Abstract: Electronic devices include: a first electronic device capable of being always supplied with power; and a second electronic device capable of being supplied with the power through an operation by an occupant. Each of power supply hubs is located near the first electronic device, and connected to a battery or another one of the power supply hubs by one of main power supply lines. Each of the first and second electronic devices is connected to nearby one of the power supply hubs. Each of zone ECUs outputs a control signal to one of power supply ICs so as to distribute, to the first and second electronic devices, the power supplied to one of the power supply hubs by one of the main power supply lines.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for performing communications between devices using various aspects of Ethernet standards. As further described herein, a protocol is disclosed that may be used for communications between devices, where the communications take place over a physical connection complying with Ethernet standards. Such a protocol may enable reliable and in-order delivery of frames between devices, while following Ethernet physical layer rules, Ethernet symbol encoding, Ethernet lane alignment, and/or Ethernet frame formats.

Abstract: An automation network with network subscribers is provided, in which the network subscribers are interconnected via a data line network. At least one network subscriber is configured as a master subscriber, which is adapted to send telegrams via the data line network. At least one network subscriber is configured as a network distributor, which is adapted to route telegrams. The network distributor has a plurality of input/output ports, and is connected to the master subscriber via a first input/output and data line network. The master subscriber is configured to use a telegram element to indicate that the telegram is enabled for processing by the network subscribers. In addition, the network distributor is configured to process a telegram received via the first input/output port when the telegram element indicates enablement of processing of the telegram by the network subscribers.

Abstract: Fire-prevention control unit including several circuit boards and a dedicated communication bus for communication between the circuit boards, the circuit boards including at least one processing board, at least one input board and at least one output board. The at least one processing board is intended to process input data received from the at least one input board and to generate commands to send to the at least one output board, the at least one input board and the at least one output board being intended to communicate with one or more devices to be monitored or controlled. Each circuit board has two identical and physically distinct functional logic units, the functional logic units being adapted to perform the same function, each functional logic unit having a unit for direct communication with the communication bus according to a configurable architecture.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for utilizing multiple carriers are disclosed. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) capable of receiving on a single downlink carrier at a time may tune the receiver to one downlink carrier and switch the downlink carrier in accordance with a configured pattern. The WTRU may switch the carrier from an anchor carrier to a non-anchor carrier at a high speed shared control channel (HS-SCCH) sub-frame boundary, and switches back at an end of a subsequent high speed physical downlink shared channel (HS-PDSCH) subframe. The WTRU may switch the carrier at an HS-PDSCH sub-frame boundary. A WTRU capable of receiving on multiple downlink carriers simultaneously may tune the receiver to an anchor carrier and a supplementary carrier, and switch the supplementary carrier to another carrier based on a carrier switching order. The carrier switching order may be received via an HS-SCCH or via layer 2 signaling.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for utilizing multiple carriers are disclosed. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) capable of receiving on a single downlink carrier at a time may tune the receiver to one downlink carrier and switch the downlink carrier in accordance with a configured pattern. The WTRU may switch the carrier from an anchor carrier to a non-anchor carrier at a high speed shared control channel (HS-SCCH) sub-frame boundary, and switches back at an end of a subsequent high speed physical downlink shared channel (HS-PDSCH) subframe. The WTRU may switch the carrier at an HS-PDSCH sub-frame boundary. A WTRU capable of receiving on multiple downlink carriers simultaneously may tune the receiver to an anchor carrier and a supplementary carrier, and switch the supplementary carrier to another carrier based on a carrier switching order. The carrier switching order may be received via an HS-SCCH or via layer 2 signaling.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for steering an input packet stream includes a traffic splitter configured to split an input packet stream into a first packet stream and a second packet stream, and a photonic switching fabric coupled to the traffic splitter, where the photonic switching fabric is configured to switch the first packet stream. The system may also include an electrical packet switching fabric coupled to the traffic splitter, where the electrical packet switching fabric is configured to switch the second packet stream, and a traffic combiner coupled to the photonic switching fabric and to the electrical packet switching fabric, where the traffic combiner is configured to merge the first switched packet stream and the second switched packet stream to produce a first packet flow.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for precise measurement of switching latency of packet switching devices are disclosed. One method includes steps implemented in a network equipment test device including at least one processor. The method includes transmitting frames to a device under test. The method further includes receiving one of the transmitted frames from the device under test. The method further includes determining a measured latency of the device under test based on a difference between a time that the one frame was transmitted to the device under test and a time that the one frame was received from the device under test. The method further includes determining an indication of backlog latency of the device under test caused by the device under test inserting a virtual lane marker in traffic transmitted to the network equipment and reporting the indication of the backlog latency.

