Patents Assigned to Adtran
  • Patent number: 6661862
    Abstract: A digital delay line-based, timing relationship detector is operative to generate a K+L bit digital output code representative of a timing/phase offset between first and second low frequency clock signals. A first digital code generator generates a K-bit most significant phase word based upon the number of high frequency clock signals counted between transitions in the two low frequency clock signals. A second digital code generator generates an L-bit least significant phase word based upon the effective length of a delay line/shift register, through which a digital value associated with a transition in one of the two clock signals propagates, until a transition of the next occurring high frequency clock signal. The contents of a counter are incrementally changed in accordance with the number of stages of the multistage digital delay line/shift register through which the digital value has propagated. The L-bit least significant phase word is defined in accordance with the contents of the counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Adtran, Inc.
    Inventor: James S. Butcher
  • Patent number: 6654255
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for mounting electrical equipment on a wall. A mounting plate is mounted on the wall. The mounting plate includes a lip defining a linear channel extending across the front of the mounting plate. An equipment enclosure includes a complementary upward extending hanger for engaging the linear channel. A ground strip is attached to the wall plate below the linear channel. The equipment enclosure can be positioned at any point along the length of the linear channel by engaging its complementary hanger therewith and pivoting the enclosure downward until its rear surface engages the mounting plate and a grounding lug thereof engages the ground strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Adtran, Inc.
    Inventors: Grant J. Kruse, James B. Coker
  • Patent number: 6647115
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an improved telephone hybrid function is provided. The present invention uses a transformer having an galvanically isolated sense winding to improve hybrid performance. Performance improvements include removing the effects of variations in winding resistance, independently adjusting a pick-off voltage, reducing the effects of transformer leakage inductance, providing DC isolation between circuits and increasing the signal to noise ratio at the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: ADTRAN, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel M. Joffe
  • Patent number: 6631178
    Abstract: A system and method for transmitting data over a twisted pair with or without load coils using a transmitter and receiver is disclosed. The system detects load coils by generating and transmitting a test signal having signal power concentrated in two different frequency bands across the twisted pair and comparing the signal power of the received signal to determine whether the twisted pair is loaded or unloaded. If load coils are detected, an adjustment circuit is used to configure the receiver for reception of data over a twisted pair having load coils. Otherwise, the adjustment circuit configures the receiver for reception of data over a twisted pair without load coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Adtran, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Blackwell, Richard L. Goodson, Jason N. Morgan, Ayman Ghobrial
  • Publication number: 20030185384
    Abstract: A regulated power supply interface has a current feedback and voltage level shift circuit that monitors power supply output (load) current and controllably diverts current to a current reference node. A differential amplifier-based, voltage feedback and voltage level shift circuit monitors the load voltage and controllably diverts output current to the current reference node. A current mode setpoint circuit has multiple voltage dropping current paths, through one or more of which a summation of the diverted load currents are programmably directed, to generate a control voltage for controlling the operation of a pulse width modulator unit of the regulated power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: ADTRAN, INC.
    Inventors: Erik Stefan Bahl, John S. McGary, Scott L. Smith
  • Publication number: 20030185385
    Abstract: A power management circuit for a remote access platform extracts power from a wireline for powering a ring generator that generates a ringing voltage signal that is distributed to a plurality of subscriber circuits. A power-limited voltage converter steps up the wireline voltage to a higher ‘isolating’ voltage, charging a capacitor coupled to the ring generator. A monitor circuit reduces the power that the power-limited voltage converter can draw, if the wireline voltage drops too low. This prevents the wireline voltage from collapsing should the remote terminal be deployed at a distance from wireline voltage source (the central office) greater than its specified capability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: ADTRAN, INC.
