US6226331B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Data access arrangement for a digital subscriber line
Assignee: IXYS Integrated Circuits Division Inc
•
Filing: 1999-09-23
•
Granted: 2001-05-01
•
Expires: 2019-09-23
Abstract
Abstract An improved line interface device and an improved xDSL modem for use in connecting data communications equipment to a xDSL line is disclosed. The line interface device provides the required isolation between the xDSL line and the communications equipment using optical isolation or capacitive techniques, as well as provides the power necessary to produce the transmit signal levels required by the communications services by utilizing a switching power supply deriving its power from a source isolated from the line, and including a transformer for isolating the source from the xDSL line. By switching at high frequencies the size of the transformer can be sufficiently small so that the interface device and supply can be provided in accordance with small form factor requirements.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Gambuzza
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:34
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L25/00; H04L25/02; H04L25/0264; H04L25/0266; H04L25/0272; H04L5/00; H04L5/0001; H04L5/0003; H04L5/0005; H04L5/0007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 60
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
An isolated line interface device for coupling a data communications device to a data communications medium of the type having insufficient operating power levels to provide operating power to said interface device components on the medium side of the interface device, said isolated line interface device comprising: an interface defining an isolation barrier between the device and the medium; a transmit amplifier stage constructed and arranged so as to transmit signals received from the device through the isolation barrier over the medium; a receive amplifier stage constructed and arranged so as to receive signals from the medium and transmit the received signals through the barrier to the communication device; and a switching power supply including a power isolation barrier constructed and arranged so as to transmit a power signal from a source independent of the medium to the transmit and receive amplifier stages so as to power the stages independent of signal transmission through the medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
An isolated line interface device for coupling a data communications device to a data communications medium of the type having insufficient operating power levels to provide operating power to said interface device components on the medium side of the interface device, said isolated line interface device comprising: an interface defining an isolation barrier between the device and the medium; a transmit amplifier stage constructed and arranged so as to transmit signals received from the device through the isolation barrier over the medium; a receive amplifier stage constructed and arranged so as to receive signals from the medium and transmit the received signals through the barrier to the communication device; and a switching power supply including a power isolation barrier constructed and arranged so as to transmit a power signal from a source independent of the medium to the transmit and receive amplifier stages so as to power the stages independent of signal transmission through the medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An interface device according to claim 1 , wherein the interface is an optical interface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An interface device according to claim 1 , wherein the power supply is a resonant mode switching power supply.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An interface device according to claim 1 , wherein the power isolation barrier includes a transformer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
An interface device according to claim 4 , wherein the transformer is a step up transformer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
An interface device according to claim 4 , wherein the switching power supply is operated at a high frequency so as to reduce the size of the transformer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
An interface device according to claim 1 , wherein the medium is an xDSL line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
An interface device according to claim 1 , wherein the medium is an ADSL line.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
An interface device according to claim 1 , wherein the voltage provided by said power supply to the amplifier stages is on the order of ±5VDC.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
An interface device according to claim 9 , wherein the input voltage provided to said power supply is ±3.3VDC.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
An interface device according to claim 10 , wherein the input voltage provided to said power supply is ±5VDC.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
An interface device according to claim 1 , wherein the interface is a capacitive interface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
An interface device according to claim 12 , wherein the capacitive interface is formed in silicon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
An interface device according to claim 1 , wherein the isolation barriers provide isolation of at least 1500V.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
167 words
A modem assembly comprising: a data pump; and an isolated line interface device constructed and arranged so as to couple the modem to a data communications medium of the type having insufficient operating power levels to provide operating power to said interface device components on the medium side of the interface device, the isolated line interface device comprising: an interface defining an isolation barrier between the device and the medium; a transmit amplifier stage constructed and arranged so as to transmit signals received from the device through the isolation barrier over the medium; a receive amplifier stage constructed and arranged so as to receive signals from the medium and transmit the received signals through the barrier to the communication device; and a switching power supply including a power isolation barrier constructed and arranged so as to transmit a power signal from a source independent of the medium to the transmit and receive amplifier stages so as to power the stages independent of signal transmission through the medium.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
167 words
A modem assembly comprising: a data pump; and an isolated line interface device constructed and arranged so as to couple the modem to a data communications medium of the type having insufficient operating power levels to provide operating power to said interface device components on the medium side of the interface device, the isolated line interface device comprising: an interface defining an isolation barrier between the device and the medium; a transmit amplifier stage constructed and arranged so as to transmit signals received from the device through the isolation barrier over the medium; a receive amplifier stage constructed and arranged so as to receive signals from the medium and transmit the received signals through the barrier to the communication device; and a switching power supply including a power isolation barrier constructed and arranged so as to transmit a power signal from a source independent of the medium to the transmit and receive amplifier stages so as to power the stages independent of signal transmission through the medium.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A modem assembly according to claim 15 , wherein the interface is an optical interface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
A modem assembly according to claim 15 , wherein the power supply is a resonant mode switching power supply.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
A modem assembly according to claim 15 , wherein the power isolation barrier includes a transformer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
A modem assembly according to claim 18 , wherein the transformer is a step up transformer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
A modem assembly according to claim 18 , wherein the switching power supply is operated at a high frequency so as to reduce the size of the transformer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
