Communication server apparatus and method

• US 6,385,203 B2
• Filed: 01/08/1998
• Issued: 05/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Locklear, Robert H. Jr., McHale, John F., Sisk, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Wellington
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, STEVEN H D
• Application Number:
  US09/005,504
• Publication Number:
  US 20010043568A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,580 Days
• Field of Search: 370/351, 370/352, 370/468, 370/676, 370/506, 370/333, 370/281, 370/480, 370/401, 370/252-254, 375/260, 375/261, 375/222, 375/220, 375/219, 379/93.32, 379/93.07, 379/93.28, 379/39.14, 379/93.08, 379/93.29
• US Class Current: 370/401
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2856 Access arrangements, e.g. Internet access asynchronous transfer mode networks H04L12/5601; broadband local area networks H04L12/2801; optical access or distribution networks H04Q11/0067; access to open networks H04L12/5691; digital subscriber line end-user equipment and bit-level processing of data on a PSTN-based network H04M11/00; home network gateways H04L12/2834; wireless access networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2859 Point-to-point connection between the data network and the subscribers encapsulation H04L12/4633; virtual LANs H04L12/4641; routing of packets H04L45/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2874 Processing of data for distribution to the subscribers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2889 Multiservice, e.g. MSAN
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4612 LAN interconnection over narrowband networks, e.g. N-ISDN, PSTN, X.25
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5692 Selection among different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/0008 arrangements for allowing a transmitter or receiver to use more than one type of modulation negotiating modulation type for two-way transmission paths H04L5/1453
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/06 Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/062 using different frequency bands for speech and other data
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0421 Circuit arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13003 Constructional details of switching devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1302 Relay switches
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13036 Serial/parallel conversion, parallel bit transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13039 Asymmetrical two-way transmission, e.g. ADSL, HDSL
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1304 Coordinate switches, crossbar, 4/2 with relays, coupling field
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13109 Initializing, personal profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1319 Amplifier, attenuation circuit, echo suppressor
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13196 : Connection circuit/link/trunk/junction, bridge, router, gateway
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13199 : Modem, modulation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13203 : Exchange termination [ET]
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13213 : Counting, timing circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1329 : Asynchronous transfer mode, ATM
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13292 : Time division multiplexing, TDM
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13299 : Bus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13302 : Magnetic elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1332 : Logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13322 : Integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1334 : Configuration within the switch
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13349 : Network management
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet

Abstract

A communication server maintains profile information on twisted pair lines in a profile table. This profile information may be generated in a training session and then retrieved to train a modem or transceiver unit to communicate data over the associated twisted pair line using XDSL communication techniques.

Claims

1. A communication server coupled to a plurality of twisted pair lines, the communication server comprising:

a plurality of XDSL transceiver units;

a line profile table having pre-stored profile information that reflects electrical parameters of each of a plurality of twisted pair lines for XDSL service; and

a system controller operable to retrieve profile information for a twisted pair line from the line profile table, the system controller further operable to provide the retrieved profile information to an XDSL transceiver unit coupled to the twisted pair line.

2. The communication server of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of line interface modules coupled to the twisted pair lines and the XDSL transceiver units, wherein the system controller directs a line interface module to couple the twisted pair line to the XDSL transceiver unit.

3. The communication server of claim 1, further comprising a network interface coupled to the XDSL transceiver unit.

4. The communication server of claim 1, wherein the system controller communicates with the XDSL transceiver units using a serial management bus.

5. The communication server of claim 1, wherein each XDSL transceiver unit includes at least one digital signal processor having a plurality of registers, wherein the system controller loads profile information into the registers of the digital signal processor of the XDSL transceiver unit.

6. The communication server of claim 1, wherein the line profile table stores profile information in non-volatile memory.

7. The communication server of claim 1, wherein the line profile table resides on the system controller.

8. The communication server of claim 1, wherein profile information for a twisted pair line comprises a plurality of filter coefficients that reflect physical parameters of the twisted pair line.

9. The communication server of claim 1, wherein profile information for a twisted pair line comprises:

a plurality of filter coefficients that reflect physical parameters of the twisted pair line; and

an associated data rate for the twisted pair line.

10. The communication server of claim 1, wherein profile information for a twisted pair line comprises:

a plurality of filter coefficients that reflect physical parameters of the twisted pair line;

an associated data rate for the twisted pair line; and

a margin for the twisted pair line representing the difference between a current or expected signal strength and a minimum signal strength to maintain communication.

11. The communication server of claim 1, wherein profile information for a twisted pair line comprises:

a plurality of upstream filter coefficients for the twisted pair line; and

a plurality of downstream filter coefficients for the twisted pair line.

12. The communication server of claim 1, wherein the line profile table comprises profile information indexed by subscriber information for each twisted pair line.

13. The communication server of claim 1, wherein each twisted pair line forms a local loop to a subscriber.

14. The communication server of claim 1, wherein the XDSL transceiver unit uses profile information to perform carrier-less amplitude phase modulation to communicate information.

15. The communication server of claim 1, wherein profile information comprises physical or electrical characteristics of each twisted pair line.

16. The communication server of claim 1, wherein the transceiver units are operable to test the quality of the retrieved profile information and adjust the profile information if the profile information is not of sufficient quality.

17. A communication device, comprising:

an XDSL transceiver unit operable to couple to a twisted pair line;

a plurality of registers associated with the XDSL transceiver unit; and

a microcontroller coupled to the XDSL transceiver unit and the registers, the microcontroller operable to receive pre-stored profile information that reflects electrical parameters of the twisted pair line for XDSL service from an external device, the microcontroller further operable to store the profile information in the registers in preparation for XDSL communication using the twisted pair line.

18. The communication device of claim 17, wherein the microcontroller is further operable to direct the XDSL transceiver unit to perform a test on the twisted pair line after storing the profile information in the registers.

19. The communication device of claim 17, wherein the external device comprises non-volatile memory.

20. The communication device of claim 17, wherein the external device comprises a system controller.

21. The communication device of claim 17, wherein the microcontroller communicates with the external device using a serial management bus.

22. The communication device of claim 17, wherein the registers are associated with at least one digital signal processor in the XDSL transceiver unit.

23. The communication device of claim 17, wherein profile information comprises a plurality of filter coefficients that reflect physical parameters of the twisted pair line.

24. The communication device of claim 17, wherein profile information comprises:

a plurality of filter coefficients that reflect physical parameters of the twisted pair line; and

an associated data rate for the twisted pair line.

25. The communication device of claim 17, wherein profile information comprises:

a plurality of filter coefficients that reflect physical parameters of the twisted pair line;

an associated data rate for the twisted pair line; and

a margin for the twisted pair line representing the difference between a current or expected signal strength and a minimum signal strength to maintain communication.

26. The communication device of claim 17, wherein profile information comprises:

a plurality of upstream filter coefficients for the twisted pair line; and

a plurality of downstream filter coefficients for the twisted pair line.

27. The communication device of claim 17, wherein the twisted pair line forms a local loop to a subscriber.

28. The communication device of claim 17, wherein the XDSL transceiver unit uses profile information to perform carrier-less amplitude phase modulation to communicate information.

29. The XDSL transceiver unit of claim 17, wherein profile information comprises physical or electrical characteristics of the twisted pair line.

30. The communication device of claim 17, wherein the XDSL transceiver unit is operable to test the quality of the retrieved profile information and adjust the profile information if the profile information is not of sufficient quality.

