Apparatus and method for implementing high speed modem communication support

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for implementing support for increased communication speed between data communication devices, including one or more high speed analog modems, connected to a digital communication network. The high speed analog modems communicate with the digital communication network via analog signaling pathways that also support voice communication across the digital communication network. Following the initiation of communication between an originating communication device and a terminating communication device connected to the digital communication network, determination is made as to whether the communication devices include at least one high speed analog modem and another data communication device capable of communicating at the increased data communication speed. If so, adjustment is made, as necessary, to the filtering present on the analog signaling pathway between the digital communication network and the analog modem to increase the analog signaling bandwidth that can be carried thereon. Data communication speed is further increased by implementing a companding mode that is substantially linear across the voltage range of the analog signals being sampled, or in which larger quantization spacings are used for lower voltage levels than for higher voltage levels.