Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for communicating in a telecommunication system. In particular methods and apparatus are disclosed for establishing communications in a telecommunication system having an access node (16) and a plurality of Digital Subscriber Lines (DSLs) (21, 22, 23) each of which may be used to allow communication between the access node (16) and a respective Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) device (51, 52, 53), where communications on a plurality of lines (21, 21) are being performed using vectoring, and where it is desired to add one or more new lines (23) to the existing vectoring group.

Abstract: A system for transmitting data to a first and a second user device within a user's premises, the system including a distribution point having an aggregation device comprising a plurality of access network modems and having a plurality of lines connected thereto, a splitter device connected to the aggregation point 10 via one of the lines connected thereto and being located within the user's premises, a first connection between the splitter device and a first customer premises equipment modem, the first customer premises equipment modem being connected to the first user device, and a second connection between the splitter device and a second customer premises equipment modem, the second customer premises equipment modem being connected to the second user device, wherein the aggregation device is operable to transmit data for the first device via a first one of the plurality of modems in the aggregation device, the splitter device and the first customer premises equipment modem using a Digital Subscriber Line p

Abstract: A digital subscriber line transceiver for transmitting data over a twisted metallic pair using an orthogonal frequency division multiplex technique and employing a time division duplex mode of operation is operable to adopt a plurality of different framing structures including a first framing structure having a frame duration equal to a first predetermined frame duration period and including a downstream set of symbols and an upstream set of symbols, with gaps after each set of symbols summing to a total gap duration of one symbol duration. The different framing structures further include a second framing structure having a frame duration equal to the first predetermined frame duration period and including first and second downstream sets of symbols, first and second upstream sets of symbols and gaps after each of these sets of symbols summing to a total gap duration of an integer number of one or more symbol durations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of transmitting data from a transmitter device to one or more receiver devices, each of the one or more receiver devices being connected to the transmitter device via a respective wire connection, the transmitter device being operable to transmit signals onto the wire connections over one or more different channels, the method comprising: iteratively performing steps (i) to (iii) until one or more criteria are satisfied, thereby determining current transmission powers for transmitting data, wherein: step (i) comprises determining values of a first function depending on one or more channel properties; step (ii) comprises, using the determined value of the first function, determining transmission powers for transmitting data; and step (iii) comprises determining whether or not the determined transmission powers satisfy one or more criteria; and thereafter transmitting data at the current transmission powers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting data from a transmitter device to one or more receiver devices, each of which is connected to the transmitter device via a respective wire connection, the transmitter device being operable to transmit signals onto the wire connections over different channels, the method comprising, for each channel: determining a value of a first function which is a function of a power mask for transmitting the data over the channels; determining a value of a second function which is a function of an upper bound for a channel capacity of the channel; determining a value of a third function, the third function being a function of the first and second functions; using the determined value of the third function, determining a transmission power for that channel; and transmitting, by the transmitter device, data over that channel at the transmission power determined for that channel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for communicating in a telecommunication system. In particular methods and apparatus are disclosed for establishing communications in a telecommunication system having an access node (16) and a plurality of Digital Subscriber Lines (DSLs) (21, 22, 23) each of which may be used to allow communication between the access node (16) and a respective Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) device (51, 52, 53), where communications on a plurality of lines (21, 21) are being performed using vectoring, and where it is desired to add one or more new lines (23) to the existing vectoring group.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of estimating an electrical length of a line, which is the signal loss measured at a predetermined frequency such as 1 MHz, compensated for impairments on the line. Firstly, the H log(f) data representing the attenuation plotted against frequency is gathered for the line. Secondly, data transformation is performed on the H log(f) data, such as by dividing by the square root of frequency. This compensates for changes in the loss as a function of frequency, allowing values of the loss from a broader range of frequencies to be used. Thirdly, data spike removal is performed on the transformed data, removing spikes that can arise from a number of factors such as excessive noise. The resulting data is then used to estimate a value for compensated k10.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting data from a transmitter device to one or more receiver devices, each of which is connected to the transmitter device via a respective wire connection, the transmitter device being operable to transmit signals onto the wire connections over different channels, the method comprising, for each channel: determining a value of a first function which is a function of a power mask for transmitting the data over the channels; determining a value of a second function which is a function of an upper bound for a channel capacity of the channel; determining a value of a third function, the third function being a function of the first and second functions; using the determined value of the third function, determining a transmission power for that channel; and transmitting, by the transmitter device, data over that channel at the transmission power determined for that channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of transmitting data from a transmitter device to one or more receiver devices, each of the one or more receiver devices being connected to the transmitter device via a respective wire connection, the transmitter device being operable to transmit signals onto the wire connections over one or more different channels, the method comprising: iteratively performing steps (i) to (iii) until one or more criteria are satisfied, thereby determining current transmission powers for transmitting data, wherein: step (i) comprises determining values of a first function depending on one or more channel properties; step (ii) comprises, using the determined value of the first function, determining transmission powers for transmitting data; and step (iii) comprises determining whether or not the determined transmission powers satisfy one or more criteria; and thereafter transmitting data at the current transmission powers.

