Abstract: A switch for use with an InfiniBand network. The switch includes a crossbar that redirects packet-based data based on a forwarding table. At least one port that receives data from a network and selectively transfers that data to the crossbar using a variable number of virtual lanes. A state machine controls the changing of the number of virtual lanes.

Abstract: A method used in wireless communications for displaying an icon on a wireless communications device indicating that a calling party is a subscriber of a same wireless communications service provider of a called party. A terminating mobile station switching center (MSC) flags a routing number port associated with a routing number and returns the routing number to an originating MSC when it determines that a request for the routing number is sent from a home locator register (HLR) of the called party's wireless communications service provider and the calling party is also a subscriber of the called party's wireless communications service provider. When receiving an incoming call, the terminating MSC inspects whether the incoming call is to be sent through a flagged routing number port. If so, the terminating MSC generates a SETUP message with an instructions to display the icon.

Abstract: A method for transmitting and receiving short message broadcast services in a communication system is disclosed. The present invention reduces a battery consumption of a mobile station by additionally using an inserted message field of a broadcast indicator for notifying whether a broadcast message is being transmitted from a base station to the MS, thereby allowing a more efficient short message broadcast service.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement, node, clustered computer system, and method incorporate a primitive communication mechanism for use in exchanging data between adjacent nodes coupled via a point-to-point network. A plurality of network ports are used to couple a node to other nodes in the clustered computer system over point-to-point network interconnects, and a plurality of communication registers are associated with each of the network ports for the purpose of storing data received through their associated network ports. A node desiring to communicate information to another node receives a port identifier from the other node that identifies the network port on the other node through which the pair of nodes are coupled. The port identifier is then used by the node to communicate data to the other node through the use of one or more write operations directed to the communication register on the other node that is associated with the network port identified by the port identifier.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the invention provides a medium access control device. The device comprises a processor to process data packets between a data link layer and a physical layer in accordance with a communications protocol; and a physical medium independent interface coupled to the processor to send and receive data packets to and from a physical layer device, the data packets being compatible with either a wired communications medium or a wireless communications medium used by the physical layer device as a communications medium.

Abstract: A communication system and method with configurable posting points have been described.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method for managing a number of physical connections to a peripheral device. A multipath driver provides a logical connection interface to a client. This interface allows the client to efficiently access the peripheral device over one or more of the physical connections. In so doing, the logical connection interface associates connections with a primary connection, deletes inactive connections from memory, as well as updates and uses a list of active connections to seamlessly route data to the peripheral device.

Abstract: A communications system connected via a bus capable of transmitting multiplexed packets of control signals and AV signals while providing an environment, which is the same as an environment where connections are made using analog signal lines. A register with a fixed address is taken to be a virtual plug for each of a plurality of equipment. When the plug enable for the input plug is set to 1, an isochronous communication packet for the AV signal on the channel set by the channel number is received. When the plug enable for the output plug is set to one and the isochronous communication packet for the information signal is sent on the channel, then the channel number is set in the channel number field at a transmission speed designated by the DR (Data Rate) field at the bandwidth presented in the bandwidth field.

Abstract: An access point for a wireless local area data communications network is designed to derive power from a lighting fixture. In one arrangement, the access point includes a housing configured to be received in one or more sockets of a lighting fixture and to replace a lamp which would be inserted therein. In another arrangement, the housing includes a socket for receiving a lamp whereby both the access point and a lighting fixture can be serviced by the socket of the lighting fixture.

Abstract: A multiplexing apparatus selectively performs cell discard processing in the case of congestion on the basis of a use state of the same connection formed by cells from the side of a switching unit and subscribers without installing UPC units, and the multiplexing apparatus, which is connected to the switching unit and each of the plural subscribers through communication lines.

Abstract: An application module interface is disclosed that allows one or more modules to access voice or data channels in a private branch exchange environment that contains one or mole B channels (bearer channels) for transmitting voice or data signals, and one or more D channels (signaling channel) for transmitting data. The application module interface provides a control channel that allows a module to obtain and vary the status and configuration of a telephone terminal. The application module interface provides access to both directions of two B channels (B1 and B2) and one D channel. The application module interface is the only interface required to connect the two B channels (B1 and B2) and one D channel to or from the telephone terminal and the add-on module. A frame format includes a start bit (logic “1”), a number of data bits allocated to the D channels (D, D?) and B channels (B1, B1?, B2, B2?), and eight stop bits (logic “0”).

