Method and apparatus for transmitting data over metallic wire pairs

A method of transmitting, using a discrete multi-tone technique, data between a first transceiver and a second transceiver over a plurality of metallic pairs, connected between the first transceiver and the second transceiver, providing a plurality of transmission channels, the method comprising:

• receiving at the first transceiver a data stream for transmission to the second receiver;
• generating from the data stream a transmission signal for transmission over one of the plurality of transmission channels operating as a main transmission channel;
• receiving at the second transceiver from the transmission channel a main received signal and receiving at the second transceiver from a phantom channel, also connecting the first transceiver and the second transceiver, an auxiliary received signal;
• and
• processing the main received signal and the auxiliary received signal in order to recover the data stream received at the first transceiver;
• wherein the processing of the main received signal and the auxiliary received signal is done in dependence upon measurements of a cross-talk coupling from a point of transmission from the first transceiver onto the main transmission channel to a point of reception at the first transceiver from the phantom channel or vice versa, and of a cross-talk coupling from a point of transmission from the second transceiver onto the main transmission channel to a point of reception at the second transceiver from the phantom channel.

An apparatus for transmitting, using a discrete multi-tone technique, data between a first transceiver and a second transceiver over a plurality of metallic pairs, connected between the first transceiver and the second transceiver, providing a plurality of transmission channels, the apparatus comprising:

• the first transceiver which is operable to receive a data stream for transmission to the second transceiver, to generate from the data stream a main transmission signal and to transmit the main transmission signal over one of the plurality of transmission channels operating as a main transmission channel and further being operable to generate, from the data stream, an auxiliary transmission signal and to transmit the auxiliary transmission signal over another one of the plurality of transmission channels operating as an auxiliary transmission channel;
• and
• the second transceiver which is operable to receive, from the main transmission channel, a main received signal and, from the auxiliary transmission channel, an auxiliary received signal;
• wherein the second transceiver is operable to process the main received signal and the auxiliary received signal in order to recover the data stream received at the first transceiver;
• and
• wherein the first transceiver is operable to generate the auxiliary transmission signal in dependence upon a measurement of a cross-talk coupling from a point of transmission from the first transceiver onto the auxiliary transmission channel to a point of reception at the second transceiver from the main transmission channel, and wherein the second transceiver is operable to process the main received signal and the auxiliary received signal in dependence upon measurements of a cross-talk coupling from a point of transmission from the first transceiver onto the main transmission channel to a point of reception at the first transceiver from the auxiliary transmission channel or vice versa, and of a cross-talk coupling from a point of transmission from the second transceiver onto the main transmission channel to a point of reception at the second transceiver from the auxiliary transmission channel in order to recover the transmitted data.

An apparatus for transmitting, using a discrete multi-tone technique, data between a first transceiver and a second transceiver over a plurality of metallic pairs, connected between the first transceiver and the second transceiver, providing a plurality of transmission channels, the apparatus comprising:

• the first transceiver which is operable to receive a data stream for transmission to the second transceiver, to generate from the data stream a main transmission signal and to transmit the main transmission signal over one of the plurality of transmission channels operating as a main transmission channel;
• and
• the second transceiver which is operable to receive, from the main transmission channel, a main received signal and, from a phantom channel extending between the first transceiver and the second transceiver, an auxiliary received signal and to process the main received signal and the auxiliary received signal in order to recover the data stream received at the first transceiver;
• wherein the second transceiver is operable to process the main received signal and the auxiliary received signal in dependence upon measurements of a cross-talk coupling from a point of transmission from the first transceiver onto the main transmission channel to a point of reception at the first transceiver from the phantom channel or vice versa, and in dependence upon measurements of a cross-talk coupling from a point of transmission from the second transceiver onto the main transmission channel to a point of reception at the second transceiver from the phantom channel in order to recover the transmitted data.