Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130293284 | DIGITALLY PROGRAMMABLE HIGH VOLTAGE CHARGE PUMP - A method of operating a programmable charge pump includes configuring each of a plurality of cascaded charge pump stages to be in a first set of charge pump stages or in a second set of charge pump stages based on an indicator of a target output voltage level. The first set of charge pump stages is configured to level-shift a first voltage level to a second voltage level. Each charge pump stage of the second set of charge pump stages has a disabled pump circuit portion. The second set of charge pump stages is configured to pass a version of the second voltage level to an output node of the programmable charge pump. | 11-07-2013 |
20140266509 | ROTATIONAL MEMS RESONATOR FOR OSCILLATOR APPLICATIONS - An apparatus includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device. The MEMS device includes a resonator suspended from a substrate, an anchor disposed at a center of the resonator, a plurality of suspended beams radiating between the anchor and the resonator, a plurality of first electrodes disposed about the anchor, and a plurality of second electrodes disposed about the anchor. The plurality of first electrodes and the resonator form a first electrostatic transducer. The plurality of second electrodes and the resonator form a second electrostatic transducer. The first electrostatic transducer and the second electrostatic transducer are configured to sustain rotational vibrations of the resonator at a predetermined frequency about an axis through the center of the resonator and orthogonal to a plane of the substrate in response to a signal on the first electrode. | 09-18-2014 |
20140306623 | INTEGRATED MEMS DESIGN FOR MANUFACTURING - A method of operating a system including a MEMS device of an integrated circuit die includes generating an indicator of a device parameter of the MEMS device in a first mode of operating the system using a monitor structure formed using a MEMS structural layer of the integrated circuit die. The method includes generating, using a CMOS device of the integrated circuit die, a signal indicative of the device parameter and based on the indicator. The device parameter may be a geometric dimension of the MEMS device. The method may include, in a second mode of operating the system, compensating for a difference between a value of the signal and a target value of the signal. The method may include re-generating the indicator after exposing the MEMS device to stress and generating a second signal indicating a change in the device parameter. | 10-16-2014 |
20150091537 | USE OF A THERMISTOR WITHIN A REFERENCE SIGNAL GENERATOR - Reference signal generators using thermistors are disclosed. An apparatus includes a first device having a first temperature coefficient and a thermistor having a second temperature coefficient having a sign opposite to that of the first temperature coefficient. A circuit maintains equivalence of a first signal and a second signal and offsets a first temperature variation of the first device using a second temperature variation of the thermistor to generate the second signal having a low temperature coefficient. The first device may be a bipolar transistor configured to generate a base-emitter voltage and coupled in series with the thermistor. The first signal may be a first voltage on a first node. The second signal may be a second voltage on a second node. The circuit may be configured to maintain effective equivalence of the first voltage and the second voltage. The apparatus may include a resistor coupled to the second node. | 04-02-2015 |
20160028405 | CLOCK GENERATOR USING FREE-RUNNING OSCILLATOR AND METHOD THEREFOR - A clock generator comprises a free-running oscillator and a tunable frequency synthesizer. The free-running oscillator has an output for providing an oscillator clock signal. The tunable frequency synthesizer is coupled to the free-running oscillator and provides a clock output signal in response to the oscillator clock signal and a frequency control signal. The frequency control signal corresponds to a measured characteristic of the free-running oscillator. | 01-28-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130318951 | SENSOR CONNECTION INTEGRATION DEVICE - An article of manufacture includes a housing having three input ports and an output port. An electronic sensor operationally coupled to an exhaust flowpath is coupled to the first input port via an electrical conduit. A first fluid conduit fluidly couples the second input port to the exhaust flowpath upstream of a particulate filter, and a second fluid conduit fluidly couples the third input port to the exhaust flowpath downstream of the particulate filter. A differential pressure sensor in the housing determines a differential pressure in response to a first pressure at the second input port and a second pressure at the third input port. The article includes a communication module that provides electronic information representative of the differential pressure and output from the electronic sensor at the output port, wherein the communication module is disposed in the housing. | 12-05-2013 |
20150076811 | Thin Foil Encapsulated Assemblies - An injector tube assembly that includes thin foil insulation around a receiver tube and a relatively rigid housing secured to the thin foil and bearing on tube insulation while also being packed with junction insulation. | 03-19-2015 |
