SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A SUBSCRIBER-POWERED NETWORK ELEMENT
First Claim
1. A subscriber terminal for use in a wide area network (WAN), the subscriber terminal comprising:
- a power source that provides an electrical power having a current and a voltage for transmission across at least one WAN transmission line;
at least one WAN communication device that transmits a data signal at a first frequency and receives a message regarding the electrical power at a second frequency; and
at least one electrical coupling device electrically coupled to the power source and electrically coupled to the at least one WAN communication device, wherein the at least one electrical coupling device couples the electrical power and the data signal for transmission onto the at least one WAN transmission line and wherein the at least one electrical coupling device receives the message regarding the electrical power and provides the message to the at least one WAN communication device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for powering a network element of a fiber optic wide area network is disclosed. When communication data is transferred between a central office (CO) and a subscriber terminal using a network element to convert optical to electrical (O-E) and electrical to optical (E-O) signals between a fiber from the central office and twisted wire pair, coaxial cable or Ethernet cable transmission lines from the subscriber terminal, techniques related to local powering of a network element or drop site by the subscriber terminal or subscriber premise remote powering device are provided. Certain advantages and/or benefits are achieved using the present invention, such as freedom from any requirement for additional meter installations or meter connection charges and does not require a separate power network.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A subscriber terminal for use in a wide area network (WAN), the subscriber terminal comprising:
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a power source that provides an electrical power having a current and a voltage for transmission across at least one WAN transmission line; at least one WAN communication device that transmits a data signal at a first frequency and receives a message regarding the electrical power at a second frequency; and at least one electrical coupling device electrically coupled to the power source and electrically coupled to the at least one WAN communication device, wherein the at least one electrical coupling device couples the electrical power and the data signal for transmission onto the at least one WAN transmission line and wherein the at least one electrical coupling device receives the message regarding the electrical power and provides the message to the at least one WAN communication device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for transmitting electrical power and data communications from a subscriber terminal for use in a wide area network (WAN), comprising:
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at the subscriber terminal; providing an electrical power having a current and a voltage; providing an electrical data signal at a first frequency; coupling the electrical power and the electrical data signal as a combined WAN signal; transmitting the combined WAN signal onto a WAN transmission line; and receiving at a second frequency a message regarding the electrical power over the WAN transmission line. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
at the subscriber terminal; providing a second electrical power having a second current and a second voltage; providing a second electrical data signal at the first frequency; coupling the second electrical power and the second electrical data signal as a second combined WAN signal; transmitting the second combined WAN signal onto a second WAN transmission line; and receiving at the second frequency a message regarding the second electrical power over the second WAN transmission line.
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23. The method of claim 18, wherein the subscriber terminal includes at least one of:
- a local area network (LAN) communication device in addition to the at least one WAN communication device;
a wireless local area network (WLAN) communication device in addition to the at least one WAN communication device;
a voice over IP (VoIP) service to the subscriber in addition to the at least one WAN communication device, or an internet protocol television (IPTV) service to the subscriber in addition to the at least one WAN communication device.
- a local area network (LAN) communication device in addition to the at least one WAN communication device;
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24. The method of claim 18, further comprising:
sensing a predetermined load on the at least one WAN transmission line, wherein the predetermined load indicates coupling of an optical network unit (ONU).
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25. The method of claim 18, further comprising:
sensing the WAN transmission line to determine at least one of the absence of;
a voltage, an off hook telephone, a current, a short circuit, or an open circuit.
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26. The method of claim 18, further comprising:
monitoring the electrical power for power drops lasting a predetermined time interval and responsive to a power drop lasting for a predetermined time interval adjust the electrical power.
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27. The method of claim 18, further comprising:
monitoring an amount of the electrical power provided.
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28. The method of claim 27, further comprising:
reporting the amount to a power monitoring application.
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29. The method of claim 18, further comprising:
sending a Dying Gasp message indicative of loss of main power.
Specification