Abstract: A backplane connector for mating with a daughter-card connector assembly, said backplane connector having a front and rear orientation and comprising: (a) a retainer block configured for attachment to a backplane and defining a plurality of ferrule slots, each slot configured to receive a ferrule; (b) a plurality of ferrules disposed in said ferrule slots; (c) a plurality of ferrule springs to urge said plurality of ferrules forwardly; and (d) Fwafera plurality of ferrule spring retainers for retaining said ferrule springs and being mounted rearward on said retainer block, wherein each ferrule spring retainer retains springs for two or more ferrules.

Abstract: A daughter-card connector assembly comprising: (a) a housing defining a first plane configured for mounting parallel to a backplane, and a second plane for mounting parallel to a daughter card, and a plurality of parallel slots perpendicular to said first plane; and (b) one or more opto-electric cards, each of said one or more opto-electric cards disposed in one of said plurality of slots, and comprising at least, (i) a printed circuit board (PCB) defining at least a first edge and a second edge, wherein, when said opto-electric card is mounted in said slot, said first edge is parallel to said first plane and said second edge is parallel to said second plane; (ii) a blind-mate optical connector along said first edge; (iii) an electrical interface along said second edge; (iv) at least one optical component mounted on said PCB for converting between electrical and optical signals, said PCB being electrically connected to at least a portion of said electrical interface; and (v) one or more waveguides connecting

Abstract: An optical amplifier including an input port and an output port which are coupled together via a data signal line; an amplifier circuit; a gain control circuit coupled to the data signal line and operative for detecting the power level of a burst signal input into the optical amplifier at the input port; and a dummy laser generation circuit having an output coupled to the data signal line and an input coupled to the gain control circuit; where the gain control circuit is operative for controlling the power level output by the dummy laser generation circuit so as to maintain the power level of a signal input into the amplifier circuit at a substantially constant level.

Abstract: An optical amplifier including: an amplifier having an input port and an output port, which is disposed along a main signal line of the optical amplifier; a dummy laser generation circuit having an output coupled to the main signal line and operative for inputting a dummy signal into the amplifier; a first optical detector for detecting a power level of the dummy signal into the amplifier and outputting a first power level signal; a second optical detector for detecting an amplified power level of the dummy signal output by the amplifier and outputting a second power level signal; a memory device for storing calibration data regarding the gain characteristics of the amplifier; and a gain control circuit which receives inputs from the first optical detector and second optical detector, and has an output coupled to the amplifier. The gain control circuit operates to control the gain of the amplifier based on the first power level signal, the second power level signal and the calibration data.

Abstract: A Residential Gateway (RG) for distributing video, data and telephone services to multiple devices within a residence is disclosed. The RG receives signals from a telecommunications network, converts the signals to formats compatible with the multiple devices, and transmits the appropriate signals to the appropriate devices. Wireless remote control devices (RCs) associated with remotely located televisions (TVs) transmit channel select commands to the RG as wireless signals. The wireless signals are received by Remote Antennae Packages (RAPs) coupled to the remotely located TVs. The RAPs transmit the wireless signals over coaxial cable to a Media Interface Device (MID) coupled to the RG. The MID extracts the channel select commands and forwards them to the RG. The MID is also capable of combining and splitting TV signals, and adjusting the impedance of network signals so that they can be transmitted over the coaxial cable.

Abstract: A peep light support apparatus and method providing a telescoping staff assembly including an upper staff member, a steering light mounted near the top of the upper staff, and a clamp device capable of mounting a base portion of the staff assembly to a barge. Some embodiments include a bow amber light supported on the staff assembly. Some embodiment include lashing ties on the staff assembly. Another embodiment includes a watertight electrical system for providing power to the steering light. An exemplary method includes supporting a steering light on a barge bow using a staff assembly including an upper staff member that supports the steering light, and provides clamping and lashing down the staff assembly to the barge. A portable shield system including a navigation light wherein the shield includes an aluminum base, back, and side walls, and a fastener to fasten the assembly to a barge.

Abstract: Transmitting caller identification data to residential equipment within a digital transport stream is provided. Telephony signals that include caller identification data are received and the caller identification data is extracted from the telephony signals. The caller identification data in is then embedded the digital transport stream. The digital transport stream, including the caller identification data, is transmitted to residential equipment. The residential equipment extracts the data from the digital stream and presents the caller ID data to a subscriber overlaid on video.