Abstract: A multi-port packet-based bridge is described in which packet transmissions on particular ports or between ports may be monitored on another, monitoring port. Efficient operation is realized by using a multi-processor environment and data structures that allow a packet received on one port to be transmitted to multiple ports without being "copied" multiple times. By using a Supervisory Access Terminal, it is possible to specify various circumstances under which a packet will be sent to the monitoring port. These circumstances include monitoring of all packets incoming to a selected port (or ports), all packets forwarded to a selected port (or ports), and packets generated internally and sent to a selected port (or ports). In addition, all packets forwarded from one selected port to another selected port may be monitored. Port monitoring is supported by particular data structures that promote efficient dispatching of packets and by a Bridging Cache that retains the results of recent dispatch calculations. Similar techniques are applied to multi-port routers.

Abstract: This paper presents a methodology for selecting performance indicators for evaluating a port's performance with respect to its economic (rather than its engineering) optimum throughput. Performance indicators are choice variables for optimizing the port's economic objective(s) and include the port's prices and operating options (for differentiating service.) If changes in these indicators have opposite effects on port performance, a single (or overall performance indicator is recommended for evaluating a port's performance.

Abstract: : Ship berthing plans reserve a location for inbound U.S. Navy surface vessels prior to their port entrance, or reassign ships once in port to allow them to complete, in a timely manner, reprovisioning, repair, maintenance, training, and certification tests prior to redeploying for future operational commitments. Each ship requires different services when in port, such as shore power, crane, ordnance, and fuel. Unfortunately, not all services are offered at all piers, and berth shifting is disruptive and expensive: A port operations scheduler strives to reduce unnecessary berth shifts. We present an optimization model for berth planning and demonstrate it for Norfolk Naval Station, which exhibits all the richness of berthing problem:. the Navy faces.

Abstract: This article builds on previous research by Murphy and colleagues concerning factors used by various parties in their selection of international water ports. Three major research questions are addressed here: (1) What do purchasing/materials managers view as the important factors in water port selection? (2) Are the responses to these factors affected by the respondents' role in transport choice decisions? (3) How do the current results compare to previous port selection studies with respect to the perspectives of (a) international shippers and (b) water ports?

Abstract: An automatic bulk self-checkout apparatus includes several purchase items, each item being marked with a bar code containing item price information, a purchase item holder for retaining purchase items as they are gathered and transported to a checkout area of a store, a bar code scanner assembly for reading the bar codes while the items are inside the item holder and for sending information contained in the bar codes as signals, a bar code processing assembly for receiving and converting the signals into numerical price data and for totalling prices of the items within the item holder. The apparatus preferably includes a tunnel structure having an entry port, an exit port, a top wall and two opposing side walls and a floor, and sized to receive through the ports the item holder, where the scanner assembly is located within the tunnel structure and oriented to scan the bar codes on the items within the item holder. The apparatus also preferably includes a conveyor belt for automatically transporting the item holder through the tunnel structure from the entry port to the exit port. The apparatus may additionally include a first sensor assembly for sensing an item holder placed at the entry port and activating the conveyor belt for a prescribed time duration. A method of checking out purchase items includes the steps of placing the items into the purchase item holder, reading the bar codes with the scanner assembly while the items remain in the holder, and totaling prices indicated in the bar codes.

Abstract: An ATM communication system has an ATM switch having a plurality of input ports and a plurality of output ports, each of the input ports being fed from an input port server and each of the output ports being arranged to feed an output port server. The input port servers each have a plurality of buffer stores, one for each of the output ports to which output port data is transmitted through the switch. Each buffer store in the input port servers is arranged to interrogate the output port server with which it communicates by a bandwidth request before the transmission of data. This determines whether output port server data handling capacity is available, whereby ATM switch operation during periods of peak traffic is facilitated. The system includes a queuing arrangement for bandwidth requests received during periods when there is no available bandwidth capacity, the arrangement being such that requests are released in a predetermined order when capacity becomes available.

Abstract: A switch, which connects ports on a customer port module to ports on a network port module via time slots on a dime division multiplexing bus, determines for each connection a number of required time slots, based on the current switch configuration and/or the signal traffic at the associated port The switch then determines if it has the required number of time slots available generally and if it can make the time slots available to the port If so, the switch assigns the time slots to the port and completes the connection The switch determines the number of time slots required by consulting a stored port type indicator table, which lists bandwidth demand based on port type, or by detecting in-band signaling information that indicates the bandwidth demand If the table indicates that the switch includes non-blocking ports, the switch coordinates the number of time slots allocated to a connection with the number of slots required to be kept free for the non-blocking ports The switch may thereafter dynamically allocate time slots to the connection, based on signal traffic The switch may be reconfigured at the request of a customer, by updating routing and port type information stored in the switch Also, control circuitry in the switch may initiate a reconfiguration, based on signal traffic