A modem assembly according to claim 16 , wherein the medium is an xDSL line.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
A modem assembly according to claim 16 , wherein the medium is an ADSL line.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
A modem assembly according to claim 16 , wherein the voltage provided by said power supply to the amplifier stages is on the order of ±15VDC.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
A modem assembly according to claim 23 , wherein the input voltage provided to said power supply is ±3.3VDC.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
A modem assembly according to claim 24 , wherein the input voltage provided to said power supply is ±5VDC.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
A modem assembly according to claim 15 , wherein the interface is a capacitive interface.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
A modem assembly according to claim 26 , wherein the capacitive interface is formed in silicon.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
A modem assembly according to claim 15 , wherein said isolation barriers provide isolation of at least 1500V.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of coupling a data communications device to a data communications medium of the type having insufficient operating power levels using an isolated interface device so as to provide operating power to said interface device components on the medium side of the interface device, the method comprising: providing an interface defining an isolation barrier between the device and the medium; transmitting any signals received from the device through the isolation barrier over the medium; receiving any signals from the medium and transmitting the received signals through the barrier to the communication device; and using a switching power supply including a power isolation barrier for transmitting a power signal from a source independent of the medium to the transmit and receive amplifier stages so as to power the stages independent of signal transmission through the medium.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of coupling a data communications device to a data communications medium of the type having insufficient operating power levels using an isolated interface device so as to provide operating power to said interface device components on the medium side of the interface device, the method comprising: providing an interface defining an isolation barrier between the device and the medium; transmitting any signals received from the device through the isolation barrier over the medium; receiving any signals from the medium and transmitting the received signals through the barrier to the communication device; and using a switching power supply including a power isolation barrier for transmitting a power signal from a source independent of the medium to the transmit and receive amplifier stages so as to power the stages independent of signal transmission through the medium.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 29 , wherein the interface is an optical interface.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 29 , wherein the power supply is a resonant mode switching power supply.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 29 , wherein the power isolation barrier includes a transformer.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 32 , wherein the transformer is a step up transformer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 32 , wherein the switching power supply is operated at a high frequency so as to reduce the size of the transformer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 29 , wherein the medium is an xDSL line.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 29 , wherein the medium is an ADSL line.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 29 , wherein the voltage provided by said power supply to the amplifier stages is on the order of ±15VDC.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 37 , wherein the input voltage provided to said power supply is ±3.3VDC.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 38 , wherein the input voltage provided to said power supply is ±5VDC.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 38 , wherein the interface is a capacitive interface.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 40 , wherein the capacitive interface is formed in silicon.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 38 , wherein the isolation barriers provide isolation of at least 1500V.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of coupling an modem to a data communications medium through an isolated line interface device, wherein the medium is of the type having insufficient operating power levels to provide operating power to the interface device, the method comprising: using the isolated line interface device to couple the modem to the data communications medium such that the interface is used to define an isolation barrier between the device and the medium; a transmit amplifier stage is used to transmit signals received from the device through the isolation barrier over the medium; a receive amplifier stage is used to receive signals from the medium and transmit the received signals through the barrier to the communication device; and connecting a switching power supply through a power isolation barrier so that a power signal is transmitted from a source independent of the medium to the transmit and receive amplifier stages so as to power the stages independent of signal transmission through the medium.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of coupling an modem to a data communications medium through an isolated line interface device, wherein the medium is of the type having insufficient operating power levels to provide operating power to the interface device, the method comprising: using the isolated line interface device to couple the modem to the data communications medium such that the interface is used to define an isolation barrier between the device and the medium; a transmit amplifier stage is used to transmit signals received from the device through the isolation barrier over the medium; a receive amplifier stage is used to receive signals from the medium and transmit the received signals through the barrier to the communication device; and connecting a switching power supply through a power isolation barrier so that a power signal is transmitted from a source independent of the medium to the transmit and receive amplifier stages so as to power the stages independent of signal transmission through the medium.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 43 , wherein the interface is an optical interface.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 43 , wherein the power supply is a resonant mode switching power supply.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 43 , wherein the power isolation barrier includes a transformer.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 46 , wherein the transformer is a step up transformer.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 47 , wherein the switching power supply is operated at a high frequency so as to reduce the size of the transformer.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 43 , wherein the medium is an xDSL line.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 43 , wherein the medium is an ADSL line.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 43 , wherein the voltage provided by said power supply to the amplifier stages is on the order of ±15VDC.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 51 , wherein the input voltage provided to said power supply is ±3.3VDC.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 51 , wherein the input voltage provided to said power supply is ±5VDC.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 43 , wherein the interface is a capacitive interface.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 54 , wherein the capacitive interface is formed in silicon.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 43 , wherein said isolation barriers provide isolation of at least 1500V.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-04-30 | 2004-10-30 | 2005-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-04-30 | 2008-10-30 | 2009-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-04-30 | 2012-10-30 | 2013-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |