US6434221B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Digital subscriber line access and network testing multiplexer
Assignee: Sunrise Telecom Inc
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Filing: 2000-05-17
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Granted: 2002-08-13
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Expires: 2020-05-17
Abstract
Abstract A Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer includes a set of line cards, a set of xDSL modem cards, a redundant xDSL modem card, a test and switching unit, a control unit, and a trunk unit. Each line card may include a switch, through which the control unit may selectively direct the line card to couple to a corresponding xDSL modem card or a redundancy bus. The test and switching unit is coupled to the redundancy bus, and includes a relay matrix and a Copper Loop Tester (CLT). In response to commands received from the control unit, the relay matrix may route redundancy bus signals to the CLT and/or the redundant xDSL modem card. The CLT performs tests to measure or determine subscriber loop electrical characteristics in response to control unit commands, and returns test results to the control unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond L. Chong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:54
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/24; H04M3/00; H04M3/22; H04M3/26; H04M3/28; H04M3/30; H04M3/08; H04M3/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
The Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer comprising: a line protection unit coupled to Customer Premises Equipment, a first xDSL modem coupled to the line protection unit; a communication traffic management unit coupled to the first xDSL modem and a high-speed network; a subscriber loop characterization unit coupled to the line protection unit; a first switch coupled between the line protection unit, the first xDSL modem, and the subscriber loop characterization unit; a second switch coupled to the first switch and the subscriber loop characterization unit; and a second xDSL modem coupled to the communication traffic management unit and the second switch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
The Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer comprising: a line protection unit coupled to Customer Premises Equipment, a first xDSL modem coupled to the line protection unit; a communication traffic management unit coupled to the first xDSL modem and a high-speed network; a subscriber loop characterization unit coupled to the line protection unit; a first switch coupled between the line protection unit, the first xDSL modem, and the subscriber loop characterization unit; a second switch coupled to the first switch and the subscriber loop characterization unit; and a second xDSL modem coupled to the communication traffic management unit and the second switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer of claim 1 , wherein the second switch includes a control input coupled to the communication traffic management unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer of claim 1 , further comprising an interface unit to which the line protection unit, the first xDSL modem, the communication traffic management unit, and the subscriber loop characterization unit are coupled.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer of claim 1 , wherein the interface unit comprises one from the group of a midplane circuit board and a backplane circuit board.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer of claim 1 wherein the subscriber loop characterization unit is selected from a group consisting of a Digital Multimeter unit, a Time Domain Reflectometry unit, a line impairment test unit, and a combination thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
The Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer of claim 1 wherein the subscriber loop characterization unit comprises: a processing unit; a memory coupled to the processing unit; and a test unit coupled to the processing unit, the test unit comprising one from the group of a Digital Multimeter unit, a Time Domain Reflectometry unit, and a line impairment test unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer of claim 1 wherein the first switch includes a control input coupled to the communication traffic management unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer of claim 1 , further comprising: means for testing a copper loop; ad means for selectively coupling signals between the testing means and a copper loop.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer of claim 1 further comprising means for controlling the coupling means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer of claim 1 further comprising means for storing at least one of command signals, data signals, and control signals for the testing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer of clam 9 , further comprising means for coupling and decoupling signals from a line interface unit to the testing coupling means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer of clam 9 , further comprising means for coupling and decoupling signals from a line interface unit to the testing coupling means.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
160 words
A method for performing local loop testing comprising the steps of: providing: a line protection unit coupled to Customer Premises Equipment; a first xDSL modem coupled to the line protection unit; a communication traffic management unit coupled to the first xDSL modem and a high-speed network; a subscriber loop characterization unit coupled to the line protection unit; a first switch coupled between the line protection unit, the first xDSL modem, and the subscriber loop characterization unit; a second switch coupled to the first switch and the subscriber loop characterization unit; and a second xDSL modem coupled to the communication traffic management unit and the second switch; coupling the line protection unit to the subscriber line characterization unit in response to a signal issued by the communication traffic management unit; outputting a test command with the communication traffic management unit; and performing an electrical test upon the subscriber loop using the subscriber loop characterization unit in response to the test command.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
160 words
A method for performing local loop testing comprising the steps of: providing: a line protection unit coupled to Customer Premises Equipment; a first xDSL modem coupled to the line protection unit; a communication traffic management unit coupled to the first xDSL modem and a high-speed network; a subscriber loop characterization unit coupled to the line protection unit; a first switch coupled between the line protection unit, the first xDSL modem, and the subscriber loop characterization unit; a second switch coupled to the first switch and the subscriber loop characterization unit; and a second xDSL modem coupled to the communication traffic management unit and the second switch; coupling the line protection unit to the subscriber line characterization unit in response to a signal issued by the communication traffic management unit; outputting a test command with the communication traffic management unit; and performing an electrical test upon the subscriber loop using the subscriber loop characterization unit in response to the test command.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising the step of returning a result corresponding to the electrical test to the communication traffic management unit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising the step of coupling the line protection unit to the second xDSL modem in response to a signal issued by the communication traffic management unit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising the step of returning a result corresponding to the electrical test to the communication traffic management unit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising the step of decoupling the subscriber loop test unit from the second xDSL modem in response to a signal issued by the communication traffic management unit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising the step of decoupling the second xDSL modem from the line protection unit in response to a signal issued by the communication traffic management unit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising the step of coupling the line protection unit to the first xDSL modem in response to a signal issued by the communication traffic management unit.
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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) | 2005-08-12 | 2006-02-11 | 2006-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-12 | 2010-02-11 | 2010-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-12 | 2014-02-11 | 2014-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |