Patents Assigned to Adtran
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Patent number: 8368250Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for swapping span power modules that are used for supplying power to network interface units (NIUs). A span power module in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has logic capable of communicating with logic of another span power module. When one module is to be swapped for the other module, the module being swapped-in is configured to automatically disable the other module shortly after it has powered up and is supplying electrical power across a span line. The amount of time that both modules supply power to the span line is sufficiently small such that damage to electrical communication equipment receiving power from the span line is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2008Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: ADTRAN, Inc.Inventors: Jason R. Ferguson, Robert S. Kroninger, Steven M. Robinson, James B. Wiese, Joseph H. Christ
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Patent number: 8358492Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to surge protection systems that protect outside plant equipment from high-energy surges. In one exemplary embodiment, a protection system is used for protecting Ethernet equipment that is coupled to an outside Ethernet cable. The protection system provides protection and remains capable of coupling signal energy between an Ethernet cable and Ethernet equipment without significantly degrading Ethernet performance. However, the protection system, while allowing the desirable Ethernet signals to pass between the cable and the equipment, prevents the electrical voltages and currents of high-energy surges, such as surges from lightning or AC power faults, from damaging the Ethernet equipment.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2011Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: ADTRAN, Inc.Inventors: James B. Wiese, Daniel M. Joffe
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Patent number: 8345669Abstract: In accordance with a non-limiting example, the system and method places a call from a first call device used by a party A to a second call device such as used by a party B by routing the call from the first call device into a communications server that establishes an internet protocol (IP) call between the communications server and the second call device. A third call device such as used by a party C monitors the second call device. A first SIP invite command is sent from the third call device to the communications server as a pick-up call instruction for the call to the second call device when it has not answered the call from the first call device. A second SIP invite command is sent between the third call device and communications server and the call is transferred from the second call device to the third call device to establish a communications session between first and third call entities.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2010Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Adtran, Inc.Inventors: Ashley Armstrong, Jason Amos
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Patent number: 8330497Abstract: A frequency monitoring system comprises a plurality of circuit cards. Each circuit card, such as a primary multiplexer card and a backup or redundant multiplexer card, has an oscillator that provides a reference clock signal. On each circuit card, a respective frequency compare element is configured to receive a clock signal to be measured and to provide a frequency error signal indicating a frequency error of the clock signal relative to an average frequency of a plurality of reference clock signals. Accordingly, the frequency measurements for the circuit cards are based on the same reference frequency (e.g., the average frequency of the reference clock signals from the oscillators).Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2010Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: ADTRAN, Inc.Inventor: James S. Butcher
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Patent number: 8331244Abstract: A communication system for propagating time division multiplexing (TDM) fault notifications has a first interworking function (IWF) of a packet network and a second IWF of the packet network. The second IWF detects a TDM fault of a TDM network and transmits continuity check messages (CCMs) to the first IWF. Further, the second IWF controls the CCMs in response to a detection of the TDM fault such that a TDM fault notification is propagated from the second IWF to the first IWF based on the CCMs, and the first IWF propagates the TDM fault notification to a second TDM node via a TDM signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2009Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: ADTRAN, Inc.Inventors: David Eric Jones, Marc Kimpe, Harold Lloyd Boling
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Patent number: 8305144Abstract: A power amplifier provides relatively stable quiescent current while maintaining relatively high signal gains and peak to quiescent current ratios. The power amplifier has an input stage and a current mirror stage and incorporates a control transistor between these stages. The control transistor transitions to the triode mode for small inputs and offset voltages thereby reducing the amplifier circuit's gain. However, the control transistor transitions from the triode region to saturation as the input signal becomes larger thereby allowing the amplifier circuit to maintain a relatively high gain for large inputs. Accordingly, better quiescent current characteristics can be obtained without significantly sacrificing performance.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2010Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: ADTRAN, Inc.Inventors: Paul Ferguson, Daniel M. Joffe
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Patent number: 8275001Abstract: An interworking function (IWF) at an edge of a packet network comprises a primary receiver and a backup receiver. The primary receiver receives data packets and timing information from a packet network. The primary receiver interworks data from the data packets into a data signal that is based on a local clock signal. The primary receiver uses the timing information from the packet network to adjust the frequency of the local clock signal such that it is synchronous to a network clock signal, such as a clock signal at an IWF, referred to as the “transmitting IWF,” that transmitted the data packets. In addition, the primary receiver from time-to-time provides timing information, such as a frequency control word, to the backup receiver, which uses such timing information to synchronize a clock signal of the backup receiver to the network clock signal upon an occurrence of a switchover from the primary receiver to the backup receiver.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2009Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Adtran, Inc.Inventor: Jason R. Ferguson
