Telecommunications system for providing both narrowband and broadband services to subscribers

• US 6,314,102 B1
• Filed: 07/10/1997
• Issued: 11/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alcatel SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Alcatel SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Czerwiec, Richard M., Sutherland, Joseph E., Bailey, Richard H., Ryckebusch, Frank, Simmering, Marlin V., Van Campenhout, Gilbert A. F., Verbueken, Herman L. R., Verly, Daniel A. C., Pynaert, Kurt, Van Der Auwera, Chris, Van Wonterghem, Geert A. E., Schepers, Peter M. L., Boeykens, Eduard C. M., Reusens, Peter P. F., De Wulf, Koen A. G., Borowski, Emmanuel F., Peschi, Robert N. L., Van Rompu, Peter A. R., Van Aken, Dirk M. J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Wellington
• Assistant Examiner(s): Duong, Frank
• Application Number:
  US08/891,145
• Time in Patent Office: 1,580 Days
• Field of Search: 370/419, 370/395, 370/396, 370/465, 370/466, 370/485, 370/486, 370/488, 370/493, 370/502, 370/401, 370/463, 379/27, 379/93.01, 379/93.09, 379/93.28, 375/222
• US Class Current: 370/395.6
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 2203/0048 Network termination, e.g. NT1, NT2, PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5601 Transfer mode dependent, e.g. ATM
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/561 Star, e.g. cross-connect, concentrator, subscriber group equipment, remote electronics
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5618 Bridges, gateways [GW] or interworking units [IWU]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5625 Operations, administration and maintenance [OAM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5658 using the AAL5
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/0002 analog front ends; means for connecting modulators, demodulators or transceivers to a transmission line duplex arrangements H04L5/143
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0007 the frequencies being orthogonal, e.g. OFDM(A), DMT
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/023 Multiplexing of multicarrier modulation signals multicarrier modulation H04L27/2601
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/143 for modulated signals H04L5/1469 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/16 Half-duplex systems; Simplex/duplex switching; Transmission of break signals non-automatically inverting the direction of transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/062 using different frequency bands for speech and other data
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/007 Access interface units for simultaneous transmission of speech and data, e.g. digital subscriber line [DSL] access interface units DSL access multiplexers H04Q11/0478, and H04L12/2856
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/12 Marking faulty circuits "busy"; Enabling equipment to disengage itself from faulty circuits ; Using redundant circuits; Response of a circuit, apparatus or system to an error
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/028 Subscriber network interface devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/03 Power distribution arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/10 Exchange station construction
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0478 Provisions for broadband connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2201/12 Printed circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2201/802 in data transmission systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13003 : Constructional details of switching devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1301 : Optical transmission, optical switches
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13034 : A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 : Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13199 : Modem, modulation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1329 : Asynchronous transfer mode, ATM
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13291 : Frequency division multiplexing, FDM
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13299 : Bus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet

Abstract

An architecture, as well as various components, of an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) subscriber access multiplexer (ASAM) system can be implemented using an XDSL (x-Digital Subscriber Line) using DMT (Discrete Multitone) or CAP (Carrierless Amplitude Phase Modulation) between a plurality of subscribers and a corresponding plurality of line termination equipment in a shelf that also includes network termination equipment for connection to an ATM network. The line termination and network termination equipment are interconnected by a bus internal to the shelf for providing subscriber access. Separate lowpass filters are provided at each end of a twisted wire pair between the shelf and each subscriber equipment. A shelf can be used as a hub for connecting to a remote shelf that includes the line termination equipment for connection to subscribers. Although the internal bus of the shelf is shown in a non-redundant embodiment, an increased level of equipment protection can be provided by placing one half of a redundant equipment pair in one shelf and the other half in the other shelf and sharing network termination equipment between such shelves.

