Abstract: An improved system for allowing a digital transmission line element, such as a regenerative repeater or a network interface unit, to communicate with a remote location. The line element is interconnected to a digital transmission line, which receives an incoming data stream. The data stream follows predetermined coding rules. The line element includes a detector and an error generator. The detector senses when a status inquiry is made and responsively enables the error generator to then selectively introduce an error message into an outgoing data stream along the digital transmission line. The error message may then be detected at a remote location to a provide information regarding the line element, such as its location or operating mode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a two-wire line conditioning apparatus having an improved calibration and cancellation circuit and provides an improved calibration method using a multitone calibration signal. The apparatus automatically adjusts an electronic hybrid as part of a calibration procedure so as to eliminate undesirable echo effects when calls are placed along the line. The alignment procedure identifies the optimal balance in a rapid manner. The electronic hybrid balancing process and echo cancellation circuitry may also be utilized in a circuit for converting four-wire communications systems to two-wire communications systems. The line conditioning device of the present invention utilizes a multitone signal to simulate the voice frequency spectrum between approximately 500 Hz and 3500 Hz to probe the line side with a plurality of tones (e.g., 500, 1500 and 3500 Hz; or 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500 Hz).

Abstract: The present invention provides a two-wire line conditioning apparatus having an improved calibration and cancellation circuit and provides an improved calibration method using a multitone calibration signal. The output is monitored by an AGC circuit which controls the output, and prevents hard clipping. This is particularly important for DTMF receivers. Additionally, the apparatus automatically adjusts an electronic hybrid as part of a calibration procedure so as to eliminate undesirable echo effects when calls are placed along the line. The electronic hybrid balancing process and echo cancellation circuitry may also be utilized in a circuit for converting four-wire communications systems to two-wire communications systems. The line conditioning device of the present invention utilizes a multitone signal to simulate the voice frequency spectrum between approximately 500 Hz and 3500 Hz to probe the line side with a plurality of tones (e.g., 500, 1500 and 3500 Hz; or 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500 Hz).

Abstract: The present invention provides a two-wire line conditioning apparatus having an improved calibration and cancellation circuit and provides an improved calibration method using a multitone calibration signal. The apparatus automatically adjusts an electronic hybrid as part of a calibration procedure so as to eliminate undesirable echo effects when calls are placed along the line. The hybrid has capacitors and resistors which can be switched into and out of the circuit by using simple transistor devices. The electronic hybrid balancing process and echo cancellation circuitry may also be utilized in a circuit for converting four-wire communications systems to two-wire communications systems. The line conditioning device of the present invention utilizes a multitone signal to simulate the voice frequency spectrum between approximately 500 Hz and 3500 Hz to probe the line side with a plurality of tones (e.g., 500, 1500 and 3500 Hz; or 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500 Hz).

Abstract: The present invention provides a two-wire line conditioning apparatus having an improved calibration and cancellation circuit and provides an improved calibration method using a multitone calibration signal. The apparatus automatically adjusts an electronic hybrid as part of a calibration procedure so as to eliminate undesirable echo effects when calls are placed along the line. The results of the balancing procedure are examined, and the values of the resistance and capacitance from the balanced ciruit are compared to determine whether the line is loaded or non-loaded. The electronic hybrid balancing process and echo cancellation circuitry may also be utilized in a circuit for converting four-wire communications systems to two-wire communications systems. The line conditioning device of the present invention utilizes a multitone signal to simulate the voice frequency spectrum between approximately 500 Hz and 3500 Hz to probe the line side with a plurality of tones (e.g.

Abstract: An improved network interface unit having a substantially smaller width than many prior art network interface units. The network interface unit comprises a single, planar circuit board assembly interconnected between incoming and outgoing telephone lines and incoming and outgoing customer premises lines. Two relays and a controller are mounted on the board. The controller monitors the transmission of data along the lines and, by activating the relays, provides communication and maintenance functions, such as loopback. The network interface unit utilizes a controller made up of (1) a processor-based software control system and (2) an integrally cooperating application specific integrated circuit. The controller may, for example, provide and monitor framing, detect and monitor signals, and convert bipolar data to unipolar data.

