Abstract: An enhanced ISDN-DP transmission device of the present invention allows for testing of ISDN-protocol communication paths using an existing DDS-protocol test infrastructure. The ISDN-DP unit receives a DDS test command and determines whether the command was intended for the immediate receiving unit or a tandem unit. If the command is intended for the immediate ISDN-DP unit, the unit processes the command. If the command is intended for another ISDN device in the transmission path, the ISDN-DP converts the DDS-protocol command to an ISDN-protocol command and transmits the converted ISDN command to an adjacent tandem ISDN device in the communication path in an upstream or downstream direction. After the test path is enabled, loopback testing is available on all available ISDN bandwidth, including the B1, B2 and D+ channels, from a DDS-protocol test set.

Abstract: Dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) address signaling on four-wire switched 56 kilobits per second (Kbps) service lines is obtained by determining the proper byte boundary information. An iterative learning process is used with an existing digital switching network having a call progress indication capability. The learning process steps through each possible byte alignment until the call progress protocol indicates that a proper byte alignment has been achieved. Once a proper byte alignment has been determined, that byte alignment information is retained for subsequent use, thus avoiding the need to repeat the learning process.

Abstract: In a time division multiplex digital communication system, access devices are capable of generating and detecting data sequences that are normally suppressed by end user equipment for establishing in-band communications between the access device and selected intelligent channel units (ICU's ). An ICU initiates in-band communication with the access device by transmitting a service request sequence to the access device. The access device transmits a wake-up sequence to the ICU to establish in-band communication. Once established, in-band communications can then be used to accomplish automated provisioning, performance reporting, status reporting, alarm reporting as well as other important functions.

Abstract: A Scalable Multimedia Network providing integrated networking of data, voice, video and image services over a variety of access facilities including metallic loops, fiber/coax or digital fiber is disclosed herein. The SMN establishes customer initiated switched virtual circuits for all traffic types and directs them to the appropriate backbone network. The SMN is based on a distributed switching platform that enables carriers to economically provide service to a small number of customers and add capacity incrementally as the customer base increases. The platform has a protocol adaptation capability which permits communications between customer premises equipment and potentially incompatible backbone networks or network servers.

Abstract: A Scalable Multimedia Network providing integrated networking of data, voice, video and image services over a variety of access facilities including metallic loops, fiber/coax or digital fiber is disclosed herein.The SMN establishes customer initiated switched virtual circuits for all traffic types and directs them to the appropriate backbone network. The SMN is based on a distributed switching platform that enables carriers to economically provide service to a small number of customers and add capacity incrementally as the customer base increases. The platform has a protocol adaptation capability which permits communications between customer premises equipment and potentially incompatible backbone networks or network servers.

Abstract: A system for isolating the direction of communication errors in the local loop of a digital data network is described. A Network Interface Unit (NIU) located at the customer premises typically has a loopback feature, allowing for Bit Error Rate Tests (BERT) to be performed on the local loop from a remote test system located on the data network. The NIU loopback test isolates transmission problems at the customer premises from problems on the local loop. The present invention adds test pattern generation capability to the NIU, allowing the remote test system to determine whether the transmission problem on the local loop is in the network to customer premises direction or in the customer premises to network direction.

Abstract: Loop Performance Monitoring (LPM) for DDS loops is described. Even though DDS loops have Intentional Bipolar Violations (BPVs), a Loop Coding Violations (LCVs) detection strategy based on further processing of BPVs is described. By monitoring LCVs a local loop terminating device can determine Bit Error Rate (BER).A system is described by which an Office Channel Unit (OCU) can process LCV information to determine signal quality of the signal over the incoming local loop. If the signal quality falls below a certain threshold, the OCU can cut the loop off from the DDS circuit and send control codes into the network.A system is also described where a Network Interface Unit (NIU) with the LPM system communicates incoming LCV information to the OCU using low speed signalling over the simplex path between the transmit and receive pairs. The OCU monitors incoming LCVs as well, and thus has the information necessary to determine bi-directional BER performance.

Abstract: Dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) address signaling on four-wire switched 56 kilobits per second (Kbps) service lines is obtained by determining the proper byte boundary information. An iterative learning process is used with an existing digital switching network having a call progress indication capability. The learning process steps through each possible byte alignment until the call progress protocol indicates that a proper byte alignment has been achieved. Once a paper byte alignment has been determined, that byte alignment information is retained for subsequent use, thus avoiding the need to repeat the learning process.

Abstract: In a time division multiplex digital communication system, access devices are capable of generating and detecting data sequences that are normally suppressed by end user equipment for establishing in-band communications between the access device and selected intelligent channel units (ICU's). In-band communication is initiated by transmitting a sequence comprising a plurality of first bytes for preventing inadvertent initiation of maintenance operations for digital devices in a particular time slot, followed by a plurality of second bytes in said time slot. In-band communications is established when the selected ICU receives a sequence comprising a plurality of said first bytes, a plurality of bytes which identify the select device and a plurality of said second bytes. Once established, in-band communications can then be used to accomplish automated provisioning, performance reporting, status reporting, alarm reporting as well as other important functions.

Abstract: Loop Performance Monitoring (LPM) for DDS loops is described. Even though DDS loops have Intentional Bipolar Violations (BPVs), a Loop Coding Violations (LCVs) detection strategy based on further processing of BPVs is described. By monitoring LCVs a local loop terminating device can determine Bit Error Rate (BER).A system is described by which an Office Channel Unit (OCU) can process LCV information to determine signal quality of the signal over the incoming local loop. If the signal quality falls below a certain threshold, the OCU can cut the loop off from the DDS circuit and send control codes into the network.A system is also described where a Network Interface Unit (NIU) with the LPM system communicates incoming LCV information to the OCU using low speed signalling over the simplex path between the transmit and receive pairs. The OCU monitors incoming LCVs as well, and thus has the information necessary to determine bi-directional BER performance.