Abstract: Disclosed is a radio communication apparatus capable of stopping useless transmission of a calling signal to a locator. A calling apparatus transmits, using a near field radio communication apparatus, a calling signal to a locator attached to an item and outputting a notification sound, the calling signal being used for calling the locator. The calling apparatus periodically stands by for reception of a response signal from the locator using one slot when performing consecutive transmission of the calling signal to the locator using a plurality of slots. The calling apparatus stops the consecutive transmission of the calling signal by being triggered upon reception of the response signal from the locator.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed which provide wireless communication systems implementing subsystems adapted for flexible deployment configurations and to resist the introduction of interference. Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a wireless communication system configuration in which an ODU subsystem is coupled to an IDU subsystem using a fiber optic link. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an ODU subsystem is adapted to provide conversion between digital and analog to thereby facilitate the use of a digital link between the ODU subsystem and a corresponding IDU subsystem. Embodiments of the present invention utilize a plurality of ODU subsystems configured according to the present invention to provide wireless communication coverage of a service area, such as to provide a wireless application termination system (WATS) hub for use in providing wireless communication links with respect to a plurality of subscriber units.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and network communication equipment for low latency loss-free burst switching. Burst-transfer schedules are determined by controllers of bufferless core nodes according to specified bitrate allocations and distributed to respective edge nodes. In a composite-star network, burst schedules are initiated by any core node. Burst formation takes place at source edge nodes and a permissible burst size is determined according to an allocated bitrate of a burst stream to which the burst belongs. The permissible burst size is subject to constraints such as permissible burst-formation delay, a minimum guard-time requirement, and permissible delay jitter. A method of control-burst exchange between each edge node and each bufferless core node enables burst scheduling, time coordination, and loss-free burst switching. Both the payload bursts and control bursts are carried by optical channels connecting the edge nodes and the core notes.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed which provide wireless communication systems implementing subsystems adapted for flexible deployment configurations and to resist the introduction of interference. Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a wireless communication system configuration in which an ODU subsystem is coupled to an IDU subsystem using a fiber optic link. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an ODU subsystem is adapted to provide conversion between digital and analog to thereby facilitate the use of a digital link between the ODU subsystem and a corresponding IDU subsystem. Embodiments of the present invention utilize a plurality of ODU subsystems configured according to the present invention to provide wireless communication coverage of a service area, such as to provide a wireless application termination system (WATS) hub for use in providing wireless communication links with respect to a plurality of subscriber units.

Abstract: A wireless communications device may include a portable housing and a temperature-compensated clock circuit carried by the portable housing. The device may further include a wireless receiver carried by the portable housing for receiving timing signals, when available, from a wireless network, and a satellite positioning clock circuit carried by the portable housing. A clock correction circuit may be carried by the portable housing for correcting the temperature-compensated clock circuit based upon timing signals from the wireless network when available, and storing historical correction values for corresponding temperatures. The clock correction circuit may also correct the temperature-compensated clock circuit based upon the stored historical correction values when timing signals are unavailable from the wireless network, and correct the satellite positioning clock based upon the temperature-compensated clock circuit.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing communications through a dense mesh network having a plurality of nodes coupled to one of at least two gateway controllers is disclosed. A node location of each node is calculated relative to other nodes in the mesh network. Nodes that are less than a predetermined distance of each other are assigned to separate gateway controllers. Radio frequency interference levels between the nodes in the mesh network are measured and channels or PN codes of nodes having interference levels greater than a predetermined amount are changed.