31. A method for communicating using a plurality of XDSL transceiver units and a plurality of twisted pair lines, the method comprising:

storing profile information that reflects electrical parameters of each of a plurality of twisted pair lines for XDSL service;

coupling an XDSL transceiver unit to a twisted pair line;

retrieving the previously stored profile information for the twisted pair line; and

providing the retrieved profile information to the XDSL transceiver unit coupled to the twisted pair line in preparation for XDSL communication.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

receiving a request for service on the twisted pair line; and

directing a line interface module to couple the twisted pair line to the XDSL transceiver unit.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein providing the retrieved profile information comprises communicating the retrieved profile information from a system controller to the XDSL transceiver unit using a serial management bus.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein providing the retrieved profile information comprises loading the retrieved profile information into a plurality of registers associated with at least one digital signal processor in the XDSL transceiver unit.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein storing profile information comprises storing profile information in non-volatile memory.

36. The method of claim 31, wherein storing profile information comprises storing profile information at a system controller.

37. The method of claim 31, wherein profile information for a twisted pair line comprises a plurality of filter coefficients that reflect physical parameters of the twisted pair line.

38. The method of claim 31, wherein profile information for a twisted pair line comprises:

a plurality of filter coefficients that reflect physical parameters of the twisted pair line; and

an associated data rate for the twisted pair line.

39. The method of claim 31, wherein profile information for a twisted pair line comprises:

a plurality of filter coefficients that reflect physical parameters of the twisted pair line;

an associated data rate for the twisted pair line; and

a margin for the twisted pair line representing the difference between a current or expected signal strength and a minimum signal strength to maintain communication.

40. The method of claim 31, wherein profile information for a twisted pair line comprises:

a plurality of upstream filter coefficients for the twisted pair line; and

a plurality of downstream filter coefficients for the twisted pair line.

41. The method of claim 31, wherein each twisted pair line forms a local loop to a subscriber.

42. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of performing carrier-less amplitude phase modulation using the retrieved profile information.

43. The method of claim 31, wherein profile information comprises physical or electrical characteristics of each twisted pair line.

44. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

testing the quality of the retrieved profile information; and

adjusting the profile information if the profile information is not of sufficient quality.

45. A method for communicating performed on an XDSL transceiver unit, comprising:

coupling an XDSL transceiver unit to a twisted pair line;

receiving pre-stored profile information that reflects electrical parameters of the twisted pair line for XDSL service from an external device; and

storing the received profile information in the XDSL transceiver unit in preparation for XDSL communication using the twisted pair line.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein coupling the XDSL transceiver unit to the twisted pair line comprises coupling the XDSL transceiver unit to the twisted pair line using a line interface module.

47. The method of claim 45, further comprising the step of performing a test on the twisted pair line after storing the received profile information in the XDSL transceiver unit.

48. The method of claim 45, wherein the external device comprises a system controller.

49. The method of claim 45, wherein receiving profile information comprises receiving profile information from the external device using a serial management bus.

50. The method of claim 45, wherein storing the received profile information in the XDSL transceiver unit comprises storing the received profile information in a plurality of registers associated with at least one digital signal processor in the XDSL transceiver unit.

51. The method of claim 45, wherein profile information comprises a plurality of filter coefficients that reflect physical parameters of the twisted pair line.

52. The method of claim 45, wherein profile information comprises:

a plurality of filter coefficients that reflect physical parameters of the twisted pair line; and

an associated data rate for the twisted pair line.

53. The method of claim 45, wherein profile information comprises:

a plurality of filter coefficients that reflect physical parameters of the twisted pair line;

an associated data rate for the twisted pair line; and

a margin for the twisted pair line representing the difference between a current or expected signal strength and a minimum signal strength to maintain communication.

54. The method of claim 45, wherein profile information comprises:

a plurality of upstream filter coefficients for the twisted pair line; and

a plurality of downstream filter coefficients for the twisted pair line.

55. The method of claim 45, wherein the twisted pair line forms a local loop to a subscriber.

56. The method of claim 45, further comprising the step of performing carrier-less amplitude phase modulation using the retrieved profile information.

57. The method of claim 45, wherein profile information comprises physical or electrical characteristics of the twisted pair line.

58. The method of claim 45, further comprising:

testing the quality of the received profile information; and

adjusting the profile information if the profile information is not of sufficient quality.