Abstract: Charge pump circuit and memory are provided. The charge pump circuit includes a clock driving unit, a voltage boosting unit, a boosting swing control unit, a first and second NMOS tubes, a first and second current mirror units. The clock driving unit is adapted to form and output clock driving signals to the voltage boosting unit. The voltage boosting unit is adapted to boost voltage and output it to the boosting swing control unit and the first current minor unit. The boosting swing control unit is adapted to output boosting swing control signals to the first NMOS tube. The first current minor unit is to output first mirror current and the second current minor unit is to minor the first mirror current and output second minor current. Frequency of the clock driving signal varies with leakage current load, and size of the charge pump circuit and power consumption are reduced.

Abstract: A system on chip (SoC) provides a nonvolatile memory array that is configured as n rows by m columns of bit cells. Each of the bit cells is configured to store a bit of data. There are m bit lines each coupled to a corresponding one of the m columns of bit cells. There are m write drivers each coupled to a corresponding one of the m bit lines, wherein the m drivers each comprise a write one circuit and a write zero circuit. The m drivers are operable to write all ones into a row of bit cells in response to a first control signal coupled to the write one circuits and to write all zeros into a row of bit cells in response to a second control signal coupled to the write zero circuits.

Abstract: A method of operating a semiconductor memory device is disclosed. The method may include receiving an access command, applying a first voltage to a selected word line of the semiconductor memory device for a period of time in response to receiving the access command, applying a second voltage to word lines adjacent to the selected word line before and after the period of time, and applying a third voltage to the word lines adjacent to the selected word line for the period of time, a voltage level of the third voltage greater than the second voltage. The applying the third voltage may occur when the semiconductor memory device is operated at a temperature below the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: One or more techniques or systems for boosting a read word line (RWL) or a write word line (WWL) of a two port synchronous random access memory (SRAM) bit cell array are provided herein. In some embodiments, a boosted control block is configured to generate a boosted word line signal configured to operate a RWL, a WWL, or a read write word line (RWWL). In some embodiments, the boosted word line signal includes a first stage and a second stage. For example, the first stage is associated with a first stage voltage level at a positive supply voltage (Vdd) voltage level and the second stage is associated with a second stage voltage level above the Vdd voltage level. In this manner, a read or write operation is boosted for an SRAM bit cell, because the second stage boosts a corresponding transistor in the SRAM bit cell, for example.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms to dynamically adjustment a timing of commands to access a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). In an embodiment, a memory controller monitors an error rate of the DRAM and, based on such monitoring, identifies that the error rate is within a predetermined range. In response to the error rate being within the predetermined range, one or more signals are generated to dynamically modify a command timing setting. In another embodiment, modification of the command timing setting is to transition a memory controller from sending memory refresh commands successively at one rate to sending memory refresh commands successively at a different rate.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods for testing and assembling memory modules. In at least one embodiment, the method comprises: assembling a memory module, the memory module comprising at least one memory device having one or more defective memory locations; wherein the assembling comprises storing the data that identifies the one or more defective memory locations on the memory device in a persistent store on the memory module, wherein the memory module comprises a microprocessor and persistent memory associated with the microprocessor, and wherein the persistent store on the memory module comprises the persistent memory associated with the microprocessor.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide for a structure and method for determining a degree of process variation skew between a plurality of bit cells in a static random-access-memory (SRAM) column architecture. In one embodiment, a structure includes: a plurality of bit cells within a static random access memory (SRAM) column architecture; a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) connected to the bit cells through a pair of multiplexers; and a pre-charge circuit connected to the bit cells through the pair of multiplexers, wherein the DAC and the pre-charge circuit control and test the bit cells to determine a degree of process variation skew between each of the bit cells.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a memory cell array that is divided into a plurality of memory cell mats by a plurality of sense amplifier arrays, and each of the plurality of memory cell mats includes a plurality of word lines and a test circuit for performing a test control to activate, at a time, a plurality of word lines included in each of a plurality of selected memory cell mats that are not disposed adjacent to each other in the plurality of memory cell mats. According to the present invention, the memory cell mats with the plurality of activated word lines are distributed. Therefore, as compared with many word lines activated in one memory cell mat, the load applied to a driver circuit for driving word lines and the load applied to a power supply circuit for supplying an operation voltage to the driver circuit are reduced. As a result, more word lines can be activated at the same time.

Abstract: A method for operating a dynamic random access memory device includes providing a clock signal to a clock terminal of the dynamic random access memory device, selecting one of a first operating mode and a second operating mode of the dynamic random access memory device, the first operating mode, when selected, corresponding to the DRAM periodically refreshing a first number of word lines, and the second operating mode, when selected, corresponding to the DRAM periodically refreshing a second number of word lines different from the first number, and providing a self-refresh command to a command terminal of the dynamic random access memory device.

Abstract: The immersion blender enables the quick whipping-up of soups, sauces and other soft foods directly in a pot or serving bowl. The mincer attachment, sometimes interchangeable with a whisk, snaps onto a foot long shaft and is powered up to several hundred watts with a button that responds to the pressure of a thumb. The immersion blender is designed to be used vertically or with a tilt of several degrees when moving the blender around a pot. The safety interlock tilt switch prevents injury when an operator tilts the blender to examine the blade.

Abstract: A mixing system for mixing fluids or the like in a mixing vessel. The mixing system includes a fixed conduit connected to the top portion of the vessel extends into the vessel. The system also has a rotating shaft having disposed within the fixed conduit that rotates within the fixed conduit while the mixing system is in operation. An impeller is attached to the rotating shaft. The impeller blade has a flat central disk portion, at least a pair of extensions extending from a central disk portion, and at least two leading edges defined by the outer periphery of the disk portion. Each leading edge spans from one extension to an adjacent extension, and each leading edge has at least a portion at which the radius of the leading edge from the center increases to form a continuous increasing radius curve. Each leading edge forms an increasing radius spiral edge surface in between the extensions.

Abstract: A blender includes a container having a plurality of ribs projecting into a processing zone of the container. The plurality of spaced ribs each include a width and a depth that taper from a top end section adjacent a teardrop shaped opening of the container to a more narrow bottom end section adjacent a bottom wall of the container. A side wall of the container continuously tapers from the teardrop shaped opening to a substantially square shaped bottom end portion including first, second, third and fourth side wall sections connected to one another at respective rounded corners. A blade assembly is coupled to the container and includes a plurality of blades angled at different planes with respect to a horizontal plane. The blender container further includes a handle adapted to receive a handle of a similar blender container, such that like blender containers can be nested for storage.

Abstract: An ultrasonic device includes an ultrasonic element array substrate having a plurality of ultrasonic elements that each include a piezoelectric body; a fixing frame having a recess to which the ultrasonic element array substrate is fixed, and a perforated portion formed with a through hole by opening a part of the bottom face of the recess, wherein an element-formed surface of the ultrasonic element array substrate is faced to the perforated portion; an acoustic lens secured to the fixing frame so as to cover the perforated portion; and an acoustic matching layer formed of a resin being arranged between the ultrasonic element array substrate and the acoustic lens, so as to secure them to each other. The acoustic lens and the fixing frame are in contact with each other, and the thickness of the acoustic matching layer is maintained at a fixed value.

Abstract: An ultrasonic holography imaging system and method are provided. The ultrasonic holography imaging system includes an ultrasonic transducer array coupled to an analog processing section. The analog processing section is coupled to a digital processing section. The digital processing section generates digital signals to be converted by the analog processing section into analog signals that are transmitted to individual transceiver elements within the ultrasonic transducer array to cause separate ones of the individual transceiver elements to emit ultrasonic waveforms that are differentiated from each other by one or more parameters, including amplitude, frequency, and phase or modulation thereof.

Abstract: A method, system and a marine node for recording seismic waves underwater. The node includes a first module configured to house a seismic sensor; bottom and top plates attached to the first module; a second module removably attached to the first module and configured to slide between the bottom and top plates, the second module including a first battery and a data storage device; and a third module removably attached to the first module and configured to slide between the bottom and top plates, the third module including a second battery.

