Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for swapping span power modules that are used for supplying power to network interface units (NIUs). A span power module in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has logic capable of communicating with logic of another span power module. When one module is to be swapped for the other module, the module being swapped-in is configured to automatically disable the other module shortly after it has powered up and is supplying electrical power across a span line. The amount of time that both modules supply power to the span line is sufficiently small such that damage to electrical communication equipment receiving power from the span line is prevented.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a first device for communicating over a digital-subscriber-line (DSL) line comprises a digital-subscriber-line transceiver to transmit and receive data over the DSL link. A set of one or more performance parameters are associated with the DSL link by which the quality of the DSL link can be determined. The first device further comprises a controller coupled to the digital-subscriber-line transceiver. The controller causes a non-intrusive transmitter adjustment operation to be performed by the digital-subscriber-line transceiver.

Abstract: A method for processing cells at a user-network interface with automatic identification of virtual circuit identifiers and a testing function is provided. The method includes distinguishing the source of the cell. When the cell is from a first source, the method tests the cell against at least one selected criteria. When at least one test determines the cell is invalid, the cell is marked. When the tests determine that the cell is valid, the method translates a virtual circuit identifier to a default setting and forwards the cell to a queue for further processing.

Abstract: A system for extending the effective distance of digital subscriber line service is provided. The system includes a central office terminal having a data interface and a plurality of line units. The system further includes at least one communication link, coupled to one of the plurality of line units, that carries signals using digital subscriber line service and at least one remote access multiplexer, coupled to the at least one communication link. The at least one remote access multiplexer includes a plurality of ports that are adapted to provide digital subscriber line service. The remote access multiplexer is adapted to multiplex signals between the plurality of ports and the at least one communication link. Further, the at least one remote access multiplexer is located at a distance from the central office terminal so as to provide digital subscriber line service to user terminals that are located more than 12 kilofeet from the central office terminal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for testing components in ATM networks utilizing loop-back based ATM layer testing. The method and apparatus utilize interfaces and identifier codes to send and loop-back test cells along portions of virtual channels to test the virtual channels.

Abstract: A method of automatic permanent virtual circuit connection activation is provided. The method includes detects initiation of communication between a first and a second network element at a first reference point. The method further receives at least one virtual circuit identifier of the first network element and learning at least one virtual circuit identifier of the second network element. In addition, the method creates a translation connection between the first and second network elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for testing components in ATM networks utilizing loop-back based ATM layer testing. The method and apparatus utilize interfaces and identifier codes to send and loop-back test cells along portions of virtual channels to test the virtual channels.

Abstract: A integrated access device in a communication network. The integrated access device in one embodiment includes a network port, a plurality of telephony ports, a data port and communication circuit. The network port is adapted to provide dynamic time division multiplex (TDM) interface to a communication network. The plurality of telephony ports are adapted to provide telephony service to subscriber premises equipment. The data port is adapted to provide digital subscriber line (DSL) service to subscriber premises equipment. The communication circuit is coupled to the network port, the plurality of telephony ports and the data port. Moreover, the communication circuit is adapted to carry voice and data signals between the network port and the plurality of telephony ports and the data port. In addition, the integrated access device is line powered over the network port.

Abstract: A method for processing cells at a user-network interface with automatic identification of virtual circuit identifiers and a testing function is provided. The method includes distinguishing the source of the cell. When the cell is from a first source, the method tests the cell against at least one selected criteria. When at least one test determines the cell is invalid, the cell is marked. When the tests determine that the cell is valid, the method translates a virtual circuit identifier to a default setting and forwards the cell to a queue for further processing.

Abstract: Methods for bit-level control of dynamic bandwidth allocation are adapted for use in multi-node channelized transport systems. A single status bit is used to indicate the desired allocation status of each transport channel for which dynamic allocation is permitted or desired. The status bit has a first logic level indicative of a desire to have a first allocation status, such as allocated for data traffic, and a second logic level indicative of a desire to have a second allocation status, such as allocated for voice traffic. The status bit may be repeated multiple times within a frame to mitigate the effects of transmission errors. The values of the status bit or bits can be maintained across node boundaries without regard to the framing mechanisms or multiplexing techniques used by the transport system, thus permitting dynamic bandwidth allocation beyond the local loop.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for testing components in ATM networks utilizing loop-back based ATM layer testing. The method and apparatus utilize interfaces and identifier codes to send and loop-back test cells along portions of virtual channels to test the virtual channels.