Abstract: The invention is a method of estimating an electrical length of a line, which is the signal loss measured at 1 MHz, compensated for impairments on the line. Firstly, the H log(f) data representing the attenuation plotted against frequency is gathered for the line. Secondly, data transformation is performed on the H log(f) data, preferably by dividing by the square root of frequency. This compensates for changes in the loss as a function of frequency, allowing values of the loss from a broader range of frequencies to be used. Thirdly, data spike removal is performed on the transformed data, removing spikes that can arise from a number of factors such as excessive noise. The resulting data is then used to estimate a value for compensated kl0.

Abstract: An access network includes a twisted metallic pair connection over which data may be transmitted in accordance with a digital subscriber line protocol of transmission. The access network further includes an access network modem connected to the twisted metallic pair connection which is operable to transmit and receive signals thereover, in accordance with a digital subscriber line protocol of transmission. The access network further comprises a broadband speed estimation tool including a web server and/or an order processing sub-system 1120 and a line length, further deployment factors and speed determiner module 1170. The access network further comprises a line management subsystem which determines an appropriate value for each of one or more configuration parameters associated with the operation of the access network modem in dependence upon an estimated data rate and causes the access network modem to operate in accordance with the determined value or values of the configuration parameters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting data from a transmitter device to one or more receiver devices, each of the one or more receiver devices being connected to the transmitter device via a respective wire connection, the transmitter device being operable to transmit signals onto the wire connections over one or more different channels, the method comprising, for each of the one or more different channels: determining a value of a function S˜mj,j, dependent on an upper bound for a channel capacity of the one or more channels and a channel gain of the jth channel; determining a transmission power Smj,j, for transmitting data along that channel based on S˜mj,j; and transmitting, by the transmitter device, data over that channel to one or more of the receiver devices, the data being transmitted at the transmission power Smj,j determined for that channel.

Abstract: An aggregation device is arranged to receive a plurality of lines each of which is connected to a user premises and wherein one of the user premises is a multi-terminating-point enabled premises and includes a splitter device connected to the line and at least two distinct terminating points each of which is connected to the splitter device via an in-premises connection and is operable to terminate a two part connection between the respective terminating point and the aggregation device via the splitter device, and the aggregation device includes a transmitter portion, a memory, determination means, and selection means.

Abstract: A network node for use in a hybrid fiber-copper access network, wherein the node includes DSL and reverse-power feed functionality. The node has a substantially cylindrical shape such that it receives an input metallic cable at a first end, an output metallic cable at a second end and an optical fiber cable which is received at a point along the body of the node.

Abstract: A digital subscriber line transceiver for transmitting data over a twisted metallic pair using an orthogonal frequency division multiplex technique and employing a time division duplex mode of operation is operable to adopt a plurality of different framing structures including a first framing structure having a frame duration equal to a first predetermined frame duration period and including a downstream set of symbols and an upstream set of symbols, with gap after each set of symbols summing to a total gap duration of one symbol duration. The different framing structures further include a second framing structure having a frame duration equal to the first predetermined frame duration period and including first and second downstream sets of symbols, first and second upstream sets of symbols and gaps after each of these sets of symbols summing to a total gap duration of an integer number of one or more symbol durations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting data from a transmitter device to one or more receiver devices, each of the one or more receiver devices being connected to the transmitter device via a respective wire connection, the transmitter device being operable to transmit signals onto the wire connections over one or more different channels, the method comprising, for each of the one or more different channels: determining a value of a function S˜mj,j, dependent on an upper bound for a channel capacity of the one or more channels and a channel gain of the jth channel; determining a transmission power Smj,j, for transmitting data along that channel based on S˜mj,j; and transmitting, by the transmitter device, data over that channel to one or more of the receiver devices, the data being transmitted at the transmission power Smj,j determined for that channel.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a method of controlling an Access Network including a plurality of Digital Subscriber Line, DSL, connections, and an Access Network node for performing the method, wherein the method includes: receiving data relating to an event on a DSL connection, the data indicating a factor contributing to the event; and a Dynamic Line Management, DLM, engine, residing in the Access Network, responding to the event, wherein the DLM engine response is dependent on the factor contributing to the event.

Abstract: A network node for use in a hybrid fiber-copper access network, wherein the node includes DSL and reverse-power feed functionality. The node has a substantially cylindrical shape such that it receives an input metallic cable at a first end, an output metallic cable at a second end and an optical fiber cable which is received at a point along the body of the node.

Abstract: An aggregation device is arranged to receive a plurality of lines each of which is connected to a user premises and wherein one of the user premises is a multi-terminating-point enabled premises and includes a splitter device connected to the line and at least two distinct terminating points each of which is connected to the splitter device via an in-premises connection and is operable to terminate a two part connection between the respective terminating point and the aggregation device via the splitter device, and the aggregation device includes a transmitter portion, a memory, determination means, and selection means.

Abstract: A digital subscriber line arrangement includes a first downstream Access Node (AN) modem, a first upstream Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) modem, a second AN modem, a second CPE modem and first and second metallic pairs connected between the first and second modems, respectively. The first AN modem includes a length estimation module and a PSD mask selection module which together with a PSD mask store operate to select upstream and downstream PSD masks for use by the first CPE modem and the first AN modem, respectively. Selection of the masks depends upon the estimated line length and the manner in which neighboring communication link is operating. Additionally, a central controller is operable to perform selection or generation of such masks in a similar manner when centralized control over the PSD mask generation is desired.