U.S. patent application number 10/654275 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-24 for systems and methods for managing digital subscriber line (dsl) telecommunications connections.
This patent application is currently assigned to ADC Telecommunications, Inc.. Invention is credited to Cain, Robert M. JR., Koziy, Robert J., Morgenstern, Todd A., Sajadi, Ahmad R., Swam, Steven M..
Application Number | 20040120508 10/654275 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23829478 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040120508 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sajadi, Ahmad R. ; et
al. |
June 24, 2004 |
Systems and methods for managing digital subscriber line (DSL)
telecommunications connections
Abstract
Telecommunications systems are provided which include
telecommunications equipment, multi-pair connectors and cables, and
management devices for grooming the conductors of the connectors
and cables for efficient use of the conductor pairs between
equipment. A further management device provides cross-connect
fields for the conductor pairs of the system. A chassis may house
the grooming device, any cross-connect device, and possibly a POTS
splitter device. The grooming and cross-connects may be manually
controlled, or electronically controlled, including locally or
remotely.
Inventors: |
Sajadi, Ahmad R.; (Eagan,
MN) ; Cain, Robert M. JR.; (Edina, MN) ;
Koziy, Robert J.; (Burnsville, MN) ; Morgenstern,
Todd A.; (Savage, MN) ; Swam, Steven M.;
(Shakopee, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MERCHANT & GOULD PC
P.O. BOX 2903
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-0903
US
|
Assignee: |
ADC Telecommunications,
Inc.
Eden Prairie
MN
|
Family ID: |
23829478 |
Appl. No.: |
10/654275 |
Filed: |
September 2, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10654275 |
Sep 2, 2003 |
|
|
|
09460633 |
Dec 14, 1999 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
379/399.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 3/2209 20130101;
H04Q 1/14 20130101; H04Q 1/155 20130101; H04M 3/005 20130101; H04Q
1/145 20130101; H04Q 2213/13076 20130101; H04Q 1/10 20130101; H04Q
2201/802 20130101; H04Q 2213/13039 20130101; H04Q 2213/13003
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
379/399.01 |
International
Class: |
H04M 001/00; H04M
009/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A telecommunications equipment for use with twisted pair cable
comprising: a chassis including a grooming panel having a first
array of connectors, and a second array of connectors, each of the
connectors of the first and second arrays of connectors including a
plurality of pairs of conductors; the grooming panel including a
first side and a second side, the first side of the grooming panel
defining connector locations for mounting with twisted pair cable
connectors, the second side of the grooming panel defining a
grooming area; a plurality of conductors positioned in the grooming
area linking each conductor of selected pairs of conductors from
the connectors of the first array of connectors to a respective
conductor of selected pairs of conductors from the connectors of
the second array of connectors, wherein conductor pairs from a
plurality of selected connectors in the first array are linked to
respective conductor pairs of a selected connector of the second
array.
2. The equipment of claim 1, further comprising a POTS splitter
device connected to selected connectors of the first array on the
first side and selected connectors of the second array on the first
side.
3. The equipment of claim 1, further comprising a POTS splitter
device internal to the chassis and connected to a first set of
selected connectors of the first array on the second side, the POTS
splitter device further connected to selected connectors of the
second array on the second side, the POTS splitter device further
connected to a second set of selected connectors of the first array
on the second side.
4. The equipment of claim 3, wherein the POTS splitter device
includes a plurality of low pass filters, and further comprising
two backplanes, each extending in different planes parallel to one
another, each backplane including a plurality of circuit paths
connecting each of the first set of selected connectors of the
first array to one of the low pass filters of the POTS splitter
device, the circuit paths further connecting one output of each of
the low pass filters of the POTS splitter device to each of a
respective one of the selected connectors of the second array, and
a second output of each of the low pass filters of the POTS
splitter device to each of a respective one of the second set of
connectors of the first array.
5. A telecommunications equipment for use with twisted pair cable
comprising: a chassis including a grooming panel with a first
plurality of connectors, each connector of the first plurality
having a plurality of pairs of conductors, the grooming panel
having a first side and a second side, the first side of the
grooming panel defining connector locations for mounting with
twisted pair connectors, the second side of the grooming panel
defining connector locations for connecting to conductors; a
cross-connect panel with a second plurality of connectors, each
connector of the second plurality of connectors having a first end
and a second end, the first ends exposed on a first side of the
cross-connect panel, the second ends exposed on a second side of
the cross-connect panel, a pair of second ends being provided for
each pair of conductors of selected connectors on the grooming
panel; a plurality of conductors linking the second ends of the
second plurality of connectors to the conductors of the pairs of
conductors of the selected connectors of the first plurality of
connectors in a one-to-one correspondence, wherein the first side
of the cross-connect panel defines a cross-connect field.
6. The equipment of claim 5, further comprising a POTS splitter
device connected to the first side of the grooming panel.
7. The equipment of claim 5, further comprising a POTS splitter
device connected to the second side of the grooming panel, and
connected to the second side of the cross-connect panel.
8. The equipment of claim 6, further comprising an MDF and a DSLAM
device connected to the first side of the grooming panel.
9. The equipment of claim 7, further comprising an MDF and a DSLAM
device connected to the first side of the grooming panel.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Telecommunications systems are known which use cables
containing bundles of twisted pairs of conductors for transmitting
signals between locations for voice only signals, data only
signals, and combined voice and data signals. In these systems,
some of the telecommunications equipment for processing and
transmitting the signals through the cables is configured for
connection to cable connectors with multiple pairs of connectors,
e.g. 25 pair Telco or Amp connectors. The connectors and cables
provide links between the various pieces of telecommunications
equipment in a twisted pair telephone system. In a telephone
carrier system servicing residences and/or businesses, the system
may include an MDF (Main Distribution Frame), a POTS (Plain Old
Telephone Service) splitter for separating voice and data signals,
and a DSLAM (Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer). Such a
system may employ a DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) communications
protocol. Use of the connectors and cables is known where at least
some of the conductor pairs are not used to carry signals. As
systems grow in size, space constraints are a concern, such as for
a telephone service carrier's MDF. A further concern includes the
ease of access to the telecommunications equipment and connections
for making changes and upgrades.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention includes telecommunications equipment
and systems for connection management. The equipment and systems
are usable for DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) signals. One aspect of
the invention relates to grooming of cables and connectors to
utilize more conductor pairs of multi-pair connectors and cables,
such as at an MDF (Main Distribution Frame).
