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.

Abstract: Apparatus for communicating data between a transmitter device 16 and a first 51 and a second 52 receiver device, the receiver devices being connected, in use, to the transmitter device via a first 21 and a second 22 pair of wires respectively. Each receiver device is 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 respective receiver device and the transmitter device, and the transmitter device is operable to transmit signals onto the wires at the transmitter ends thereof in order to transmit signals via a direct differential mode to each respective receiver via its respective pair of wires.

Abstract: Apparatus for communicating data between a transmitter device 16 and a first 51 and a second 52 receiver device, the receiver devices being connected, in use, to the transmitter device via a first 21 and a second 22 pair of wires respectively. Each receiver device is 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 respective receiver device and the transmitter device, and the transmitter device is operable to transmit signals onto the wires at the transmitter ends thereof in order to transmit signals via a direct differential mode to each respective receiver via its respective pair of wires.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a method, and a device for performing the method, for allocating power levels to a transmission in a DSL network, the method including: identifying a first and second geographical region as being associated with a subscriber line in the DSL network; defining a first spectral mask having a first set of power levels over a range of frequencies, wherein the first set of power levels are tailored according to a Radio Frequency, RF, environment of the first geographical region; defining a second spectral mask having a second set of power levels over the range of frequencies, wherein the second set of power levels are tailored according to an RF environment of the second geographical region; and constructing a transmit spectral mask for the subscriber line, the transmit spectral mask based on a combination of the first and second spectral masks, including, for each frequency in the range of frequencies, using the minimum power level for that frequency from the first and second spectral masks.

Abstract: A method of transmitting data from a transmitter device to a plurality of receiver devices each of which is connected to the transmitter device via a respective wire connection the method comprising transmitting a common signal onto all or both of the respective wire connections and using a multiple access technique to enable respective virtual data channels to be generated for transmitting data from the transmitter device to each of the receiver devices via its own respective virtual data channel.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a method, and a device for performing the method, for allocating power levels to a transmission in a DSL network, the method including: identifying a first and second geographical region as being associated with a subscriber line in the DSL network; defining a first spectral mask having a first set of power levels over a range of frequencies, wherein the first set of power levels are tailored according to a Radio Frequency, RF, environment of the first geographical region; defining a second spectral mask having a second set of power levels over the range of frequencies, wherein the second set of power levels are tailored according to an RF environment of the second geographical region; and constructing a transmit spectral mask for the subscriber line, the transmit spectral mask based on a combination of the first and second spectral masks, including, for each frequency in the range of frequencies, using the minimum power level for that frequency from the first and second spectral masks.

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: An Initial Profile Application Apparatus (IPAA) is operable to apply an initial profile to a modem pair connection system, the modem pair connection system comprising a first modem, a corresponding second modem and a metallic wire connection, wherein the first and second modems are operable to establish a data connection between themselves over the metallic wire connection. The IPAA comprises: a receiver; an evaluator; a line database; a comparator; a determiner; and an applicator.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for allocating resources in a DSL network, comprising the steps of a first-tier DSL network element receiving a resource requirement of a second-tier DSL subscriber line, the first-tier DSL network element determining a resource requirement of a first-tier DSL subscriber line, and the first-tier DSL network element allocating resources to the first-tier DSL subscriber line based on the resource requirements of the first and second tier DSL subscriber lines.

Abstract: A telecommunications access network includes a plurality of telecommunications lines (1), a plurality of aggregation devices (51-54), a plurality of data collector modules (71-73) and a line provisioning and de-provisioning system (90), wherein each line is connected between customer premises equipment (11-13,21-23,31-33,41-43) and a line aggregation device (51-54). The access network is operable to provide data connections through at least a first sub-set of the lines (1) to a core network whereby network services may be provided over the network to the customer premises equipment. The access network further includes a management module (80) for managing at least a second sub-set of the lines (1) within the access network, the management module (80) being operable to receive aggregated data from a plurality of data collector modules, each data collector module (71-73) being operable to receive data from a plurality of the line aggregation devices.

