Variable rate and variable mode transmission system

• US 6,424,636 B1
• Filed: 05/01/2000
• Issued: 07/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intellectual Ventures II LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Seazholtz, John W., Sims, Wendell N., Sistanizadeh, Kamran
• Primary Examiner(s): NGO, RICKY QUOC
• Application Number:
  US09/562,674
• Time in Patent Office: 813 Days
• Field of Search: 370/276, 370/295, 370/465, 370/468, 370/480, 370/492, 370/466, 370/467, 370/478, 370/481, 370/482, 370/485, 370/486, 370/487, 370/493, 370/494, 370/495, 375/222
• US Class Current: 370/295
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/062 using different frequency bands for speech and other data
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13034 A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13176 Common channel signaling, CCS7
• 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 2213/13209 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 2213/13376 Information service, downloading of information, 0800/0900 services
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13405 Dual frequency signaling, DTMF

Abstract

A public switched telephone network (PSTN) provides communication of digital data from a data provider or LAN to one or more of a plurality of subscriber premises. Asymmetrical digital subscriber line interface units operating at variable rates and in variable modes (ADSL/AVRs) over a local loop offer one-way video-on-demand and other services and carry the necessary signalling between the subscribers and information providers. In an asymmetric mode, the interface units frequency multiplex digital information with voice information to the subscriber and support transmission of a reverse control channel from the subscriber to the central office for transmission back to the information provider. Other modes are supported which permit selective bi-directional and reversible communications as well.

Claims

1. A digital subscriber line (DSL) transmission system for variably transmitting information data in a plurality of different grades of service supported by a network, said transmission system comprising:

a first transceiver, connected to an end of a subscriber loop, for selectively operating in one of a plurality of said grades of services, said first transceiver transmitting signals, at a first transmission rate, over a first range of frequencies, and receiving signals, at a second transmission rate, over a second range of frequencies, in each of said plurality of different grades of service;

a second transceiver, connected to said first transceiver via said subscriber loop, for selectively operating in one of said plurality of different grades of service, said second transceiver receiving signals at said first transmission rate over said first range of frequencies, and transmitting signals at said second transmission rate on said second range of frequencies; and

a controller connected to said first transceiver for selectively changing grade of service by changing said first transmission rate, said second transmission rate, or both.

2. A transmission system as recited in claim 1, wherein said first range of frequencies is completely separate from said second range of frequencies.

3. A transmission system as recited in claim 1, wherein said second range of frequencies is subsumed within or coincident with said first range of frequencies.

4. A transmission system as recited in claim 1, wherein said controller includes the ability to control said first and second transmission rates in accordance with an algorithm which determines an optimum transmission rate.

5. The transmission system of claim 1, wherein said subscriber loop is a wired DSL loop.

6. The transmission system of claim 1, wherein said subscriber loop is a wired ADSL loop.

7. A transmission system as recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of different grades of service includes at least one grade of service in which the downstream and upstream transmission rates are approximately equivalent to one another.

8. A transmission system as recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of different grades of service includes more than one grade of service in which the downstream and upstream transmission rates are approximately equivalent to one another.

9. The transmission system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of different grades of service includes at least one grade of service wherein the downstream transmission rate exceeds the upstream transmission rate.

10. The transmission system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of different grades of service includes more than one grade of service wherein the downstream transmission rate exceeds the upstream transmission rate.

11. The transmission system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of different grades of service includes at least one grade of service wherein the upstream transmission rate exceeds the downstream transmission rate.

12. The transmission system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of different grades of service includes more than one grade of service wherein the upstream transmission rate exceeds the downstream transmission rate.

13. The transmission system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of different grades of service includes at least one grade of service wherein the downstream and upstream transmission rates are approximately equivalent, at least one grade of service wherein the upstream transmission rate exceeds the downstream transmission rate, and at least one grade of service wherein the downstream transmission rate exceeds the upstream transmission rate.