Abstract: A mobile phone is provided. The mobile phone includes a first buffer memory, a downloader for downloading a data file from a web server in the first buffer memory, the file being accessible at a web address on the web server, the downloader being connected to the first buffer memory, and a streaming server for streaming data to a remote client equipment according to a predetermined network protocol, the streaming server being connected to the first buffer memory. The streaming server is adapted to be connected to the remote client equipment via a data link and is adapted to receive, from the remote client equipment, a data streaming request. The streaming server includes an activater for activating the downloader, the activater being adapted to activate the downloading of the data file.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a torus network comprising a matrix of infrastructure routers, each of which is connected to two other routers belonging to the same row and to two other routers belonging to the same column; and input/output routers, each of which is connected by two internal inputs to two other routers belonging either to the same row, or to the same column, and comprising an external input for supplying the network with data. Each input/output router is devoid of queues for its internal inputs and comprises queues assigned to its external input managed by an arbiter which is configured to also manage the queues of an infrastructure router connected to the input/output router.

Abstract: A network including a hierarchical structure of nodes is described. The structure of nodes includes n layers including n?1 layers of switch nodes and 1 layer of computational nodes. Each layer in the structure can include mn-L nodes grouped into units, where m represents a number of nodes in a unit and L represents a layer in the structure, where L=0 represents a lowest layer and L=n?1 represents a highest layer. Each node in a layer other than the computational layer can include a switch node for a unit in a next lower layer. For each unit, each node can be connected to each other node by a point to point link and to a local switch node for the unit by a point to point link. Each node can be connected to each other node and to the local switch node by a local broadcast network for the unit.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and network communication equipment for low latency loss-free burst switching. Burst-transfer schedules are determined by controllers of bufferless core nodes according to specified bitrate allocations and distributed to respective edge nodes. In a composite-star network, burst schedules are initiated by any core node. Burst formation takes place at source edge nodes and a permissible burst size is determined according to an allocated bitrate of a burst stream to which the burst belongs. The permissible burst size is subject to constraints such as permissible burst-formation delay, a minimum guard-time requirement, and permissible delay jitter. A method of control-burst exchange between each edge node and each bufferless core node enables burst scheduling, time coordination, and loss-free burst switching. Both the payload bursts and control bursts are carried by optical channels connecting the edge nodes and the core nodes.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed which provide wireless communication systems implementing subsystems adapted for flexible deployment configurations and to resist the introduction of interference. Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a wireless communication system configuration in which an ODU subsystem is coupled to an IDU subsystem using a fiber optic link. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an ODU subsystem is adapted to provide conversion between digital and analog to thereby facilitate the use of a digital link between the ODU subsystem and a corresponding IDU subsystem. Embodiments of the present invention utilize a plurality of ODU subsystems configured according to the present invention to provide wireless communication coverage of a service area, such as to provide a wireless application termination system (WATS) hub for use in providing wireless communication links with respect to a plurality of subscriber units.

Abstract: A ring communication network according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of nodes in which a single one of the nodes is configured for full channel conversion and the remaining nodes, other than the single node, are configured for no channel conversion. Links with no more than W channels couple the nodes. The ring communication network also may include N nodes and links connecting the nodes for carrying data in W channels such that N?2 log2 W?1 where W is a power of 2. Each of the N nodes includes switches connected such that each channel of a first one of the links adjacent to any one of the N nodes can be switched to no more than W?1 channels of another one of the links adjacent any one node.

