Active demarcation point of an access network

Details Active demarcation point of an access network Active demarcation point of an access network

1997-11-17

2001-11-20

Yao, Kwang B. (Department: 2664)

Multiplex communications

Communication techniques for information carried in plural...

Combining or distributing information via frequency channels

Reexamination Certificate

active

06320878

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to an active demarcation point of an access network with a downstream channel and an upstream channel for bidirectional signal transmission.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
An access network is, for example, a coaxial cable network with a downstream (forward) channel and an upstream (return) channel which supports different bidirectional services, such as telephony, data exchange via Internet, or video telephony.
A demarcation point is described in a book entitled “Ton-und Fernsehubertragungstechnik und Technik leitungsgebundener BK-Anlagen”, Decker's Verlag, G. Schenck, Heidelberg 1988, page 294. It forms the terminating unit of a public distribution network and thus provides the interface to customer premises equipment. With the demarcation point, the distribution network and an in-home network can be separated from each other for testing purposes or for blocking individual customers. The quality of the signals on the lines from the customer and on the lines from a center is measured. Customer blocking is effected manually, and the entire transmission band is blocked. During the blockage, no signal can be transmitted from the customer to the center.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a demarcation point of an access network which simplifies the blocking and unblocking of a customer.
Another object of the invention is to monitor customer signals during and out of a customer blockage.
These objects are attained by an active demarcation point of an access network with a downstream channel and an upstream channel for bidirectional signal transmission, comprising at least two devices for frequency-splitting received signals in the upstream frequency band; at least two switches connected with the at least two devices and serving to block or unblock individual upstream frequency ranges; a measuring unit for measuring the amplitudes or intensities of the signals in the split frequency ranges; and a control unit for evaluating the measured values and controlling the at least two switches.
A particular advantage of the invention is the decentralized and autonomous monitoring of individual upstream frequency ranges by a measuring unit controlled by the demarcation point itself.
Another advantage of the invention is that for individual customers, individual upstream frequency ranges can be telemetrically blocked for a limited time.
Furthermore, the use of the invention saves time during debugging since continuous-time, independent measurements are performed and evaluated, and decisions are made, at the demarcation point.
The use of the invention also permits telemetric measured-value acquisition and monitoring of the access network as well as traffic-volume-dependent return-channel assignment.


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