20150226368 | Insulated Tube Joint Connection - An insulated tube joint connection having a tube with an end portion, a load transfer rim joined to and extending radially outwardly from the tube, and a clamping seat joined to the load transfer rim and spaced apart from the tube end portion to at least partially define an insulation space. | 08-13-2015 |
20160131010 | Apparatus, Method, and System for Diagnosing Reductant Deposits in an Exhaust Aftertreatment System - An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine may have a reductant delivery system that delivers reductant to an exhaust stream in an exhaust aftertreatment system. A temperature sensor may be positioned in or near the flow of reductant and exhaust to measure the temperature of the reductant and exhaust. A change in temperature over time, such as an increase, decrease, or change in variation amplitude, may indicate the presence of a reductant deposit in the system. Detection of the deposit may initiate a regeneration cycle in which the operating characteristics of the system change to eliminate the reductant deposit to prevent it from hindering the performance of the exhaust aftertreatment system. | 05-12-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100074814 | REDUCTANT DECOMPOSITION MIXER AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME - A reductant decomposition mixer for use in exhaust systems is provided The mixer includes a plurality of mixer bars, a plurality of cross bars and an outer ring. The mixer bars have a plurality of blades and are arranged in parallel to extend in a single direction. The cross bars interlock with the mixer bars from opposing directions and are arranged in parallel to extend in a single direction that is perpendicular to the direction of the mixer bars. The outer ring is connected to the ends of each of the mixer bars and the ends of each of the cross bars. | 03-25-2010 |
20100098604 | DETACHABLE DECOMPOSITION REACTOR WITH AN INTEGRAL MIXER - A reductant decomposition reactor for use in exhaust systems is provided that includes a middle tube portion formed with a reductant injector mount, an inlet tube, an outlet tube and a mixer. The inlet tube is formed at a first end of the middle tube portion and the outlet tube is formed at a second end of the middle tube portion and both are configured to create a sealed connection to different portions of the exhaust system. The mixer fits between the middle tube portion and the outlet tube and is configured to decompose the reductant in an exhaust stream. The injector mount comprises a tube like section that connects at a first end to the middle tube portion and at a second end to an injector port of the injector mount, and is configured to reduce recirculation flow patterns in the reactor, create a high velocity flow at an inner surface of the injector mount and thereby reduce the formation of reductant deposits. | 04-22-2010 |
20100132322 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR INSULATING AN EXHAUST AFTERTREATMENT COMPONENT - According to one representative embodiment, an exhaust aftertreatment component that includes a housing that defines an interior cavity through which exhaust gas is flowable. The housing includes an inner body, an outer body, and a space defined between the inner and outer bodies. The component also includes an insulation pack that is positioned within the space. The insulation pack includes insulation media encapsulated by a flexible fabric. The insulation pack further includes an at least partially rigid member that has a rigidity greater than a rigidity of the insulation media and flexible fabric. | 06-03-2010 |
20110074150 | SPHERICAL FLANGE JOINT - According to one embodiment, a flange joint for joining a first pipe to a second pipe includes an adapter coupled to the first pipe. The adapter includes a convex surface. The flange joint also includes a gasket with a first concave surface and a second convex surface. The first concave surface of the gasket is matingly engageable with the convex surface of the adapter. The second convex surface is matingly engageable with the second pipe. The gasket is supported on the first pipe. The flange joint further includes a clamp that includes a concave surface that is matingly engageable with the second pipe to secure the gasket to the adapter. | 03-31-2011 |
20110094206 | REDUCTANT INJECTION AND DECOMPOSITION SYSTEM - According to one embodiment, a reductant injection apparatus includes an injector attachment portion to which a reductant injector is coupleable. The apparatus also includes a perforated tubular portion coupled to the injector attachment portion. The perforated tubular portion includes an inlet, an outlet, and a diverging sidewall extending from the inlet to the outlet. Additionally, a plurality of perforations is formed in the sidewall. A reductant spray can be injected into the perforated tubular portion via the inlet. Further, a portion of a bulk exhaust gas stream can be diverted into the perforated tubular portion through the plurality of perforations, through the perforated tubular element, and out of the perforated tubular portion through the plurality of perforations. The portion of exhaust gas stream can then be rejoined with the bulk exhaust gas stream downstream of the perforated tubular portion. | 04-28-2011 |