[0003] A further aspect of the invention relates to providing
cross-connect fields to permit changes and adaptability for the
connector grooming device. A still further aspect relates to
providing a POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) splitter internal to
a device containing a grooming device, and also optionally a
cross-connect device. The equipment and systems are adapted for use
with data signals, voice signals and combined voice and data
signals, such as between an MDF, a POTS splitter and a DSLAM
(Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer). The cables and
connectors can be groomed, and optionally cross-connected, as
desired to suit the needs of the signal transmission system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of a known
telecommunications system including an MDF, a POTS splitter, and a
plurality of DSLAMs, illustrating use of known connectors of the 25
pair type where only four pairs are utilized per connector;
[0005] FIGS. 1A and 1B are front and side views of an exemplary 25
pair cable connector used in the system of FIG. 1;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing active connections between an
MDF and individual DSLAM cards, where only four pairs of the
conductors for each connector are used for signal transmission, as
used in known systems;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing grooming of the conductor pairs
for more efficient use of the MDF connectors in accordance with the
present invention;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a diagram of a telecommunications system
embodiment of the present invention including an MDF, a POTS
splitter device, and several DSLAM modules, and further showing a
grooming facility for grooming the conductor pairs for the DSLAM
connections with the MDF;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a further telecommunications system
embodiment of the present invention showing a combined grooming and
cross-connect facility;
[0010] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a further telecommunications system
embodiment of the present invention showing a POTS splitter device
combined with the grooming and cross-connect facility;
[0011] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the signal paths in one
implementation of a telecommunications system for transmitting an
ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) signal in the system
including an MDF, a POTS splitter device, and a DSLAM;
[0012] FIG. 8 is a diagram of a further telecommunications system
embodiment including the features shown in the system of FIG. 6,
and further including access jacks and a co-location cage;
[0013] FIG. 9 shows the system of FIG. 6 in greater detail with
different signal types transmitted through the system, and showing
the cross-connections for different signal types;
[0014] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a
telecommunications equipment including a grooming panel and a
cross-connect panel;
[0015] FIG. 11 shows the equipment of FIG. 10, with a front door
pivoted open exposing the grooming panel;
[0016] FIG. 12 is a side view of the equipment of FIG. 10;
[0017] FIG. 13 is a front view of the equipment of FIG. 10;
[0018] FIG. 14 is a front view of the equipment of FIG. 11;
[0019] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a
telecommunications equipment, including a grooming panel, a
cross-connect panel, and POTS splitter devices internal to the
chassis;
[0020] FIG. 16 is a top view of the equipment of FIG. 15, showing
internal features;
[0021] FIG. 17 is a side view of the equipment of FIG. 15, showing
internal features;
[0022] FIG. 18 is a front view of the equipment of FIG. 15;
[0023] FIG. 19 is a front view of the equipment of FIG. 15, with
the front door removed, exposing the grooming panel and the
splitter cards;
[0024] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a
telecommunications equipment including a grooming panel and a POTS
splitter device;
[0025] FIG. 21 is a top view of the equipment of FIG. 20, showing
internal features;
[0026] FIG. 22 is a side view of the equipment of FIG. 20 showing
internal features;
[0027] FIG. 23 is a front view of the equipment of FIG. 20;
[0028] FIG. 24 is an illustration showing various components of a
telecommunications system in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0029] FIG. 25 is an illustration showing various components of a
telecommunications system which incorporates electronic
cross-connect, grooming, and POTS splitting capabilities in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 26 is a flow diagram showing several steps involved in
remotely establishing or modifying a customer's xDSL service in
accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 27 is an illustration of a POTS splitter and its
outputs in response to receiving an ADSL signal at its input;
[0032] FIG. 28 is a block diagram of the POTS splitter of FIG. 27
shown in greater detail;
[0033] FIG. 29 is a block diagram of a telecommunications unit
which includes electronic cross-connect, grooming, and POTS
splitter capabilities according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0034] FIGS. 30-33 illustrate various embodiments of a remote
controllable electronic cross-connect switching matrix in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 34 is an illustration of a cross-connect switching
matrix in which the matrix is partitioned into regions each
associated with particular switching functions or
characteristics;
[0036] FIG. 35 is an illustration of an ADSL system deployment as
between a central office and a customer's home or business;
[0037] FIG. 36 is a block diagram of a system that provides one or
more of a remote test access, cross-connect, grooming, and/or POTS
splitting capability;
[0038] FIG. 37 illustrates an xDSL system implementation which
provides for line qualification testing of selected customer lines;
and
[0039] FIG. 38 illustrates a circuit implementation for remotely
testing a selected customer line in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0040] While the invention is amenable to various modifications and
alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of
example in the drawings and will be described in detail
hereinbelow. It is to be understood, however, that the intention is
not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described.
On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all
modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the
scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0041] In the following description of illustrative embodiments,
references are made to the accompanying drawings which form a part
hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, various
embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be
understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural
and functional changes may be made without departing from the scope
of the present invention.
[0042] Referring now to FIG. 1, a telecommunications system 10 is
shown including a known arrangement of equipment, cable or lines,
and connectors for transmitting signals, such as in a twisted pair
telephone system. System 10 is representative of a telephone
carrier's system for transmitting voice and data to residences and
businesses. A main distribution frame (MDF) 12 is linked to outside
plant copper loops 14. MDF 12 has links to a POTS splitter device
16 and one or more DSLAM cards or modules 18. MDF 12, POTS splitter
device 16, and DSLAMs 18 include connectors 20 having pairs of
conductors for connecting to pairs of conductors of a reciprocal
connector on an end of a cable 22. An example of connectors 20
shown in FIG. 1 are 25 pair connectors, such as Telco or AMP
connectors, for use with a 25 pair cable 22 (containing 50 wire
conductors). In use of system 10, POTS splitter device 16 receives
voice and data signals from MDF 12, and passes the data signals
through to DSLAM 18. The voice signals are passed from POTS
splitter device 16 to MDF 12 for transmission to a voice switch
24.
[0043] FIGS. 1A and 1B show one 25 pair connector 20 known in the
art. End 26 connects each conductor pair 28 to a conductor pair of
a mating connector mounted to the end of the multi-pair cable 22.
End 30 provides the conductor pairs 28 on an opposite side of the
connector 20 for connection to conductor pairs of cables, wires, or
equipment.
[0044] For system 10 shown in FIG. 1 including connectors 20, and
cables or lines 22, especially between MDF 12 and POTS splitter
device 16, it is known to have a majority of the pairs of
conductors in the connectors 20 and the corresponding wires in
cables 22 unused. As shown in FIG. 1, only 4 of the 25 pairs of
conductors are used. Other conventional systems which do not
require POTS splitter device 16 also experience inefficient use of
cables and connectors between MDF 12 and DSLAMs 18. FIG. 2
illustrates the use of 25 pair connectors 20a-f including 25 pairs
of conductors 28. FIG. 2 further illustrates the used or active
conductor pairs 31 and the unused or inactive conductor pairs 32 of
the cables 22 between connectors 20a-c of MDF 12 and connectors
20d-f of DSLAMs 18. The illustrated DSLAMs 18 are the type with 4
signal pairs per card or module. Other DSLAM types are useable
including 8/25 or 12/25 or greater. Such a system allows for usage
of known cable types and connector types including the exemplary 25
pair connector 20 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Further, as
improvements or changes in system components are made over time
(e.g. changing from 4/25 to 8/25 DSLAM cards), increases in the
number of used pairs can be made without changing connector or
cable types. However, the systems all have unused conductor pairs
in the connectors. Increased utilization of the conductor pairs in
the system of FIG. 1 is possible by grooming the conductor pairs to
use more of the unused pairs. This greatly reduces the number of
cables and connectors at MDF 12.
[0045] Referring now to FIG. 3, grooming is shown in greater detail
where conductor pairs of multiple connectors 20d-f of DSLAMs 18 are
combined into one connector 20a of MDF 12. This results in more
conductor pairs 28 of connector 20a being used than in the
ungroomed arrangement of FIG. 2. Less connectors 20 are needed for
MDF 12 in FIG. 3 over FIG. 2.
[0046] Referring now to FIG. 4, a system 100 has a grooming
facility 60 incorporating the grooming of FIG. 3 for grooming the
lines 22 from DSLAMs 18 while allowing efficient use of connectors
20 on MDF 12 and POTS splitter device 16. FIG. 4 shows increased
use of the conductor pairs to MDF 12 and to POTS splitter device 16
from grooming facility 60. Referring now to FIGS. 10-14, a first
embodiment of equipment 200 is shown for performing the grooming
functions at grooming facility 60 of FIG. 4. Equipment 200 includes
a grooming field 202 for use in grooming cables, 'such as between
DSLAMs like DSLAMs 18, and MDF 12. In a grooming only situation, a
cross-connect panel 252 (described below) is not necessary.
Grooming field 202 includes a panel 203 including a plurality of
multi-pair connectors 204 mounted to panel 203. An exemplary
connector type is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. A first array 206 of
connectors 204 may have connections to DSLAMs 18 or POTS splitter
device 16. A second array 208 of connectors 204 connects to MDF 12
and/or POTS splitter device 16. On a front side 210 of grooming
panel 203 resides all of the cables and connectors to the equipment
(MDF, POTS splitter device and DSLAMs). A back side 212 of grooming
panel 203 would contain all necessary conductive links, such as
conductive wires, cables, or other links, linking the various
conductor pairs between connectors 204, so as to achieve grooming,
as illustrated in FIG. 3, for the used contacts. For example, a
plurality of connectors 204 from first array 206 will have the used
contacts wired to a reduced number of connectors 204 of second
array 208, thereby using more conductor pairs of each connector 204
in second array 208, as well as using more of the respective
conductor pairs in the cable 22 connecting to the MDF, and to the
POTS splitter. As a more specific example, several connectors 204
from first array 206 are connected to DSLAMs 18, and the reduced
number of connectors 204 in second array 208 are connected to MDF
12.
[0047] In the embodiment just described, the grooming connections
between the arrays 206, 208 of connectors 204 would be on the back
side 212 of grooming panel 202. These connections are housed within
chassis 270 behind panel 203 and rear 272. If desired, a
cross-connect field 250 can be added for adaptability and ease of
changeability for the connections between the arrays of connectors.
Adaptable and changeable grooming can occur at cross-connect field
250. In FIG. 5, a system 102 has a combined grooming and
cross-connect facility 62 which more readily allows for changes and
customization to the connections between the arrays of connectors.
In the equipment 200 of FIGS. 10-14, cross-connect panel 252
includes a plurality of connectors 251, each including a front
connector location 254 linked to a rear connector location 256.
Conductive links, such as conductive wires, link the rear conductor
pairs of each connector 204 to the conductor pairs defined by rear
connector locations 256. In use of the cross-connect features,
equipment 200 of FIGS. 10-14 preferably includes a one-to-one
correspondence between the rear of connectors 204 at back side 212
to rear connector locations 256. Front connector locations 254 can
be cross-connected to each other to complete, and groom, the
circuit as desired with linking or patch conductors or cables.
Field 250 defines arrays 260, 262 corresponding to arrays 206, 208
for connector panel 203.
[0048] For equipment 200, front and rear connector locations 254,
256 can be any desired connector type. Some examples include
insulation displacement connectors (IDC), and wire wrap termination
pins. One example connector is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No.
4,624,521, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
Also, connector jacks can be used, such as DS1 jacks including
ports for receiving plugs of patch cables. Also, if jacks are used,
monitor ports can also be provided, as desired.
[0049] Referring again to FIGS. 10-14, cross-connect panel 252 is
preferably hinged relative to chassis 270 at hinge 268. This allows
user access to the cable connections at connectors 204 at front
side 210. Grooming panel 202 is positioned behind cross-connect
panel 252, both of which are accessed at the same side (front) by a
user. Alternatively, cross-connect panel 252 can be positioned
adjacent to rear 272 of chassis 270, facing in the opposite
direction. In equipment 200, access openings 274 in sides 276 allow
for the cables from the other equipment to enter chassis 270 for
connection to connectors 204 at front side 210. Since grooming
panel 202 and cross-connect panel 252 face in the same direction in
the illustrated embodiment, further openings 280 are provided in
chassis 270 for the one-to-one contact conductors to link from rear
212 of grooming panel 202 to rear connector locations 256. If
desired, cross-connect panel 252 and grooming panel 202 can be
reversed such that cross-connect panel 252 is within chassis 270.
Also, panels 252, 202 may be mounted in separate racks or chassis
if desired. Cable management clips 282 are positioned on
cross-connect panel 252 to assist with management of the patch
cables.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 6, a grooming function is combined
with both a cross-connect function and a POTS splitter device for
facility 64 in system 104. Facility 64 of FIG. 6 is an integrated
system for the grooming and cross-connect functions noted above.
Also, efficiencies result by further combining the POTS splitter
function with grooming and cross-connect. Referring now to FIGS.
15-19, a further embodiment of telecommunications equipment 300 is
shown for performing the functions of facility 64. Equipment 300
includes a grooming panel 302, a cross-connect panel 352, and a
POTS splitter device 360 including a plurality of splitter cards
366. An exemplary POTS splitter signal path is shown in FIG. 7. A
low pass filter 370 filters the voice signal from the voice and
data line 372. Data line 374 transmits the data portion of the
signal to DSLAM 18. The voice portion of the signal is returned to
MDF 12 by voice line 376.
[0051] In equipment 300, the appropriate number of low pass filters
370 are housed in splitter cards 366. Panels 302, 352 are
constructed to function in a similar manner to panels 203, 252
described above. Grooming panel 302 includes a first array 303 of
connectors 304 and a second array 305 of connectors 306. Panel 302
includes a first section 308 for array 303 and a second section 309
for array 305. First section 308 is located on an exterior of
chassis 378, and second section 309 is located within chassis 378.
Connectors 306 connect to DSLAMs 18, such as with 25 pair
connectors. First connectors 304 connect to MDF 12, and may be 25
pair or other connectors, such as 32 pair connectors. Cross-connect
panel 352 includes connectors 351, each including a front connector
location 354 and a rear connector location 356. From the rear of
each of connectors 304, 306, conductors connect to rear connector
locations 356 in a one-to-one manner to form cross-connect panel
352. The conductors from the rear of each connector 304 may connect
to the low pass filters 370 for the POTS splitter function for
voice and data signals before connecting to cross-connect panel
352. Front panel 352 is hinged to chassis 378 in a like manner as
equipment 200 or is otherwise removable to access the interior of
chassis 378 for connectors 306. Connectors 351 define a
cross-connect field 350 with arrays 313 and 315 linked in a
one-to-one manner with connectors 304, 306. In one example,
connectors 304 are connected to MDF 12 on the fronts and the rears
are connected to array 313 and splitter cards 366. In the same
example, connectors 306 form DSLAM connectors 306 on the fronts and
are connected on the rears to array 315. For voice only signals
from splitter cards 366, there is a conductive link to an MDF
connector 304 for transmission of the voice only signals back to
MDF 12. For example, 4 connectors 304 of sub-array 303' are linked
to backplane 380 and then to splitter cards 366, and from splitter
cards 366 to backplane 380. For the data signals, connections are
then made to cross-connect array 313 for cross-connection to array
315. For the voice signals, connections are instead made to the
other four connectors 304 of sub-array 303" for transmission back
to MDF 12. The connections to and from backplane 380 including
circuit paths thereon can be by cable, such as ribbon cable. If
desired, additional connectors 351 can be added for the conductive
links to and from splitter cards 366, for additional flexibility of
the system circuitry. With the additional connectors 351, the
various components including the low pass filters can be cross
connected together.
[0052] In the systems of FIGS. 4 and 5, POTS splitter device 16 is
linked through multi-pair cable and connectors to DSLAM 18. Through
grooming as noted above, more efficient use of the cables and
connectors of MDF 12 and POTS splitter device 16 is possible. By
including a POTS splitter feature internal to equipment 300, a
further savings of space, and multi-pair cables and connectors is
possible. Referring now to FIG. 9, equipment 300 is shown in
schematic form with connectors 306 from a first array 305 linked to
DSLAMs 18. Connectors 304 from first array 303 are linked to MDF
12. The one-to-one connections link to first and second arrays 313,
315 of connectors 351 of cross-connect panel 352. Patch cables 390
link connectors 351 to DSLAMs 18 and to the low pass filters 370 of
the internal POTS splitter feature. FIG. 9 also shows a direct pass
of the data only signals to DSLAMs 18.
[0053] Referring now to FIGS. 20-23, a further embodiment of
equipment 300a is shown without a cross-connect panel 352 as in
equipment 300. Equipment 300a includes first and second arrays
303a, 305a of connectors 304. In the example shown, connectors 304
are of the same 25 pin type as noted above. Array 303a connects to
MDF 12, and array 305a connects to DSLAMs 18. From the rear of each
connectors 304 in sub-array 303a', connections are made to the low
pass filters 370a for splitter cards 366a. Splitter cards 366a are
preferably slideably mounted to chassis 378a for accessibility in
making connections to connectors 304 of sub-array 303a'. For the
voice signals from low pass filters 370a, connections are also made
to the rear of connectors 304 of sub-array 303a". For the data
signals from sub-array 303a, connections are made to the rear of
each respective DSLAM connector 304 of second array 305a. These
connections are groomed within chassis 378a as noted above for the
discussion of FIG. 3 for efficient use of the MDF connectors 304 of
first array 303a.
[0054] In FIGS. 20-23, equipment 300a includes a chassis 378a with
two DSLAM sub-systems 380a, 380b of connectors 304 and splitter
cards 366a. Each sub-system 380a, 380b includes its own backplane
381a, 381b. As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the backplanes 381a, 381b
with circuit paths thereon are staggered in parallel planes,
allowing overlap. This results in a space savings relative to a
non-overlapping design. Chassis 378a includes a hinged front panel
385.
[0055] The POTS splitter circuits noted above may also operate to
separate low frequency data signals, such as ISDN (Integrated
Services Digital Network) signals, from high frequency data
signals. Such use will be described in greater detail below.
[0056] Referring now to FIG. 8, access jacks 400 are provided to
monitor signals associated with facility 64. FIG. 8 also shows a
co-location cage 500. As will be discussed in greater detail
hereinbelow, the co-location cage 500 represents a partitioned
section of an Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier's (ILEC) central
office in which equipment owned and operated by a Competitive Local
Exchange Carrier (CLEC) is located. The term ILEC refers to a
primary existing central office carrier, as distinguished from a
new competitive carrier (CLEC) that came into existence after
federal deregulation of the telecommunications industry.
Co-location cage 500 includes a CLEC's DSLAMs 506, line
qualification tester 508, and may further include a number of POTS
splitter devices 510. Co-location panels 502, 504 provide a
termination location for establishing electrical connectivity
between ILEC and CLEC equipment.
[0057] Within the context of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8,
telecommunications unit 64, which incorporates a test access
capability via access jacks 400, represents a demarcation location
or apparatus that defines a physical point of separation between
the equipment owned/managed by the ILEC and that owned/managed by
the CLEC. Direct access to each of the lines passing between the
ILEC and CLEC equipment permits each entity the opportunity to
monitor individual lines and to determine the location and
responsibility of a given problem, should one arise. The structure
and functionality of the access jacks 400 and electrical plugs
which are received by the jacks 400 are known in the art.