14. The transmission system of claim 1, wherein a change between grades of service is accomplished by changing the bandwidth of the first range of frequencies, the second range of frequencies, or both.

15. The transmission system of claim 14, wherein said change between grades of service includes reallocating or reassigning a portion of the bandwidth previously associated with the first range of frequencies to the second range of frequencies.

16. The transmission system of claim 14, wherein said change between grades of service includes reallocating or reassigning a portion of the bandwidth previously associated with the first range of frequencies to the second range of frequencies.

17. A transmission system as recited in claim 1, wherein said first and second transceivers are comprised of discrete multi-tone transceivers.

18. A digital subscriber line (DSL) transmission system for variably transmitting information data in a plurality of different grades of service supported by a network, said transmission system comprising:

a first transceiver, connected to an end of a subscriber loop, for selectively operating in one of a plurality of said grades of services, said first transceiver transmitting signals, at a first transmission rate, over a first range of frequencies, and receiving signals, at a second transmission rate, over a second range of frequencies, in each of said plurality of different grades of service;

a second transceiver, connected to said first transceiver via said subscriber loop, for selectively operating in one of said plurality of different grades of service, said second transceiver receiving signals at said first transmission rate over said first range of frequencies, and transmitting signals at said second transmission rate on said second range of frequencies; and

a controller connected to said first transceiver for selectively changing grade of service by changing said first transmission rate, said second transmission rate, or both,

wherein said plurality of different grades of service includes at least one grade of service wherein the upstream transmission rate, the downstream transmission rate, or both, are less than the maximum rates which may be supported over said subscriber loop based on characteristics of said subscriber loop.

19. A transmission system as recited in claim 18, wherein said network comprises a public switched telephone network and wherein said system reserves for audio telephone signals a third range of frequencies in association with each of said plurality of grades of service, said third range of frequencies being completely separate from said first and second ranges of frequencies.

20. A transmission system as recited in claim 18, wherein said local subscriber loops comprise twisted copper wire pairs.

21. A transmission system as recited in claim 18, wherein said controller controls said first and second transmission rates in accordance with a selection made by an operator.

22. A transmission system as recited in claim 21, wherein said operator makes said selection in response to a preference communicated by the end-user of data transmission services provided over said transmission system.

23. A digital subscriber line (DSL) transmission system for variably transmitting information data in a plurality of different grades of service supported by a network, said transmission system comprising:

a first transceiver, connected to an end of a subscriber loop, for selectively operating in one of a plurality of said grades of services, said first transceiver transmitting signals, at a first transmission rate, over a first range of frequencies, and receiving signals, at a second transmission rate, over a second range of frequencies, in each of said plurality of different grades of service;

a second transceiver, connected to said first transceiver via said subscriber loop, for selectively operating in one of said plurality of different grades of service, said second transceiver receiving signals at said first transmission rate over said first range of frequencies, and transmitting signals at said second transmission rate on said second range of frequencies; and

a controller connected to said first transceiver for selectively changing said grades of service by changing said first transmission rate, said second transmission rate, or both;

wherein;

said controller controls said first and second transmission rates in accordance with a selection made by the end-user of data transmission services provided over said transmission system;

said plurality of different grades of service includes at least one grade of service wherein the upstream transmission rate, the downstream transmission rate, or both, are less than the maximum rates which may be supported over said subscriber loop based on characteristics of said subscriber loop;

said plurality of different grades of service includes more than one grade of service wherein the downstream transmission rate exceeds the upstream transmission rate

said first range of frequencies is completely separate from said second range of frequencies; and

said local subscriber loop comprises twisted copper wire pairs.

24. The transmission system of claim 23, wherein said first and said second transceivers are discrete multi-tone (DMT) transceivers.

25. A digital subscriber line (DSL) transmission system for variably transmitting information data in a plurality of different grades of service supported by a network, said transmission system comprising:

a first transceiver, connected to an end of a subscriber loop, for selectively operating in one of a plurality of said grades of services, said first transceiver transmitting signals, at a first transmission rate, over a first range of frequencies, and receiving signals, at a second transmission rate, over a second range of frequencies, in each of said plurality of different grades of service;

a second transceiver, connected to said first transceiver via said subscriber loop, for selectively operating in one of said plurality of different grades of service, said second transceiver receiving signals at said first transmission rate over said first range of frequencies, and transmitting signals at said second transmission rate on said second range of frequencies; and

a controller connected to said first transceiver for selectively changing said grades of service by changing said first transmission rate, said second transmission rate, or both;

wherein;

said controller controls said first and second transmission rates in accordance with a selection made by the end-user of data transmission services provided over said transmission system;

said plurality of different grades of service includes at least one grade of service wherein the upstream transmission rate, the downstream transmission rate, or both, are less than the maximum rates which may be supported over said subscriber loop based on characteristics of said subscriber loop;

said plurality of different grades of service includes more than one grade of service in which the downstream and upstream transmission rates are approximately equivalent to one another;

said second range of frequencies is coincident with said first range of frequencies; and

said local subscriber loops comprise twisted copper wire pairs.

26. The transmission system of claim 25, wherein said first and said second transceivers transmit information using 2B1Q line encoding.

27. A transmission system for providing a plurality of digital subscriber line service offerings, each service offering being defined by its upstream and downstream transmission rates, said transmission system comprising:

a first transceiver, electrically connected to a first end of a subscriber loop, for selectively operating in accord with one of a plurality of said service offerings, said first transceiver transmitting signals at a first transmission rate in the downstream direction, and receiving signals at a second transmission rate in the upstream direction, in accord with each of the plurality of service offerings;

a second transceiver, electrically connected to a second end of said subscriber loop and to said first transceiver via said subscriber loop, for selectively operating in accord with one of said plurality of service offerings, said second transceiver receiving signals at said first transmission rate in the downstream direction, and transmitting signals at said second transmission rate in the upstream direction; and

at least one controller electrically connected to or associated with said first and said second transceivers for changing the service offering provided by the transmission system.

28. A transmission system as recited in claim 27, wherein changes in the transmission rates are effected by changing bandwidth of frequencies assigned to the upstream direction, the downstream direction, or both.

29. A transmission system as recited in claim 27, wherein changes to the service offering are made in accordance with preferences expressed by an end-user.

30. The transmission system as recited in claim 27, including the ability to change from one service offering wherein the downstream transmission rate is greater than the upstream transmission rate to another service offering wherein the possibly different downstream transmission rate is still greater than the possibly different upstream transmission rate.

31. The transmission system as recited in claim 27, including the ability to change from one service offering wherein the downstream and upstream transmission rates are roughly equivalent to one another, to another service offering wherein the downstream and upstream transmission rates have both changed, but are still roughly equivalent to one another.

32. A transmission system as recited in claim 27, wherein changes to the service offering occur without breaking the communications link to the end-user.

33. A transmission system as recited in claim 27, wherein a break in the communications link to the end-user is effected as a result of or coincident with a change to the service offering.

34. A transmission system as recited in claim 33, wherein said break in said communications link to said end-user lasts for approximately 10 seconds or less.

35. A digital subscriber line (DSL) transmission system for transmitting information at various selectable transmission rates, comprising:

a first transceiver, electrically connected to a first end of a subscriber loop, for transmitting signals at a first transmission rate in the downstream direction, and receiving signals at a second transmission rate in the upstream direction;

a second transceiver, electrically connected to a second end of a subscriber loop, for receiving signals at said first transmission rate in the downstream direction, and transmitting signals at said second transmission rate in the upstream direction; and

at least one controller electrically connected to or associated with either one or both of said first and second transceivers for setting the upstream and downstream transmission rates.

36. A DSL transmission system as recited in claim 35, wherein the upstream transmission rate is set by selecting from a set of available upstream transmission rates and the downstream transmission rate is set by selecting from a set of available downstream transmission rates.

37. A DSL transmission system as recited in claim 36, wherein the downstream transmission rate may be set either higher than, roughly equivalent to, or lower than the upstream transmission rate.

38. A DSL transmission system as recited in claim 37, wherein the upstream transmission rate, the downstream transmission rate, or both, after having been set, may be reset to any other of said available transmission rates.

39. A DSL transmission system as recited in claim 38, wherein the downstream transmission rate, having been set higher than the upstream transmission rate, may be reset to another of said available downstream transmission rates, while still being higher than the upstream transmission rate.

40. A DSL transmission system as recited in claim 38, wherein the upstream and downstream transmission rates, having been set roughly equivalent to one another, may each be reset to another of said available (upstream and downstream) transmission rates, while still being roughly equivalent.

41. A DSL transmission system as recited in claim 38, wherein the upstream and downstream transmission rates, after having been set, may be reset based on preferences expressed by an end-user of said transmission system.

42. A DSL transmission system as recited in claim 38, wherein the upstream transmission rate, the downstream transmission rate, or both, may be automatically reset in response to the occurrence of a pre-programmed event.

43. A DSL transmission system as recited in claim 38, wherein the upstream transmission rate, the downstream transmission rate, or both, may be automatically reset to the lesser of said initially set rates and the maximum data rates supported by transmission line characteristics.

44. A DSL transmission system as recited in claim 38, wherein the upstream transmission rate, the downstream transmission rate, or both, may be reset directly by the end-user of the DSL transmission system.

45. A DSL transmission system as recited in claim 44, wherein the end-user of the DSL transmissions system may reset the upstream transmission rate, the downstream transmission rate, or both, via a set-top box electrically connected to the DSL transmission system.

46. A DSL transmission system as recited in claim 44, wherein the end-user of the DSL transmissions system may reset the upstream transmission rate, the downstream transmission rate, or both, via the issuance of a signal from a PC electrically connected to the DSL transmission system.

47. A DSL transmission system as recited in claim 38, wherein the bandwidth over which occur transmissions in the downstream direction is completely isolated in frequency from the bandwidth over which occur transmissions in the upstream direction.

48. A DSL transmission system as recited in claim 38, wherein the bandwidth over which occur transmissions in the downstream direction partially overlaps in frequency the bandwidth over which occur transmissions in the upstream direction.

49. A DSL transmission system as recited in claim 38, wherein the bandwidth over which occur transmissions in the downstream direction is coincident in frequency with the bandwidth over which occur transmissions in the upstream direction.

50. A digital subscriber line (DSL) transmission system for transmitting information at various selectable transmission rates, comprising:

a first transceiver, electrically connected to a first end of a subscriber loop, for transmitting signals at a first transmission rate in the downstream direction, and receiving signals at a second transmission rate in the upstream direction;

a second transceiver, electrically connected to a second end of a subscriber loop, for receiving signals at said first transmission rate in the downstream direction, and transmitting signals at said second transmission rate in the upstream direction; and

at least one controller electrically connected to or associated with either one or both of said first and second transceivers for setting the upstream and downstream transmission rates, wherein;

the upstream transmission rate is set by selecting from a set of available upstream transmission rates and the downstream transmission rate is set by selecting from a set of available downstream transmission rates,

the downstream transmission rate may be set either higher than, roughly equivalent to, or lower than the upstream transmission rate,

the upstream transmission rate, the downstream transmission rate, or both, after having been set, may be reset to any other of said available (upstream and downstream) transmission rates,

the downstream transmission rate, having been set higher than the upstream transmission rate, may be reset to another of said available downstream transmission rates, while still being higher than the upstream transmission rate, and

the bandwidth over which occur transmissions in the downstream direction is either completely isolated in frequency from the bandwidth over which occur transmissions in the upstream direction, partially overlaps in frequency the bandwidth over which occur transmissions in the upstream direction, or is coincident in frequency with the bandwidth over which occur transmissions in the upstream direction.