Abstract: A method for controlling packet service setup includes the steps of: transmitting a packet service request message containing a requested QoS to a packet service node by a mobile communication terminal; transmitting to the mobile communication terminal a packet service request response message including an assigned QoS determined in consideration of the requested QoS and network resources contained in the message received by the packet service node; comparing one or more parameter values among parameters contained in the assigned QoS contained in the packet service request response message from a mobile communication network with corresponding one or more parameter values among parameters contained in the QoS requested by the mobile communication terminal; and transmitting a packet service cancel request message if a difference between the parameter values is greater than or equal to a preset value.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a multi-level interconnection network is provided. A multi-level interconnection network comprises basic cells that are aggregated into higher level cells at each level of the network. At the first level, the basic cells are aggregated into first level cells. Each first level cell is an aggregation of a number of basic cells that is one more than the number of devices in a basic cell. The basic cells of a first level cell are fully connected; that is, each basic cell has a first level link or connection to each other basic cell. In a first level cell, each device of a basic cell has a first level link to each other basic cell. The multi-level interconnection network has higher level cells that are aggregations of lower level cells in a similar manner.

Abstract: A network including a hierarchical structure of nodes is described. The structure of nodes includes n layers including n?1 layers of switch nodes and 1 layer of computational nodes. Each layer in the structure can include mn-L nodes grouped into units, where m represents a number of nodes in a unit and L represents a layer in the structure, where L=0 represents a lowest layer and L=n?1 represents a highest layer. Each node in a layer other than the computational layer can include a switch node for a unit in a next lower layer. For each unit, each node can be connected to each other node by a point to point link and to a local switch node for the unit by a point to point link. Each node can be connected to each other node and to the local switch node by a local broadcast network for the unit.

Abstract: A radio deployment pack (110) includes a plurality of radios and deployable infrastructure package within a single package. The package is created by placing an order including the selection of frequency band of operation and either stand-alone mode infrastructure, to be used when all existing infrastructure is inoperable, or expanded infrastructure mode, to be used to extend coverage across remote region having gaps in coverage. The selection of infrastructure is preferably used to assign a battery option, the battery option being either a disposable battery or rechargeable battery. The use of the RDP (110) provides a communication system without the use of local infrastructure and without prior knowledge of communication system operation. The package may further include RFIDs (404) for inventory and location tracking of the radios, portable infrastructure and or emergency equipment (410). Wired programming capability is optionally provided through the use of a smart rack 502.

Abstract: A communication method for transmitting Ethernet messages in a distributed real-time system in which a plurality of network node computers, e.g. four network node computers (111, 112, 113, 114), each comprising at least one communication controller (121, 122, 123, 124), are linked via a communication system comprising one or more communication channels (109), one or more intelligent star couplers (101, 102) being disposed in each communication channel. According to the invention, a distinction is made between conventional Ethernet messages (ET messages) and time-triggered Ethernet messages (TT messages), the TT messages being transported with an a priori known constant delay time (?) between transmitter and receiver, and, when there is a time conflict between ET and TT messages, the transport of the ET message that is in conflict being delayed or aborted in order to be able to transport the TT message with the constant delay time (?).

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed which provide wireless communication systems implementing subsystems adapted for flexible deployment configurations and to resist the introduction of interference. Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a wireless communication system configuration in which an ODU subsystem is coupled to an IDU subsystem using a fiber optic link. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an ODU subsystem is adapted to provide conversion between digital and analog to thereby facilitate the use of a digital link between the ODU subsystem and a corresponding IDU subsystem. Embodiments of the present invention utilize a plurality of ODU subsystems configured according to the present invention to provide wireless communication coverage of a service area, such as to provide a wireless application termination system (WATS) hub for use in providing wireless communication links with respect to a plurality of subscriber units.

Abstract: A communication system between head-ends and end-users is provided which expands bandwidth and reliability. A concentrator receives communication signals from a head-end and forwards the received communication signals to one or more fiber nodes and/or one or more mini-fiber nodes. The concentrator demultiplexes/splits received signals for the mini-fiber nodes and the fiber nodes and forwards demultiplexed/split signals respectively. The mini-fiber nodes may combine signals received from the head-end with loop-back signals used for local medium access control prior to forwarding the signals to the end-users. Upstream data are received by the mini-fiber nodes and/or fiber node and transmitted to the concentrator. The concentrator multiplexes/couples the mini-fiber node and the fiber node upstream signals and forwards multiplexed/coupled signals to the head-end.