Alternatively, the electronic cross-connect facility of
telecommunications unit 64, which is described in detail
hereinbelow, may be controlled to connect a monitoring bus to a
particular customer's line, which effectively emulates the
mechanical jack/plug mechanism that provides for monitoring of
selected customer lines.
[0058] In addition to the many advantages that are realizable
through employment of the grooming, cross-connecting, and POTS
splitting apparatus embodiments discussed above, a number of
electronic capabilities may be incorporated that enhance, augment,
emulate, and/or replace various mechanical aspects of the
above-described apparatus embodiments. In accordance with the
embodiment shown in FIG. 24, for example, the manual grooming,
cross-connecting, POTS splitting, and monitoring capabilities
previously described hereinabove may be enhanced by the addition of
an electronic cross-connect facility 1004, and further enhanced by
incorporation of a loop qualification tester 1005 or other type of
line tester.
[0059] The telecommunications unit 1000 depicted in FIG. 24 is
shown to include a POTS splitter device 1001, a manual grooming
facility 1002, and a manual cross-connect facility 1003. According
to one embodiment of the present invention, which may be regarded
as a hybrid embodiment, the telecommunications unit 1000 may, in
addition to the manual cross-connect facility 1003, further include
an electronic cross-connect facility 1004. Incorporation of the
electronic cross-connect facility 1004 in telecommunications unit
1000 provides technicians the ability to locally or remotely
establish cross-connections electronically, and may wholly
eliminate the need to manually establish such connections via
hardwired or patch connections. Inclusion of a manual cross-connect
facility 1003, however, may enhance the ability to establish
cross-connections under certain circumstances, such as during power
outages or under circumstances in which the ability to
electronically effect such cross-connections is limited.
[0060] Alternatively, and as depicted in FIG. 25,
telecommunications unit 1010 may be implemented to include
capabilities for performing all grooming, cross-connecting, and
POTS splitting functions electronically. According to this
embodiment, the manual grooming and cross-connect facilities 1002,
1003 would not be needed and, as such, may be excluded from the
unit 1010. Employment of an electronic cross-connect facility 1004
in telecommunications unit 1000 provides the ability to perform all
grooming, cross-connecting, and POTS splitting functions
electronically and, in one embodiment, from a host processor
located remotely from telecommunications unit 1000. It will be
understood that electronic control of telecommunications unit 1000
may also be effected by use of a host processor situated proximate
telecommunications unit 1000 through use of an appropriate
communication interface.
[0061] As stated above, a significant advantage realized through
employment of a telecommunications unit 1000 provided with an
electronic cross-connect facility 1004 concerns the ability to
perform all cross-connection, grooming, and POTS splitting
functions electronically from a location remote from the central
office. This capability is particularly important in light of
recent federal mandates in the United States the define the
relationship between incumbent carries and non-incumbent
"competitive" carries. It will be appreciated that the advantages
associated with employment of an electronic cross-connect facility
1004 according to the present are equally realizable in the context
of telecommunications systems not impacted by such federal
mandates, such as those situated outside of the United States.
[0062] Recent rulings promulgated by the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and U.S. Congress have clarified the relationship
and obligations between Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (ILECs)
and Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs). A recent FCC Order
directed to "line sharing" requires that ILECs must provide
unbundled access to the high frequency bandwidth (e.g., data band)
of the local loop to any CLEC that seeks to deploy any version of
xDSL which is presumed to be acceptable for shared line deployment
in accordance with the rules adopted in the Order. In short, an
ILEC must provide physical space in its central office, such as the
co-location cage depicted in FIG. 8, to a CLEC, and must also
provide access to the ILEC's main distribution frame. From the
consumer's perspective, the federally mandated interrelationship
between ILECs and CLECs has provided the consumer with a wide
variety of telecommunication service options, including, in
particular, ADSL, IDSL (Internet DSL), SDSL (Symmetric DSL), and
VDSL (Very high speed DSL) services.
[0063] A CLEC technician, for example, may access the
telecommunications unit 1010 shown in FIG. 25 remotely to perform a
variety of tasks, without ever having to gain admittance to the
CLEC's co-location cage established in the ILEC's central office.
The CLEC technician may implement a customer's change of service
request from, for example, an IDSL service to an ADSL service
entirely remotely.
[0064] In accordance with one example of the above-described
procedures, a software program running on a host processor remote
from the ILEC's central office provides the CLEC technician with
the ability to effect necessary cross-connections by electronically
controlling a cross-connect field or matrix provided in the
electronic cross-connect facility 1004 shown generally in FIG. 24.
In order to provide the customer with a requested ADSL service, for
example, the customer's line would be electronically switched from
the customer's existing IDSL DSLAM connection (e.g., a data only
connection) to an ADSL DSLAM connection (e.g., a single mixed
data/voice connection), for purposes of handling digital data
transmissions to and from the customer's location, and also to a
POTS splitter facility 1001, for purposes of handling voice signal
transmissions to and from the customer's location.
[0065] In addition to electronic cross-connect switching that
occurs to provide the customer's requested change of service, the
electronic cross-connect facility 1004 may be remotely controlled
to perform any grooming that would assist in reducing the number of
non-active connections which would otherwise be sent to the main
distribution frame using a conventional connection approach, as was
previously discussed hereinabove. Also, prior to providing ADSL
service to the customer, the electronic cross-connect facility 1003
may be remotely controlled to switch the customer's line to a loop
qualification tester 1005 or other type of tester to evaluate the
suitability of the customer's line for supporting an ADSL
service.
[0066] FIG. 26 illustrates in flow diagram form several steps
involving the establishing of cross-connections remotely in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A CLEC may
receive 810 an xDSL service request for a particular customer who
requires access to the telecommunications unit 1010 (see, e.g.,
FIG. 25) situated in the CLEC's co-location cage at the ILEC's
central office. The CLEC technician remotely determines 812 the
status and characteristics of the customer's current loop
connection, such as the customer's current xDSL service(s) and
DSLAM connection configuration.
[0067] Depending on the nature of the service request, the CLEC
technician determines the xDSL service parameters needed to
establish the xDSL connection and/or determines the extent to which
applicable xDSL service parameters require adjustment 818. For
example, if a DSLAM connection change is required, the CLEC
technician interacts with the configuration software operating on
the CLEC's host processor to electronically establish or modify the
necessary cross-connections to disconnect the customer's line from
the current DSLAM and to connect the customer's line to a new
DSLAM. The CLEC technician may then make the necessary adjustments
818 to the xDSL connection/service parameters to satisfy the
customer's xDSL service request.