20120180457 | EXHAUST GAS SENSOR MODULE - According to one embodiment, a sensor module includes a sensor probe that has at least two arms coupled together at a central location with each of the at least two arms extending radially outwardly away from the central location. Each of the at least two arms includes one of a plurality of openings and an elongate opening extending radially along the arm. The at least two arms define fluid flow channels therein. The sensor module also includes at least one extractor coupled to the probe. The at least one extractor includes a fluid flow channel that is communicable in fluid receiving communication with fluid flowing through the fluid flow channel of at least one of the at least two arms. Further, the sensor module includes at least one sensor that is communicable in fluid sensing communication with fluid flowing through the at least one extractor. | 07-19-2012 |
20130330237 | AFTERTREATMENT MANIFOLD DEVICE - An aftertreatment subsystem includes first and second mounting interfaces, a fluid inlet and fluid outlet interface, and aftertreatment components, each having a central axis and axial extent. The central axes for the aftertreatment components are substantially parallel. End caps define fluid chambers that fluidly couple upstream aftertreatment component outlets with downstream aftertreatment components inlets. The end caps are positioned at a first or second end of the aftertreatment components. A first bracket joins the aftertreatment components at an axial position closer to the first end than to a center of the axial extent of any of the aftertreatment components and a second bracket joins the aftertreatment components at an axial position closer to the second end than to the center of the axial extent of any of the aftertreatment components. The first mounting interface is on the first bracket, and the second mounting interface is on the second bracket. | 12-12-2013 |
20140245719 | APPARATUS, METHOD, AND SYSTEM FOR DIAGNOSING REDUCTANT DEPOSITS IN AN EXHAUST AFTERTREATMENT SYSTEM - An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine may have a reductant delivery system that delivers reductant to an exhaust stream in an exhaust aftertreatment system. A temperature sensor may be positioned in or near the flow of reductant and exhaust to measure the temperature of the reductant and exhaust. A change in temperature over time, such as an increase, decrease, or change in variation amplitude, may indicate the presence of a reductant deposit in the system. Detection of the deposit may initiate a regeneration cycle in which the operating characteristics of the system change to eliminate the reductant deposit to prevent it from hindering the performance of the exhaust aftertreatment system. | 09-04-2014 |
20140260202 | REDUCTANT MATERIAL DEPOSIT REDUCTION IN EXHAUST AFTERTREATMENT SYSTEMS - In one non-limiting embodiment, an apparatus for treating exhaust includes a reductant injector, an aftertreatment component including a NO | 09-18-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090323330 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR HIGHLY CONTROLLED LIGHT DISTRIBUTION FROM LIGHT FIXTURE USING MULTIPLE LIGHT SOURCES (LED'S) - An apparatus, method, or system of lighting units comprising a plurality of lighting elements, such as one or more LEDs, each element having an associated optic which is individually positionable. In embodiments of the present invention, one or more optics are developed using optimization techniques that allow for lighting different target areas in an effective manner by rotating or otherwise positioning the reflectors, refractive lenses, TIR lenses, or other lens types to create a composite beam. The apparatus, method, or system of lighting herein makes it possible to widely vary the types of beams from an available fixture using a small number of inventoried optics and fixtures. In some cases, by using a combination of individual beam patterns, a small set of individual optics would be sufficient to create a majority of the typical and specialized composite beams needed to meet the needs of most lighting projects and target areas. | 12-31-2009 |
20100110671 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND APPARATUS FOR HIGHLY CONTROLLED LIGHT DISTRIBUTION FROM LIGHT FIXTURE USING MULTIPLE LIGHT SOURCES (LEDS) - Disclosed herein are apparatus, methods, and systems for deriving composite beams from a plurality of light sources such as LEDs. Optical units comprising a plurality of light sources, each source having an associated optic which is individually positionable, are developed using optimization techniques that allow for lighting different target areas in an effective manner by rotating or otherwise positioning the reflectors, refractive lenses, TIR lenses, or other lens types to create a composite beam. The apparatus, methods, and systems of lighting herein make it possible to widely vary the types of beams from an available fixture using a small number of optics and fixtures. In some cases, by using a combination of individual beam patterns from the same or different types of light sources, a small set of individual optics may be sufficient to create a majority of the typical and specialized composite beams needed to meet the needs of most lighting projects and target areas. | 05-06-2010 |
