Abstract: When performing failure prediction on an optical transceiver, the output optical power and an operational current of a transmission optical sub-assembly in the optical transceiver are recorded during the operation of the optical transceiver. A first ratio is acquired by dividing the average slope of the operational current recorded at a current time period by the average slope of the operational current recorded at an earlier time period. A second ratio is acquired by dividing the absolute average value of the slope of the output optical power recorded at the earlier time period by the absolute average value of the slope of the output optical power recorded at the current time period. When it is determined that the product of the first ratio and the second ratio is greater than a threshold value, a failure notification including life prediction information is provided.

Abstract: A fiber-optic communication system includes a first optical transceiver and a second optical transceiver. First, the first optical transceiver is configured to transmit signals to the second optical transceiver using an optical transmission power having an initial value. When the optical receiving power inputted into the second optical transceiver is larger than the expected input power of the second optical transceiver, a power compensation value is acquired according to the optical receiving power and the expected input power. The first optical transceiver is configured adjust its optical transmission power according to the power compensation value and then transmit signals to the second optical transceiver using the adjusted optical transmission power.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for dynamic load balancing in a heterogeneous network are disclosed. In the present invention, incoming user packet flows are dynamically distributed to available links based on the weights determined for each link. The weights are determined based on link conditions, location information, user inputs, or a combination thereof. The link conditions include the delay, latency, jitter, drop rate, throughput, received signal strength indicator (RSSI) value, and collision for each link. The user inputs are used to provide user policies including carrier preference, link preference and usage limits. The location information is used to derive a geofencing policy provided by a GPS device. The incoming user packet flows distribution is periodic re-balanced according to a re-balance table. The re-balance table consists of catch-up values generated from a normalized flow hash table and a normalized fairness target table.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for admission control in a wireless train communication system with TDMA are disclosed. The method and apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention identifies neighboring devices within neighborhood of a given device that use the time slot. The frequency and location information for the intended device and the unintended devices are used to determine whether to grant the time slot. In another embodiment according to the present invention, the receive signal strength information at the neighboring devices is used, instead of the distance information, for admission control.

Abstract: A configurable antenna arrangement is disclosed for wireless Positive Train Control system to overcome the deep fading and fast fading issue. The radio channel between a locomotive on-board radio unit and a base station is subject to fast and deep fading. The channel changes rapidly in a short time comparing to the length of the packet. The invention uses a TX antenna and a RX antenna in a time division multiple access (TDMA) radio system associated with control circuits to provide a configurable antenna sub-system. The antenna sub-system is configurable to provide a TX mode, a primary RX mode and a secondary RX mode. In both the TX mode and the primary RX mode, there is substantially no insertion loss. In the secondary RX mode, the TX antenna is used as the secondary RX antenna to overcome fading caused by Doppler shift.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus for separating two plate devices is provided, wherein the two plate devices are connected to each other by an adhesive layer. The cutting apparatus includes a base, a carrier movably disposed on the base to hold the plate devices, a wire, and a reel mechanism disposed on the base for moving the wire. The wire cuts through the adhesive layer while the carrier moves with respect to the base, so that the plate devices are separated from each other.

Abstract: A method for automatic exposure compensation is disclosed. A shutter is activated and the environmental brightness is detected using a sensor. An exposure value is calculated according to the detection result to obtain a default exposure time. It is determined whether the exposure value is equal to a normal value. If not, a compensation value is calculated based on a shutter-closing curve and a compensation operation is thus executed. Thus, an exposure signal is generated by advancing a first predefined time or postponing a second predefined time, enabling the amount of exposure time to be equal to the addition or subtraction of the default exposure time and the first predefined time.

Abstract: A method for automatic exposure compensation is disclosed. A shutter is activated and the environmental brightness is detected using a sensor. An exposure value is calculated according to the detection result to obtain a default exposure time. It is determined whether the exposure value is equal to a normal value. If not, a compensation value is calculated based on a shutter-closing curve and a compensation operation is thus executed. Thus, an exposure signal is generated by advancing a first predefined time or postponing a second predefined time, enabling the amount of exposure time to be equal to the addition or subtraction of the default exposure time and the first predefined time.

Abstract: A system and method for voice quality analysis include the ability to receive packets in a voice stream and to generate a receipt indicator for the packets. The system and method also include the ability to substitute a reference voice sample for the voice data in the packets and to compare the voice data in the voice-substituted packets to the reference voice sample to determine voice quality.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a plurality of packets from at least two voice packet streams. The method also includes generating at least two voice signals using the plurality of packets. Each voice signal is associated with one of the voice packet streams. In addition, the method includes identifying an echo of one of the voice signals in at least one other of the voice signals.

Abstract: A system is provided for positioning a substrate having a surface required to be characterized with a contact angle measurement. The system includes a stage which supports the substrate and a dispenser assembly having a dispensing tip through which a liquid droplet having a preselected volume is dispensed onto the surface of the substrate. A first actuating mechanism moves the stage in response to first actuation signals and a second actuating mechanism which changes the vertical spacing between the dispensing tip and the surface of the substrate and dispenses the liquid droplet from the dispenser assembly in response to second actuation signals. A controller is connected to the actuating mechanisms and delivers the first and second actuation signals to the first and second actuating mechanisms, respectively, so as to place the liquid droplet at a predetermined location on the surface of the substrate for performing the contact angle measurement.