Abstract: A self-routing crossbar switch interconnects a plurality of processors with a plurality of memory modules. In a self-routing crossbar switch connecting N processors and N memory modules, a processor is connected to each input port and a memory module is connected to each output port; each of the N processors can transmit a memory request simultaneously provided that there is no port contention and no bank contention. Port contention occurs if two or more processors attempt to access the same output port of the self-routing crossbar switch at the same time. The memory module consists of several memory banks that are connected in an interleaved manner. If the memory bank is accessed before it is ready to accept a new request, bank contention is said to have occurred. In the self-routing crossbar switch the requests directed to a port are first passed through an aligner and a conflict resolution logic. There is one aligner associated with each output port. The aligner inputs the requests directed at an output port and aligns them so that, at the output of the aligner, all the active requests appear in a consecutive fashion. The conflict resolution logic resolves the port and bank contention.

Abstract: As informational aspects of international trade become more important, the strategic positions of ocean port communities become increasingly dependent on the quality and availability of telecommunication and processing infrastructures. This paper develops two frameworks to assess the level and nature of electronic trade integration within the context of a port community enterprise model. Port communities throughout the world are applying electronic data interchange (EDI) to trade functions because it enables open communications among many partners, provides acceptably quick communications for relatively low cost, and offers the prospect of significant savings in time and cost through reduced data capture volume and error-rates. EDI enables not only internal efficiencies but also the creation of new trade services. The first framework specifies the information systems and technology needed to enable EDI in international trade. The framework comprises two levels of infrastructure: communications and documentary; both supporting a third superstructure of business processes. Port communities are evolving from providing not only goods-handling facilities but offering advanced data-handling and processing systems as well. As competition between ports increases, information systems become key elements in their strategic positions. A second framework provides the structure for understanding physical and informational strategies of ports and port communities, and to examine their importance. Port communities may follow several models of infrastructure integration in moving towards their strategic objectives. However, realizing this potential requires research to determine the specific configurations that will fit into each trade environment. The contributions of this research to governments and corporations are primarily to provide models of successful application of EDI to international trade, and insight into technology transfer and diffusion, corporate competitiveness and policy formulation.

Abstract: Packets or cells received from different input ports of a switch and destined for a common output port of that switch, are analyzed to determine their priority level. Lower-priority packets or cells are buffered in recirculation delay lines of appropriately-selected lengths, and thereafter scheduled for transmission to the output port based on their level of priority.

Abstract: The development of a simulation software for port operation is described, with special emphasis on considerations for choosing both software and hardware. These consider ations, along with input an...

Abstract: Method and apparatus for using a field-programmable gate-array circuit as a crossbar switch. In order to connect a first port of the crossbar switch to a second port, an address within the field-programmable gate-array circuit is calculated, and a first data pattern to load at that address is determined. A second data pattern to load at that address is determined in order to disconnect the first port from the second port. The first port is then connected to the second port by loading the first data pattern at the calculated address in the field-programmable gate-array circuit. Subsequently the first port is disconnected from the second port by loading the second data pattern at the calculated address in the field-programmable gate-array circuit. Mechanisms are provided for analog or digital ports, for multiple-bit digital ports, for combinations of logical functions with the crossbar-switch functions, and for latching the data within the crossbar switch. In one embodiment, the crossbar switch is incrementally reconfigurable wherein ports not involved in the reconfiguration are not affected by the reconfiguration operation. Applications to machine vision systems are described.

Abstract: Competition between closely situated seaports in not new. The ports of Baltimore and Hampton Roads, located at either end of Cheaspeake Bay, have been locked in a fierece battle to gain dominance in the lucrtice mid-Atlantic container traffic for a number of years. The probability that ech will succeed is not great, as shipping lines, concerned with the high costs associated with idle port time, will select one,rther thatn serve both. Indeed, evidence is beginning to mount that, dispite massive expenditures by the Stte or Maryland, the Virginia ports a reemerging as the region' load centre. This paper examines recent trends in container movements through these two major ports and suggests the long-termprospects for each. among measures considered are the location of eachi in relation to other ports both North and South, sizes of the port cities and their immediately adjacent hinterlands, proximity to inland population centres (markets), connectivity between the ports and these inland centres (by both rail...

Abstract: The scene presented on entering this harbor is exceedingly picturesque and beautiful. The range of hills in the background, with their dome summits swelling up to the height of 700 and 1400 feet; the town giving the appearance as if built entirely on the sides of the hill; the bright-colored houses with their red and tiled roofs; the two old towers, and the harbor covered with its shipping, and boats plying in every direction, give an exquisite view, unsurpassed in all the West India islands. Travellers have awarded it this praise, and some have compared it favorably with the view of Funchal in the island of Madeira.'