20130094206 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR HIGHLY CONTROLLED LIGHT DISTRIBUTION FROM LIGHT FIXTURE USING MULTIPLE LIGHT SOURCES (LEDS) - An apparatus, method, or system of lighting units comprising a plurality of lighting elements, such as one or more LEDs, each element having an associated optic which is individually positionable. In embodiments of the present invention, one or more optics are developed using optimization techniques that allow for lighting different target areas in an effective manner by rotating or otherwise positioning the reflectors, refractive lenses, TIR lenses, or other lens types to create a composite beam. The apparatus, method, or system of lighting herein makes it possible to widely vary the types of beams from an available fixture using a small number of inventoried optics and fixtures. In some cases, by using a combination of individual beam patterns, a small set of individual optics would be sufficient to create a majority of the typical and specialized composite beams needed to meet the needs of most lighting projects and target areas. | 04-18-2013 |
20130335960 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND APPARATUS FOR HIGHLY CONTROLLED LIGHT DISTRIBUTION FROM LIGHT FIXTURE USING MULTIPLE LIGHT SOURCES (LEDS) - Disclosed herein are apparatus, methods, and systems for deriving composite beams from a plurality of light sources such as LEDs. Optical units comprising a plurality of light sources, each source having an associated optic which is individually positionable, are developed using optimization techniques that allow for lighting different target areas in an effective manner by rotating or otherwise positioning the reflectors, refractive lenses, TIR lenses, or other lens types to create a composite beam. The apparatus, methods, and systems of lighting herein make it possible to widely vary the types of beams from an available fixture using a small number of optics and fixtures. In some cases, by using a combination of individual beam patterns from the same or different types of light sources, a small set of individual optics may be sufficient to create a majority of the typical and specialized composite beams needed to meet the needs of most lighting projects and target areas. | 12-19-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080208521 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONICALLY ALIGNING CAPACITIVELY COUPLED MNI-BARS - Embodiments of the present invention provide a system that electronically aligns mini-bars on different semiconductor chips which are situated face-to-face to facilitate communication between the semiconductor chips through capacitive coupling. During operation, the system selects a group of transmitter mini-bars on the first chip to form a transmitter bit position and selects a group of receiver mini-bars on the second chip to form a receiver bit position. The system then associates transmitter bit positions on the first chip with proximate receiver bit positions on the second chip. In this way, the system allows data signals transmitted by the mini-bars within a transmitter bit position on the first chip to be collectively received by the mini-bars within an associated receiver bit position on the second chip. | 08-28-2008 |
20090269884 | ACTIVE SOCKET FOR FACILITATING PROXIMITY COMMUNICATION - One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates capacitive communication between integrated circuit chips. The system includes a substrate having an active face upon which active circuitry and signal pads reside, and a back face opposite the active face. The system additionally includes an integrated circuit chip having an active face upon which active circuitry and signal pads reside, and a back face opposite the active face. Additionally, the integrated circuit chip is pressed against the substrate such that the active face of the integrated circuit chip is parallel to and adjacent to the active face of the substrate, and capacitive signal pads on the active face of the integrated circuit chip overlap signal pads on the active face of the substrate. The arrangement of the substrate and integrated circuit chip facilitates communication between the integrated circuit chip and the substrate through capacitive coupling via the overlapping signal pads. | 10-29-2009 |
20110136297 | INTEGRATED CIRCUIT CHIP THAT SUPPORTS THROUGH-CHIP ELECTROMAGNETIC COMMUNICATION - One embodiment of the present invention provides an integrated circuit chip, including an active face upon which active circuitry and signal pads reside, and a back face opposite the active face. The integrated circuit chip additionally comprises an electromagnetic via that facilitates communication between signal pads on the integrated circuit chip and signal pads on a second integrated circuit chip. The electromagnetic via couples a signal pad on the active face of the integrated circuit chip to the back face of the integrated circuit chip so that the integrated circuit chip can communicate with the second integrated circuit chip while the back face of the integrated circuit chip is adjacent to the active face of the second integrated circuit chip. Moreover, the electromagnetic via operates by facilitating non-conductive signaling through the integrated circuit chip. | 06-09-2011 |