    Inventors: Ralph R. Boudreaux, John S. McGary, Steven M. Robinson, John B. Wilkes
  • Patent number: 6628621
    Abstract: A bit error rate test (BERT) system is configured as a field programmable gate array that emulates multiple independent BERT generators. The BERT generators produce test frames containing test pattern codes associated with respectively different time division multiplexed (TDM) digital communication channels, that are not necessarily mutually contiguous within a plurality of TDM timeslots of a network communication frame serving digital communication circuits. A framing unit assembles the test code patterns into a test frame and transmits the test frame over a serial network interface to a plurality of digital channel units of a channel bank. The framing unit also interfaces contents of test code patterns within test frames returned from the channel units over the serial network interface with a plurality of data channel-specific virtual BERT receivers, associated with respective digital communication channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Adtran Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Scott Appleton, Andrew L. Plankenhorn, Paul E. Calvert, Steven Creg Killen
  • Patent number: 6628782
    Abstract: During maintenance of telephony equipment the high voltage ring signals for POTS lines must be disconnected or disabled so as to remove the shock hazard potential associated with the substantially elevated ringing voltage present at a line card of a central office. This problem is effectively obviated by installing a three-terminal alarm fuse socket in a circuit path for the ringing generator, and wiring the socket's terminals to enable the fuse to operate as a switch. The switch is closed by inserting a (blown or unblown) three-pin alarm fuse. This enables a ringing voltage generated by the ringing voltage generator to be applied to the span and delivered to the ringing circuit of the handset. The switch is opened by removing the fuse. Ringing voltage functionality for and/or connectivity with the ringing voltage circuit is selectively dependent upon whether a fuse is installed in the receptacle, irrespective of the state of the fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Adtran Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph R. Boudreaux, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6625116
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for increasing the data rate on an existing repeatered telecommunication channel structure. In illustrative embodiments, replacement transceivers and replacement repeaters provide for transferring data streams via the existing channel structure at a rate substantially greater than the data transfer rate of the existing channel structure. The replacement transceivers and replacement repeaters are spectrally compatible with existing services and provide data transfer performance equal to or better than the performance of the existing channel structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Adtran, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Schneider, Fred T. Y. Chu
  • Publication number: 20030174712
    Abstract: A voice path direct memory access (DMA)-based packet generation mechanism writes digitally encoded voice samples directly into prescribed subportions of a preallocated portion of random access memory, to avoid interrupting a main processor for the purpose. A pointer to a respective buffer space subportion is presented to a protocol stack, so that one or more overhead bytes for the stored voice samples can be generated and written into adjacent address space of the preallocated portion of random access memory. The contents of the preallocated memory space are then serialized out for transmission to a destination receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: ADTRAN INC.
    Inventors: Phillip Stone Herron, Bruce Edward Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20030174694
    Abstract: For diagnostic and trouble-shooting purposes, an audio/voice signal capture mechanism is adapted to be interfaced with a time division multiplexed (TDM) transport path-cascaded echo canceler and compression arrangement for an integrated access device (IAD). The audio/voice signal capture mechanism captures a ‘snapshot’ of the audio/voice signals by storing a prescribed number of seconds of audio/voice path signals transmitted in both directions through the IAD, and time stamping the captured audio/voice signals and associated signaling events of interest. In this way, the invention operates as a ‘virtual’ oscilloscope, as it is able to capture pertinent data for any voice call problem along with an associated time stamp event log.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: ADTRAN, INC.
    Inventors: Bruce E. Mitchell, Christopher A. Otto
  • Publication number: 20030174825
    Abstract: A calling telephone number information substitution mechanism employs an automated calling number substitution template to selectively modify ‘calling’ party number information that is transmitted to the called party. This serves to associate the calling party who has placed a call that cannot be directly dialed from an outside phone with a valid telephone number identified with the premises originating the call. As a result, the called party, such as a 911 emergency facility, is able to correctly locate and place a return call to a valid telephone number at the premises from which the call has been placed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: ADTRAN, INC.
    Inventors: Arthur Edward Aldridge, Thomas Kevin Davis
  • Publication number: 20030174692
    Abstract: A cascaded signal processing arrangement processes digitally encoded voice samples transported over a time division multiplex (TDM) communication path for application to a processor-controlled digital communication device, in particular an integrated access device. Processed voice samples are packetized in accordance with an encapsulating protocol and transmitted as a packetized voice output stream to a destination receiver device. The arrangement includes an echo canceller coupled to the TDM communication path and performing echo cancellation processing on the digitally encoded voice samples. The echo cancellation-processed voice sample signals are compressed by a data compression operator and applied to a packet encapsulating host processor via the TDM communication path. This obviates the necessity of the host processor having to use data bus cycles to download processed digitized voice samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: ADTRAN, INC.
