Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting data from a first device to a second device is provided. The invention is suitable for use in a system having first and second communications media. The apparatus includes a network interface coupled to the first medium for receiving and examining data from the first device. A clustering facility is provided for coupling the first device directly to the network interface and for selectively coupling the second device to the network interface. The network interface identifies the second device as being coupled to either the clustering facility or the second medium. The apparatus transmits the data from the network interface to the second device by way of the clustering facility, if the network interface identifies the second device as being coupled to the clustering facility. The apparatus routes the data from the network interface to the second device by way of the second medium if the network interface identifies the second device as being coupled to the second medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the value of a sample having a particular position in an ordered ranking, by magnitude, of a set of digital samples includes means for truncating the lesser significant bits of the samples. Further means compares the values of the truncated samples and generates selection control signals indicating the truncated sample which is in the desired position of an ordered ranking of the truncated samples. A function generator then generates a function of the samples, corresponding to the selected truncated samples.

Abstract: An adaptive median filter system is disclosed. Circuitry is arranged to produce successive sets of samples from an input signal which may possibly include noise. An adaptive median filter filters the samples in response to a control signal. Further circuitry estimates the relative density of the noise in the input signal to generate the control signal supplied to the adaptive median filter.