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Patent number: 8274395Abstract: A system for monitoring batteries comprises a current control element coupled in parallel to a diode and across a battery. The current control element measures current on the cathode end of the diode. Once the voltage potential reaches a threshold, the current control element routes the current from the cathode end of the diode to the anode end of the diode thereby reducing the voltage potential across the battery terminal. Accordingly, a battery sensing element is prevented from falsely sensing a presence of an operable battery due to leakage current of the diode.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2010Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: ADTRAN, Inc.Inventors: Earl Erickson, William Shindel
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Publication number: 20120233657Abstract: A method and apparatus for network access control includes an apparatus for granting a computing device access to a network, the apparatus having a plurality of substantially similar access devices, wherein each access device comprises a status-determination module to determine an access status based at least in part on whether the computing device is compliant with an access policy, an access-grant module configured for receiving an access status corresponding to the computing device from one or more of the access devices, and granting the computing device access to the network according to at least one of the access status determined by the status-determination module or the received access status.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2012Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: ADTRAN, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas F. Guevin, Sohil Babubhai Thakkar, Duane Charles Compton, Patrick Joseph Foy
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Publication number: 20120224573Abstract: A system and method transmits data and receives data packets within a bonding engine. The data packets are fragmented into a plurality of packet fragments for communication across a bonded group of subscriber lines. A Frame Check Sequence (FCS) in the data packet is inverted on one direction of the bonding group to prevent any data packets from propagating towards the network during a loopback condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2011Publication date: September 6, 2012Applicant: ADTRAN, INC.Inventors: Dennis B. McMAHAN, Jerry L. GREER, Darrin L. GIEGER, Thomas DETWILER
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Patent number: 8247924Abstract: A power supply and associated method include a power supply converter having a power output and configured to provide a supply voltage through the power output to a communications device. A simplified boost circuit is connected to the power supply converter in parallel but isolated from the power supply converter's bulk input capacitance during normal operation. The boost circuit includes at least one power storage circuit and a charging circuit connected thereto and configured to charge and maintain the power storage circuit to a predetermined voltage and switch the power storage circuit into the power supply converter during an undervoltage condition to transfer the stored power from the power storage circuit to the power supply converter and maintain the supply voltage to the communications device connected thereto for a required hold-up time.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2010Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Adtran, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy Zoller, Steven Robinson, Peter Campbell
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Patent number: 8247708Abstract: Signals entering outside plant (OSP) telecommunications enclosures typically do so through weather tight connectors, with one connector mounted to the enclosure and a mating connector connected to a cable bringing the signals to the OSP housing. Such connectors are expensive and require extensive effort to connect the wires of a cable bundle to the connectors. These problems are avoided by allowing cables pre-installed with a cable seal and pre-terminated to cable connectors to pass through an opening in the wall of an OSP housing and seal the cable bundle to the housing to prevent the ingress of environmental elements into the housing through the opening. This permits easier installation and retrofitting of electronic equipment contained within the housing.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2011Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Adtran, Inc.Inventors: John W. Ayres, III, Grant J. Kruse, Jacob D. McCleary
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Patent number: 8243412Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to surge protection systems that protect outside plant equipment from high-energy surges. In one exemplary embodiment, a protection system is used for protecting Ethernet equipment that is coupled to an outside Ethernet cable. The protection system provides protection and remains capable of coupling signal energy between an Ethernet cable and Ethernet equipment without significantly degrading Ethernet performance. However, the protection system, while allowing the desirable Ethernet signals to pass between the cable and the equipment, prevents the electrical voltages and currents of high-energy surges, such as surges from lightning or AC power faults, from damaging the Ethernet equipment.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2009Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Adtran, Inc.Inventors: James B. Wiese, Daniel M. Joffe
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Patent number: 8242785Abstract: An anomaly detection system comprises an echo canceler and anomaly detection logic. The echo canceler has a plurality of taps respectively associated with a plurality of tap coefficients. The anomaly detection logic is configured to determine a difference between a new tap coefficient associated with one of the taps and a previous tap coefficient associated with the one tap. The anomaly detection logic is configured to perform a comparison between the difference and a threshold and to detect an anomaly along a telecommunication line based on the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2008Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: ADTRAN, Inc.Inventors: Gary Hunt, Fred Chu, Lee T. Gusler, Jr.
