Method and apparatus for providing high capacity, long loop broadband ADSL service

Abstract

Method and apparatus for providing a long loop broadband service which allows data from different ADSL users to be shared and transported across a group (possibly a group of one) of line-powered, repeatered copper pairs utilizing a symmetric transmission approach is disclosed. Multiple ADSL users are able to share the bandwidth on pair(s) between the Remote Terminal Unit and Central Termination Unit by converting the ADSL data into ATM cells that are properly addressed and sent over the pair(s). Straight-Through Repeaters can be used in between the Central Termination Unit and the Remote Termination Unit on each of the pairs to extend the reach of the system. In this manner, the reach of ADSL (or other) internet access can be increased from its present 15 to 18 kft limitation to over 40,000 feet using 26 gauge wire, effectively reaching over 99% of subscribers.

1 . A method of providing a data loop extension in a communication system, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a symmetric bi-directional transmission line having a first end and a second end;    coupling a remote termination unit between the first end of the transmission line and a plurality of customer premise equipment, the remote termination unit configured to receive a plurality of ATM data from each customer premise equipment over a respective ADSL link for transmission over the transmission line;    coupling a line card to the second end of the transmission line configured to receive the ATM data transmitted from the remote termination unit over the transmission line; and    coupling at least one repeater between the first and second end of the transmission line configured to detect the ATM data received from the remote termination unit and to regenerate the ATM data for transmission to the line card.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further including the step of line powering the at least one repeater and the remote termination over the transmission line.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the repeater is a symmetric straight-through repeater, and further including the step of detecting ATM data received from either the first or the second end of the transmission line, and regenerating the ATM data for transmission to the respective other of the first and second end of the transmission line.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the transmission line supports G.shdsl PAM-16 coding and supports a transmission rate of approximately 1.544 Mbps.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the transmission line is a 26 gauge bi-directional single twisted copper pair, and further, wherein the distance between each ADSL link between the line card and the customer premise equipment is approximately 41,000 feet.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein each ATM data is 53 bytes in length.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  further including the step of coupling a power supply unit to the line card to provide approximately 30 watts to the transmission line.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  further including the step of coupling an alarm card unit to the line card for providing alarm information.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the alarm information includes information related to data channels out of service.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  further including the step of coupling a second repeater between either of the first and second ends of the transmission line and the at least one repeater, wherein the distance between the second repeater and the at least one repeater is approximately 9,000 feet.  
   
   
       11 . A data loop extension for a communication system, comprising: 
 a symmetric bi-directional transmission line having a first end and a second end;    a remote termination unit coupled between the first end and the second end of the transmission line and a plurality of customer premise equipment, the remote termination unit configured to receive of a plurality of ATM data from each of said plurality of customer premise equipment over a respective ADSL link for transmission over said transmission line;    a line card coupled to the second end of the transmission line configured to receive the ATM data transmitted from the remote termination unit over the transmission line; and    at least one repeater coupled between the first and second end of the transmission line configured to detect the ATM data received from the remote termination unit and to regenerate the ATM data for transmission to the line card.    
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the transmission line supports G.shdsl PAM-16 coding and supports a transmission rate of approximately 1.544 Mbps.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 11  further comprising: 
 a plurality of symmetric bi-directional transmission lines each having a first end and a second end wherein the transmission line is one of said plurality of transmission lines.    
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein each of the plurality of transmission lines support G.shdsl PAM-16 coding and supports a transmission rate of approximately 1.544 Mbps.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 13  wherein each of said plurality of transmission lines is connected to the remote termination unit and a line card.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the plurality of transmission line are multiplexed by said remote termination unit.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  16  wherein the remote termination unit includes a memory acting as a buffer for said multiplexing.