20120007699 | APPARATUS FOR REDUCING POWER CONSUMPTION BY USING CAPACITIVE COUPLING TO PERFORM MAJORITY DETECTION - One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that reduces power consumption by using capacitive coupling to perform a majority detection operation. The system starts by driving a plurality of signals onto a plurality of driven wires. The signals are then fed from each driven wire through a corresponding coupling capacitor to a single majority detection wire. Next, the system feeds signal on the majority detection wire and a bias voltage to a differential receiver. The output of the differential receiver switches if the signal on the majority-detection wire switches relative to the bias voltage. The system then uses the output of the differential receiver to optimize the signals from the plurality of driven wires for transmission across a long signal route. Optimizing the transmission of signals reduces the power consumed by the computer system. | 01-12-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130215754 | Servers, Switches, and Systems with Switching Module Implementing a Distributed Network Operating System - One networking device includes a switch module, a server, and a switch controller. The switch module has ports with a communications interface of a first type (CI1) and ports with a communications interface of a second type (CI2). The server, coupled to the switch module via a first CI2 coupling, includes a virtual CI1 driver, which provides a CI1 interface in the server, defined to exchange CI1 packets with the switch module via the first CI2 coupling. The virtual CI1 driver includes a first network device operating system (ndOS) program. The switch controller, in communication with the switch module via a second CI2 coupling, includes a second ndOS program controlling, in the switch module, a packet switching policy defining the switching of packets through the switch module or switch controller. The first and second ndOS programs exchange control messages to maintain a network policy for the switch fabric. | 08-22-2013 |
20130223438 | Methods and Systems for Managing Distributed Media Access Control Address Tables - Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for switching a network packet. One method includes operations for receiving a packet having a media access control (MAC) address, and for switching the packet by a first packet switching device (PSD) when the MAC address is present in a first memory. Further, the method includes operations for transferring the packet to a second PSD when the MAC address is absent from the first memory and present in a second memory associated with the second PSD, and for transferring the packet to a third PSD when the MAC address is absent from the first memory and the second memory. | 08-29-2013 |
20130235870 | Methods, Systems, and Fabrics Implementing a Distributed Network Operating System - Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for managing a switching layer fabric. A network device operating system (ndOS) program includes program instructions for exchanging switching policy regarding a switching of network packets in a plurality of ndOS switching devices having respective ndOS programs executing therein. The first ndOS program is executed in a first ndOS switching device, and the switching policy is exchanged with other ndOS programs via multicast messages. Further, the ndOS program includes program instructions for exchanging resource control messages with the other ndOS switching devices to implement service level agreements in the switching layer fabric, where the ndOS switching devices cooperate to enforce the service level agreements. Further yet, the ndOS program includes program instructions for receiving changes to the switching policy, and program instructions for propagating the received changes to the switching policy via message exchange between the ndOS programs. The ndOS switching devices are managed as a single logical switch that spans the plurality of ndOS switching devices. | 09-12-2013 |
20130238885 | Network Switch, Systems, and Servers Implementing Boot Image Delivery - Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for providing a program to a server. One method includes an operation for receiving a request by a switching device from a first server, the request being for a boot image for booting the first server. In addition, the method includes operations for determining if the boot image is available from non-volatile storage in the switching device, and for forwarding the request to a second server when the boot image is absent from the non-volatile storage. Further, the method includes an operation for sending the boot image to the first server from the switching device when the boot image is available from the non-volatile storage. | 09-12-2013 |
20130242983 | Servers, Switches, and Systems with Virtual Interface to External Network Connecting Hardware and Integrated Networking Driver - Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for networking communications. One method includes an operation for receiving a packet in a first format by a virtual driver providing a communications interface of a first type (CI1), the first format being for CI1. Further, the method includes an operation for encapsulating the packet in a second format by a processor, the second format being for a communications interface of a second type (CI2) different from CI1. In addition, the method includes an operation for sending the encapsulated packet in the second format to a switch module. The switch module includes a switch fabric, one or more CI1 ports, and one or more CI2 ports, and the switch module transforms the packet back to the first format to send the packet in the first format to a CI1 network via one of the CI1 ports in the switch module. | 09-19-2013 |