[0068] When establishing or making a change of service that affects
the customer's connection, it may be desired or required to perform
certain tests to determine the suitability of the customer's line
for supporting particular telecommunication services. If, for
example, a loop qualification test is to be performed 822, then the
CLEC technician may remotely conduct the necessary tests that
qualify or disqualify the customer's line for purposes of
supporting a particular xDSL service. Establishing the necessary
connections between the tester/tester card and the customer's line
may be accomplished remotely by the CLEC technician.
[0069] In one embodiment, a test bus distinct from the
cross-connect relay matrices is controlled to connect a given
tester to a particular customer's line. In an alternative
embodiment, the cross-connect relay matrices are used to
controllably connect a given tester to a particular customer's
line. A loop qualification test or other type of line test is
initiated 824 remotely by the CLEC technician. If the loop test is
successful 826, confirmation of same and of a successful change of
service is reported 830 to the remote host processor. If the loop
test is unsuccessful, remote troubleshooting may be initiated 828
and/or a technician may be dispatched to the central office to
conduct an on-site evaluation of the telecommunications unit
1010.
[0070] By way of example, the cross-connect relay matrices may be
used to controllably establish connections, including short-circuit
connections, and decouple connections for purposes of conducting
troubleshooting and diagnostic analysis. For example, a
cross-connect relay matrix may be controlled to disconnect a
customer's DSLAM connection to isolate the customer's voice
connection or to disconnect the POTS splitter from the customer's
composite (e.g., ADSL) data signal path. By way of further example,
a connection between a composite signal input and a DSLAM signal
output may be established so as to bypass a POTS splitter.
[0071] A short-circuit may be established using a cross-connect
relay matrix to short-circuit composite data signal Tip and Ring
conductors or to short-circuit the POTS splitter output signal Tip
and Ring conductors, for example. A cross-connect relay matrix may
further be used to connect a composite signal line to a tester for
loop qualification testing, as previously discussed above. It will
be appreciated that a significantly enhanced cross-connection
capability is realized for establishing connections between
communication lines and various types of equipment by employment of
an electronic cross-connection methodology of the present
invention.
[0072] According to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 25,
telecommunications unit 1010 includes an electronic cross-connect
facility provided by a number of cross-connect matrix cards or
modules 1015. Each cross-connect matrix card 1015 includes one or
more switching matrices or fields which are controlled by a central
processing unit (CPU) 1016 provided in telecommunications unit
1010. A communications card (not shown) is also incorporated as
part of telecommunications unit 1010 to provide communication
connectivity with a local or remote host processor via an
appropriate interface or network connection. Telecommunications
unit 1010 includes one or more backplanes to provide for the
requisite interconnection of signal and power lines.
[0073] Also provided in telecommunications unit 1010 are a number
of POTS splitter cards or modules 1012. As is best shown in FIGS.
27 and 28, each POTS splitter card 1012 typically includes a number
of filters which are used to low pass filter a mixed or composite
voice/data signal for purposes of passing the relatively lower
frequency voice content of the composite signal and rejecting the
relatively high frequency data content of the mixed or composite
signal.
[0074] By way of example, it is assumed that the composite signal
communicated to one of a number of POTS splitter circuits 1020
provided on POTS splitter card 1012 conforms to an ASDL standard.
An ASDL signal is applied to an input 1022 of the POTS splitter
circuit 1020 and is received by a low-pass filter 1025. The
low-pass filter 1025 passes composite signal content associated
with the voice band (e.g., less than about 4 kHz) and rejects
composite signal content above the voice band, such as frequencies
associated with the data band (e.g., about 30 kHz and above). The
composite signal is also communicated to a data output 1024 which
may or may not include a high-pass filter (not shown). It is
assumed that the DSLAM or other digital multiplexer that receives
the composite signal from the data output 1024 of the POTS splitter
circuit 1020 provides any required high-pass filter elements to
remove the relatively low-frequency voice signal content from the
composite signal.
[0075] As is shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the POTS splitter circuit
1020 may also operate to separate low frequency data signals, such
as ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) signals, from high
frequency data signals. According to an embodiment in which
telecommunications unit 1000 (FIG. 24) or 1010 (FIG. 25) provides
for cross-connection and/or grooming of high and low frequency data
connections, exclusive of or in addition to voice band connections,
the POTS splitter circuit 1020 shown in FIG. 27 would instead be
representative of an ISDN filter circuit. In this case, the
low-pass filter 1025 shown in FIG. 28 is replaced with an ISDN
filter.
[0076] In accordance with this embodiment, a filtered ISDN signal
provided at low frequency data output 1026 is transmitted to a
voice switch equipped with ISDN interface line cards instead of
POTS line cards. A telecommunications unit 1010, such as that shown
in FIG. 25, would include ISDN filter modules 1014, rather than
POTS splitter modules 1014. In a further embodiment,
telecommunications unit 1010 may include both ISDN filter modules
1014 and POTS splitter modules 1014.
[0077] An embodiment of the present invention that accommodates
high and low data frequency signals is particularly well-suited for
deployment in European countries where ISDN service is the "Plain
Old Telephone Service," albeit a digital service. It is understood
that the mechanical and electronic features and advantages
described herein with respect to POTS telecommunications system
architectures are equally applicable to telecommunications systems
which provide for the transmission of high and low frequency
digital data signals.
[0078] It is noted that one or more notch filters may be coupled to
receive the composite signal from the data output 1024 of the POTS
splitter circuit 1020 for purposes of detecting any billing tones
that may be transmitted along the ASDL signal connectivity path
established through the POTS splitter circuit 1020, as is often the
case in European telecommunication systems. Such billing tones
typically have frequencies that range between the voice band and
the data band. Impedance matching circuits 1023, 1027, and 1029
provide for proper impedance matching at the signal input 1022,
data output 1024, and voice output 1026 nodes, respectively, of the
POTS splitter circuit 1020.
[0079] Telecommunications unit 1010 may further include a loop
qualification test card 1018 or other type of test card or test
card interface 1018. The test card 1018 may be electronically
connected to a selected customer's line connection in response to
control signals received from a local or remote host processor. The
test card 1018 may further include test devices and employ test
algorithms for performing various self-diagnostic tests in addition
to performing customer line/loop testing. A suspect component or
card of telecommunications unit 1010 may, for example, be
electronically coupled to a particular test card 1018 and/or
particular test sub-system of the test card 1018.
[0080] The remote or local technician may then interrogate the
suspect component or card and perform a desired diagnostic test
thereon, the results of which are transmitted to the local/remote
host processor in real-time or upon completion as a batch transfer
of the diagnostic data. Any needed re-configuration of the
telecommunications unit 1010 or resolution of a detected problem
may be implemented remotely, such as by establishing an alternative
cross-connection to bypass the defective or suspect
component/card.
