Apparatus and method for a combined DSL and voice system

• US 6,470,046 B1
• Filed: 02/26/1998
• Issued: 10/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Paradyne Corporation (Dasan Networks Incorporated)
• Inventors: Scott, Robert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): TSE, YOUNG TOI
• Application Number:
  US09/032,387
• Time in Patent Office: 1,699 Days
• Field of Search: 375/219, 375/220, 375/222, 375/377, 370/452, 370/468, 379/27.08, 379/28, 379/93.01, 379/93.05, 379/93.08, 379/93.09
• US Class Current: 375/222
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/58 Hybrid arrangements, i.e. arrangements for transition from single-path two-direction transmission to single-direction transmission on each of two paths or vice versa

Abstract

Apparatus and method for a central office data communications apparatus allows for combining the voice POTS and high speed modem data processing functions into one device at the central office. The combination of the signals allows for a single high-speed CODEC which samples both a POTS signal and the high-speed modem signals to be utilized. This eliminates the need for external POTS splitters and costly duplicative circuitry.

Claims

1. Data communications apparatus comprising:

an interface circuit to a local loop, said local loop capable of simultaneously carrying both a POTS signal and high speed modem signals;

a codec capable of simultaneously sampling both said POTS signal and said high speed modem signals; and

a single signal capable of simultaneously processing both said sampled POTS signal and said sampled modem signals.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said codec operates at a sample rate that is a multiple of 8 kHz, allowing said codec to support both the 8 kHz POTS signl and the high speed modem signals using said codec, wherein the high speed modem signals use a full multiple of the 8 kHz sample rate.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said codec comprises:

a linear conversion codec in order to support the high speed modem signals.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processor performs a conversion between a linear coding and a non-linear coding as required for pulse code modulation of said POTS signal.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said non-linear coding comprises:

a mu-law coding.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said non-linear coding comprises:

an A-law coding.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processor circuitry separates the POTS signal from the high speed modem signals said processor circuitry separation eliminates the need for a separate POTS splitter function.

8. A method for use in data communications equipment, the method comprising the steps of:

interfacing to a local loop capable of simultaneously carrying both a POTS signal and high speed modem signals;

sampling both said POTS signal and said high speed modem signals simultaneously with a single codec; and

processing both said sampled POTS signal and said modem signals simultaneously by a single signal processing.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of sampling both said POTS signal and said high speed modem signals includes the step of:

operating said codec at a sample rate that is a multiple of 8 kHz that allows said single codec to support both the 8 kHz POTS signal and the high speed modem signals, wherein the high speed modem signals use a full multiple of the 8 kHz sample rate.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of sampling both said POTS signal and said high speed modem signals includes the step of:

using a-linear conversion codec to support the high speed modem signals.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of processing both said sampled POTS signal and said sampled modem signals includes the step of:

performing a conversion between a linear coding and a non-linear coding as required for pulse code modulation of said POTS signal.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of performing the conversion between the linear coding and the non-linear coding includes the step of:

converting between the linear coding and a mu-law coding.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of performing the conversion between the linear coding and the non-linear coding includes the step of:

converting between the linear coding and an A-law coding.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of processing both said sampled POTS sigal and said sampled modem signals includes the steps of:

separating the POTS signal from the sampled modem signals; and

eliminating the need for a separate POTS splitter function.

15. Data communications apparatus comprising:

a means for interfacing to a local loop capable of simultaneously carrying both a POTS signal and high speed modem signals;

a means capable of simultaneously sampling both said POTS signal and said high speed modem signals; and

a single signal processing means for simultaneously processing both said sampled POTS signal and said sampled modem signals.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said sampling means operates at a sample rate that is a multiple of 8 kHz to allow said sampling means to support both the 8 kHz POTS signal and the high speed modem signals, wherein the high speed modem signals use a full multiple of the 8 kHz sample rate.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said sampling means comprises a linear conversion codec to support the high speed modem signals.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said processing means performs a conversion between a linear coding and a mu-law coding as required for pulse code modulation of said POTS signal.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said processing means performs a conversion between a linear coding and an A-law coding as required for pulse code modulation of said POTS signal.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said processing means separates the POTS signal from the sampled modem signals, and eliminates the need for a separate POTS splitter function.