Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing high-bandwidth and low-bandwidth voice channels is presented. An input signal is received and separated into a first low-band signal and a first high-band signal. The first low-band signal is compressed to provide a low-bandwidth channel and is used to carrying encoded voice signals (e.g. G.711). The high-band signal is also compressed to provide a high-bandwidth channel and is used to carry encoded voice signals (e.g. G.722).

Abstract: In a media gateway, a single RTM is placed in bi-directional communication with a active TPM and also in bi-directional communication with a backup TPM. This is accomplished in part by implementation of a signaling and control bus interface between the LIU/Framer hardware of the RTM and the control processing unit (CPU) of the TPM. This interface provides for arbitration between multiple control sources, and for snooping of the input connection state and signaling information between the LIU/Framer and any other control entity. The interface also prevents contention by multiple control sources driving signal information to the LIU/Framer device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring a server/client network architecture. A server network device impresses an optical signal onto an optical link at a specified wavelength, where distinct wavelengths are associated with one or more of a plurality of client devices. Thus, the server addresses a specified client device, thereby polling the specified device for a response. An optical demultiplexer/combiner directs the server optical signal to the specified recipient client device on the basis of the wavelength of the server optical signal, and combines all responses on the client devices for transmission back to the server. Any transmission by the specified client device in response to polling by the server is thus received by the server.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of a system are described. The method and apparatus use the Seebeck effect of a thermoelectric cooler. The apparatus includes a current source that generates current; a thermoelectric cooler having a first end and a second end connecting to the current source; and a control circuit. The control circuit monitors a voltage difference across the thermoelectric cooler and controls the current source according to the voltage difference. The voltage difference results in a temperature difference between the two ends of the thermoelectric cooler.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for storage of memory packets with a high aggregate bandwidth is disclosed. An odd-even memory bank structure effectively doubles the memory available for packet storage. A packet memory arbitration scheme aligns access of devices reading and writing into packet memory allowing full-rate access to the packet memory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling a plurality of local nodes to a wavelength division multiplexed network. Each local node is connected to an I/O port of an optical cross-connect. Other I/O ports of the optical cross-connect are connected to a wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer for coupling the optical cross-connect to a fiber ring network. Additionally, one or more optical-to-tunable-optical converters are connected to ports of the optical cross-connect to transmit data from the local nodes to the WDM mux/demux at a specified wavelength for uplinking onto the fiber ring network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring a server/client network architecture. A server network device impresses an optical signal onto an optical link at a specified wavelength, where distinct wavelengths are associated with one or more of a plurality of client devices. Thus, the server addresses a specified client device, thereby polling the specified device for a response. An optical demultiplexer/combiner directs the server optical signal to the specified recipient client device on the basis of the wavelength of the server optical signal, and combines all responses on the client devices for transmission back to the server. Any transmission by the specified client device in response to polling by the server is thus received by the server.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of a system are described. The method and apparatus use the Seebeck effect of a thermoelectric cooler. The apparatus includes a current source that generates current; a thermoelectric cooler having a first end and a second end connecting to the current source; and a control circuit. The control circuit monitors a voltage difference across the thermoelectric cooler and controls the current source according to the voltage difference. The voltage difference results in a temperature difference between the two ends of the thermoelectric cooler.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for substantially reducing electromagnetic radiation from a backplane used to interconnect multiple communication modules. Data signals to be transmitted onto the backplane are first scrambled using a pseudorandom code sequence, to reduce energy peaks in the radiation spectrum and to spread energy over a wider bandwidth. Signals received from the backplane are descrambled using an identical pseudorandom code sequence. Data rate synchronization is provided by recovery of a data clock signal from the received scrambled signals, and data frame synchronization is provided by transmitting data frame headers as non-scrambled data. At a receiver module, the frame headers are detected and used to reset the descrambling operation.