Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products allow a user of DSL or the like to implement user preferences to the extent feasible in light of operational limits and conditions. In some embodiments, an operational profile is imposed on the user. User preference data is evaluated to determine the extent to which one or more user preferences can be implemented in light of the operational profile. One or more controllers can assist in collecting user preference data, evaluating the user preference data, operational data and other data and information, and implementing user preferences as feasible. Evaluation of the user preference data and operational profile and/or data can include considering the compatibility of the user's preferences and the operational profile and/or data.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, there are provided methods, systems, mechanisms, techniques, and apparatuses for diagnosing and optimizing vectored DSL lines.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, there are provided apparatus, systems and methods for DSM energy management. For example, in one embodiment such means include: means for adjusting transmit power on a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL line) to optimize energy consumption for the DSL line; and means for changing profile settings for the DSL line responsive to adjusting the transmit power on the DSL line until performance of the DSL line at least meets a threshold performance. For example, the means for adjusting the transmit power may involve reducing the transmit power on the DSL line to reduce total transmission energy consumption of the DSL line in accordance with one embodiment. In other embodiments, transmit power is adjusted upwards, a transmit spectra is adjusted, or effectiveness of such adjustments are measured.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, there are provided methods, systems, mechanisms, techniques, and apparatuses for diagnosing and optimizing vectored DSL lines.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products allow a user of DSL or the like to implement user preferences to the extent feasible in light of operational limits and conditions. In some embodiments, an operational profile is imposed on the user. User preference data is evaluated to determine the extent to which one or more user preferences can be implemented in light of the operational profile. One or more controllers can assist in collecting user preference data, evaluating the user preference data, operational data and other data and information, and implementing user preferences as feasible. Evaluation of the user preference data and operational profile and/or data can include considering the compatibility of the user's preferences and the operational profile and/or data.

Abstract: Operator-controlled implementations of user preferences are provided when feasible. User preference data is obtained by the operator and compared to operational characteristics and parameters of a communication system, such as a DSL system, to determine whether one or more of the user preferences can be implemented in the communication system. When implementation of a user preference would violate operational rules of the system, or where implementation would adversely affect system operation, the preference need not be implemented. However, when a user preference can be implemented in the system without causing problems, the operator can implement (or permit another party to implement) the user preference to effect the user's desires. The user preference data can be obtained directly from users (for example, by surveys and other direct user feedback) or can be obtained indirectly (for example, by constructing a Hidden Markov Model that shows user preferences).

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, there are provided methods, systems, mechanisms, techniques, and apparatuses for traffic aggregation on multiple WAN backhauls and multiple distinct LAN networks; for traffic load balancing on multiple WAN backhauls and multiple distinct LAN networks; and for performing self-healing operations utilizing multiple WAN backhauls serving multiple distinct LAN networks.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, there are provided methods, systems, mechanisms, techniques, and apparatuses for traffic aggregation on multiple WAN backhauls and multiple distinct LAN networks; for traffic load balancing on multiple WAN backhauls and multiple distinct LAN networks; and for performing self-healing operations utilizing multiple WAN backhauls serving multiple distinct LAN networks. For example, in one embodiment, a first Local Area Network (LAN) access device is to establish a first LAN; a second LAN access device is to establish a second LAN; a first Wide Area Network (WAN) backhaul connection is to provide the first LAN access device with WAN connectivity; a second WAN backhaul connection is to provide the second LAN access device with WAN connectivity; and a traffic aggregation unit is to form a logically bonded WAN interface over the first WAN backhaul and the second WAN backhaul. In some embodiments an optional traffic de-aggregation unit may be used.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises at least one vectoring engine and a cross-connect coupled to the vectoring engine. The cross-connect is to couple with each of a plurality of customer premises equipment (CPE) devices via a respective DSL loop. An interface is to receive instructions for the cross-connect to couple the vectoring engine to a nonoverlapping subset of the CPE devices via the respective DSL loops. The interface is further to receive instructions for the vectoring engine to apply vectoring to the DSL loop via which to couple one of the CPE devices to the cross-connect.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods for jointly optimizing Wide Area Network (WAN) and Local Area Network (LAN) network communications. In one embodiment, a management device communicatively interfaced with a WAN and a LAN includes a collection module to collect LAN information from the LAN and WAN information from the WAN; an analysis module to jointly analyze the collected WAN information and the collected LAN information to identify an operational condition; and an implementation module to initiate a management event responsive to the operational condition being identified. In one embodiment, the management event includes generating and transmitting a diagnostics report responsive to a fault being identified. The management device may further generate and execute instructions to remedy the diagnosed fault.

Abstract: Described herein are apparatus, system, and method for optimizing performance of one or more communication units by a remote server. The method comprises: collecting data from the one or more communication units; generating a policy, for each of the one or more communication units, based on the collected data; and sending the policy to each of the one or more communication units, wherein the policy comprises conditions for operation of the one or more communication units, wherein the one or more communication units implement the policy according to time-varying data. The system comprises: one or more communication units; and a server operable to communicate with the one or more communication units, wherein the server comprises: a memory; and a processor, coupled to the memory, and operable to perform the method discussed above.