Abstract: A integrated access device in a communication network. The integrated access device in one embodiment includes a network port, a plurality of telephony ports, a data port and communication circuit. The network port is adapted to provide dynamic time division multiplex (TDM) interface to a communication network. The plurality of telephony ports are adapted to provide telephony service to subscriber premises equipment. The data port is adapted to provide digital subscriber line (DSL) service to subscriber premises equipment. The communication circuit is coupled to the network port, the plurality of telephony ports and the data port. Moreover, the communication circuit is adapted to carry voice and data signals between the network port and the plurality of telephony ports and the data port. In addition, the integrated access device is line powered over the network port.

Abstract: A system for extending the effective distance of digital subscriber line service is provided. The system includes a central office terminal having a data interface and a plurality of line units. The system further includes at least one communication link, coupled to one of the plurality of line units, that carries signals using digital subscriber line service and at least one remote access multiplexer, coupled to the at least one communication link. The at least one remote access multiplexer includes a plurality of ports that are adapted to provide digital subscriber line service. The remote access multiplexer is adapted to multiplex signals between the plurality of ports and the at least one communication link. Further, the at least one remote access multiplexer is located at a distance from the central office terminal so as to provide digital subscriber line service to user terminals that are located more than 12 kilofeet from the central office terminal.

Abstract: Methods for bit-level control of dynamic bandwidth allocation are adapted for use in multi-node channelized transport systems. A single status bit is used to indicate the desired allocation status of each transport channel for which dynamic allocation is permitted or desired. The status bit has a first logic level indicative of a desire to have a first allocation status, such as allocated for data traffic, and a second logic level indicative of a desire to have a second allocation status, such as allocated for voice traffic. The status bit may be repeated multiple times within a frame to mitigate the effects of transmission errors. The values of the status bit or bits can be maintained across node boundaries without regard to the framing mechanisms or multiplexing techniques used by the transport system, thus permitting dynamic bandwidth allocation beyond the local loop.

Abstract: A method of automatic permanent virtual circuit connection activation is provided. The method includes detects initiation of communication between a first and a second network element at a first reference point. The method further receives at least one virtual circuit identifier of the first network element and learning at least one virtual circuit identifier of the second network element. In addition, the method creates a translation connection between the first and second network elements.

Abstract: In an optical fiber telecommunications network for providing both narrowband telephony signals and broadband video services over a single optical fiber using a single optical carrier, an optical distribution shelf includes a plurality of optical distribution units and interface units for interfacing with a controlling microprocessor. The optical distribution units receive baseband TDM telephony signals in serial format and the broadband video signals and function to frequency division multiplex the broadband video signals with the baseband telephony signals. The multiplexed signal is used to frequency modulate an optical carrier for transmission on a single optical fiber.

Abstract: In a signal transmission network, such as a data network, having a multiple access bus topology (12) in which many nodes reside and communicate over the same bus, and wherein electrically isolated and/or physically different signal transmission media (17,18,19) are encompassed by the bus (12), and wherein a common protocol is used across the entire network; a multidirectional repeater (10) repeats signals from any one of the signal transmission media to one or more of the other signal transmission media, thereby providing a contiguous logical bus across the different signal transmission media. The multidirectional repeater (10) uses logic transitions, e.g.

Abstract: In an optical fiber telecommunications network for providing both narrowband telephony signals and broadband video services over a single optical fiber using a single optical carrier, an optical distribution shelf includes a plurality of optical distribution units and interface units for interfacing with a controlling microprocessor. The optical distribution units receive baseband TDM telephony signals in serial format and the broadband video signals and function to frequency division multiplex the broadband video signals with the baseband telephony signals. The multiplexed signal is used to frequency modulate an optical carrier for transmission on a single optical fiber.

Abstract: A system for determining the physical location of a home terminal unit senses that a cable carries a communication signal from a home terminal unit to an optical network unit. The system includes the home terminal unit, the optical network unit, and a cable that connects the home terminal unit to the optical network unit. Additionally, energy detection circuitry associates with the cable to detect the presence of a communication signal on the cable and generates a detection signal in response to detecting the energy on the cable. Status circuitry for reading the detection signal connects with the energy detection circuitry and communicates the detection signal from the energy detection circuitry to the telecommunications network.