[0081] Telecommunications unit 1010 further includes a number of
communication line connectors (e.g., Telco connectors) 1012 or
ports which provide for connectivity to/from a main distribution
frame and to/from any number of DSLAM or other multiplexing
devices. Cross-connection and grooming operations with respect to
MDF and DSLAM signal paths are accomplished through use of the
cross-connect matrices or fields provided on cross-connect cards
1015. Connection of particular lines, such as ADSL lines which
carry mixed voice/data signals, to a POTS splitter module 1014 is
also accomplished through use of one or more of the cross-connect
matrix modules 1015.
[0082] Referring now to FIG. 29, there is shown a depiction of a
telecommunications unit 1040 which employs a cross-connect field
1050 to establish signal connectivity paths between a number of
different components, each of which is electrically coupled to the
cross-connect field 1050. Various MDF connections 1042, 1044, 1046
which carry composite voice/data signals, exclusively voice
signals, and exclusively data signals, respectively, are shown
coupled to the cross-connect field 1050. A number of DSLAMs 1048
and low pass filter elements 1054 (i.e., POTS splitter filters) are
also shown coupled to the cross-connect field 1050, as are one or
more loop/line qualification testers 1018. A local CPU 1016
coordinates the switching of the cross-connect field 1050,
typically in response to control signals received from a remote
host 1052, although it is understood that a host processor situated
proximate or integrated as part of the telecommunications unit 1040
may be employed to generate the control signals received by the
local CPU 1016. It is understood that the relay control functions
performed by the local CPU 1016 may alternatively be performed by a
microcontroller.
[0083] The cross-connect field 1050 shown in FIG. 29 may be
configured in a number of different ways to achieve desired
functionality and a desired balance between the number of relays
and control lines needed to implement a desired switching strategy.
By way of example, one cross-connect field embodiment may include a
standard switching matrix configuration by which relays are used to
switch all conductors one to each other. According to another
embodiment, the cross-connect field 1050 employs a configuration by
which relays are used to connect TX lines to TX lines and RX lines
to RX lines. Using this configuration, it is possible to switch
every other line in the matrix and still keep the pairs of TX and
RX lines next to each other, which advantageously results in
reduced occurrences of undesirable cross-talk.
[0084] In accordance with another embodiment, the cross-connect
field 1050 employs a standard configuration by which relays are
used to switch each TX line to each TX line, but can also switch TX
lines to RX lines and RX lines to TX lines. According to yet
another cross-connect field configuration, relays are used to
switch only TX lines to TX lines and RX lines to RX lines, such
that these lines are being switched together in this manner at all
times. This configuration advantageously provides for switching of
a pair of TX and RX lines with only one relay (e.g., a two-pole
relay). This configuration provides for a reduction in the
complexity of the control circuitry, and maintaining this line
pairing configuration advantageously minimizes cross-talk.
[0085] Implementing a standard matrix approach typically requires a
cross-connect at each matrix point. Using this approach, the number
of relays will be doubled. In order to reduce the number of relays,
a TX cross-connect field 1050 may be used to effect TX line
switching and a separate RX cross-connect field 1050 may be used to
effect RX line switching. According to this approach, the number of
relays may be reduced by one-half, but the amount of control
circuitry will likely be doubled. This approach, however, does not
provide for pairing of the TX and RX lines, as does the approach
discussed above, which provides for cross-talk reduction.
[0086] FIGS. 30-33 are schematic depictions of four cross-connect
field embodiments of differing configuration and functionality.
FIG. 30 illustrates a 16.times.16 switching matrix comprising a
total of 128 contacts or relays. More particularly, the
cross-connect field 1050' illustrated in FIG. 30 represents a
16.times.16 single wire TIP to TIP and RING to RING switching
matrix. The cross-connect field 1050" shown in FIG. 31 represents a
16.times.16 single wire full matrix comprising 256 contacts or
relays.
[0087] FIG. 32 illustrates a cross-connect field 1050'" which
represents an 8.times.8 twisted pair TIP to TIP and RING to RING
matrix comprising 128 contacts or relays. The cross-connect field
1050"" shown in FIG. 33 represents an 8.times.8 twisted pair full
matrix comprising 256 contacts or relays. It will be understood
that switching matrices having configurations and functionality
other than those described herein may be advantageously used in a
cross-connect telecommunications unit of the present invention to
effect electronically controlled cross-connect, grooming, and POTS
splitting functions from a local or remote site.
[0088] A controllable electronic cross-connect field or matrix 1050
in accordance with the present invention may be implemented using a
variety of technologies. By way of example, the relays or contacts
of cross-connect field 1050 may be implemented as metallic contacts
using known fabrication techniques, such as those commonly employed
in the semiconductor industry. By way of further example, the
relays of cross-connect field 1050 may be implemented on a silicon
substrate using Micro Electrical Mechanical Systems (MEMS)
technology or other micromachining or photolithographic
technology.
[0089] A MEMS device is understood in the art as a device
fabricated using advanced photolithographic and wafer processing
techniques. A typical MEMS device is a three dimensional structure
constructed on a semiconductor wafer using processes and equipment
similar to those used by the semiconductor industry, but not
limited to traditional semiconductor materials. MEMS devices are,
in general, superior to their conventional counterparts in terms of
cost, reliability, size, and ruggedness.
[0090] FIG. 34 illustrates a cross-connect field 1050 which is
partitioned into regions, with each region being associated with a
specified signal type, source, destination or component. By way of
example, the cross-connect field 1050 depicted in FIG. 34 includes
four regions, including an MDF voice/data region 1062, a DSLAM
region 1060, a POTS splitter region 1064, and a voice region 1066.
Other regions, such as a line tester region (not shown), may also
be provided in the cross-connect field 1050. Also shown coupled to
the cross-connect field are sets of controls lines 1072 and signal
lines 1070. Although partitioning of the cross-connect field 1050
is not necessary, it may be desirable to partition the
cross-connect field 1050 for purposes of enhancing connection
management, for example. Also, certain regions of the cross-connect
field 1050 may be fabricated to exhibit characteristics differing
from those of other regions for purposes of satisfying particular
signal transmission and/or switching design requirements, for
example.
