Multiplex communications – Communication over free space – Having a plurality of contiguous regions served by...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-08
2001-11-20
Rao, Seema S. (Department: 2661)
Multiplex communications
Communication over free space
Having a plurality of contiguous regions served by...
C370S338000, C370S347000, C370S421000, C370S432000, C370S473000, C370S522000, C379S220010, C455S452200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06320856
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is related in general to the field of telecommunications systems. More particularly, the invention is related to a system and method for a multi-host subscriber loop.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Telecommunications networks have traditionally provided subscriber services by connecting them to the nearest telephone office with copper wires. Each subscriber was allocated the number of wires necessary for the type of service. The assignment of wires was dedicated to each subscriber. For example, a plain old telephone service (POTS) subscriber typically required one pair of copper wires for each telephone number.
As technology advanced, it was possible to digitally multiplex and concentrate more subscribers on a less number of copper wires. A typical example is the Digital Loop Carrier (DLC) as described in a Bellcore document TR-TSY-0008. In DLC, the telecommunications network provide service to subscribers through the support of remote subscriber terminals connected to central office terminals. The DLC technology allows a single remote terminal to be connected to a single central terminal. These remote subscriber terminals connect directly to the subscribers premise providing such services as POTS, coin, ISDN, and Wideband. The central office terminals provide connections to the local exchange switch and thus the rest of the telecommunications network. In DLC, a fixed traffic concentration not exceeding 2:1 was possible between the single central office terminal and single remote terminal.
Further technical advances have allowed multiple remote terminals to be connected to a single central terminal as in Optical Line Terminal to Optical Network Unit (OLT-ONU) configurations where a single OLT supports multiple ONUs). This is typically configured in a cascaded or dual cascaded configuration emanating from the central office terminal. For both the DLC and OLT-ONU configurations, a standard line interface is used to connect the remote terminals to their central office terminal. The control of the central office terminal and the remote terminal(s) connection is also not transparent to the network facility connecting them. Further, these configurations are disadvantageously limited to the size of the terminals and the capacity of the line connecting the terminals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, there is a need for multiple central office terminals to be able to be connected to multiple remote terminals to increase utilization across the network facility for concentrated traffic, whether the network facility be a copper, optical, or wireless connection.
In accordance with the present invention, a multi-host subscriber loop is provided which eliminates or substantially reduces the disadvantages associated with prior subscriber loop configurations.
In one aspect of the invention, the multi-host subscriber loop includes N central office terminals coupled to a local exchange, where one of the N central office terminals is directly coupled to all other central office terminals. M remote terminals are coupled to a plurality of telephone service subscribers. A single network facility is coupled between the M remote terminals and N central office terminals. The subscriber traffic, control information and associated signaling are concentrated onto the single network facility.
In another aspect of the invention, messages are transmitted between the remote terminals and central office terminals through the network facility. The message structure includes a plurality of time slots, where each remote terminal is assigned a predetermined number of time slots.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the time slots assigned to each remote terminal include one time slot for control, and remaining time slots being allocated to subscriber traffic.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the time slots assigned to each remote terminal include one time slot for control, one time slot for signaling, and remaining time slots being allocated to subscriber traffic.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the time slots assigned to each remote terminal are dynamically assigned to the subscribers on a per call basis depending on subscriber line conditions.
In yet another aspect of the invention, subscriber traffic bandwidth is not limited to a single time slot per subscriber. Subscriber traffic may use as many time slots as are available or necessary to accommodate the offered service, including wideband traffic.
A technical advantage of the present invention is the enhanced utilization of the network facility by concentrating subscriber traffic. Further, the control of multiple central office terminals connected to the remote terminals is advantageously transparent to the underlying network facility. The assignment of time slots to a particular subscriber may also be done dynamically on a per call basis depending on subscriber line condition. A further technical advantage is the enhancement of supported subscriber services to include wideband terminations and dynamic assignment of multiple time slots to support enhanced subscriber services.
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Deschaine Stephen A.
Howe Richard L.
Mallinson Stephen R.
Traupman Edward P.
Alcatel USA, Inc.
Baker & Botts L.L.P.
Rao Seema S.
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