Abstract: A circuit and method for maintaining switch-hook detection (SHD) in the presence of a fault in a telephone system may include a comparison of one of a tip current and a ring current to a reference current. A switch-hook detection indicates that a request for service has been made. The reference current may be a conventional switch-hook detection threshold current, I.sub.SHD, times a factor (G.sub.0 +1).sup.-1, where G.sub.0 is the predetermined operating gain of the amplifier in the telephone subscriber line interface circuit. The line current may be reduced in response to detection of a fault in the telephone system without affecting the determination whether a request for service has being made.

Abstract: A circuit and method for sensing in current mode when a telephone has been answered in a telephone system in which an answer is indicated when a dc component of a signal across a resistor exceeds a predetermined reference current. Currents sensed at the terminals of the resistor are combined to provide a third current that includes the dc component, without attenuation of the dc component. A filter separates the dc component from the third current so that the dc component can be compared to the reference current.

Abstract: A method and circuit for loopback testing a telephone subscriber line interface circuit (SLIC) includes current sources connected to each of tip and ring circuits from which switch-hook is detected in the SLIC. A loopback test of the SLIC is conducted when the telephone is on-hook and is successful when the current from the current sources simulates a switch-hook detection, The current sources may also be used during on-hook transmission. A ground key detect circuit in the SLIC may be used to verify a successful loopback test by using current from the current sources in the ground key detect circuit to check for a grounded ring circuit in the SLIC.