Transmitting Digital Data In Two-Wire Communication Networks

A network node in a communication network with two-wire connections between network nodes, the network node comprising:

• a receiver receiving signals at different data rates;
• a transmission apparatus sending signals at different data rates;
• a controllable terminating impedance;
• a measuring unit discerning the signal quality measurable at the receiver;
• a memory recording values of the terminating impedances for received signals and a corresponding reception quality associated with the respective value for each additional network node in the communication network;
• a control unit prescribing a setting value for the terminating impedances of the additional network nodes;
• and
• an evaluation and computation unit prescribing respective setting values for the terminating impedances of the additional network nodes to attain an optimum data rate in the communication network, wherein the evaluation and computation are effected based on different data rates.

A method for optimizing the transmission of digital data in a two-wire communication network, the method comprising:

• analyzing the communication network including network nodes having a respective adjustable terminating impedance and two-wire lines connecting the network nodes, including determining a reception quality for the respective network nodes by applying an initial data rate for each network node with a defined setup for the terminating impedances;
• determining whether to adjust the respective terminating impedances by using the initial data rate for each network node to increase the respective reception quality of a network node;
• applying a second data rate for each network node to determine a second reception quality for the network nodes;
• determining whether the respective terminating impedance should be connected or disconnected to increase the reception quality using the second data rate for each network node;
• repeating the application of an additional data rate and determination of the reception quality until there is no measurable improvement in the reception quality.