Systems and methods are provided for implementing: a rings architecture for communications and data handling systems; an enumeration process for automatically configuring the ring topology; automatic routing of messages through bridges; extending a ring topology to external devices; write-ahead functionality to promote efficiency; wait-till-reset operation resumption; in-vivo scan through rings topology; staggered clocking arrangement; and stray message detection and eradication. Other inventive elements conveyed include: an architectural overview of a packet processor; a programming model for a packet processor; an instruction pipeline for a packet processor; and use of a packet processor as a module on a rings-based architecture. Additional inventive elements conveyed include: an architectural overview of a communications processor; a data path protocol support model for a communications processor; an exemplary network processor employed as the core packet processor for the communications processor; an exemplary rings-based SOC switch fabric architecture; and a variety of quality of support features.

Communications system using rings architecture

The updated 2009 edition of the spectroscopic database GEISA (Gestion et Etude des Informations Spectroscopiques Atmospheriques; Management and Study of Atmospheric Spectroscopic Information) is described in this paper. GEISA is a computer-accessible system comprising three independent sub-databases devoted, respectively, to: line parameters, infrared and ultraviolet/visible absorption cross-sections, microphysical and optical properties of atmospheric aerosols. In this edition, 50 molecules are involved in the line parameters sub-database, including 111 isotopologues, for a total of 3,807,997 entries, in the spectral range from 10−6 to 35,877.031 cm−1. The successful performances of the new generation of hyperspectral sounders depend ultimately on the accuracy to which the spectroscopic parameters of the optically active atmospheric gases are known, since they constitute an essential input to the forward radiative transfer models that are used to interpret their observations. Currently, GEISA is involved in activities related to the assessment of the capabilities of IASI (Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer; http://smsc.cnes.fr/IASI/index.htm) on board the METOP European satellite through the GEISA/IASI database derived from GEISA. Since the Metop-A (http://www.eumetsat.int) launch (19 October 2006), GEISA is the reference spectroscopic database for the validation of the level-1 IASI data. Also, GEISA is involved in planetary research, i.e., modeling of Titan's atmosphere, in the comparison with observations performed by Voyager, or by ground-based telescopes, and by the instruments on board the Cassini–Huygens mission. GEISA, continuously developed and maintained at LMD (Laboratoire de Meteorologie Dynamique, France) since 1976, is implemented on the IPSL/CNRS (France) “Ether” Products and Services Centre WEB site (http://ether.ipsl.jussieu.fr), where all archived spectroscopic data can be handled through general and user friendly associated management software facilities. More than 350 researchers are registered for on line use of GEISA.

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The 2009 edition of the GEISA spectroscopic database

A system and integrated circuit chips used in the system utilize a bus in the form of a ring to interconnect nodes of individual components for transfer of data and commands therebetween. An example system described is a memory having one or more re-programmable non-volatile memory cell arrays connected to each other and to a system controller by a ring bus.

Ring bus structure and it's use in flash memory systems

A pulse of sulphur dioxide in Venus’s upper atmosphere was observed by the Pioneer Venus spacecraft in the 1970s and 1980s and attributed to volcanism. Recent sulphur dioxide measurements from Venus Express indicate decadal-scale fluctuations in sulphur dioxide above Venus’s cloud tops in an atmosphere that is more dynamic than expected.

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Variations of sulphur dioxide at the cloud top of Venus’s dynamic atmosphere

The early development of life, a fundamental question for humankind, requires the presence of a suitable planetary climate. Our understanding of how habitable planets come to be begins with the worlds closest to home. Venus, Earth, and Mars differ only modestly in their mass and distance from the Sun, yet their current climates could scarcely be more divergent. Only Earth has abundant liquid water, Venus has a runaway greenhouse, and evidence for life-supporting conditions on Mars points to a bygone era. In addition, an Earth-like hydrologic cycle has been revealed in a surprising place: Saturn's cloud-covered satellite Titan has liquid hydrocarbon rain, lakes, and river networks. Deducing the initial conditions for these diverse worlds and unravelling how and why they diverged to their current climates is a challenge at the forefront of planetary science. Through the contributions of more than sixty leading experts in the field, Comparative Climatology of Terrestrial Planets sets forth the foundations for this emerging new science and brings the reader to the forefront of our current understanding of atmospheric formation and climate evolution. Particular emphasis is given to surface-atmosphere interactions, evolving stellar flux, mantle processes, photochemistry, and interactions with the interplanetary environment, all of which influence the climatology of terrestrial planets. From this cornerstone, both current professionals and most especially new students are brought to the threshold, enabling the next generation of new advances in our own solar system and beyond.