Abstract: A communications system connected via a bus capable of transmitting multiplexed packets of control signals and AV signals while providing an environment, which is the same as an environment where connections are made using analog signal lines. A register with a fixed address is taken to be a virtual plug for each of a plurality of equipment. When the plug enable for the input plug is set to 1, an isochronous communication packet for the AV signal on the channel set by the channel number is received. When the plug enable for the output plug is set to one and the isochronous communication packet for the information signal is sent on the channel, then the channel number is set in the channel number field at a transmission speed designated by the DR (Data Rate) field at the bandwidth presented in the bandwidth field.

Abstract: For use in a computer system having a bus coupled to first and second devices and network interface circuitry, a system for, and method of, allowing one of the first and second devices to communicate with a computer network via the network interface circuitry and a computer system incorporating the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) transport stack circuitry, coupled between the bus and the network interface circuitry, that provides socket-layer access to the network interface circuitry via the bus and (2) channel control circuitry, associated with the transport stack circuitry, that establishes unique channels for allowing peer-to-peer, socket-layer access between the first and second devices and the transport interface circuitry within the computer system.

Abstract: A data processing method includes, at an external computer, originating a ready control signal and, at a host, receiving the ready control signal. In response to the ready control signal, a control signal is produced by the host. In response to the control signal, a switch selectively couples one of the host and the first computer to a telecommunication device.

Abstract: A separately replaceable printed circuit board or card for use in a shelf of a telecommunications system with plural twisted pairs connected to corresponding plural subscribers via said card, each subscriber channel on each card including a low pass filter connected both to POTS and broadband services.

Abstract: A system and method of processing commands receives and stores in a memory a first command line interface. The first command line interface processes commands addressed to boards of a first board type. The system and method receives and stores in memory a second command line interface. The second command line interface processes commands addressed to boards of the first board type. The system and method processes a first command using the first command line interface and a second command using the second command line interface. The first command and the second commands are addressed to boards having the first board type.

Abstract: A communication system is provided for transferring data through a digital switching network. The communication system includes a client modem, a linecard in communication with the client modem over a local loop, and a linecard modem interfacing with the linecard and the digital switching network. The client modem modulates client data to generate modulated client data for transmission to the linecard over the local loop, and the linecard modem receives the modulated client data from the linecard and demodulates the modulated client data to generate the client data for transmission through the digital switching network. Further, the linecard modem modulates network data from the digital switching network to generate modulated network data for transmission to the client modem over the local loop, and the client modem receives and demodulates the modulated network data to generate the network data.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of automatic router configuration is disclosed when a cable of the router in operation is replaced or a protocol configuration is changed, a PLD automatically senses the change and initializes parts of the system to normalize communication environments without turning off the power. A TVS circuit is provided to absorb and prevent an electrical shock so that cable replacement is made possible in the power-on state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a switching device (300) having a plurality of line interface cards (LICs) (310), a plurality of egress LICs (320), a cross-bar (330) and a management card (340). The switching device (300) routes fixed sized cells of data across the cross-bar (330). The cells comprise fragments of variable length data packets. Each ingress LIC (312, 314, 316) is associated with a respective schedule or timetable (362, 364, 366) governing the transmission of cells by the ingress LIC. Similarly, each egress LIC (322, 324, 326) is also associated with a respective schedule or timetable (382, 384, 386) governing the reception of cells by said egress LIC. The schedules are in the form of a table whose entries are the identities of transmission queues corresponding to a respective egress LIC identification number (for ingress LICs) and ingress LICs from which to receive (egress LICs). Each ingress and egress LIC maintains a pointer into its associated schedule.

Abstract: A communication apparatus for processing a fax signal and an audio signal includes an audio compression unit for compressing the audio signal, a fax-termination/switching control unit for terminating the fax signal and for executing control to prevent the fax signal from being compressed by the audio compression unit, a detection unit for detecting a predetermined negotiation signal used in a negotiation procedure for a fax communication from an input signal before compression within a fixed period of time starting at the beginning of the negotiation signal and an exclusion processing unit for carrying out an exclusion process on the negotiation signal upon detection of the negotiation signal.

