Westell Technologies, Inc.

Molex Corporation

Sbc Knowledge Ventures, L.p.

At&t Intellectual Property I, LP

Gregory L Bella

Jeffrey R Ciarlette

Gregory W Gough

Thomas J McCabe

Joseph D Stenger

Thomas F Nielsen

Charles Feucht

Michael Clegg

A ground overcurrent control system includes ground circuit with a first section and a second section. The first section is electrically connected to a ground member of an electrical connector and the second section is electrically connected to a ground reference. A switch element is positioned between the first section of the ground circuit and the second section of the ground circuit. A controller is configured to determine the current within the ground circuit while current is passing through the switch element and, upon the current exceeding a current threshold, the switch element is modified to an open condition. Upon determining that the voltage between the first section of the ground circuit and the ground reference is less than a voltage threshold, a command is generated to modify the switch element back to a closed condition.

Ground overcurrent control system and methods of using same

A power charging module includes a controller, a charging port, and a temperature sensor. The charging port delivers power to an external device plugged into the charging port. The temperature sensor provides a sensed temperature to the controller. A standard maximum power output is delivered to the charging port if the sensed temperature is categorized in a nominal thermal condition range, a modified maximum power output is delivered to the charging port if the sensed temperature is categorized in an intermediate thermal condition range, and power output to the charging port is discontinued if the sensed temperature is categorized in a critical thermal condition range.

Power charging module and temperature-based methods of using same

A method is provided that includes selectively engaging impedance circuits one at a time from a plurality of selectable impedance circuits in-line with a communication channel. Each of the plurality of selectable impedance circuits includes a hybrid circuit responsive to a modem and to the communication channel. The method further includes determining a performance characteristic for each of the impedance circuits and selecting one of the plurality of selectable impedance circuits for transmission based on the respective performance characteristic.

Selectable hybrid circuitry for transmission systems and method therefor

A front end, such as can be used in a Home Phoneline Networking Alliance network, may connected to a plurality of transmission lines. Each of the plurality of transmission lines may connected to one or more devices, such as a plain old telephone service device or an asynchronous digital subscriber line device. Devices connected to different transmission lines may then communicate with each other over the Home Phoneline Networking Alliance network.

System for allowing a single device to share multiple transmission lines

An XDSL system comprising a hybrid circuit in operative communication with a transmission line and an XDSL modem associated with a subscriber premises. The hybrid circuit comprises a plurality of selectable impedance circuits having different impedance values. A controller selectively engages each of the impedance circuits in-line with the XDSL modem and the transmission line. The controller records the performance of the modem with each circuit engaged, and selects the desired impedance circuit as a function of the performance characteristics associated with each of the impedance circuits. The impedance circuit which provides the best performance characteristic is selected as the impedance circuit for normal modem operation.

XDSL system with improved impedance circuitry

XDSL system having selectable hybrid circuitry

A network interface device intended to be placed approximate to the customers equipment and remote from a central office of a telephone company (&ldquo;TELCO&rdquo;). The purpose of the network interface device is to allow the twisted pair transmission line between the central office and the customer's port to be selectively switched from a normal monitoring mode into a test mode. The test mode has two phases. In the first phase, the NIU transmits a signal back to the central office. This allows the central office to determine whether there are any problems with the transmission line, the potential bandwidth for the transmission line and related parameters concerning the efficacy and suitability of the transmission line for a variety of communication services. In the second phase, which is entered into upon completion of the first phase, the customer-end ADSL low pass filter is bypassed so that the central office can test the customer's POTS equipment.

Signaling method for invoking a test mode in a network interface unit

A network interface device intended to be placed approximate to the customers equipment and remote from a central office of a telephone company (&ldquo;TELCO&rdquo;). The purpose of the network interface device is to allow the twisted pair transmission line between the central office and the customer's port to be selectively switched from a normal monitoring mode into a test mode. In the test mode, the NIU transmits a signal back to the central office so that the central office is able to determine whether there are any problems with the transmission line, the potential bandwidth for the transmission line and related parameters concerning the efficacy and suitability of the transmission line for a variety of communication services. A network interface device in accordance with the present invention has a monitor circuit which looks for a request signal from the central office. Upon receipt of the request signal, the detector circuit activates a relay to disconnect the customer equipment from remainder of the system and establishes a connection to a test signal generator and other components of the NIU. A test signal generator outputs onto the transmission line a predetermined signal for analysis. The duration of this signal is controlled by a reset control circuit which toggles the relay to break off connection to the remaining components of the NIU and re-establish the connection between the customer port and the network port for further ADSL communications.

Device for remotely testing a twisted pair transmission line

Dual test mode network interface unit for remote testing of transmission line and customer equipment

A dual-mode filter network for an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) has a first frequency response when the Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) telephone is on-hook and has a second frequency response when the POTS telephone is off-hook. A detector is used to determine the on-hook/off-hook status. The dual-mode filter network may be situated at the central unit and connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) while the detector at the remote unit connected between the POTS low pass filter and the POTS telephone. In such case, the detector outputs a signal which is transmitter via the twisted pair on an overhead channel. Alternatively, the dual-mode filter and the detector may be co-located at either the central unit or at the remote unit. Regardless of where it, or the detector are located, the dual-mode filter network has at least different combinations of components which are activated, depending on the on-hook/off-hook status of the POTS phone.

Filters for a digital subscriber line system for voice communication

A dual-mode filter network for an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) has a first frequency response when the Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) telephone is on-hook and has a second frequency response when the POTS telephone is off-hook. A detector is used to determine the on-hook/off-hook status. The dual-mode filter network may be situated at the central unit and connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) while the detector at the remote unit connected between the POTS low pass filter and the POTS telephone. In such case, the detector outputs a signal which is transmitter via the twisted pair on an overhead channel. Alternatively, the dual-mode filter and the detector may be co-located at either the central unit or at the remote unit. Regardless of where it, or the detector are located, the dual-mode filter network has at least different combinations of components which are activated, depending on the on-hook/off-hook status of the POTS phone. In addition, a single-mode filter instead of the dual-mode filter can be used at the remote unit.

Passive splitter filter for digital subscriber line voice communication

A dual-mode filter network for an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) has a first frequency response when the Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) telephone is on-hook and has a second frequency response when the POTS telephone is off-hook. A detector is used to determine the on-hook/off-hook status. The dual-mode filter network may be situated at the central unit and connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) while the detector at the re-mote unit connected between the POTS low pass filter and the POTS telephone. In such case, the detector outputs a signal which is transmitter via the twisted pair on an overhead channel. Alternatively, the dual-mode filter and the detector may be co-located at either the central unit or at the remote unit. Regardless of where it, or the detector are located, the dual-mode filter network has at least different combinations of components which are activated, depending on the on-hook/off-hook status of the POTS phone.

Growing community of inventors

Naperville, IL, United States of America

Gregory L Bella