Globespan Virata Corporation

Legerity, Inc.

Conexant, Inc.

Globespan, Inc.

Russell W Bell

Luke J Smithwick

Terry Lynn Cole

Laszlo Arato

Gabe P Torok

James J Michaels

The present invention is directed to a system and method for communicating in a point to multipoint DSL communication network. Preferably, the point to multipoint communication network is established in the environment of a home or small office, and the invention is realized through a computer that may dynamically establish both LAN and WAN communications. Broadly, the system and method are realized by a computer that is configured to assume a role as either a Master or a Slave on a LAN. If the computer is the first (or only) computer powered up on the LAN, then it assumes the role of Master. In this role, the computer establishes a communication link with a WAN (such as with an Internet Service Provider), and directs all WAN communications over the WAN, using a WAN frequency and protocol (such as DSL). As other computers join the LAN, then WAN communications from those computers are relayed through the Master to the WAN. These communications are relayed to the Master using a LAN frequency band. If upon power-up, however, another computer is identified as already being on the LAN (and configured as a Master), then the computer assumes a Slave configuration. In this configuration, all WAN communications are directed to the WAN by way of the Master computer, and are communicated to the Master computer using a LAN frequency band. Return communications, received from the WAN, however, are broadcast directly over the LAN using the downstream frequency band of the DSL service (as opposed to the LAN frequency band), where they may be received by the appropriate Slave computer.

System and method for communicating in a point-to-multipoint DSL network

A system that provides a multi-drop local area network (LAN) data transfer with devices on a wide area network (WAN) via a communication network is disclosed. Two methods for managing data traffic flow between individual nodes on a LAN and a WAN are also disclosed. The point to multi-point communication system may be implemented with a digital subscriber line (DSL) transceiver and compatibly configured communication devices coupled with each node or computer on a LAN. In one embodiment, the system uses a master computer on the LAN to manage protocol stacks to control the flow of downstream and upstream data traffic between computers on the LAN and WAN data traffic on a DSL. In a second embodiment, the master computer assigns at least one asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) level virtual connection (VC) to each computer on the LAN. Each computer on the LAN identifies data traffic designated to be sent to that particular computer, removes the data from the network, and notifies the master computer that the data traffic has been received. In the second embodiment, upstream data traffic is forwarded to the master computer, which maps the appropriate ATM VC identifier before forwarding the data to the DSL transceiver for transmission. Further alternative embodiments can use a community access television (CATV) network and a wireless network to bridge the LAN and the WAN.

System and method to interface a local area network with a wide area network

A multi-channel DSL communication link in accordance with the present invention may comprise a plurality of N DSL transceivers each configured with at least two bi-directional serial data interfaces with the first interface of a first transceiver coupled to a communication interface and the second interface of the first transceiver coupled to a first bi-directional serial data port of a second transceiver. Subsequent transceivers may be coupled in this manner with its N&#x2212;1 and N+1 nearest transceivers. A method for transferring data between multiple transceivers is also disclosed, which can be described as follows: recovering a mapped portion of a downstream data stream at each of N DSL transceivers; communicating the portion to the next closest transceiver to a communication interface; and mapping an upstream data stream for transmission via the N transceivers; using each respective transceiver's second data interface to communicate a mapped portion to the next furthest transceiver.

System and method for combining multiple digital subscriber line transceivers

A method for determining the suitability of a copper line, used for transmitting voice band signals and having one or more user devices coupled thereto for transmitting signals on the copper line, for use in transmitting data signals out-of-band with the voice band signals is provided. The method includes applying a test signal at one point in the copper line. The test signal has a known relationship to a particular out-of-band data transmission scheme. A response of the copper line to the test signal is monitored, as influenced by the one or more user devices. The monitoring takes place at about the point where the test signal was applied. The suitability of the copper line for data transmission using the particular out-of-band data transmission scheme is determined based on the monitored response of the copper line. A method for determining the suitability of a communication line for transmitting data using an out-of-band data transmission protocol is provided. The communication line has a plurality of user devices attached thereto, and the method includes providing a test signal on the communication line having a known relationship to the out-of-band data transmission protocol; monitoring a response of the communication line to the test signal as influenced by the user devices; determining the suitability of the communication line for use in transmitting data signals using the particular out-of-band data transmission protocol based on the response; disconnecting at least one of the user devices from the communication line; and repeating the providing, monitoring, and determining steps to determine if the at least one user device disconnected from the communication line is an interfering device.

Device and method for determining characteristics of a digital subscriber line

A system and method for modifying the spectrum allocation for DSL and LAN signals in accordance with bandwidth requirements of a small office, home office (SOHO) network is disclosed. After initiation of computers within the SOHO network, a handshake procedure is performed between the SOHO network and a wide area network (WAN). The handshake procedure discloses bandwidth requirements for the SOHO network to perform local communication between local area networks (LANs), and for the SOHO network to communicate with the WAN. As a result, the system modifies the spectrum allocation for digital subscriber line (DSL) and LAN signals associated with the SOHO network such that maximum bandwidth allocation is provided in accordance with actual bandwidth need.