51. A digital subscriber line (DSL) transmission system for transmitting information at various selectable transmission rates, comprising:

a first transceiver, electrically connected to a first end of a subscriber loop, for transmitting signals at a first transmission rate in the downstream direction, and receiving signals at a second transmission rate in the upstream direction;

a second transceiver, electrically connected to a second end of a subscriber loop, for receiving signals at said first transmission rate in the downstream direction, and transmitting signals at said second transmission rate in the upstream direction; and

at least one controller electrically connected to or associated with either one or both of said first and second transceivers for setting the upstream and downstream transmission rates, wherein;

the upstream transmission rate is set by selecting from a set of available upstream transmission rates and the downstream transmission rate is set by selecting from a set of available downstream transmission rates,

the downstream transmission rate may be set either higher than, roughly equivalent to, or lower than the upstream transmission rate,

the upstream transmission rate, the downstream transmission rate, or both, after having been set, may be reset to any other of said available (upstream and downstream) transmission rates,

the downstream and upstream transmission rates, having been set roughly equivalent to one another, may both be reset to another of said available (downstream and upstream) transmission rates, while still being roughly equivalent to one another, and

the bandwidth over which occur transmissions in the downstream direction is either completely isolated in frequency from the bandwidth over which occur transmissions in the upstream, direction, partially overlaps in frequency the bandwidth over which occur transmissions in the upstream direction, or is coincident in frequency with the bandwidth over which occur transmissions in the upstream direction.

52. A digital subscriber line (DSL) transmission system for transmitting information at various selectable transmission rates, comprising:

a first DSL modem or line-card, electrically connected to the central-office (CO) end of a subscriber loop, for transmitting signals at a first transmission rate in the downstream direction, and receiving signals at a second transmission rate in the upstream direction;

a second DSL modem or line-card, electrically connected to the consumer premise end of a subscriber loop, for receiving signals at said first transmission rate in the downstream direction, and transmitting signals at said second transmission rate in the upstream direction;

at least one controller electrically connected to or associated with either one or both of said first DSL modem or line-card and said second DSL modem or line-card, for setting the upstream transmission rate, the downstream transmission rate, or both transmission rates.

53. A DSL transmission system as recited in claim 52, wherein the upstream transmission rate is set by selecting from a set of available upstream transmission rates and the downstream transmission rate is set by selecting from a set of available downstream transmission rates.

54. A DSL transmission system as recited in claim 53, wherein the downstream transmission rate may be set either higher than, roughly equivalent to, or lower than the upstream transmission rate.

55. A DSL transmission system as recited in claim 54, wherein the upstream transmission rate, the downstream transmission rate, or both, after having been set, may be reset to any other of said available transmission rates.

56. A DSL transmission system as recited in claim 55, wherein the downstream transmission rate, having been set higher than the upstream transmission rate, may be reset to another of said available downstream transmission rates, while still being higher than the upstream transmission rate.

57. A DSL transmission system as recited in claim 55, wherein the upstream and downstream transmission rates, having been set roughly equivalent to one another, may each be reset to another of said available (upstream and downstream) transmission rates, while still being roughly equivalent.

58. A DSL transmission system as recited in claim 55, wherein the upstream and downstream transmission rates, after having been set, may be reset based on preferences expressed by an end-user of said transmission system.

59. A DSL transmission system as recited in claim 55, wherein the upstream transmission rate, the downstream transmission rate, or both, may be automatically reset in response to the occurrence of a pre-programmed event.

60. A DSL transmission system as recited in claim 55, wherein the upstream transmission rate, the downstream transmission rate, or both, may be automatically reset to the lesser of said initially set rates and the maximum data rates supported by transmission line characteristics.

61. A DSL transmission system as recited in claim 55, wherein the bandwidth over which occur transmissions in the downstream direction is completely isolated in frequency from the bandwidth over which occur transmissions in the upstream direction.