[0091] Turning now to FIG. 35, various advantages of a remote
cross-connect, grooming, and POTS splitting capability will be
further discussed within the context of a particular xDSL system
implementation, namely, an ADSL system implementation. FIG. 35
illustrates a customer's home or business 1100 which includes a
typical telephone 1101 and a computer or PC 1102. Prior to the
availability of ADSL, two separate POTS lines would have been
required to allow for concurrent use of the telephone 1101 and the
computer 1102. With the availability of ADSL, however, a single
line 1106, which is qualified to support ADSL signaling
requirements and protocols, provides for concurrent use of the
telephone 1101 and the computer 1102 using a single POTS line. A
POTS splitter 1104 is provided to effect the separation of voice
and data signals at the customer's home or business 1100.
[0092] Also depicted in FIG. 35 is the central office 1110 of an
ILEC. The ILEC's central office 1110 includes a voice switch 1114
coupled to the main distribution frame (not shown) which manages
voice band signals communicated between the customer's telephone
1101 and the MDF. A CLEC provides the requested "digital/data"
service via an appropriate ADSL DSLAM 1116, which is also situated
at the ILEC's central office 1110. It is noted that the DSLAM 1116
is typically connected to a high-speed digital network connection,
such as an ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) network connection. A
POTS splitter 1112, as discussed previously, provides for the
requisite separation of voice band and data band signals at the
central office 1110. From the customer's perspective, voice and
data communications are effected seamlessly at the central office
1110.
[0093] However, and as can be appreciated from the system depiction
of FIG. 8, any change of service or troubleshooting that is needed
to support a particular customer's service request requires that
the CLEC gain admittance to the ILEC's central office 1110 and to
the CLEC's co-location cage. Such service calls to the ILEC's
central office 1110 by the CLEC typically requires payment of a fee
for admittance to the ILEC's facility. Further, the CLEC pays a
lease fee to the ILEC for the physical space required to house the
CLEC's co-locations cage. These fees are typically passed on to the
customer.
[0094] Employing an electronic cross-connect system and methodology
of the present invention eliminates many of the delay, cost, and
inconvenience issues associated with more conventional
cross-connect management approaches. FIG. 36 depicts a system
deployment of an electronic cross-connect system according to the
present invention which provides for remotely controlled switching
of one or more cross-connect matrices that effect desired
cross-connect, grooming, and POTS splitting functions associated
with a variety of xDSL (e.g., ADSL) services. According to the
embodiment depicted in FIG. 36, an electronic cross-connect and
grooming facility 1132 is coupled between a main distribution
frame, owned by an ILEC, and a CLEC's DSLAM units. It is understood
that the cross-connect system may be physically located within the
ILEC's central office space, a CLEC's co-location space (e.g.,
cage), or both.
[0095] As shown, the electronic cross-connect and grooming facility
1132 is coupled to a number of MDF composite voice/data signal
(e.g., ADSL) connections 1126, a number of MDF voice only signal
connections 1128, and a number of DSLAM connections 1130. It is
noted that the electronic cross-connect and grooming facility 1132
may also be coupled to a number of MDF data only connections (not
shown). Also shown coupled to the electronic cross-connect and
grooming facility 1132 are a number of low-pass filters 1113 of one
or more POTS splitter devices 1112 that are selectively connected
to particular MDF composite voice/data connections 1126 for
purposes of performing POTS splitting functions thereon.
[0096] A CPU 1136 is coupled to the electronic cross-connect and
grooming facility 1132 via a control line 1117 and coordinates the
switching of the one or more cross-connect fields provided in the
electronic cross-connect and grooming facility 1132. The CPU 1136
may utilize a network management agent, such as an SNMP (Simple
Network Management Protocol) agent, to communicate with a remote
host processor 1122 via a network connection, such as a 10BaseT or
100BaseT connection 1124, for example. The host processor 1122 may
comprise a network management PC running appropriate network
management control software. The remote host processor 1122
cooperates with the local CPU 1136 to remotely effect desired
cross-connections between the MDF, DSLAMs, and POTS splitters 1112
(e.g., LPFs 1113).
[0097] A line tester, such as a loop qualification tester 1118, may
further be coupled to the CPU 1136 via a control line 1119. CPU
1136 may control the operation of the tester 11118 in response to
control signals received from the remote host processor 1122. The
line tester 1118 may employ a test bus 1120 to establish
connectivity between the line tester 1118 and a particular
customer's line. In the ADSL deployment depicted in FIG. 37, for
example, a break 1135 in the customer's line is established by the
electronic cross-connect and grooming facility 1132 or by the test
bus apparatus 1120 to temporarily isolate the customer's loop for
purposes of conducting line testing thereon. Isolating the
customer's line is required so that impedances associated with the
low-pass filter 1113 of the POTS splitter 1112 and other downstream
components do not interfere with the proper evaluation of the
customer's connection.
[0098] One embodiment of an electronically controlled test bus 1120
is depicted in FIG. 38. According to this embodiment, and with
continued reference to FIG. 36, the test bus 1120 may include a
matrix of switches 1142 each provided with a control input, CTRL,
for receiving control signals produced by CPU 1136 via control
lines 1143. In response to a control signal, a selected switch 1142
activates a relay 1146, such as an A-B relay, to connect a
particular MDF line 1140 or 1141 from the cross-connect matrix to
the line tester 1118. The line tester 1118 then performs one or
more tests on the isolated customer's line under the cooperative
direction of CPU 1136 and the remote host processor 1122 via
control line 1119 and network line 1124, respectively. Upon
completion of the line testing procedure, an appropriate control
signal produced by the CPU 1136 causes the selected switch 1142 to
reconnect the particular MDF line 1140 or 1141 to the cross-connect
matrix and to an appropriate DSLAM.
[0099] As was discussed previously connections between the line
tester 1118 and selected MDF/customer lines may be established
directly by the cross-connect field of the electronic cross-connect
and grooming facility 1132, rather than by a separate test bus
1120. The testing and cross-connect approaches and apparatuses
disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Serial No. 09/______ filed
concurrently herewith under attorney docket No. 245.00080101; U.S.
Pat. Nos. 09/219,269 and 09/219,810 filed concurrently on Dec. 23,
1998; Ser. No. 09/327,060 filed Jun. 7, 1999; and Ser. No.
08/972,159 filed Nov. 17, 1997, all of which are hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their respective entireties,
may be advantageously adapted or modified to implement electronic
cross-connect, grooming, and POTS splitting functionality in
accordance with the principles of the present invention.
[0100] It is to be understood, that even though numerous
characteristics and advantages of the invention have been set forth
in the foregoing description, together with details of the
structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is
illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in
matters as such shape, size, and arrangement of the parts within
the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the
broad general meaning of the terms which the appended claims are
expressed.
* * * * *