Claims

1. A telecommunications system for providing both narrowband and broadband services to a plurality of subscriber premises, comprising:

at least one shelf for connection to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and for connection to an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network for connecting said PSTN and said ATM network to said plurality of subscriber premises via a corresponding plurality of twisted copper pairs; and

a plurality of subscriber modems for connection to said corresponding plurality of twisted copper pairs, wherein each of said twisted copper pairs is for providing an asymmetric digital subscriber line for providing both plain old telephone service (POTS) and digital channels in an ATM format.

2. The telecommunications system of claim 1, wherein said asymmetric digital subscriber line utilizes discrete multitone (DMT) technology.

3. The telecommunications system of claim 1, wherein said shelf comprises:

an ATM network termination (NT) card for providing said connection to said ATM network;

an ATM signal bus connected to said NT card for transporting ATM cells; and

a plurality of line termination (LT) cards connected to said ATM signal bus, each LT card for connection to a plurality of said twisted copper pairs.

4. The telecommunications system of claim 3, wherein said shelf further comprises:

a plurality of lowpass filter cards each corresponding to one of said LT cards for said connection to said PSTN and for connection to a corresponding plurality of said twisted copper pairs along with said corresponding one of said LT cards for isolating said PSTN from said digital channels.

5. The telecommunications system of claim 4, wherein each LT card includes a highpass filter for connection to each one of said corresponding twisted copper pairs for isolating said POTS from said LT card.

6. The telecommunications system of claim 5, wherein each subscriber modem includes a highpass filter for connection to said corresponding twisted copper pair for isolating said subscriber modem from said POTS.

7. The telecommunications system of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of subscriber lowpass filters for connection to said corresponding plurality of twisted copper pairs at said plurality of subscriber premises and for connection to a subscriber telephone for isolating said telephone from said digital channels.

8. The telecommunications system of claim 3, further comprising a rack for housing said at least one shelf among a plurality of shelves for connection to said PSTN and for connection to said ATM network, wherein said ATM signal bus is extendable for sharing between said plurality of shelves.

9. The telecommunications system of claim 8, wherein only one shelf in said rack has an ATM NT card and wherein other shelves in said rack without said ATM NT card have extender cards for connecting said other shelves to said ATM signal bus.

10. The telecommunications system of claim 9, wherein said plurality of subscriber premises is connected to said at least one shelf via a remote shelf, and wherein said at least one shelf is useable as a hub shelf for connecting said ATM network to said remote shelf as well as directly to subscriber premises.

11. The telecommunications system of claim 10, wherein said remote shelf is for connection to said ATM network via said hub shelf or, alternatively, via a backup hub shelf in said rack.

12. The telecommunications system of claim 8, wherein said plurality of subscriber premises are connected to said at least one shelf via a remote shelf, and wherein said at least one shelf is useable as a hub shelf for connecting said ATM network to said remote shelf as well as directly to subscriber premises.

13. The telecommunications system of claim 12, wherein said remote shelf is for connection to said ATM network via said hub shelf or, alternatively, via a backup hub shelf in said rack.

14. The telecommunications system of claim 1, wherein said shelf connected to said plurality of subscriber premises is useable in a remote configuration as a remote shelf for connection to said ATM network via a shelf used as a hub shelf, wherein said hub shelf is useable for connecting said ATM network to other remote shelves as well as directly to subscriber premises.

15. A telecommunications system, comprising:

at least one shelf (34) for housing;

a network termination card (12a ) for connection to a broadband network,

a plurality of line termination cards (14) for connection to said network termination card by means of a backplane bus (78) of said shelf, and

a plurality of upstream end lowpass filter cards (24) each for connection to a public switched telephone network,

wherein each lowpass filter card is for connection to a corresponding line termination card for joining a plurality of telephony signals and a corresponding plurality of digital subscriber line signals at an upstream end (66) of a corresponding plurality of twisted copper pairs (36); and

a plurality of subscriber terminals for location at a corresponding plurality of subscriber premises, each subscriber terminal for connection at a downstream end of a corresponding twisted copper pair for communication with a corresponding upstream end lowpass filter and line termination card over said corresponding twisted copper pair, wherein each subscriber terminal comprises;

a downstream end lowpass filter (42) for connection at said downstream end of said corresponding twisted copper pair and for connection to a telephone (56) at a corresponding subscriber premises (54); and

a digital subscriber line modem (72) also for connection at said downstream end (68) of said corresponding twisted copper pair for connection to a data terminal (76) at said corresponding subscriber premises.