Abstract: An apparatus for packet-priority control for controlling a priority for packets input includes packet-priority setting means for setting hierarchically the priority for the packet input based on predetermined elements, and to adjust, taking into account other elements according to which the priority for the packet varies over time, the set priority, and wireless-resource allocating means for determining a packet for which a wireless resource is to be allocated in accordance with the adjusted priority.

Abstract: A method for arbitrating access to a time slot in a time division multiple access network in an asynchronous hub with a bus guardian is provided. The method including receiving signals from competing nodes claiming access to the same time slot at the bus guardian of the asynchronous hub, selecting one of the nodes based on a priority scheme, and relaying a message from the selected node and blocking the message from the non-selected node.

Abstract: A supply line structure for supplying energy to electrical components of a motor vehicle, and for the transmission of information between at least a portion of the components (so-called Powerline Communications). To improve the channel characteristics of the information transmission via the supply line structure, it is proposed that the supply lines be arranged in a star configuration having at least one star point, the or each star point an impedance which corresponds to the characteristic impedance of the individual supply line branches running into it. To that end, it is proposed in particular that at the or each star point, an additional series resistor, frequency-dependent for frequencies below 100 MHz, be disposed in the incoming supply line branches. The series resistor is preferably configured as a ferrite sleeve.

Abstract: A system for routing a data packet between N elements includes N network interfaces respectively connected to the N elements, with N being an even integer, and an on-chip packet-switched communication network arranged in a ring structure. The packet-switched communication network includes N routers respectively connected to the N interfaces, and N pairs of opposite uni-directional ring links. Each pair of ring links couples two adjacent routers in the ring structure, and each ring link provides two virtual channels. There are N/2 pairs of opposite uni-directional crossing links, with each pair of crossing links coupling two diametrically opposite routers in the ring structure.

Abstract: A method and system for implementing LUN based hard zoning in a fiber channel network is provided. A LUN field in a Fiber Channel SCSI command frame is compared with a list of LUNS that are allowed for a particular frame source; and the frame is forwarded if the LUN is allowed for the frame source. The comparison is performed by a port receiving the frame by using an address look up table (“ALUT”). Hard zoning is based on various frame fields and/or ALUT control codes. Also provided is a method for processing a reply to a SCSI REPORT LUN command from an initiator. The method includes, intercepting a reply to a REPORT LUN command; editing the reply to remove unauthorized LUNs; and sending the edited reply to the initiator.

Abstract: A method for managing a group of communication terminals making up a star network, and an apparatus using the method are provided. The star network may be made up of at least one general communication terminal and a central communication terminal controlling the whole network. The method provides requesting the central communication terminal to establish a communication channel for managing a group and having a communication channel established for managing a group by the central communication terminal, receiving group information of a group which includes a predetermined terminal of the general communication terminal or a central communication terminal, and storing the group information. Therefore, it is possible to create and manage a group of communication terminals based on each application function in a star network. In addition, communication between communication terminals in the same group can be performed smoothly.

Abstract: This invention provides a new architecture for a communication system between head-ends and end-users which expands bandwidth and reliability of the communication system. A mux-node receives communication signals from a head-end and forwards the received communication signals to one or more mini-fiber nodes. The connection to the head-end is via a small number of optical fibers and the connections to each of the mini-fiber nodes may be via one or more optical fibers that may provide full duplex communication. The head-end may communicate with the mux-node using digital or digital and analog signals. The mini-fiber nodes may combine the signals received from the head-end with loop-back signals used for local media access control prior to forwarding the signals to the end-users. Upstream data are received by the mini-fiber nodes and transmitted to the mux-node.

Abstract: A network element including an active/standby pair of line units, an active/standby pair of switch fabric units, at least one service unit, and a management and control unit. Each line unit maintains data communications using a first communications protocol. Each switch fabric unit maintains data communications using a second communications protocol. Each service unit includes a first backplane interface supporting the first communications protocol, and a second backplane interface supporting the second communications protocol. The management and control unit provides a control infrastructure for selectively communicating data units between the active/standby pair of line units, the active/standby pair of switch fabric units, and the service unit, responsive to provisioning information or information contained within the respective data unit.