Abstract: Method for separating signals recorded by a seismic receiver and generated with at least two vibratory seismic sources driven with no listening time. The method includes receiving seismic data that includes data d recorded by the seismic receiver and data related to the first and second vibratory seismic sources; computing a source separation matrix based on the data related to the first and second vibratory seismic sources; calculating first and second earth impulse responses HA and HB corresponding to the two vibratory seismic sources, respectively, based on the data d recorded by the seismic receiver, the data related to the two vibratory seismic sources and the source separation matrix; and separating the signals recorded by the seismic receiver based on the first and second earth impulse responses HA and HB such that signals the two vibratory seismic sources are disentangled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining presence of an object to be tidied in a washroom. A beam is supplied to a surface of the washroom at a first location. A reflected beam received from the surface of the washroom or received from an object in the path of the beam to the surface is detected. The presence of the object is determined from feedback from the beam based on a comparison of the feedback with a detection result when the beam reflects from the surface at the first location. An object to be tidied output signal is issued indicating that an object to be tidied is present based on the determination on the presence of an object.

Abstract: An ultrasonic measurement device includes: an ultrasonic element array that has at least one reception column connected to a reception terminal, and equipped with ultrasonic elements for reception and that has at least one transmission column connected to a transmission terminal, and equipped with ultrasonic elements for transmission; a reception circuit that receives a signal from the reception terminal; and a transmission circuit that outputs a signal to the transmission terminal. The reception column and the transmission column are alternately arranged every column, or any multiple of columns in a scanning direction. The ultrasonic elements for reception and the ultrasonic elements for transmission are arranged along a orthogonal direction that is orthogonal to the scanning direction. The reception terminal is arranged at one end of the array in the orthogonal direction, and the transmission terminal is arranged at the other end of the array in that direction.

Abstract: Information is communicated to an individual by directing an acoustic signal transcranially to a target region in the brain. The target region is stimulated to produce a cognitive effect, and the cognitive effect is modulated or encoded to carry the desired information.

Abstract: Acoustic tags have been used for years in fisheries research to study survival and behavior of fish in various aquatic environments. The described techniques, devices and systems enhance the ability of researchers to understand the effect on fish mortality by predators through an acoustic tag that includes a digestible fuse. When the implanted acoustic tag comes in contact with the digestive fluids in a predator's stomach, the fuse coating is dissolved causing the fuse to disintegrate and result in an open circuit. The open circuit in turn signals the electronics in the acoustic tag that the tagged fish has been consumed. In response, the electronics alter the tag transmit signal to indicate that predation has occurred.

Abstract: Timepiece barrel assembly, including a mainspring mounted between a drum and a receiving surface of a core coaxial to the drum about an axis. The core includes in series from a first end towards a second end: a means of fixing a ratchet, and/or a first pivot shoulder in a plate; a pivot shoulder of the drum; a collar radially projecting relative to the shoulder and resting on an inner face of the drum towards the spring; set back radially relative to the collar, the receiving surface; set back radially relative to the receiving surface, a pivot shoulder of a cover for closing the barrel; and a second pivot shoulder in a plate.

Abstract: A timepiece barrel assembly, including a barrel mainspring mounted between a barrel drum and a receiving surface of a barrel core coaxial to the drum. The spring is made of a multiphase, cobalt-nickel-chromium based alloy, having a Young's modulus of between 200 and 240 GPa and a shear modulus of between 80 and 100 GPa, and having a width to thickness ratio of between 9 and 21, and the maximum radius of the steel or stainless steel core relative to its pivot axis is less than nine times the maximum thickness of the spring, and the barrel assembly includes, on the spring or the drum, a mechanism limiting longitudinal clearance, towards the pivot axis, between the drum and the mainspring.

Abstract: An electronic device which includes an alarm clock function includes a gravity sensor. The gravity sensor detects X acceleration values of an X-axis, Y acceleration values of a Y-axis, and Z acceleration values of a Z-axis in relation to the electronic device. The electronic device determines a first average acceleration value of X acceleration values, a second average acceleration value of Y acceleration values, and a third average acceleration value of Y acceleration values. When a current time of the electronic device matches an alarm time of an alarm clock, the electronic device detects whether a user of the electronic device is awakened by determining whether the first average acceleration value, or the second average acceleration value, or the third average acceleration value is greater than a predetermined value . If the user is not awakened, the electronic device activates the alarm clock again to awaken the user.