16. The telecommunications system of claim 15, wherein said plurality of upstream end lowpass filter cards are for insertion in slots of said at least one shelf, said slots arranged adjacent corresponding line termination card slots of said at least one shelf.

17. The telecommunication system of claim 16, further comprising a splitter shelf separate from said at least one shelf wherein one or more of said plurality of upstream end lowpass filter cards are insertable in slots of said splitter shelf instead of said slots of said at least one shelf.

18. The telecommunications system of claim 15, wherein said digital subscriber line signal is an asymmetrical digital subscriber line signal.

19. The telecommunications system of claim 15, wherein said asymmetrical digital subscriber line signal utilizes discrete multitone (DMT).

20. The telecommunications system of claim 15, wherein said at least one shelf is useable in a remote configuration as a remote shelf for connection to said broadband network via a shelf used as a hub shelf wherein said hub shelf is useable for connecting said broadband network to other remote shelves as well as directly to subscriber premises.

21. The telecommunications system of claim 20, further comprising a rack for housing said hub shelf among a plurality of shelves interconnected via a common data and control bus.

22. The telecommunications system of claim 21, wherein said remote shelf is for connection to said broadband network via said hub shelf or, alternatively, via a backup hub shelf in said rack.

23. A telecommunications system for providing both narrowband and broadband services to a plurality of subscriber premises, comprising:

at least one shelf for connection to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and for connection to a broadband network for connecting said PSTN and said broadband network to said plurality of subscriber premises via a corresponding plurality of twisted copper pairs; and

a plurality of subscriber modems for connection to said corresponding plurality of twisted copper pairs, wherein each of said twisted copper pairs is for providing an asymmetric digital subscriber line for providing both plain old telephone service (POTS) and digital channels, wherein said shelf comprises;

a broadband network termination (NT) card for providing said connection to said broadband network;

a signal bus connected to said NT card for transporting said digital channels; and

a plurality of line termination (LT) cards connected to said signal bus, each LT card for connection to a plurality of said twisted copper pairs.

24. The telecommunications system of claim 23, wherein said asymmetric digital subscriber line utilizes discrete multitone (DMT) technology.

25. The telecommunications system of claim 23 further comprising a rack for housing said at least one shelf among a plurality of shelves for connection to said PSTN and for connection to said broadband network, wherein said signal bus is extendable for sharing between said plurality of shelves.

26. The telecommunications system of claim 25, wherein only one shelf in said rack has an NT card and wherein other shelves in said rack without said NT card have extender cards for connecting said other shelves to said signal bus.

27. The telecommunications system of claim 26, wherein said plurality of subscriber premises is connected to said at least one shelf via a remote shelf, and wherein said at least one shelf is useable as a hub shelf for connecting said broadband network to said remote shelf as well as directly to subscriber premises.

28. The telecommunications system of claim 27, wherein said remote shelf is for connection to said broadband network via said hub shelf or, alternatively, via a backup hub shelf in said rack.

29. The telecommunications system of claim 25, wherein said plurality of subscriber premises are connected to said at least one shelf via a remote shelf, and wherein said at least one shelf is useable as a hub shelf for connecting said broadband network to said remote shelf as well as directly to subscriber premises.

30. The telecommunications system of claim 29, wherein said remote shelf is for connection to said broadband network via said hub shelf or, alternatively, via a backup hub shelf in said rack.

31. The telecommunications system of claim 23, wherein said shelf connected to said plurality of subscriber premises is useable in a remote configuration as a remote shelf for connection to said broadband network via a shelf used as a hub shelf, wherein said hub shelf is useable for connecting said broadband network to other remote shelves as well as directly to subscriber premises.

32. The telecommunications system of claim 23, wherein said asymmetrical digital subscriber line signal utilizes discrete multitone (DMT).