Abstract: A PBX system using an unmodified personal computer as the host server and using expansion slots to couple one or more switch cards to the system bus, and, optionally including a network interface card to couple the PBX system to other client computers running telephony enabled applications to control the PBX via a local area network. The switch card(s) are each coupled to a chain of one or more port expansion units that do not consume expansion slots. Each PEU contains a DSP and a microcontroller, an FPGA and port interface circuitry to interface to POTS CO lines, extension telephone lines, T1 lines or PRI lines. The personal computer is programmed with a PBX process that controls operations of the overall system and may also be programmed with conventional voice mail applications or integrated voice response and other applications to implement various telephony functions such as recording voice mail or prompt callers to input DTMF tones indicating what they want to do.

Abstract: A plurality of first transistors are connected in series between the first terminal and the second terminal. A plurality of second transistors are connected in series between the first terminal and the third terminal. One end of a resistor is connected to the first terminal, and the other end of the resistor is grounded. Either the first transistor or the second transistor is controlled to be ON. A resistance value of the resistor is set at such a value that a difference between a gate voltage of the first or second transistor being ON and a pinch-off voltage of the first or second transistor being ON is set greater than the amplitude of the potential of the first terminal which varies upon reception of a signal flowing to the first terminal. In this structure, the first and second transistors are appropriately operated regardless of signal frequency.

Abstract: A programmable serial interface device. The device generally comprises a programmable logic device and another die mounted to an assembly apparatus. The programmable logic device may comprise (i) a plurality of logic block clusters and (ii) a plurality of routing channels configured to interconnect said logic block clusters. The die may comprise a first communication channel (i) configured to convert between a first serial data signal and a first parallel data signal and (ii) coupled to a first of the routing channels to exchange the first parallel data signal with at least one of the logic block clusters.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a communications device for use in a communications network. The communications device includes a plurality of interface ports, each of the interface ports receiving a first signal in a first format. A processor is coupled to the interface ports and receives the first signals. The processor provisions an overhead byte associated with one of the first signals and multiplexes the first signals to generate a multiplexed signal. A framer receives the multiplexed signal and the provisioned overhead byte and places the multiplexed signal in a second format to provide a second signal for transmission on the communications network.

Abstract: A SONET multiplexed system architecture that permits greater levels of integration. The architecture includes a time slot interchanger for routing information from at least one SONET input signal path associated with a respective first time slot to at least one SONET output signal path associated with a respective second time slot. Each input signal path includes a pointer interpreter, and each output signal path includes a FIFO buffer serially coupled to a pointer generator. The architecture further includes a synchronization buffer in each input signal path for transferring the input signal to the clock rate of the time slot interchanger. The architecture permits greater levels of integration when the time slot interchanger has more inputs than outputs, and/or the time slot interchanger provides the output signal to a pointer processor to transfer the output signal to the clock rate of the output signal path.

Abstract: A switch of a network for switching data. The switch includes a fabric for switching the data. The switch includes a connection mechanism connected to the fabric for providing data to and from the fabric. The switch includes a first port card which receives data at a first rate from the network or sends data at the first rate to the network. The first port card is connected to the connection mechanism to send data to or receive the data from the fabric at a connection rate. The switch includes a second port card which receives data at a second rate from the network or sends data at the second rate to the network. The second port card is connected to the connection mechanism to send data to or receive data from the fabric at the connection rate.

Abstract: A line card provides terminating resistors for a bus or traces on a backplane. The line card terminations are activated (connected to ground) by a crossbar switch that is set according to programming (software/firmware/flash memory stored instructions) maintained on the line card to set the state of the resistive terminations. The programming maintained on the line card may be downloaded to the card into nonvolatile storage. The decision to utilize a specific line card to terminate or leave the bus unterminated is made by a control unit that sends command messages to the line card. A polling device interrogates each line card and sets the physically last card on the bus as a terminating card. The command messages are in ADSL Provisioning Message format and transmitted to each line card via a CPU Cell Data Link (CCDL).