Abstract: A light coupling structure, a method of manufacturing a memory cell, and a magnetic recording head are provided. The light coupling structure includes a light coupling layer having a cavity; a waveguide having a cladding layer and a core layer; wherein the cladding layer of the waveguide is disposed in the cavity of the light coupling layer and the core layer of the waveguide is disposed over the light coupling layer and the cladding layer of the waveguide; wherein the light coupling layer is configured to receive light from a light source and couple the received light into the core layer of the waveguide.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for information processing executed in an information processing apparatus processing recording data, including, dividing the recording data into a plurality of recording data blocks, recording management information on corresponding first management areas in n storage media, the n storage media comprising a first storage medium to an nth storage medium, wherein n comprises an integer equal to or larger than 2, and recording the recording data blocks on corresponding second management areas of the n storage media by a controller configured to control the information processing apparatus.

Abstract: In a recording/reproducing device for recording and reproducing an optical disk, when performing verify processing of inspecting a quality of recorded data and compare processing of inspecting whether the recorded data can be read without errors, a time is taken because the same area needs to be reproduced two times. The verify processing and the compare processing are performed at one time reproduction. To perform the verify processing and the compare processing simultaneously, a recording quality storage part is provided in the recording/reproducing device, and reproduced data is transmitted to a host controller while storing quality information at the time of reproduction by an instruction of the host controller. The host controller performs the compare processing by comparing transmitted data and data at the time of recording and inspects the recording quality by acquiring the quality information of a reproduced area from the recording/reproducing device at intervals set in advance.

Abstract: When data is recorded on an optical disc, and stored for a long period of time, there is a need to periodically evaluate whether a quality of the recorded data is determined with time, or not. If the signal quality is lower than a given level as an evaluation result, a work for moving the data to a brand-new optical disc is required. However, in periodical inspection, if the number of optical discs is enormous, a large amount of time is required to evaluate all data recorded on the optical disc. In recording user data on the optical disc, a signal of a particular pattern having a lifetime shorter than a reference lifetime of the user data is recorded in a given area of the optical disc in advance, the particular pattern signal is reading at given time intervals, and processing on the user data is determined on the basis of the evaluation result of the signal quality.

Abstract: A system includes a linear storage media tier; a second storage tier having higher performance than the linear storage media tier; a data controller for moving data between the tiers; and a host interface responsive to disk and/or network storage commands. The linear storage media tier includes: a rest area for storing reels having linear media thereon, at least one linear media drive configured for reading and/or writing the linear media, and at least one robot for transporting the linear storage media between the rest area and the at least one linear media drive. The robot moves along a first surface via contact with the surface. A system according to another embodiment includes a linear storage media tier characterized by having a read access time to any block of data stored on any reel in the rest area in less than 10 seconds.

Abstract: An optical pickup assembly includes a first optical pickup unit (OPU) and a second OPU. The OPUs are either stacked on each other in separate housings or integrated together in a common housing such that the OPUs are arranged laterally across a tape path and are positioned at a longitudinal position along the tape path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quickly determining the status of a network device in a network communicates status inquiry messages over the forwarding plane of one network device to at least one neighboring network device. The status inquiry messages indicate the connectivity status with at least one neighboring network device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for coordinating cell outage compensation and capacity and coverage optimization, and belongs to the communications field. In the present invention, a cell to be coordinated is determined, where the cell is a cell that needs coordination of a COC action and a CCO action; priorities of the COC action and the CCO action are compared, and a high-priority action and a low-priority action are determined in the COC action and the CCO action; and for the cell to be coordinated, the high-priority action continues to be performed, and the low-priority action is stopped from being performed. This effectively solves a problem of a conflict generated when the COC action and the CCO action are performed for the same cell, and ensures normal execution of a network optimization action with a relatively high priority.