Abstract: An Ethernet passive optical network (EPON) ring for providing protection against fiber failures. The optical network unit (ONU) is coupled to the ring fiber by a three-port passive optical splitting module that has three two-way optical passages. By the three two-way optical passages, the OUN receives/transmits data from/to the two ends of the optical line termination (OLT) to provide protection while the fiber failure. Moreover, it provides better authorization of users and simpler collision detection by the two-way transmission of the three-port passive optical splitting module to prevent hackers from invading and to reduce collisions.

Abstract: A method for inverse multiplexing of managed traffic flows over a multi-star switch network includes a source node classifier. The source node classifier, using a traffic-engineering algorithm, classifies incoming traffic based on flow parameters, embeds the flow parameters in a routing table in a node for a flow, places packets from classified flows into Switch-Specific Managed-Traffic Queues (SSMT) and a source node unmanaged traffic queue. A source node switch input scheduler process for a switch selects all managed packets from the SSMT destined for the switch, then selects a single unmanaged packet from the source node unmanaged traffic queue. The source node transmits the packets as classified flows through a switch fabric to the destination node. At the destination node packets transmitted through the switch fabric are sorted by a Switch Output Process and sent to intended output queues.

Abstract: A power integrated local area network, such as an Ethernet network, is disclosed. The network comprises: a plurality of member network devices; and a central network device configured to communicate with the plurality of member network devices, and to deliver power, from energy stored in an electrochemical power source, to at least one selected member network device that is capable of accepting power from the central network device.

Abstract: This invention provides a new architecture for a communication system between head-ends and end-users which expands bandwidth and reliability of the communication system. A mux-node receives communication signals from a head-end and forwards the received communication signals to one or more mini-fiber nodes. The connection to the head-end is via a small number of optical fibers and the connections to each of the mini-fiber nodes may be via one or more optical fibers that may provide full duplex communication. The head-end may communicate with the mux-node using digital or digital and analog signals. The mini-fiber nodes may combine the signals received from the head-end with loop-back signals used for local media access control prior to forwarding the signals to the end-users. Upstream data are received by the mini-fiber nodes and transmitted to the mux-node.

Abstract: A logical star architecture imposed on an underlying non-star network, for example a Virtual Path Ring (VPR), enhances a mesh protocol with an automatic method for Virtual Path ID (VPI) generation. The VPIs are used by the mesh protocol's inherent routing function to effect automatic configuration at installation, automatic reconfiguration at node updates, and automatic reconfiguration for protection switching. The imposition of the logical star architecture on a VPR reduces node-to-node switching costs (e.g., delay, as well as memory and processing costs) since all nodes in a logical star topology are at most two logical hops away. The logical star also conserves virtual path address space relative to a fully configured ring. Additionally, the imposition of the logical star architecture allows existing star functions to be deployed on the underlying network. Finally, when the underlying architecture is a ring, the protection advantages of ring networks can be preserved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a network comprising a plurality of network nodes. At least part of the network nodes are directly coupled to each other via at least one star node. The star node comprises a plurality of star interfaces which are assigned to at least one network node. In dependence on a respective pilot signal, a star interface conveys a message from the assigned network node to the other star interfaces, or from another star interface to at least one of the assigned network nodes. Also in the event of simultaneous arrival of at least two pilot signals at the respective star interfaces, a decision circuit releases one star interface for the transmission of data.

Abstract: In a network a star node (SN1) interconnects a plurality of stations (ST1–ST3). The star node (SN1) has interfaces (I1–I3), each having a connection terminal (BP) for connecting a selected one of the stations to the star node (SN1) and each interface receives at a connection terminal (BP) a signal from the station associated with that interface and forwards the received signal to the connection terminal (BP) of the other interfaces.