Abstract: An optimal printed circuit board input/output switching system is provided and includes a printed circuit board having multiple input/output ports with communication channels coupling the input/output ports to a switching fabric located thereon. Two printed circuit boards may be connected with a board connector for providing switching between input/output ports of the printed circuit boards in a dual-board switching system. The switching fabrics of each printed circuit board can function as an aggregate switching fabric to provide communication channel switching between the input/output ports of the two printed circuit boards. A dual-board switching system may include a single printed circuit board having the switching fabric located thereon. A board connector facilitates modification of the switching configuration.

Abstract: A control and distribution protocol (CDP) is implemented for transport across a backplane bus, through a high-speed serial link or through a switching fabric connection. The protocol includes an intra-system transport of dynamic routing protocol (DRP) IP messages, the distribution of routing information within the router, the transport of control and maintenance messages, and the transport of IP and multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) traffic between ingress and egress ports. The protocol further includes a dynamic routing and control driver which interacts with dynamic routing control applications to exchange messages that are to be transmitted to packet flow processors and to handoff messages received from packet flow processors. A packet flow processor driver which services messages carried between the dynamic routing control and packet flow processors. An IP traffic interface provides transfer of IP L3/L2 protocol data unit (PDU) header primitive from the packet flow processors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of establishing a voice call between a calling party's terminal (5), which is connected to a telephone network (4), and a called party's terminal (6), which is also connected to the telephone network (4), through an Internet Protocol (IP) network (1). To make the method as simple as possible, it is proposed to use conventional IP servers (2; 3) of IP service providers for providing access to the IP network (1). The IP network (1) includes at least one Voice-over-IP (VoIP) server (11), which controls the functions of telephony over the IP network (1). The VoIP server (11) receives the request for an IP call from the calling party, activates the still inactive terminal (6) of the called party over the telephone network (4), determines the IP addresses of the terminals (5, 6), and communicates the IP addresses to the respective other terminal (5; 6). The terminals (5, 6) then establish a voice call between them through the IP network (1).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing multiple types of connections to be made to a peripheral component. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a peripheral component with a receptacle having a number of electrical connecting lines. At least one of the electrical lines is used as a signal line by more than one type of connection, which is made directly to the receptacle. Next, the present invention switches the electrical connecting lines between a number of electrical pathways. Next, the present invention determines the type of connection being made to the receptacle. In so doing, an electrical pathway which is appropriate for the connection-type is established.

Abstract: A digital crossbar switch utilizes an asynchronous RAM to provide high density and low latency storage and a write enable pulse generator to generate write enable pulses that are independent of the clock signal duty cycles. The crossbar switch includes a plurality of ports coupled to a bus, at least one memory element coupled to one of the plurality of ports, and a circuit for generating a write enable pulse coupled to each of the memory element. The circuit for generating the write enable pulse includes a pulse generator for generating a pulse, the pulse tracking a leading edge of a clock signal, a write enable signal generator for generating a write enable signal, and a first logic circuit coupled to the pulse generator and the write enable signal generator for generating the write enable pulse by combining the pulse and the write enable signal.

Abstract: A method for bi-directional data synchronization between different clock frequencies is described wherein a state machine counter is provided a first clock signal having a first frequency. The state machine counter is then provided a second clock signal having a second frequency that is an integer multiple of the first clock frequency. The state machine counter has an integer number of states equivalent to the ratio of the second clock signal frequency to the first clock signal frequency. The first clock signal is applied to reset the state machine counter to an initial state. The state machine counter generates an intermediate clock signal whenever the state machine increments through all states to return to the initial state. The intermediate clock is then applied to synchronize data between the first clock frequency and the second clock frequency.

Abstract: A Packet Voice Data Module (PVDM)/Host Platform Interface that supports multiple vendor's DSPs without sacrificing performance. The interface also provides a hardware chip select for selecting non-DSP functionality to expand the use of the interface. Testing and module identification functions are also enabled by the interface.