Abstract: The overall objective of this paper is to evaluate the performance and efficiency of ASEAN ports. Specifically, it first identifies overseas ports similar to ASEAN ports in terms of nature and roles, port management policies, and infrastructure and operations, using the statistical technique of cluster analysis. Having identified the groupings of similar ports, the paper compares the ASEAN port performances and efficiency with their (similar) overseas counterparts. The results of the ‘like for like’comparison show that the ASEAN ports have achieved higher levels of efficiency in the utilization of cranes, berths and storage areas, with the port of Singapore as the top performer. However, they are generally less efficient in terms of timeliness, labour and tug utilization. Charges in ASEAN ports are also significantly higher than those of their (similar) overseas counterparts. Thus, we can say that, although the ASEAN ports are efficient from the port authorities’viewpoint, there is much scope for improving their services to port users, particularly in terms of timeliness and port charges.

Abstract: The background is described to U.K. port administration and the implementation of the Conservative Goverment's privatization policy is reivewed. The objectives of privatization and the ways in which it has been achieved with trust and municipal port authorities are discussed. The paper goes on to discuss the difficulties encountered in privatizing statutory undertakings and concludes by examining the benefits port managers claim have arisen from the introduction of teh policy.

Abstract: A portable timing device stores selectable user, client and activity data. The device has a memory which stores user selected information relating to a user, client and activity along with corresponding start and stop times. The system communicates with a central billing computer over an appropriate two way port which reads and writes to the memory in the device.

Abstract: The concept of using a simulation model to preview the integrated plan of a container port operation has been developed and tested. The results of the test has been encouraging as it gives the planner an opportunity to see the performance of the proposed plan and make changes to them before committing them to operations. This would result in less changes to the plans, fewer conflicts for resources and a better throughput for the whole port operation.

Abstract: This article contends that port economic impacts are mix-estimated because impact studies fail to consider the price changes and the resulting changes in local-area production that would occur in the impact area were the local port unavailable for the handling of imports and exports. The purpose of this article is to provide an operational methodology for estimating the direct impact of a port that takes into account the changes in local output due to price changes.

Abstract: List of figures List of tables Acknowledgements Introduction 1 The port from the mid first to the mid third centuries 2 Blackfriars ship 1, 1962 3 The New Guy's House boat, 1958 4 The port in the later third and fourth centuries 5 The County Hall ship, 1910 6 The port in the seventh to ninth centuries 7 The port in the tenth to eleventh centuries 8 Conclusions Appendices Summary Bibliography Index

Abstract: Adaptive routing has been proposed as a means of improving performance and fault-tolerance in multicomputer networks. While a number of algorithms have been proposed, few adaptive routers have been implemented in hardware. This paper presents the design and implementation of Ariadne --- a prototype single chip, hardware router. The primary motivation is tolerance to link and router failures, while reconciling conflicting demands on performance. This is achieved by implementing the m-misroute backtracking protocol (MB-m) using the pipelined circuitswitching (PCS) communication mechanism[17]. Ariadne implements two virtual data channels and one virtual control channel per physical link. The router is self-timed with single flit buffering at the input and output ports, and is fully adaptive.

Abstract: A parallel processor network comprised of a plurality of nodes, each node including a processor containing a number of I/O ports, and a local memory. A communication path is established through a node by comparing a target node address in a first address packet with a processor ID of the node. If node address is equal to the target node address a receive channel is allocated to the input port and a route ready command is sent over an output port paired with the input port. If the node address is not equal to the target node address, then a first unallocated output port is selected from a port vector and the address packet is forwarded to a next node over the selected output port.

Abstract: This paper examines the structure, operation, required input data and the output of a simulation model that is used for a simulation investigation for a Sailing Container Terminal (SCT) for the port of Rotterdam. The SCT will be used to tranship small consignments of containers between the inland waterway and feeder vessels and the shore based container terminals of the port of Rotterdam. The objective is to reduce the turnaround time of the vessels and to increase the efficiency of the transhipment of the containers themselves. In addition the SCT will be used to transport containers between the various terminals, in other words for Inter-Terminal Transport (ITT). The model is generic with respect to the following features: All necessary shipping lines, each with characteristic container flows, origin and destination distributions can be defined. All shore based terminals involved can be defined, each with a set of container cranes, inter-terminal flow characteristics, opening regimes and geographic data. A choice can be made from all types of rendezvous and operation strategies of the SCT. Experiments with the model indicated that under certain conditions, an SCT service system is feasible in the Port of Rotterdam.

Abstract: A star hub connection device, or connector, for an information display system. The connector has a plurality of ports each of which is either a host port, a device port, or a programmable port. Each of the programmable ports includes circuitry that allows the programmable port to selectively operate as a device port or as a host port. One of the host ports is associated with a first set of ports and a second set of ports, and the first set contains at least one programmable port which is associated with a third set of ports. The connector further includes a controller for selectively controlling each of the programmable ports to operate as a device port or as a host port, and a programmable coupler that is responsive to the controller. The programmable coupler configures the host port and its associated first set of ports as a first star hub connector when the controller controls the programmable port in the first set to operate as a device port. The programmable coupler configures the host port and the second set of ports as a second star hub connector and configures the programmable port in the first set and the third set of ports as a third star hub connector when the controller programs the programmable port in the first set to operate as a host port.