Abstract: A system and method for managing resources in a distributed xDSL modem pool arrangement including a first number of front-end modules and a second number of back-end modules. In a preferred embodiment, when a back-end module identifies that its associated call session has entered idle-mode, idle-mode processing is performed in a manner which reduces processing load and electrical power consumption but does not result in a loss of synchronization or require retraining. A repetitively transmitted single modulated symbol transmitted from a user terminal device coupled to the modem pool indicates idle periods in user data. In the preferred embodiment, the modulated symbol to be transmitted is selected such that its spectral properties match those of user data modulated symbols.

Abstract: A system and method for managing resources in a distributed Voice-over-IP (VoIP) speech coder pool arrangement including multiple speech coders each comprised of a first number of front-end modules and a second number of back-end modules. Each call session has assigned thereto a front-end module and a back-end module cooperatively functioning as a speech coder. In a preferred embodiment, voice samples are passed through the assigned front-end module to the back-end module where they are encoded and placed as speech frames on the IP network. As soon as absence of speech is detected by a Voice Activity Detector (which may or may not be shared by multiple front-end modules), processing is handed over to the front-end module freeing up the back-end module to sit idle resulting in reduced power consumption. In alternate embodiment, the freed-up back-end module is reassigned to a new VoIP call session for maximum resource utilization.