Abstract: It is presented a method, executed in a root sequence determiner for a base station controlling a first cell, the first cell being associated with at least one root sequence used for cell differentiation on a random access channel. The method comprises the steps of: obtaining information on root sequences of neighbouring cells; when a root sequence conflict is found between the first cell and a neighbouring cell, here denoted a conflict cell, determining if the conflict cell is of a higher priority than the first cell, the priorities of the first cell and the conflict cell being based on properties of the respective cells; and when the conflict cell is of a higher priority than the first cell, finding a new root sequence for the first cell, avoiding the root sequences of the neighbouring cells.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for managing virtual link aggregation (vLAG) includes coupling a first networking switch with a second networking switch using an interswitch link (ISL), wherein the first networking switch is positioned at a boundary between Layer-2 (L2) and Layer-3 (L3), and wherein the second networking switch is positioned at the boundary between L2 and L3; creating a virtual link aggregation (vLAG) comprising connections between the first and second networking switches and an access switch in L2, wherein each networking switch comprises a virtual router redundancy protocol (VRRP) module; and interacting and modifying a VRRP state machine to perform active internet protocol (IP) forwarding when a connection between one of the networking switches and the access switch fails or one of the networking switches does not function properly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a ZigBee network healing method after the coordinator of the ZigBee network falls out and recovers subsequently. The method uses a router to determine whether a parent device of the router is the coordinator; if the router's parent is the coordinator, the router further determines a link status from the parent device; if the router determines the link status is not abnormal, the router activates a network recovery process.

Abstract: In a method for implementing a switch fabric, in a first fabric chip, a packet comprising an identification of a destination node chip is received from a source fabric chip, and a determination that a first path in the switch fabric along which the packet is to be communicated toward the destination node chip is unavailable is made. In addition, a determination as to whether another path along which the packet is to be communicated toward the destination node chip that does not include the source fabric chip is available is made. In response to a determination that the another path is available, the packet is communicated along the another path. In addition, in response to a determination that the another path is unavailable, the packet is communicated back to the source fabric chip.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, one or more components for receiving a call request at a first server from a first end user device, transmitting the call request from a first server to an intermediate server for establishing a voice or video call over an IP multimedia subsystem between the first end user device and a second end user device via a second server, and routing the voice or video call request from the first server to the second server using a second IP address when an undesired condition is determined to be associated with the IP multimedia subsystem. The second IP address can be obtained from a group of IP addresses stored in a memory of the first server and the group of IP addresses can be associated with other servers. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to communications technologies and disclose a tunnel management method, a tunnel management apparatus, and a communications system so that a node that causes failure of a tunnel management request can be determined According to the present invention, a response returned by a tunnel management node to an initiating node includes not only a cause value of tunnel management request failure but also information of the node that causes failure of the tunnel management request, so that the initiating node can find the node that causes failure of the tunnel management request and determine the error checking direction. The present invention is applicable to network devices in a communications network.

Abstract: A node for a telecommunications network has a switch and a controller, for setting up a circuit along a main path through the network. The circuit associated with one or more precalculated alternate paths, for use in the event of failure of the main path. A check is made of whether one or more of the precalculated alternate paths is currently valid, based on whether the network resources needed by the alternate paths are currently available, according to a local dynamically updated routing database. If valid, then the controller sets up the switch and communicates with other nodes to set up one of the alternate paths for that circuit. This can reduce the chance of rerouting delay caused by the setting up of the alternate path failing owing to its resources no longer being available. Checking the precalculated path is still quicker than calculating an alternate path dynamically when needed.

Abstract: A transmitting direct mode communication apparatus, a receiving direct mode communication apparatus and a communication path switching method thereof are provided. The transmitting direct mode communication apparatus and the receiving direct mode communication apparatus maintain a backend network connection, and communicate with each other via a direct communication connection. The transmitting direct mode communication apparatus and the receiving direct mode communication apparatus are capable of switching the communication to backend network connection rapidly and seamlessly for transmitting data normally after the direct communication connection failed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing redundancy in data network communications. Data traffic on a first network channel used for the data communication between the two or more host systems can be monitored to obtain one or more attributes associated with the data traffic. Based on the data attributes, it may be determined whether one or more anomalies associated with the attributes exist. If so, the anomalies may be used to determine whether they are indicative of an imminent or current network event or condition. In response to a determination that the one or more anomalies are indicative of the event or condition, a second network channel may be selected for the data communication between the two or more host systems.

Abstract: An access network is described in which a centralized controller provides seamless end-to-end service from a core-facing edge of a service provider network through aggregation and access infrastructure out to access nodes located proximate the subscriber devices. The controller operates to provide a central configuration point for configuring aggregation nodes (AGs) of a network of the service provider so as to provide transport services to transport traffic between access nodes (AXs) and edge routers on opposite borders of the network.

