Access network with an integrated splitter

• US 6,272,219 B1
• Filed: 04/01/1998
• Issued: 08/07/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Terayon Communications Systems Incorporated (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: De Bruycker, Erwin, Erreygers, Jan
• Primary Examiner(s): Hudspeth, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lerner, Martin
• Application Number:
  US09/053,099
• Time in Patent Office: 1,224 Days
• Field of Search: 379/399, 379/402, 709/230, 709/233, 370/494, 370/264, 370/535, 370/493
• US Class Current: 379/399.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/062 using different frequency bands for speech and other data
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0428 Integrated services digital network, i.e. systems for transmission of different types of digitised signals, e.g. speech, data, telecentral, television signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13003 Constructional details of switching devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13034 A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13076 Distributing frame, MDF, cross-connect switch
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13094 Range extender
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13099 Loop multiplexer
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13174 Data transmission, file transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1319 Amplifier, attenuation circuit, echo suppressor
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13199 Modem, modulation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13202 Network termination [NT]
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13209 ISDN
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1329 Asynchronous transfer mode, ATM
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13291 Frequency division multiplexing, FDM
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13298 Local loop systems, access network
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13381 Pair-gain system, digital loop carriers
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 LAN, internet

Abstract

The present invention provides an effective way for Telecom operators to provide ADSL service to customers who are receiving POTS service over a pair gain system or who are connected to ISDN. According to one embodiment of the invention, an ADSLNDSL (Very High Speed DSL) splitter is integrated in the remote terminal of a pair gain system or in the NT1 (Network Termination 1) of an ISDN BA (Basic Access). Therefore, no extra box on the house and no extra truck roll is required when the customer orders ADSL service. Integrating the splitter makes the telephone line upwards compatible with UADSL since UADSL can be directly connected to an analog telephone line. According to another embodiment of the invention, both the splitter and ADSUUADSL modems are integrated in the remote terminal of a pair gain system or in the NT 1 of an ISDN BA. The splitter in the telephone company location may also be integrated in the central office terminal (COT) of the pair gain system. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the UADSL signal output of an ADSL splitter in the remote terminal of a pair gain system is connected to an analog POTS port, with appropriate filtering. According to this embodiment, the UADSL signal is connected to all POTS lines coming out of a remote terminal. Connecting the UADSL output of the splitter to the POTS output eliminates the need for additional wiring in the customers house.

Claims

1. An apparatus for communicating with a telephone company location which includes a pair gain system and provides combined digital subscriber line (DSL) and asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) signals, the apparatus comprising:

a splitter for separating the combined DSL and ADSL signals received from the telephone company location into a DSL signal and an ADSL signal; and

a pair gain remote terminal connected to said splitter for receiving from and sending to said splitter a DSL signal;

wherein said splitter is integrated with said remote terminal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said splitter receives a DSL signal from said remote terminal and an ADSL signal from an ADSL modem and combines the DSL and ADSL signals for sending to the telephone company location.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said splitter includes:

a DSL line for receiving and sending a DSL signal;

an ADSL line for receiving and sending an ADSL signal;

a low pass filter connected to said DSL line for filtering signals to be sent and received on said DSL line; and

a high pass filter connected to said ADSL line for filtering signals to be sent and received on said ADSL line.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein:

said low pass filter has a cutoff frequency of 80 to 120 kHz; and

said high pass filter has a cutoff frequency of 100 to 140 kHz.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said remote terminal includes a printed circuit board (PCB) and said splitter is mounted on said PCB for integration with said remote terminal.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an ADSL modem connected to said splitter and integrated with said remote terminal.

7. An apparatus for communicating with a telephone company location which includes an ISDN system and provides combined digital subscriber line (DSL) and asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) signals, the apparatus comprising:

a splitter for separating the combined DSL and ADSL signals received from the telephone company location into a DSL signal and an ADSL signal; and

an ISDN network termination (NT) unit connected to said splitter for receiving from and sending to said splitter a DSL signal;

wherein said splitter is integrated with said ISDN NT unit.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said splitter receives a DSL signal from said ISDN NT unit and an ADSL signal from an ADSL modem and combines the DSL and ADSL signals for sending to the telephone company location.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said splitter includes:

a DSL line for receiving and sending a DSL signal;

an ADSL line for receiving and sending an ADSL signal;

a low pass filter connected to said DSL line for filtering signals to be sent and received on said DSL line; and

a high pass filter connected to said ADSL line for filtering signals to be sent and received on said ADSL line.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein:

said low pass filter has a cutoff frequency of 80 to 120 kHz; and

said high pass filter has a cutoff frequency of 100 to 140 kHz.

11. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said ISDN NT unit includes a printed circuit board (PCB) and said splitter is connected to said PCB for integration with said ISDN NT.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising an ADSL modem connected to said splitter and integrated with said ISDN NT unit.

13. An apparatus for use in a telephone company location which provides combined digital subscriber line (DSL) and asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) signals for communicating with a pair gain remote terminal, the apparatus comprising:

a splitter for separating the combined DSL and ADSL signals received from the remote terminal into a DSL signal and an ADSL signal; and

a pair gain system connected to said splitter for receiving from and sending to said splitter a DSL signal;

wherein said splitter is integrated with said pair gain system.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said splitter receives a DSL signal from said pair gain system and an ADSL signal from an ADSL modem and combines the DSL and ADSL signals for sending to the remote terminal.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said splitter includes:

a DSL line for receiving and sending a DSL signal;

an ADSL line for receiving and sending an ADSL signal;

a low pass filter connected to said DSL line for filtering signals to be sent and received on said DSL line; and

a high pass filter connected to said ADSL line for filtering signals to be sent and received on said ADSL line.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein:

said low pass filter has a cutoff frequency of 80 to 120 kHz; and

said high pass filter has a cutoff frequency of 100 to 140 kHz.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said pair gain system includes a line card and said splitter is mounted on said line card for integration with said pair gain system.

18. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said pair gain system includes a backplane and said splitter is mounted on said backplane for integration with said pair gain system.

19. An apparatus for communicating with a telephone company location which includes a pair gain system and provides combined digital subscriber line (DSL) and universal asymmetrical digital subscriber line (UADSL) signals, the apparatus comprising:

a splitter for separating the combined DSL and UADSL signals received from the telephone company location into a DSL signal and a UADSL signal, said splitter including a DSL line for receiving and sending a DSL signal and a UADSL line for receiving and sending a UADSL signal;

a pair gain remote terminal connected to said splitter for receiving from and sending to said splitter a DSL signal, said remote terminal including a plurality of lines for receiving and sending analog signals; and

a connector module connected to the UADSL line of said splitter and one of the plurality of lines of said remote terminal, said connector module including a combined signal line for sending and receiving combined UADSL and analog signals;

wherein said splitter is integrated with said remote terminal.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said splitter receives a DSL signal from said remote terminal and a UADSL signal from said connector module and combines the DSL and UADSL signals for sending to the telephone company location.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said splitter further includes:

a low pass filter connected to said DSL line for filtering signals to be sent and received on said DSL line; and

a high pass filter connected to said UADSL line for filtering signals to be sent and received on said UADSL line.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein:

said low pass filter has a cutoff frequency of 80 to 120 kHz; and

said high pass filter has a cutoff frequency of 100 to 140 kHz.

23. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said remote terminal includes a printed circuit board (PCB) and said splitter is mounted on said PCB for integration with said remote terminal.

24. An apparatus for communicating with a telephone company location which includes a pair gain system and provides combined digital subscriber line (DSL) and universal asymmetrical digital subscriber line (UADSL) signals, the apparatus comprising:

a splitter for separating combined DSL and UADSL signals received from the telephone company location into a DSL signal and a UADSL signal, said splitter including a DSL line for receiving and sending a DSL signal and a UADSL line for receiving and sending a UADSL signal;

a pair gain remote terminal connected to said splitter for receiving from and sending to said splitter a DSL signal, said remote terminal including a plurality of lines for receiving and sending analog signals;

a plurality of filters each coupled to the UADSL line of said splitter; and

a plurality of connector modules each coupled to one of said plurality of filters and one of the plurality of lines of said remote terminal, each of said plurality of connector modules including a combined signal line for sending and receiving combined UADSL and analog signals;

wherein said splitter is integrated with said remote terminal.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said splitter receives a DSL signal from said remote terminal and a UADSL signal from one of said plurality of connector modules and combines the DSL and ADSL signals for sending to the telephone company location.

26. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein each of said plurality of filters is a high pass filter having at least 65 dB attenuation in a frequency band of 300 Hz to 4 kHz.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a plurality of low pass filters each connected between one of the plurality of lines of said remote terminal and one of said plurality of connector modules.

28. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said splitter further includes:

a low pass filter connected to said DSL line for filtering signals to be sent and received on said DSL line; and

a high pass filter connected to said UADSL line for filtering signals to be sent and received on said UADSL line.

29. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein:

said low pass filter has a cutoff frequency of 80 to 120 kHz; and

said high pass filter has a cutoff frequency of 100 to 140 kHz.

30. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said remote terminal includes a printed circuit board (PCB) and said splitter is mounted on said PCB for integration with said remote terminal.