20140254386 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RESOURCE COHERENCY AND ANALYSIS IN A NETWORK - Systems, methods, and computer programs are presented for managing network traffic. A network switch includes a switch fabric and a resource coherency and analytics engine (RCAE) coupled to the switch fabric. The RCAE includes one or more virtualizable resource groups (VRGs) for managing network traffic flow across a plurality of network switches on the network. Further, the RCAE is operable to add network entities to each VRG, add flows to each VRG, and add other VRGs to each VRG. A virtualizable resource control list (VRCL), associated with each VRG, identifies which network entities in the VRG can communicate with each other, which network entities in the VRG can communicate with network entities in other VRGs, and a guaranteed bandwidth for the VRG associated with the VRCL. Furthermore, the RCAE is operable to exchange messages with other RCAEs in other network switches to implement traffic policies defined by each VRCL. | 09-11-2014 |
20150071292 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING PACKETS IN A NETWORK DEVICE - Systems are presented for processing packets in a network switch. One network device includes a processor, an Ethernet switch, a PCIe switch, and a packet processor. The processor is for executing a controller program, and the Ethernet switch is for switching packets among a ports. Further, the PCIe switch is coupled to the processor and the Ethernet switch, and the packet processor, coupled to the Ethernet switch and the PCIe switch, is operable to modify an application header of an incoming packet and send the incoming packet to one of the ports. The controller program is operable to configure the Ethernet switch and the packet processor to define processing of packets. The controller program is operable to send a first configuration rule to the Ethernet switch, the first configuration rule defining that packets of a network flow requiring header modification be forwarded to the packet processor. | 03-12-2015 |
20150256462 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RESOURCE COHERENCY AND ANALYSIS IN A NETWORK - Systems, methods, and computer programs are presented for managing network traffic. A network switch includes a switch fabric and a resource coherency and analytics engine (RCAE) coupled to the switch fabric. The RCAE includes one or more virtualizable resource groups (VRGs) for managing network traffic flow across a plurality of network switches on the network. Further, the RCAE is operable to add network entities to each VRG, add flows to each VRG, and add other VRGs to each VRG. A virtualizable resource control list (VRCL), associated with each VRG, identifies which network entities in the VRG can communicate with each other, which network entities in the VRG can communicate with network entities in other VRGs, and a guaranteed bandwidth for the VRG associated with the VRCL. Furthermore, the RCAE is operable to exchange messages with other RCAEs in other network switches to implement traffic policies defined by each VRCL. | 09-10-2015 |
20150256480 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RESOURCE COHERENCY AND ANALYSIS IN A NETWORK - Systems, methods, and computer programs are presented for managing network traffic. A network switch includes a switch fabric and a resource coherency and analytics engine (RCAE) coupled to the switch fabric. The RCAE includes one or more virtualizable resource groups (VRGs) for managing network traffic flow across a plurality of network switches on the network. Further, the RCAE is operable to add network entities to each VRG, add flows to each VRG, and add other VRGs to each VRG. A virtualizable resource control list (VRCL), associated with each VRG, identifies which network entities in the VRG can communicate with each other, which network entities in the VRG can communicate with network entities in other VRGs, and a guaranteed bandwidth for the VRG associated with the VRCL. Furthermore, the RCAE is operable to exchange messages with other RCAEs in other network switches to implement traffic policies defined by each VRCL. | 09-10-2015 |
20160028654 | Servers, Switches, and Systems with Virtual Interface to External Network Connecting Hardware and Integrated Networking Driver - Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for networking communications. One method includes an operation for receiving a packet in a first format by a virtual driver providing a communications interface of a first type (CI1), the first format being for CI1. Further, the method includes an operation for encapsulating the packet in a second format by a processor, the second format being for a communications interface of a second type (CI2) different from CI1. In addition, the method includes an operation for sending the encapsulated packet in the second format to a switch module. The switch module includes a switch fabric, one or more CI1 ports, and one or more CI2 ports, and the switch module transforms the packet back to the first format to send the packet in the first format to a CI1 network via one of the CI1 ports in the switch module. | 01-28-2016 |