Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting data in a communication system including a transmitter and receivers, each receiver being connected to the transmitter via a communication channel, the method including: precoding the data for transmission on the channels to provide first precoded data; using the first precoded data, for each channel, computing a number of bits to be allocated to that channel; determining that the bit allocation does not satisfy one or more criteria; ranking the channels in an order based on channel properties; discarding for use as a direct channel, one or more channels based on the ranking; precoding the data for transmission on the channels accounting for the discarded channels to provide second precoded data; and transmitting, by the transmitter, the second precoded data on the channels.

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 transmitter for transmitting data, using a discrete multi-tone modulation technique, to one or more receiver devices, each of which is connected to the transmitter device via at least one respective pair of wires, each receiver device being operable to receive signals detected as a change over time in the potential difference across the local ends of each respective pair of wires extending between the receiver and the transmitter device, is operable to transmit signals onto the wires extending between the transmitter device and the one or more receiver devices in a plurality of different modes, over a plurality of different channels, the different modes including phantom and differential modes and the different channels including a first set of phantom channels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting data from a transmitter device to one or more receiver devices connected to the transmitter device via a respective wire connection, the transmitter device being operable to transmit signals onto the wire connections and a further wire connection at different tones, the method comprising: for each tone, measuring electromagnetic coupling between the further wire connection and each of the wire connections and using the measurements, identifying a wire connection that most strongly receives crosstalk interference from the further wire connection; based on the identifications, for each tones, allocating signals transmitted on the further wire connection as supporting signals for a particular wire connection; transmitting a first signal onto the particular wire connection that has been allocated a supporting signal; and transmitting a second signal onto the further wire connection, thereby to cause crosstalk interference in the particular wire connection transmitting the f

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting data from a transmitter device to one or more receiver devices connected to the transmitter device via a respective wire connection, the transmitter device being operable to transmit signals onto the wire connections and a further wire connection at different tones, the method comprising: for each tone, allocating signals transmitted on the further wire connection as supporting signals for a particular wire connection, and measuring electromagnetic coupling between the further wire connection and that particular wire connection; using the measurements, determining a power allocation for transmitting a supporting signal on the further wire connection; for one or more of the tones: transmitting a signal onto the particular wire connection, and transmitting a supporting signal onto the further wire connection at the determined transmission power, thereby to cause crosstalk interference in the particular wire connection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting data from a transmitter device to one or more receiver devices connected to the transmitter device via a respective wire connection, the transmitter device being operable to transmit signals onto the wire connections and a further wire connection at different tones, the method comprising: for each tone, measuring electromagnetic coupling between the further wire connection and each of the wire connections and using the measurements, identifying a wire connection that most strongly receives crosstalk interference from the further wire connection; based on the identifications, for each tones, allocating signals transmitted on the further wire connection as supporting signals for a particular wire connection; transmitting a first signal onto the particular wire connection that has been allocated a supporting signal; and transmitting a second signal onto the further wire connection, thereby to cause crosstalk interference in the particular wire connection transmitting the f

Abstract: A telecommunications access network comprises a primary aggregation point in the form of an exchange, a plurality of optic fiber to metallic pair interface aggregation points which may be in the form of Distribution Point Units (DPUs) each of which is connected to the primary aggregation point by a respective optical fiber connection, and a plurality of terminating devices which may be in the form of customer premises equipment (CPE) devices, each of which is connected to a respective one of the optic fiber to metallic pair interface aggregation points by a respective twisted metallic pair connection. The access network further includes a plurality of metallic, interface-interface connections between one or more pairs of the optic fiber to metallic pair interface aggregation points. Each metallic, interface-interface connection preferably comprises three or more twisted metallic pairs of wires.

Abstract: A set of data signals is transmitted over at least three pairs of wires. The data signals comprise a first and second subsets of data signals. A first set of transmission signals, each transmission signal in the first set of transmission signals being derived from a combination of all of the data signals in the first subset of data signals, is generated. A second set of transmission signals, each transmission signal in the second set of transmission signals being derived from a single respective one of the data signals in the second subset of data signals, is generated. Each of the transmission signals in the first set is transmitted in a common mode over a respective one of the plurality of pairs of wires. Each of the transmission signals in the second set is transmitted over a respective one of the plurality of pairs of wires in a differential mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for selectively controlling a carry mode for holograms presented in mixed-reality environments and for providing leashing buffers for the holograms. The carry mode enables holograms to be functionally moved within a single mixed-reality environment, and out into one or more different mixed-reality environments. The carry mode can be automatically applied to holograms created within the mixed-reality environment. The carry mode can also be applied responsive to user input applied to world-locked holograms, which triggers a switch from the world-locked mode to the carry mode from. Holograms can also be leashed for persistently displaying holograms associated with or linked to a user in the mixed-reality environment to provide the user increased accessibility to the hologram while navigating within and without a particular mixed-reality environment. Selectable options are presented with a hologram in carry mode for switching from the carry mode to the world-locked mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting data in a communication system including a transmitter and receivers, each receiver being connected to the transmitter via a communication channel, the method including: precoding the data for transmission on the channels to provide first precoded data; using the first precoded data, for each channel, computing a number of bits to be allocated to that channel; determining that the bit allocation does not satisfy one or more criteria; ranking the channels in an order based on channel properties; discarding for use as a direct channel, one or more channels based on the ranking; precoding the data for transmission on the channels accounting for the discarded channels to provide second precoded data; and transmitting, by the transmitter, the second precoded data on the channels.

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: Systems and methods are provided for selectively controlling a carry mode for holograms presented in mixed-reality environments and for providing leashing buffers for the holograms. The carry mode enables holograms to be functionally moved within a single mixed-reality environment, and out into one or more different mixed-reality environments. The carry mode can be automatically applied to holograms created within the mixed-reality environment. The carry mode can also be applied responsive to user input applied to world-locked holograms, which triggers a switch from the world-locked mode to the carry mode from. Holograms can also be leashed for persistently displaying holograms associated with or linked to a user in the mixed-reality environment to provide the user increased accessibility to the hologram while navigating within and without a particular mixed-reality environment. Selectable options are presented with a hologram in carry mode for switching from the carry mode to the world-locked mode.

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 transmitter for transmitting data, using a discrete multi-tone modulation technique, to one or more receiver devices, each of which is connected to the transmitter device via at least one respective pair of wires, each receiver device being operable to receive signals detected as a change over time in the potential difference across the local ends of each respective pair of wires extending between the receiver and the transmitter device, is operable to transmit signals onto the wires extending between the transmitter device and the one or more receiver devices in a plurality of different modes, over a plurality of different channels, the different modes including phantom and differential modes and the different channels including a first set of phantom channels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting data from a transmitter device to one or more receiver devices connected to the transmitter device via a respective wire connection, the transmitter device being operable to transmit signals onto the wire connections and a further wire connection at different tones, the method comprising: for each tone, allocating signals transmitted on the further wire connection as supporting signals for a particular wire connection, and measuring electromagnetic coupling between the further wire connection and that particular wire connection; using the measurements, determining a power allocation for transmitting a supporting signal on the further wire connection; for one or more of the tones: transmitting a signal onto the particular wire connection, and transmitting a supporting signal onto the further wire connection at the determined transmission power, thereby to cause crosstalk interference in the particular wire connection.

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 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