    Inventors: Ayman Ghobrial, Jerry Lynn Greer, Bruce Edward Mitchell, Paul Graves McElroy
  • Publication number: 20030174451
    Abstract: A ground fault current-limiting circuit for limiting telecommunication wireline voltage and ground fault current to prescribed safety parameters has a ground fault current sense resistor and associated line voltage control circuit installed in a ground-coupling link to the center tap of the output winding of a bipolar voltage converter's output transformer. The control circuit compares ground fault current of either polarity flowing through the sense resistor to a prescribed value. In response to this current limit being exceeded, the control circuit produces an output signal that causes the power source to reduce its output voltage so that the ground fault current will drop to within acceptable limits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: ADTRAN, INC.
    Inventors: Ralph R. Boudreaux, John S. McGary, Steven M. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20030169781
    Abstract: A multiple device management communication mechanism uses the normally empty <GENERAL BLOCK> field of single destination address-based management communication TL1 protocol command structure to selectively insert a substitute recipient address, and thereby selectively transmit a management message from a host site over a communication link to any of plurality of remote subsidiary devices that would otherwise be remotely unaddressable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: ADTRAN, INC.
    Inventor: Barry E. Duggan
  • Publication number: 20030172141
    Abstract: An element management system (EMS) for managing elements of a communication network utilizes memory and a system controller. The memory stores template data that is indicative of control values for controlling a network element. The system controller is configured to identify a plurality of network elements within the communication network based on user input and to automatically provision each of the identified network elements based on the template data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: ADTRAN, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Miller, Kent E. Darzi
  • Patent number: 6614803
    Abstract: A communication control mechanism installable in the communications controller of an ISDN terminal adapter is operative to conduct in-band communications with its digital terminal device during an internet communication session between the digital terminal device and a digital communication network interface of an internet service provider. The terminal adapter monitors the data link establishment communication exchange between the network access server and the personal computer, to identify and capture internet protocol addresses for the digital terminal device and the network access interface. These addresses are then used by the terminal adapter to communicate in-band with the digital terminal device using user datagram protocol (UDP)-based messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Adtran Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle A. Farnsworth, C. Brian Goodwin, Lin Yow-Chern Chang
  • Patent number: 6608840
    Abstract: The range of digital data communication services, such as a basic rate 2B1Q ISDN channel, to customer premises located beyond the industry standard achievable range of a two-wire loop can be extended by increasing the capacity of the ISDN line code from two information bits per symbol to three information bits per symbol, so as to reduce the effective symbol rate, which is error correction encoded to an effective 4B1H line code for defining a sixteen level PAM signal waveform, and employing enhanced low signal-to-noise ratio signal processing techniques in both the transmitter and receiver to accommodate the increased insertion loss of the two-wire line resulting from its extended length. Such enhanced low signal-to-noise ratio signal processing techniques include a Tomlinson precoder in the transmitter, and an adaptive linear equalizer and a module unit in the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Adtran Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Turner, Kevin W. Schneider, Richard A. Burch, Richard L. Goodson
  • Patent number: 6606383
    Abstract: A processor controlled mechanism automatically determines from a location such as a central office whether termination equipment installed at a remote end of a wireline link is span-powered, or is powered locally. It then applies a voltage to the wireline link that is appropriate for the identified type of termination equipment. This eliminates the need for two separate central office loop-powering devices. In the course of making the determination, nothing higher than a safety extra low voltage is applied to the wireline link, to comply with Underwriter's Laboratory standards for locally powered customer premises equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Adtran Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Robinson, Jason Perry Lyon, John S. McGary
  • Publication number: 20030149754
    Abstract: An element management system (EMS) for monitoring elements of a communication network utilizes a plurality of clients, a plurality of network elements, and an element management system (EMS). The clients and the network elements are interfaced with the EMS. The EMS is configured to track which of the network elements are of interest to the clients and to automatically monitor the network elements based on which of the network elements are determined, by the EMS, to be of interest to the clients. The EMS is further configured to provide the clients with information indicative of the monitored elements. Furthermore, the EMS may be configured to store graphical user interface (GUI) code that can be utilized to provide a GUI for monitoring and/or changing a network element. The EMS may provide the GUI code to the clients on demand and may enable a user to update the GUI code stored at the EMS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: ADTRAN, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Miller, Steven A. Bailey, Kent E. Darzi