System and method for providing bandwidth management within a small office, home office network

The present invention is directed to a signal processing and amplifying system that uses advance knowledge of a digital signal, before it is converted to analog form and applied to the input stage of the amplifier stage, to &ldquo;intelligently&rdquo; amplify the signal with the maximum power efficiency and minimal distortion. This advance knowledge of the digital signal allows a switch control logic (SCL) unit to open and close solid state switches and seamlessly turn off and on the low and high power stages correctly to minimize the amplifier distortion while conserving power. In one embodiment, the system comprises a shift register, which receives the supplied digital signal to be amplified and delays the digital signal by a known amount, a digital to analog converter, an amplifying circuit, which is made up of at least two amplifiers, and an SCL unit. The SCL unit comprises control logic, and multiple solid state switches. The SCL unit monitors the digital signal determine when to activate/deactivate amplifier stages and open/close switches for the most power efficient operation. This system and method efficiently amplifies signals with low distortion due to the intelligent use of solid state switches, via the SCL unit to monitor exactly when to enable/disable amplifier stages. This system achieves low distortion and power efficient amplification&mdash;necessary to a variety of systems from cellular phones, mobile electronics, and high-density line cards for DSL and other communications services.

System and method for dynamically amplifying a delayed analog signal based on amplitude information obtained from its digital representation

The present invention is directed to a system and method for upgrading a telecommunication system including a central office (CO), a digital loop carrier (DLC), and a plurality of customer premises equipment (CPE). Broadly, the present invention is realized by the retrofit of a DLC to enable the DLC to communicate with a CO through high bandwidth wireless transmissions. The high bandwidth wireless transmissions accommodate much larger data throughput than previously accommodated through the copper &ldquo;backhaul&rdquo; of multiple T1 circuits. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a telecommunications system comprises a CO, a DLC, and a plurality of CPE. Each of the plurality of CPE are electrically connected to the DLC. A radio frequency (RF) interface circuit is disposed at the DLC, along with one or more DSL line cards. A first wireless transceiver disposed at the DLC, and is electrically connected to the radio frequency interface circuit. A second wireless transceiver is electrically coupled to the CO. In accordance with the invention, information is exchanged between the CO and the DLC via wireless communications between the first wireless transceiver and the second wireless transceiver.

System and method for improving communications between a digital loop carrier and a central office

The present invention is directed to a system and method for establishing a point to multipoint communication network. Preferable, the point to multipoint communication network is established in the environment of a home of small office, and the invention is realized through a computer that may dynamically establish both LAN and WAN communications. Broadly, the system and method of the present invention are realized by a computer that is configured to assume a role as either a Master or a Slave on a LAN. If the computer is the first (or only) computer powered up on the LAN, then it assumes the role of Master. In this role, the computer establishes a communication link with a WAN (such as with an Internet Service Provider), and directs all WAN communications over the WAN, using a WAN frequency and protocol (such as DSL). As other computers join the LAN, then WAN communications from those computers are relayed through the Master to the WAN. These communications are relayed to the Master using a LAN frequency band. If upon power-up, however, another computer is identified as already being on the LAN (and configured as a Master), then the computer assumes a Slave configuration. In this configuration, all WAN communications are directed to the WAN by way of the Master computer, and are communicated to the Master computer using a LAN frequency band. Return communications, received from the WAN, are received by the Master, and directed to the appropriate Slave computer, using a LAN frequency band.

System and method for establishing a point-to-multipoint DSL network

The present invention is directed to a computer system having novel circuitry for coupling peripheral cards to a power line network. In this regard, the computer includes a switching power supply having coupling circuitry for coupling an electrical signal with a power line, a filter circuit electrically connected to the coupling means for receiving an electrical signal from the coupling means and filtering the received signal, and an amplifier circuit electrically connected to the filter circuit for amplifying the filtered signal. The computer system also includes at least one peripheral circuit (e.g., PC card). An infrared transmitter is coupled to the amplifier circuit for transmitting an infrared signal. Finally, the computer includes an infrared receiver coupled to the peripheral circuit for receiving the scattered infrared signal. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a power line adapter is provided for communicating signals between a power line and a computer. In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for coupling a power line with a peripheral card in computer system. The method operates by coupling an electrical signal, within a switching power supply, with the power line, transmitting the electrical signal through an infrared transmitter disposed at the on the switching power supply, diffusing the signal transmitted from the infrared transmitter, and receiving the diffused signal through an infrared receiver disposed on a peripheral card.

Computer system having a power supply for coupling signals to a power line network and transmitting infrared signal to at least one peripheral card

A combined cable/digital subscriber line (DSL) modem and method for data transmission. Upstream data is transmitted to a data communications network through a two wire pair to a central office using unidirectional DSL transmission. Downstream data is transmitted from the data communications network to the combined cable/DSL modem via a cable network using unidirectional cable transmission. Thus, bi-directional data communications is established using two unidirectional transmission links for faster and more efficient data communication.

Growing community of inventors

Freehold, NJ, United States of America

Russell W Bell