A battery charger for lithium ion cells closely monitors cell voltage, and charge time, so as to avoid the over-application of charge to the cell. Charge pulses (104) are followed by a first rest (110), a discharge (112) and a second rest, (120) period prior to re-initiating the charge pulse. If the battery voltage reaches a preselected maximum, in less than a pre-selected period of time, the charge pulse is reduced by a preselected minimum factor. Cycling of the cell is continued until the cell...

The invention pertains to optical fiber transmission systems, and is particularly relevant to transmission of large volumes of data over long distances at high rates. An apparatus and method for improved bit-error-rate (BER) performance when transmitting optical data over long distances using is disclosed. In particular, the improvement teaches the proper decision threshold setting of the optical signal at the receiver module.

The invention pertains to optical fiber transmission systems, and is particularly relevant to optical transport systems employing optical amplifiers. In particular the invention teaches an apparatus and method that allows cost effective co-directional operation of an optical amplifier to support full duplex traffic on a single fiber, and the design of an optical fiber transmission system based on this optical amplifier technology.

The invention pertains to optical fiber transmission systems, and is particularly relevant to transmission of high volume of data and voice traffic among different locations. In particular, the improvement teaches the use of a single optical transport system for both metropolitan area transport and long haul transport of data and voice traffic.