it back to the destination node via the intermediate nodes.

Abstract: A method of forming a printer tip on a metal printer hammer spring by providing a printer tip from a range of materials from the group consisting of sintered tungsten carbide, cemented tungsten carbide, composite ceramics, metallic materials, noble metals, metal carbides, borides, nitrides and alloys and mixtures thereof. The printer tip is pressed against the hammerspring while electrically softening the printer hammerspring through a voltage established by an electrode contacting the printer tip. A plating or coating of the printer tip beforehand can be undertaken with a conductive metallic material disposed on the surface of the printer tip. The printer tip is fused to the hammerspring and a milling of a desired form to the printer tip and hammerspring by an electrode discharge milling process can take place thereafter.

Abstract: Techniques for providing normal operation and service restoration capability in the event of failure of terminal equipment or transmission media in a heterogeneous network, such as a hybrid network containing single- and multi-wavelength lightwave communications systems. An optical switching node (OSN) is placed at each node in the ring network to provide the required connections between various fibers and terminal equipment, but having switch states that allow signals on the protection fibers to bypass the terminal equipment at that node. Ring-switched signals propagate around the ring on protection fibers without encountering the terminal equipment at the intervening nodes. To the extent that the protection fiber links between any given pair of nodes are incapable of supporting all the relevant communication regimes, such links are modified to provide such support.

Abstract: Techniques for providing normal operation and service restoration capability in the event of failure of terminal equipment or transmission media in a heterogeneous network, such as a hybrid network containing single- and multi-wavelength lightwave communications systems. An optical switching node (OSN) is placed at each node in the ring network to provide the required connections between various fibers and terminal equipment, but having switch states that allow signals on the protection fibers to bypass the terminal equipment at that node. Ring-switched signals propagate around the ring on protection fibers without encountering the terminal equipment at the intervening nodes. To the extent that the protection fiber links between any given pair of nodes are incapable of supporting all the relevant communication regimes, such links are modified to provide such support.

Abstract: Techniques for providing normal operation and service restoration capability in the event of failure of terminal equipment or transmission media in a heterogeneous network, such as a hybrid network containing single- and multi-wavelength lightwave communications systems.