Abstract: A method for determining a status of a buffer for use in converting between a standard SONET and a non-standard SONET frame is presented. The method determines the buffer's almost empty or almost full status based on a length of a transport gap of the non-standard SONET frame, wherein the standard SONET frame is formatted as a STS-N, and the transport gap of the non-standard SONET frame has been rearranged to provide a longer non-data region at the beginning of the non-standard SONET frame. The method then uses the buffer's almost empty or almost full status to trigger positive or negative stuffing. The method is used for maintaining communications when using asymmetrical gapping structures.

Abstract: A line card within a switching node coupled to a network is described. The line card includes a link interface for transmitting communications along a communication link within the network. The link interface further includes multiple logical interfaces having one or more partitions and one or more buffers. The partitions and the buffers accommodate multiple classes of service requirements for the communications transmitted within the network. In one embodiment, bandwidth management and connection admission control in a network encompasses both the line card and the system which uses the line card.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for multi-protocol LAN support, which is applicable to Ethernet, Token-Ring, and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) protocols. The LAN support is located at a workstation and provides for automatic determination of the LAN protocol type and speed. A common adapter card is provided for use in the workstation to interface the workstation to any of the LANs of interest. A four-step sequential process is taught for determining the protocol type and speed.

Abstract: A method for decreasing routing latency of a switching platform comprises identifying ports which have changed their operational state and modifying the port polling code associated with the respective ports so that operational ports are polled for frames to be routed, while non-operational ports are not polled. In one embodiment, the method is implemented in a fibre channel switch. Non-operational ports are identified as having operational states below a pre-determined threshold level of functionality. The polling code for the ports is modified while polling operations are carried out in the switch. The code for a newly operational port is modified by copying into the code one or more instructions that poll the port for a frame and routes the frame. The code for a newly non-operational port is modified by copying into the code a branch instruction that bypasses the remainder of the polling code for the port.

Abstract: A loop carrier system includes a home local area network having plural telephone modules and a hub coupled to in-home telephone wiring. The telephone modules and the hub communicate voice signals over the in-home wiring in a dedicated frequency band above baseband POTS. The hub converts between voice signals and voice packets and is connected to a network access device for transferring the voice packets from the home local area network to a telecommunications network which routes the voice packets to a gateway. The gateway converts between the voice packets and a circuit format compatible with a local digital voice switch. A network element includes a Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA)-based server, CORBA-based managed objects accessible by the CORBA-based server and a CORBA-based applications programming interface (API). The CORBA-based API is coupled to an external operations support system which can manage the plural CORBA-based managed objects directly.

Abstract: A method and system is provided in which data packets from multiple customer VLANs are forwarded over a MAN using VLAN aggregation. A layer-2 switch located at the edge of the MAN connects the customer VLANs to the MAN. The edge switch aggregates multiple customer VLANs (the “sub-VLANs”) into one provider VLAN (the “super-VLAN”). When a packet is forwarded from the sub-VLAN to the super-VLAN and vice versa, the edge switch uses modified bridge forwarding rules to exchange the customer-configured VLAN-IDs with the provider-configured VLAN-IDs before transporting the packet over the MAN. The edge switch further uses modified bridge media access control (MAC) address learning rules to isolate one customer's traffic from another's (i.e. isolate one sub-VLAN's traffic from another sub-VLAN's traffic).

Abstract: The invention is to use the ability of a switching fabric to set a congestion indicator bit in a segment if any queue through which the segment passes is filled above a lower threshold. The output linecard monitors the field of the congestion indicator bit as it receives segments from the switching fabric. The output linecard periodically calculates the ratio of segments having the congestion bit set to all segments routed to a particular port. The periodically calculated ratio is used as an input parameter to a Random Early Detection (RED) algorithm. The RED algorithm selects a packet for the output linecard to drop, by use of a random selection method. The destination computer then does not receive the packet. The random selection of packets to drop has the effect of helping to prevent undesirable network synchronization of transmission of replacement packets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sharing storage in a cross-connect. According to one embodiment of the invention, a cross-connect includes a number of sets of data input lines and a number of matrices. Each of the sets of data input lines is to be coupled to a different line card. Each of the matrices is coupled to every one of the sets of data input lines. In addition, each of the matrices has a set of data output lines, where the set of data input lines of each of the matrices is to be coupled to a different one of the line cards.