Abstract: A device for attaching a host or network in data communications with a ring-topology network includes a plurality of contiguous stations which are independently attached in series to the ring-topology network. Each station has the ability to selectively receive data which is not received by the other stations in the device, and each station has the ability to coordinate its receipt of data with the other stations to insure that essentially all data is received by the device.

Abstract: Loop circuits lacking byte alignment are tested by test equipment signals at 9.6 kbps transmitted over a DS.phi. format 19.2 kbps communication network. Upon indication of loss of 19.2 kbps framing, return signals from the loop are reformatted into a 9.6 kbps format by selecting proper return bytes using a logic system stored in an office channel unit (OCU).

Abstract: In a digital communication system, select devices are capable of generating and detecting data sequences that are normally suppressed by end user equipment for establishing inband communications among the select devices. Select devices capable of participating in inband communications may include the controller, Digital Channel Units (CUs) and Customer Premises Equipment (CPEs). Inband communications is initiated by a select device by transmitting a sequence comprising a plurality of first bytes for preventing inadvertant initiation of maintenance operations for digital devices in a particular time slot, followed by a plurality of second bytes. Inband communications is established when the select device receives a sequence comprising a plurality of said first bytes, a plurality of bytes which identify the select device and a plurality of said second bytes.

Abstract: A system for receiving data which is destined for station facilities on a ring-topology network includes a forwarding data channel for establishing data communication between the ring-topology network and the facilities. A station memory for selectively holding data to be transmitted from the facilities over the forwarding data channel and onto the network is also connected to the channel. Additionally, a processor, which generates and continually updates an instruction data frame with address information about the facilities is connected to the station memory. A switch interconnects the forwarding data channel with the ring-topology network to selectively receive data onto the station's channel from the network. A content addressable memory (CAM), which is also connected with the forwarding data channel, receives instruction data frames from the processor, via the station memory over the channel, to control the switch in accordance with address information contained in the instruction data frame.

Abstract: In a telecommunication system, a circuit is provided for determining the system mode and for restoring converted signalling bits. The circuit is designed to be used in a telecommunication system that lacks frame alignment. The circuit may serve as an trunk line interface located in a Direct Digital Access Office Channel Unit. Alternatively, the circuit may be coupled to a single trunk line which links Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) to the telecommunication system. The detection portion of the circuit determines the system mode of the trunk line connected to a CPE by detecting signalling bits when frame alignment is not maintained. The restoration portion of the circuit restores signalling bits which were converted due to a lack of frame alignment to their pre-converted state.

Abstract: An Intelligent Channel Unit for interfacing end user stations to a DDS digital data communications network and for processing network and end user data according to digital data communications applications is described. The ICU comprises data processing circuitry consisting of a programmable processing circuitry (PPC), a microprocessor controller, and a memory device; a bypass circuit; three input/output data ports; and interface units for the control, maintenance, and test functions.

Abstract: A port concentrator communication system which allows a large number of end user stations to share a limited number of trunk lines to a packet switch network is described. Specifically, the system comprises a number of end user stations each coupled to a port concentration intelligent unit, with these units being coupled together in cascade fashion and the end unit in the cascade being coupled to a set of trunk lines leading to a packet switch network. Each of the trunk line ports corresponds to a channel in the DDS DSOB data streams network and in the reverse direction to the set of end user stations. Special code bytes, indicating the status of trunk line ports, appear in the DSOB data streams and play an integral role in the method whereby the port concentration intelligent units associated with the end user stations can request, obtain access to and communicate over, and relinquish trunk lines.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided within an interface to data terminal equipment for obtaining call progress information. The call progress information provides relevant data as to the progress of a call initiated by the data terminal equipment. The interface is designed to be used in a portion of the telephone network that lacks byte alignment. Such portions of the telephone network do not currently receive call progress tones. The interface is preferably a data service unit that includes a receiving means processor and a display means. The data service unit interprets signals sent from the DDA/OCU that encode the presence or absence of call progress tones sent from the destination node of an initiated call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided within an interface to data terminal equipment for obtaining call progress information. The call progress information provides relevant data as to the progress of a call initiated by the data terminal equipment. The interface is designed to be used in a portion of the telephone network that lacks byte alignment. Such portions of the telephone network do not currently receive call progress tones. The interface is preferably a data service unit that includes a receiving means processor and a display means. The data service unit interprets signals sent from the DDA/OCU that encode the presence or absence of call progress tones sent from the destination node of an initiated call.

Abstract: Loop Performance Monitoring (LPM) for DDS loops is described. Even though DDS loops have Intentional Bipolar Violations (BPVs), a Loop Coding Violations (LCVs) detection strategy based on further processing of BPVs is described. By monitoring LCVs a local loop terminating device can determine Bit Error Rate (BER).A system is described by which an Office Channel Unit (OCU) can process LCV information to determine signal quality of the signal over the incoming local loop. If the signal quality falls below a certain threshold, the OCU can cut the loop off from the DDS circuit and send control codes into the network.A system is also described where a Network Interface Unit (NIU) with the LPM system communicates incoming LCV information to the OCU using low speed signalling over the simplex path between the transmit and receive pairs. The OCU monitors incoming LCVs as well, and thus has the information necessary to determine bi-directional BER performance.