Abstract: Data flow mobility to a user equipment may be provided. An access routing rule may be received at the user equipment. The access routing rule may include a plurality of packet filters and at least one target access corresponding to each of the plurality of packet filters. A first data packet to be routed may be received at the user equipment. A first packet filter associated with the first data packet may be determined. A first target access corresponding to the first packet filter may be determined from the access routing rule. The first data packet may be routed through the first target access.

Abstract: A method of minimizing power consumption during operation of a battery operated mobile wireless information device having a plurality of device applications running thereon, the plurality of device applications regularly needing to communicate via the internet using wireless communication channels, the method automatically modifying a wireless transfer related behavior of the mobile wireless communication device, such that the communication channel is primarily loaded with the wireless transfer related task being more time critical during periods of low RSSI values whereas the communication channel in periods of high RSSI values may be loaded with the wireless transfer related task being less time critical. Also the disclosure relates to a battery operated mobile wireless information device capable of carrying out the method according to the disclosure.

Abstract: An access point of wireless communications is provided. The access point includes a wireless communication unit for wirelessly communicating with a plurality of wireless communication terminals, a communicating state managing unit for managing information on a communicating state between the wireless communication unit and each of the wireless communication terminal, and a disconnecting unit for cutting a connection between the wireless communication unit and the wireless communication terminal of which the communicating state managed by the communicating state managing unit gets worse than a predetermined condition.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to delaying a release of a quality of service (QoS) bearer. An aspect receives a session setup request from a user for a media session requiring a QoS bearer, triggers a setup of the QoS bearer for the media session, receives a session termination request from the user for the media session, and in response to receiving the session termination request, determines whether or not to delay releasing the QoS bearer based on a history of QoS bearer utilization of the user and a determination of whether or not a number of currently established QoS bearers is less than a threshold.

Abstract: A method for a user equipment (UE) to set up a layer 2 (L2) compression-decompression operation, comprises signaling a set of L2 compression-decompression capabilities to a serving radio network controller (RNC) or a serving base station on a uplink control channel the set of L2 compression-decompression capabilities included in a capability information element (IE) of a RRC message; receiving a set of L2 compression-decompression control parameters in a signaling message on a downlink control channel from the serving RNC or the serving base station; and configuring a local set of L2 compression-decompression control parameters based on the received set of L2 compression-decompression control parameters.

Abstract: A system and method for forwarding network traffic includes receiving a first flow of network traffic at an ingress port on a switch, collecting flow control metrics for a plurality of egress ports assigned to a link aggregation group of the switch, selecting a first egress port from the plurality of egress ports using a hashing strategy based on at least information associated with the flow control metrics, assigning the first flow to the first egress port, directing the first flow to the first egress port, and transmitting network traffic associated with the first flow using the first egress port.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein are directed to solutions for Network on Chip (NoC) interconnects that automatically and dynamically determines the number of layers needed in a NoC interconnect system based on the bandwidth requirements of the system traffic flows. The number of layers is dynamically allocated and minimized by performing load balancing of the traffic flows between the channels and routes of different NoC layers as they are mapped. Additional layers may be allocated to provide the additional virtual channels that may be needed for deadlock avoidance and to maintain the isolation properties between various system flows. Layer allocation for additional bandwidth and additional virtual channels (VCs) may be performed in tandem.

Abstract: Balancing load distributions of loopback ports includes determining that a load distribution among loopback ports of a switch is unbalanced, determining whether the load distribution is balanceable, and balancing the load distribution.

Abstract: Disclosed is a network communication switch that facilitates reliable communication of high priority traffic over lower priority traffic across all ingress and egress ports. The network communication switch may monitor the frame storage buffer regardless of egress port, and when the frame storage buffer reaches a predetermined level, the switch may discard lower priority frames from the most congested port. When the frame storage buffer reaches a second predetermined level, the switch may discard lower priority frames before they are stored according to egress port. The network communication switch may further monitor ingress frames for priority, and assign priority to frames according to pre-assigned priority, ingress port, and/or frame contents.