Abstract: Existing and future standardized VDSL2 and other systems can be integrated into and used with a vectored DSLAM or other vectored or non-vectored DSL system, without a new user disrupting service to other users in the same or a nearby binder, in some cases by using transmit power, CARMASK and/or PSDMASK DSL capabilities to reduce both downstream and upstream training-signal levels so that training of a new DSL line is non-disruptive, despite a lack of knowledge of the pre-existing binder. For vectored systems, the crosstalk from that tone can be observed, learned and then added to the vectoring system so that any subsequent excitation on that tone would be eliminated by vector processing. A second tone then can be added in the same way, etc. In non-vectored DSLs that might be operating in a binder or line set, once these non-vectored lines are observed to be present, a vectored line set controller, such as a DSL optimizer, then can anticipate the potential interference from such non-vectored lines.

Abstract: Data indicative of a level of stability of a DSL link is received. Based on the received data, it is determined whether the data indicates a level of stability of the DSL link that is above or below and minimum threshold. If the level of stability of the DSL link is below the minimum threshold, die noise associated with the DSL link before the time of failure is compared with the noise of failure. If the difference between the noise before and after the time of failure exceeds a threshold, then the difference in noise is characterized as a stationary noise associated with the DSL link. However, if the difference between the noise before and after the time of failure is below the threshold, a determination is made whether the failure is associated with a loss of power to the DSL link or a severe impulse noise event the difference in noise is characterized accordingly.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods for a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) customer premises equipment (CPE) Management Center (CMC). In one embodiment, the CMC includes a communications interface to receive information from the CPE device regarding operation of the CPE device. The received information is analyzed and a command signal generation module generates a corresponding command signal for transmission to the at least one CPE device to modify the CPE device operation based on the analysis results in a manner which either enhances CPE device performance, for example increasing data rate, or improves line stability, for example reducing CPE error rate.

Abstract: Data indicative of a level of stability of a DSL link is received. Based on the received data, it is determined whether the data indicates a level of stability of the DSL link that is above or below a minimum threshold. If the level of stability of the DSL link is below the minimum threshold, die noise associated with the DSL link before the time of failure is compared with the noise associated with the DSL link after the time of failure. If the difference between the noise before and after the time of failure exceeds a threshold, then the difference in noise is characterized as a stationary noise associated with the DSL link. However, if the difference between the noise before and after the time of failure is below the threshold, a determination is made whether the failure is associated with a loss of power to the DSL link or a severe impulse noise event—the difference in noise is characterized accordingly.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises at least one vectoring engine and a cross-connect coupled to the vectoring engine. The cross-connect is to couple with each of a plurality of customer premises equipment (CPE) devices via a respective DSL loop. An interface is to receive instructions for the cross-connect to couple the vectoring engine to a nonoverlapping subset of the CPE devices via the respective DSL loops. The interface is further to receive instructions for the vectoring engine to apply vectoring to the DSL loop via which to couple one of the CPE devices to the cross-connect.

Abstract: Data indicative of a level of stability of a DSL link is received. Based on the received data, it is determined whether the data indicates a level of stability of the DSL link that is above or below a minimum threshold. If the level of stability of the DSL link is below the minimum threshold, die noise associated with the DSL link before the time of failure is compared with the noise associated with the DSL link after the time of failure. If the difference between the noise before and after the time of failure exceeds a threshold, then the difference in noise is characterized as a stationary noise associated with the DSL link. However, if the difference between the noise before and after the time of failure is below the threshold, a determination is made whether the failure is associated with a loss of power to the DSL link or a severe impulse noise event—the difference in noise is characterized accordingly.

Abstract: A method for detecting a defect in wiring in a DSL system. The method includes collecting data including instantaneous values, a history of values, and/or parameters relating to a central office or customer premises equipment, analyzing a line for a wiring defect based on the collected data, and reporting whether or not a wiring defect was detected responsive to the analyzing step.

Abstract: Superimposing phantom-mode signals reinforces existing differentially driven DSL downstream signals in a vectored binder of DSLs or reinforces upstream vectored signals in a binder of differentially excited twisted pairs, thus expanding the extra transmission modes of the previous GDSL multi-wire two-sided-excitation invention to the case where coordination can only occur on one-side of the binder. Each pair is treated as a common-mode antenna with respect to earth ground, with some pairs selectively excited at the transformer center tap at the transmit end with respect to a common (earth or chassis) ground reference. Corresponding receivers on other non-excited pairs sense the signals between their center taps and a ground at the opposite ends of the lines to the exciting transmitters. A dual use with hybrid circuits allows the receiving circuit to also have an upstream transmitter and an upstream-sensing receiver on the center tap of the opposite side of an adjacent wire.

Abstract: Methods, techniques, computer program products, apparatus, devices, etc., used in connection with DSL Management Interfaces, significantly improve the management capabilities of a DSL network and/or improve testing relating to DSL equipment and services by permitting better control and operation of a DSL system, including implementation of timestamping for more accurate measurement, monitoring and control of a system. Timestamping further allows customized data collection techniques, where a DSL line can be measured or monitored at intervals whose frequency depends on the line's stability. Moreover, data parameter read and control parameter write operations are presented in conjunction with the use of timestamping. Also, control and operation of a DSL system is enhanced by implementing bit-loading that minimizes, eliminates or otherwise mitigates the amount by which the SNR margin per tone exceeds a maximum SNR margin quantity, where such bit-loading can be selected through an appropriate interface.