Abstract: A method for inverse multiplexing of unmanaged traffic flows over a multi-star switch network, where the ingress process for each switch handles managed traffic for its switch first, then pulls a single unmanaged traffic packet off of the unmanaged traffic queue, and processes and transmits the packet. At the destination node unmanaged traffic packets received from the fabric output are acted upon by the Sequence-Checking Process to determine if the packet is in sequence. If the received packet is in sequence, the Sequence-Checking Process sends it on to the output queue. If the received packet is not in sequence, the packet is placed in a buffer. The Sequence Checking Process then checks the fabric output and the buffer by scanning for the next in-sequence packet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a network comprising a plurality of network nodes and one star node, which star node is provided for the direct coupling of at least two network nodes. The star node comprises a plurality of star interfaces which are assigned to at least one network node and which comprise each an activity detector for detecting activities in the message signal coming from the assigned network node and for transferring the message signal from the assigned network node to the other star interfaces or from another star interface to the assigned network node in dependence on at least one activity.

Abstract: Communication apparatus includes a plurality of interface cards, including a central interface card and spoke interface cards, which are adapted to link communication lines to a network. A protection bus includes multiple spoke connections that link the central interface card to the spoke interface cards in a partial star configuration, such that on at least one of the spoke connections there are two of the spoke interface cards connected together to the central interface card.

Abstract: Printed circuit boards 11 to 11n are connected in a star-like configuration with a single packet processing IC 42, connected to a CPU 41, at its center, each printed circuit board being connected to the packet processing IC by a high-speed supervisory control line 21 having a sufficient transmission capacity to transfer therethrough transparent information and alarm transfer information as well as information from the central processing unit in packet form, and the transparent information and the alarm transfer information are communicated between the printed circuit boards via the high-speed supervisory control line and via the packet processing IC, with provisions made for the packet processing IC to detect a destination from the packet information received from the originating printed circuit board and to transmit the packet information to the terminating printed circuit board.

Abstract: Architecture for a SONET network element. The architecture includes an interconnection system for a network element, including a line unit slot, a switch fabric slot, and service unit slots. The line unit slot is connected as a hub to the switch fabric slot and the service unit slots in a first star interconnection configuration. The switch fabric slot is connected as a hub to the line unit slot and the service unit slots in a second star interconnection configuration. The star interconnection configurations provide fault isolation between different units, and allow for replacement of failed units without interfering with the links of other units to the hub. A service unit is provided including a first backplane interface for connecting with an ATM star interconnect configuration within the network element, and a second backplane interface for connecting to an STM star interconnect configuration within the network element.

Abstract: A star communication network including a hub node (102) and links (102E) couple to the hub node for carrying data along routes in W channels. The hub node has switches connecting each channel of a first one of the links to various channels of a second one of the links through the hub node.

Abstract: A wireless local area network communication system for a vehicle to provide a voice and/or data connection from a wireless wide area network to a wireless local area network and on to a vehicle wired bus is disclosed. The communication system includes a wireless electronic communication device disposed in or in proximity to the vehicle for communication with the wireless wide area network, a wireless local area network unit disposed in the vehicle in such a manner as to communicate with the wireless electronic communication device and with a wired vehicle bus disposed within the vehicle, and a plurality of electronic devices disposed in or in proximity to the vehicle and in communication with the local area network unit or the wireless electronic communication device.

Abstract: A communication system between head-ends and end-users is provided which expands bandwidth and reliability. A concentrator receives communication signals from a head-end and forwards the received communication signals to one or more fiber nodes and/or one or more mini-fiber nodes. The concentrator demultiplexes/splits received signals for the mini-fiber nodes and the fiber nodes and forwards demultiplexed/split signals respectively. The mini-fiber nodes may combine signals received from the head-end with loop-back signals used for local medium access control prior to forwarding the signals to the end-users. Upstream data are received by the mini-fiber nodes and/or fiber node and transmitted to the concentrator. The concentrator multiplexes/couples the mini-fiber node and the fiber node upstream signals and forwards multiplexed/coupled signals to the head-end.