62. A DSL transmission system as recited in claim 55, wherein the bandwidth over which occur transmissions in the downstream direction partially overlaps in frequency the bandwidth over which occur transmissions in the upstream direction.

63. A DSL transmission system as recited in claim 55, wherein the bandwidth over which occur transmissions in the downstream direction is coincident in frequency with the bandwidth over which occur transmissions in the upstream direction.

64. A method for transmitting information at various selectable transmission rates, over a digital subscriber line (DSL) transmission system comprising:

electrically connecting a first transceiver to a first end of a subscriber loop and a second transceiver to a second end of a subscriber loop;

controlling at least one of said first and second transceivers for setting a first transmission rate and a second transmission rate;

transmitting signals at the first transmission rate in the downstream direction, between said first and second transceivers;

transmitting signals at the second transmission rate in the upstream direction between said first and second transceivers;

controlling at least one of said first and second transceivers for selectively changing at least one of said upstream transmission rate and said downstream transmission rate.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein said at least one of said upstream transmission rate and said downstream transmission rate are selective changed by manipulating the bandwidth over which occur transmission in said downstream and said upstream directions.

66. The method of claim 64, wherein said at least one of said upstream transmission rate and said downstream transmission rate are selectively changed by manipulation of constellation rates, or bit-stuffing.

67. A DSL transmission system for variably transmitting information data, comprising:

a first DSL transceiver for transmitting signals in the downstream direction at a first transmission rate, and receiving signals in the upstream direction at a second transmission rate;

a second DSL transceiver for receiving signals at said first transmission rate in said downstream direction, and transmitting signals at said second transmission rate in said upstream direction; and

a twisted wire pair telephone line for connecting said first and second transceivers together;

wherein each of said first transceiver, said second transceiver, or both, includes a controller for selectively changing the transmission rates in either one or both of said upstream and said downstream directions.

68. The transmission system of claim 67, wherein the frequency range utilized for the transmission of information in said downstream direction is isolated from the frequency range utilized for the transmission of information in said upstream direction.

69. The transmission system of claim 67, wherein the frequency range utilized for the transmission of information in said downstream direction overlaps the frequency range utilized for the transmission of information in said upstream direction.

70. The transmission system of claim 67, wherein the frequency range utilized for the transmission of information in said downstream direction is the same as the frequency range utilized for the transmission of information in said upstream direction.

71. In a digital subscriber loop (DSL) transmission system for variably transmitting information data in a plurality of different grades of service, said DSL transmission system comprising:

a first transceiver for transmitting signals at a first transmission rate in a downstream direction, and receiving signals at a second transmission rate in an upstream direction, a second transceiver for receiving signals at said first transmission rate in said downstream direction, and transmitting signals at said second transmission rate in said upstream direction, and a subscriber loop for connecting said first and second transceivers together, a method comprising the steps of;

assigning a first transmission rate to transmissions in the downstream direction;

assigning a second transmission rate to transmissions in the downstream direction; and

in response to a preference expressed by an end-user of said DSL transmission system, and without replacing said first transceiver or said second transceiver, altering the first transmission rate, the second transmission rate, or both, to vary the information data transmission rates in the upstream direction, the downstream direction, or both.

72. A digital subscriber line (DSL) transmission system for variably transmitting information data in a plurality of different grades of service supported by a network, said transmission system comprising:

a first transceiver, connected to an end of a subscriber loop, for selectively operating in one of a plurality of said grades of services, said first transceiver transmitting signals, at a first transmission rate, over a first range of frequencies, and receiving signals, at a second transmission rate, over a second range of frequencies in each of said plurality of different grades of service;

a second transceiver, connected to said first transceiver via said subscriber loop, for selectively operating in one of said plurality of different grades of service, said second transceiver receiving signals at said first transmission rate over said first range of frequencies, and transmitting signals at said second transmission rate on said second range of frequencies; and

a controller connected to said first transceiver for selectively changing grade of service,

wherein, so as to achieve the change of the grade of service, the controller is capable of selecting among;

(1) changing the first transmission rate only, (2) changing the second transmission rate only, and (3) changing both the first transmission rate and the second transmission rate.