Abstract: A method is described for segmenting a data stream comprising variable-size packets, a data stream being defined by its source node, sink node, assigned network route, and other attributes. The segments are of equal size and the method concatenates the packets in successive segments in a manner that attempts to minimize segmentation waste without undue delay. The method facilitates the construction of efficient networks that scale to very high capacities while respecting service-quality specifications. Apparatus for implementing the method are also described.

Abstract: A SONET multiplexed communications system that facilitates the sharing of processing resources while reducing overall system complexity. The SONET multiplexed communications system includes a single multi-output pointer generator clocked by a system clock and a plurality of clock domain transfer circuits having respective FIFO buffers for transferring SONET signals from the system clock domain to respective outgoing line clock domains. The multi-output pointer generator and the clock domain transfer circuits compensate for timing differences between the system clock and the respective outgoing line clocks by either skipping or overwriting FIFO buffer address locations corresponding to TOH byte positions in outgoing SONET frames. The TOH bytes corresponding to the skipped or overwritten TOH byte positions are subsequently re-generated by respective TOH insertion circuits before the outgoing SONET frames are passed through outgoing SONET lines.

Abstract: A method of automatically determining a peak level of a signal propagated on a carrier medium, such as for example POTS wiring, includes detecting a traversal of a noise threshold level by a data signal. The noise threshold level is determined relative to a noise floor. A determination is then made as to whether the data signal traverses a peak level within a predetermined time interval after the detection of the traversal of the noise threshold level. The peak level is then varied in accordance with the determination of whether the data signal traversed the peak level within the predetermined time interval. For example, should the data signal not traversed the peak level within the predetermined time interval, the peak level may be lowered. Alternatively, should the data signal traversed the peak level within the predetermined time interval, the peak level may be raised.

Abstract: A method of dynamically, and automatically, varying the sensitivity of a receiver coupled to receive signals on a carrier medium, such as for example POTS wiring, includes the step of detecting whether more than a predetermined number of noise events, such as for example traversals of a noise threshold level, occur within a predetermined time. If the predetermined number of noise events occur, the sensitivity of the receiver is automatically varied by a predetermined increment. For example, the noise threshold level may be raised by a predetermined voltage to vary the sensitivity of the receiver.

Abstract: A multiplex conversion unit is configured with those functions required for a specific network to which it is more economically applicable. Each OC-12IF circuit pack includes a switch for performing time slot assignment (TSA) between a plurality of high-speed transmission lines and at least a low-speed transmission line. An ADM circuit pack includes a switch for performing time slot interchange (TSI) between the high-speed transmission lines and the low-speed transmission line. In an application to a network requiring the TSI function, the switch of the OC-12IF circuit pack performs only the add/drop multiplex (ADM) operation between the signals input/output by the high-speed transmission lines and the ADM circuit pack, and the switch on the ADM circuit pack performs the TSI operation. In an application not requiring the TSI, the TSA operation is performed using a THRU circuit pack.

Abstract: An interface device and a method according to the invention interfaces between a user and a switch according to programming parameters.

Abstract: A switch is presented including a host input/output (I/O) port adapted for coupling to a controller, multiple device I/O ports each adapted for coupling to at least one device, and logic coupled between the host I/O port and the device I/O ports configured to selectively form a communication channel between the host I/O port and one of the device I/O ports. The switch may operate in a connected mode and a disconnected mode. When in the switch is in the disconnected mode, the logic may not form a communication channel between the host I/O port and any of the device I/O ports. In an ATA embodiment, the switch may comply with an AT attachment (ATA) standard, and thus be an ATA switch. The host I/O port may be adapted for coupling to an ATA controller, the device I/O ports may be adapted for coupling to at least one ATA device, and the logic may selectively form an ATA communication channel between the host I/O port and one of the device I/O ports.

Abstract: An apparatus which uses channel counters in combination with channel count read instructions as a means of providing information that data in a given channel is valid or has not been previously read. The counter may also, in the situation of the channel being defined as blocking, be used to prevent the unintentional overwriting of data in a register used by the channel or, alternatively, prevent further communications with the device assigned to that channel when a given count occurs. Intelligent external devices may also use channel count read instructions sent to the counting mechanism for reading from and writing to the channel.