Multi-service network interface apparatus for frequency-division multiplexed communications systems

• US 20020186836A1
• Filed: 06/12/2001
• Published: 12/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Wireless Services Incorporated (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Leuca, Ileana A., Nichols, Keith C.
• Granted Patent: US 6,687,374 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/399.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5692 Selection among different networks

Abstract

An interface device and method for selectively coupling the signals of a plurality of communications service providers operating in different frequency bands onto one or more station wire segments of a customer premises wiring plant. The device includes a plurality of service access modules, each of the service access modules comprising a filter network including at least one of a high-pass or bandpass filter, and a low-pass filter connected to a respective communications service provider'"'"'s signal. A high-band switching module and a low-band switching module are connected to each service access module. At least one station access module is connected to the high-band switching module and the low-band switching module. The station access module includes a filter network comprising at least one of a high-pass or band-pass filter, and a low-pass filter corresponding in pass-bands to the service access module filter network. Each station access module is connected to a station wire segment of the customer premises inside wiring plant. The interface enables each station wire segment of the premises wiring to be concurrently and independently connected to low-band and high-band service providers.

Claims

1. An apparatus for selectively coupling the signals of a plurality of communications service providers operating in different frequency bands onto one or more station wire segments of a customer premises wiring plant, comprising:

a plurality of service access modules, each of said service access modules including a filter network connected to a respective communications service provider'"'"'s signal;

a high-band cross-point bus switching module connected to each service access module;

a low-band cross-point bus switching module connected to each service access module; and

at least one station access module connected to said high-band cross-point bus switching module and said low-band cross-point bus switching module, said station access module connected to a station wire segment of the customer premises inside wiring plant, said station access module including a filter network corresponding in pass-bands to the coupling filter network of the service access module to which a service connection is desired.

2. The multi-service interface device recited in claim 1, wherein said service access module filter network includes at least one of a high-pass or band-pass filter, and a low-pass filter.

3. The multi-service interface device recited in claim 2, wherein said station access module includes at least one of a high-pass or band-pass filter and a lowpass filter corresponding in pass-bands to said service access module filter network.

4. An apparatus for selectively coupling the signals of a plurality of communications service providers operating in different frequency bands onto one or more station wire segments of a customer premises wiring plant, comprising:

a plurality of service access modules, each of said service access modules comprising a filter network including at least one of a high-pass or band-pass filter, and a low-pass filter connected to a respective communications service provider'"'"'s signal;

a high-band cross-point bus switching module connected to each service access module;

a low-band cross-point bus switching module connected to each service access module; and

at least one station access module connected to said high-band cross-point bus switching module and said low-band cross-point bus switching module, said station access module including at least one of a high-pass or band-pass filter, and a low-pass filter corresponding in pass-bands to said service access module filter network, and connected to a station wire segment of the customer premises inside wiring plant, said station access module including a filter network corresponding in pass-bands to the coupling filter network of the service access module to which a service connection is desired.