73. A transmission system for providing a plurality of digital subscriber line service offerings, each service offering being defined by its upstream and downstream transmission rates, said transmission system comprising:

a first transceiver, electrically connected to a first end of a subscriber loop, for selectively operating in accord with one of a plurality of said service offerings, said first transceiver transmitting signals at a first transmission rate in the downstream direction, and receiving signals at a second transmission rate in the upstream direction, in accord with each of the plurality of service offerings;

a second transceiver, electrically connected to a second end of said subscriber loop and to said first transceiver via said subscriber loop, for selectively operating in accord with one of said plurality of service offerings, said second transceiver receiving signals at said first transmission rate in the downstream direction, and transmitting signals at said second transmission rate in the upstream direction; and

at least one controller electrically connected to or associated with said first and said second transceivers for changing the service offering provided by the transmission system,

wherein, so as to achieve the change of the service offering, the controller is capable of selecting among;

(1) changing the first transmission rate only, (2) changing the second transmission rate only, and (3) changing both the first transmission rate and the second transmission rate.

74. A digital subscriber line (DSL) transmission system for transmitting information at various selectable transmission rates, comprising:

a first transceiver, electrically connected to a first end of a subscriber loop, for transmitting signals at a first transmission rate in the downstream direction, and receiving signals at a second transmission rate in the upstream direction;

a second transceiver, electrically connected to a second end of a subscriber loop, for receiving signals at said first transmission rate in the downstream direction, and transmitting signals at said second transmission rate in the upstream direction; and

at least one controller, electrically connected to or associated with either one or both of said first and second transceivers, for setting the upstream and downstream transmission rates and for resetting the upstream transmission rate, the downstream transmission rate, or both.

75. A digital subscriber line (DSL) transmission system for transmitting information at various selectable transmission rates, comprising:

a first DSL modem or line-card, electrically connected to the central-office (CO) end of a subscriber loop, for transmitting signals at a first transmission rate in the downstream direction, and receiving signals at a second transmission rate in the upstream direction;

a second DSL modem or line-card, electrically connected to the consumer premise end of a subscriber loop, for receiving signals at said first transmission rate in the downstream direction, and transmitting signals at said second transmission rate in the upstream direction;

at least one controller electrically connected to or associated with either one or both of said first DSL modem or line-card and said second DSL modem or line-card, having the capability for independently setting the upstream transmission rate, having the capability for independently setting the downstream transmission rate, and having the capability for setting both transmission rates.

76. A method for transmitting information at various selectable transmission rates, over a digital subscriber line (DSL) transmission system comprising:

electrically connecting a first transceiver to a first end of a subscriber loop and a second transceiver to a second end of a subscriber loop;

controlling at least one of said first and second transceivers for setting a first transmission rate and a second transmission rate;

transmitting signals at the first transmission rate in the downstream direction, between said first and second transceivers;

transmitting signals at the second transmission rate in the upstream direction between said first and second transceivers;

controlling at least one of said first and second transceivers for selectively changing either one or both of said upstream transmission rate and said downstream transmission rate.

77. A DSL transmission system for variably transmitting information data, comprising:

a first DSL transceiver for transmitting signals in the downstream direction at a first transmission rate, and receiving signals in the upstream direction at a second transmission rate;

a second DSL transceiver for receiving signals at said first transmission rate in said downstream direction, and transmitting signals at said second transmission rate in said upstream direction; and

a twisted wire pair telephone line for connecting said first and second transceivers together;

wherein each of said first transceiver, said second transceiver, or both, includes a controller for selectively changing the transmission rates in either one or both of said upstream and said downstream directions.