Abstract: A Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) is modified to monitor when a line synchronizes (i.e. sets up a DSL connection) and to automatically generate a notification to be sent to a management device of the access network if the rate has changed from the last time the line synchronized.

Abstract: A telecommunications access network includes a plurality of telecommunications lines (1), a plurality of aggregation devices (51-54), a plurality of data collector modules (71-73) and a line provisioning and de-provisioning system (90), wherein each line is connected between customer premises equipment (11-13,21-23,31-33,41-43) and a line aggregation device (51-54). The access network is operable to provide data connections through at least a first sub-set of the lines (1) to a core network whereby network services may be provided over the network to the customer premises equipment. The access network further includes a management module (80) for managing at least a second sub-set of the lines (1) within the access network, the management module (80) being operable to receive aggregated data from a plurality of data collector modules, each data collector module (71-73) being operable to receive data from a plurality of the line aggregation devices.

Abstract: Providing an interface device interfacing between an access network and a back-bone network comprises: providing a management device, receiving data readings from a transceiver device indicative of the current or recent line rate of a DSL connection of the access network, and providing the interface device to restrict data flowing to the DSL connection to a new maximum rate selected in accordance with the received data readings from the transceiver device indicative of the current or recent line rate of the DSL connection. When the new maximum rate is greater than the existing maximum rate for the DSL connection at which the interface device is currently provided, the interface device is provisioned (or re-provisioned) only after a delay period. The delay period depends upon the increase amount of in the new maximum rate compared to the existing maximum rate so that the greater the increase, the shorter the delay period.

Abstract: A management device for automatically provisioning a Broadband Remote Access Server (BRAS) for use in connecting Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) to an Internet Protocol (IP) network via a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexor (DSLAM) and the BRAS, the management device comprising: a first interface for receiving from time to time data readings from the DSLAM indicative of the current or recent line rate of the DSL; a processor unit for calculating from the received data readings a consistent rate indicative of a consistent line rate of the DSL based on a plurality of data readings for the DSL from the DSLAM; and a second interface for transmitting provisioning messages to the BRAS for provisioning the BRAS to restrict data flowing to the DSL to a maximum rate selected by the management device in accordance with the calculated consistent rate.

Abstract: A method of provisioning an interface device (40), the interface device 40 interfacing between an access network (19, 20 30) and a back-bone network (50), the access network including a Digital Subscriber Line, DSL, connection (16, 18, 19, 20) to an end user (terminal 14) and a transceiver device (20) including a DSL transceiver for modulating and demodulating signals sent to and from the end user terminal (14) over the DSL connection, the arrangement of the network apparatus being such that data from a device (62) connected to the back-bone network (50) which is destined for the end user terminal (14) passes through the interface device (40) and then through the access network (30) and wherein the interface device (40) is operable to constrain the rate of flow of data from the backbone network (50) through the interface device (40) towards the end user terminal (14) to a predetermined maximum rate specified for the end user terminal (14).

Abstract: A Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) is modified to monitor when a line synchronizes (i.e. sets up a DSL connection) and to automatically generate a notification to be sent to a management device of the access network if the rate has changed from the last time the line synchronized.

Abstract: A management device for automatically provisioning a Broadband Remote Access Server (BRAS) for use in connecting Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) to an Internet Protocol (IP) network via a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexor (DSLAM) and the BRAS, the management device comprising: a first interface for receiving from time to time data readings from the DSLAM indicative of the current or recent line rate of the DSL; a processor unit for calculating from the received data readings a consistent rate indicative of a consistent line rate of the DSL based on a plurality of data readings for the DSL from the DSLAM; and a second interface for transmitting provisioning messages to the BRAS for provisioning the BRAS to restrict data flowing to the DSL to a maximum rate selected by the management device in accordance with the calculated consistent rate.