Abstract: An improved system for allowing a digital transmission line element, such as a regenerative repeater or a network interface unit, to communicate with a remote location. The line element is interconnected to a digital transmission line, which receives an incoming data stream. The data stream follows predetermined coding rules. The line element includes a detector and an error generator. The detector senses when a status inquiry is made and responsively enables the error generator to then selectively introduce an error message into an outgoing data stream along the digital transmission line. The error message may then be detected at a remote location to a provide information regarding the line element, such as its location or operating mode.

Abstract: A ground fault detector for TI span equipment for transmitting signals from a central office to a network interface unit and receiving signals at the central office from the network interface unit. The TI span equipment includes a first pair of cables for transmitting data payload from the central office to the network interface unit and a second pair of cables for receiving data payload at the central office from the network interface unit. A line repeater is located along the TI span equipment between the central office and the network interface unit. The line repeater includes a transformer with core and a first, second, third and fourth coil. The coils are coupled to the transmit and receive span, and the transformer core saturates when the current differential between the coils exceeds a predetermined level. When the core is saturated, signals present on the first coil are not imposed on the second coil.

Abstract: A protect circuit that may be interconnected to two different data transmission lines and that provides enhanced error correction. The circuit includes first and second line build-out circuits and fixed delay buffers interconnected to the two transmission lines, as well as a controller and switch. The build-out circuits allow the data bits received from the two data transmission lines to be correlated. Each of the fixed delay buffers has a predetermined length and holds a sequence from one of the two transmission lines. The controller tests the correlated data bits from the build-out circuits to determine whether any coding rule violation has occurred. If a coding error, such as, for example, a hi-polar violation, is detected, the contents of the fixed delay buffer that includes the bit that does follow the predetermined coding rule is transmitted to the receiving station. Thus, both of the transmission lines are utilized in order to enhance the accuracy of the data transmitted to the receiving station.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the performance of T1 digital transmission lines by incorporating a common unit interconnected to a plurality of network interface units as well as to a spare transmission line leading to a central office. The common unit is configured to interrogate any or all of the network interface units in order to obtain status information such transmission error rates, and to report such status information via the spare transmission line to the central office. By dedicating a common unit to oversee error detection and/or status reporting, communication between the central office and customer premises equipment need no longer be disrupted while transmission performance is being monitored.

Abstract: A system for use by a multiplexing telecommunications interface that allows the interface to communicate with a larger variety of digital subscriber loop protocols, such as ISDN. For example, a remote terminal may include common equipment that allocates a limited bandwidth to particular channel cards. Such channel cards control the flow of information between a digital subscriber loop and a digital transmission facility. If the bandwidth allocated to a particular channel card is insufficient, a provisioning channel card may be used which will signal the common equipment that it exists and should be allocated to a bandwidth. However, the provisioning channel card will effectively provide its bandwidth to at least one other channel card, which will use the additional bandwidth to meet the requirements of a particular protocol, such as ISDN.

Abstract: An improved network interface unit having a substantially smaller width than many prior art network interface units. The network interface unit comprises a single, planar circuit board assembly interconnected between incoming and outgoing telephone lines and incoming and outgoing customer premises lines. Two relays and a controller are mounted on the board. The controller monitors the transmission of data along the lines and, by activating the relays, provides communication and maintenance functions, such as loopback. The network interface unit utilizes a controller made up of (1) a processor-based software control system and (2) an integrally cooperating application specific integrated circuit. The controller may, for example, provide and monitor framing, detect and monitor signals, and convert bipolar data to unipolar data.

Abstract: A digital loop carrier system that more conveniently passes a flash-hook signal while still allowing open-switching-intervals (loop current feed open intervals) with a floating ground central office switch interface. The carrier system includes both an office loop and a customer loop. The interface includes both an office loop switch and controller. The controller regulates the operation of the switch and also regulates whether the customer loop should be open or closed. When the office loop is not grounded, but current was detected by the controller in the office loop prior to the controller opening the office loop, the controller waits a predetermined interval after opening the office loop before opening the customer loop and terminating the call.