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Patent number: 8224401Abstract: A system and method controls a powered device of the user that is connected to a communications network and draws power therefrom. A determination is made if the user is in the vicinity of the communications network by generating a probe packet to a wireless access point (WAP) of the communications network that is returned positive when a wireless communications device of the user that is configured to connect to the communications network via the WAP is connected thereto. If the probe packet is returned positive indicative of the presence of a user, the network switch port of a network switch connected to the powered device of the power is enabled to allow the powered device to draw power from the communications network. The network switch port is disabled when the probe packet is returned negative indicative that the user is not in the vicinity of the communications network.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2010Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Adtran, Inc.Inventor: Timothy J. Schlichter
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Patent number: 8212390Abstract: An adaptive power supply span powers devices used in telecommunications. It includes a power circuit and control circuit that receives power and sense signals therefrom and provides a control signal thereto and distinguishes between a first network interface load having a constant voltage input power requirement and a second network interface unit load having a constant current input power requirement. A voltage control circuit and current control circuit are interconnected together and connected to the power circuit. A control signal from the voltage control circuit and current control circuit extends to the power circuit. The control circuit maintains a fixed output voltage for constant voltage regulation for the first network interface unit load, if the output current remains below a threshold current.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2011Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Adtran, Inc.Inventors: Steven M. Robinson, Jeremy Zoller
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Patent number: 8208604Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for diagnosing loop anomalies for bonded-loop communication media. In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication medium comprises a plurality of bonded loops that couple network communication equipment (e.g., communication equipment at a central office) to customer premises (CP) communication equipment residing at a customer premises. If communication occurring over one of the loops becomes significantly degraded (e.g., if the SNR of the loop falls below a predefined threshold or id communication across the loop is interrupted), then loop diagnostic logic at the customer premises performs a diagnostic test on the loop. Information indicative of the diagnostic test is then communicated to the network equipment via one of the other bonded loops. Thus, the network service provider is able to receive information indicative of the diagnostic test without having to send a technician to the customer premises.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2008Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: ADTRAN, Inc.Inventors: Fred Chu, Philip David Williams
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Patent number: 8208781Abstract: A fiber optic connector panel fits within a telecommunications fiber optic distribution cabinet and terminates and protects outside plant cables. A support panel is pivotally mounted into a telecommunications fiber optic distribution cabinet. A first cylindrically configured cable storage member is supported by the support panel and configured to store any slack fiber optic pigtails. A second cable storage member is supported by the support panel and configured to store any slack outside plant cable and jumpers. A fiber optic connector is supported by the support panel and configured to connect fiber optic pigtails and fiber optic jumpers. A splice storage member is supported by the support panel and configured to store fiber optic cable splices of the fiber optic pigtails and outside plant cable and jumpers of the fiber optic pigtails and outside plant cable and jumpers.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2009Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Adtran, Inc.Inventors: Joshua Morgan, Jason Crawford
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Patent number: 8199905Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for identifying subscriber lines coupled to transceivers of interest. In one exemplary embodiment, an end of a subscriber line is coupled to and terminated by a transceiver of interest. The other end of the subscriber line is coupled to a speaker. The transceiver is then selectively activated and deactivated causing it to transmit its normal frequency spectrum in a predefined pattern. The frequency spectrum includes frequencies audible to humans. Thus, the speaker produces sound capable of being heard by a human, and the sound exhibits periods of noise followed by periods of silence. Indeed, the periods of noise and silence are in a pattern according to the activation/deactivation pattern of the transceiver. Thus, a user can identify the subscriber line that is coupled to the transceiver by identifying which of the lines is coupled to the speaker when the speaker emits noise and silence according to the predefined pattern.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2009Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Adtran, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Barrett, Jeffrey E. Boswell, Christopher R. Hodges
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Patent number: 8200754Abstract: In one non-limiting example, the system and method for communicating establishes a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) communication session call between a caller and a communications server. The call from the caller is queued at the communications server. A first SIP Invite command is sent between a call agent station and the communications server to dequeue the call. A second SIP Invite command is sent between the call agent station and the communications server. The call is transferred to the call agent station to establish a communications session between the caller and the call agent station.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2010Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Adtran, Inc.Inventors: Ashley Armstrong, Jason Amos