Comparative Climatology of Terrestrial Planets

Ultraviolet spectroscopy from the Pioneer Venus Orbiter shows a decline in the cloud top abundance of SO2 from about 100 ppb to about 10 ppb in the period 1978-1986. A consistent decline in polar haze has occurred over the same period, with the correlation coefficient between these two observables of r = 0.8. Star calibrations determine the instrument sensitivity to within 10 percent which rules out the possibility that this is an instrumental effect. Systematic errors could increase the SO2 abundance to twice the inferred values in later orbits. Tracking of SO2 features and power spectral analysis give rotation periods for the longer-lived features of 3.6-5.2 days, consistent with cloud-tracked winds observed at other wavelengths. The behavior of SO2 and polar haze can be plausibly explained by episodic injection of SO2 into the cloud top regions, for example, by active volcanism.

Sulfur dioxide at the Venus cloud tops, 1978-1986

A tap device comprises a network entry connection, a network exit connection, and a network interconnection path there between. A high impedance tap circuit is electrically connected to the network connection path, and comprises an isolation transformer and active buffer element. Advantageously, a power interruption to said tap circuit does not affect network communications.

Passive network tap device

A token ring local area network (LAN) testing apparatus is provided. The apparatus is able to conduct a phase jitter measurement without disruption of normal token ring operation. The apparatus transmits a frame that includes phase jitter test data. This frame is transmitted into the token ring, together with a clock signal. After return of the frame with the phase jitter test data, a comparison is made between the recovered clock signal accompanying this frame and a reference clock signal. The result of this comparison provides a sample used in determining phase jitter. In making the measurement, an interpolation circuit is utilized to increase the resolution of the time difference between the recovered clock signal and the reference clock signal. A clamp circuit is used to ensure that each interpolation begins at the same reference voltage, as well as ensuring that the interpolation process is properly discontinued.

Token ring local area network testing apparatus for phase jitter testing

A token ring local area network (LAN) testing apparatus is provided The apparatus monitors history or status of token ring stations Such information is useful in isolating token ring faults that may occur during its operation The apparatus includes current and past memory lists that contain status information for each token ring station The current station memory list contains addresses of all token ring stations that are present during a current neighbor notification process The last station memory list contains addresses of all token ring stations that were present in the token ring during the neighbor notification process that was previous to the current neighbor notification process A neighbor notification process is a conventional part of the token ring media access control (MAC) protocol Included with the addresses in these lists is a determined one of a number of state characters that is indicative of station status The state character for each token ring station is determined using predetermined algorithms that are based on the presence/absence of stations in the token ring

Token ring local area network testing apparatus providing station history information

A token ring local area network (LAN) testing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes hardware and software that enables it to determine whether the testing apparatus is able to send frames into the token ring at a correct ring speed. The apparatus includes a conventional network interface card (NIC). The NIC includes two selectable clock signals, with the frequencies of the two clock signals being different. When the NIC is used in transmitting frames into the token ring, one of the two clock signals is selected to accompany the frames. The testing apparatus monitors whether frames and/or tokens are obtained from the token ring using the selected clock signal. If not, the testing apparatus causes the other clock signal to be selected. A determination of proper ring speed is made before a beacon condition occurs that would disrupt normal operation of the token ring.

Mark Copley

Papers

Sulfur dioxide at the Venus cloud tops, 1978-1986

Passive network tap device

Token ring local area network testing apparatus for phase jitter testing

Token ring local area network testing apparatus providing station history information

Token ring local area network testing apparatus for matching its speed to ring speed