Abstract: An out of band data link for performance monitoring information using existing telecommunications transmission facilities. The Bell telephone network includes a variety of central offices and network interface units that should communicate with each other regarding performance. The data link allows the network interface unit to advise the telephone company's central office of difficulties. A first modem is interconnected between a pair of simplex leads in the central office telephone company's central office repeater transformers, and a second modem is interconnected between a pair of simplex leads in the network interface unit's transformers. The voltage between each pair of leads is used to effect communication between the telephone company's central office and the network interface unit.

Abstract: An improved network interface unit having a substantially smaller width than many prior art network interface units. The network interface unit comprises a single, planar circuit board assembly interconnected between incoming and outgoing telephone lines and incoming and outgoing customer premises lines. Two relays and a controller are mounted on the board. The controller monitors the transmission of data along the lines and, by activating the relays, provides communication and maintenance functions, such as loopback. The network interface unit utilizes a controller made up of (1) a processor-based software control system and (2) an integrally cooperating application specific integrated circuit. The controller may, for example, provide and monitor framing, detect and monitor signals, and convert bipolar data to unipolar data.

Abstract: A telecommunication system is described that has an interface and multiple lines, such as T-1 lines. The multiple lines include at least one service line and at least one spare line. The interface comprises a bus across the service line and spare line and a common controller. The bus includes switches for interconnecting and disconnecting the bus from one or more of the multiple lines. The common controller accomplishes multiple functions: (a) responding to a transfer signal by interconnecting the spare line to the bus and disconnecting the service line from the bus, (b) recognizing a restoration of service signal on the service line upon which service was disconnected, and (c) sending commands to the switches for reconnecting the service line to the bus and disconnecting the spare line from the bus. Further, in one embodiment, the common controller also recognizes a restoration of service signal on the spare line.

Abstract: A network interface unit interconnected between a network span and a customer premises. The network span includes network transmit lines and network receive lines. The network interface unit includes a passive resistance circuit in the receive direction path that allows monitoring of signals from a central office in the presence of open circuit reflection or noise from the customer premises.

Abstract: An open power loop detector for digital transmission line elements using a pulsed, direct current test. The element detects when a fault in transmission lines has been corrected and the element should move from a loop powered mode back to a normal through powered mode. The detector includes a voltage regulator, voltage booster, current detector, and controller. The controller periodically activates the voltage booster to increase the direct current load between the transmit and receive cable pairs of the transmission lines. The current detector then senses whether a current is flowing between the center tap leads of the transmit cable pair. If no current is detected, indicating that the downstream transmission line still has a discontinuity, the controller waits a predetermined period of time before again activating the voltage booster and performing another test.

Abstract: An improved address acknowledgement system for line elements such as repeaters in a digital telecommunication network. The system is preferably controlled by logic circuitry, in conjunction with a microprocessor. A remote facility such as a test unit transmits to the repeater a loopup command, requesting the repeater to enter loopback mode. The repeater acknowledges receipt of this command by inverting its address and transmitting the inverted address back to the test set. The test set either scans its incoming data stream for the inverted address of the line element or inverts the incoming data stream and scans the inverted incoming data stream for the non-inverted address of the line element. In either case, another line element bearing the same non-inverted address as the line element targeted to enter loopback will not interpret the inverted address as a loopup command. Accordingly, other line elements will not thereby be unintentionally caused to enter loopback mode.

Abstract: An automatic loss compensation for use in a two to four wire hybrid converter in a telephone system. Many hybrid converters provide a substantially fixed gain for receive signals that are provided to the customer loop telephone line and for transmit signals that are provided to the digital carrier transmission line. The compensation circuit includes a measurement circuit, controller, and receive and transmit amplifier. The measurement circuit determines the length of the customer loop telephone line and provides a length signal. The controller receives the length signal and categorizes the length as being within one of a plurality of segments. The controller appropriately varies the amplification and phase of the receive signal, which is then combined with an inverted transmit signal, in order to substantially reduce reflected signals from the transmission line and transmission line termination.