Digital packet network for the local access loop
AssigneeMarconi Communications, Inc.
InventorsBarry Joe Ethridge, James Joseph Gainer, Mahlon Danny Kimbrough
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A digital packet access network for transporting voice and data signals in the local loop between a central office location and a plurality of remote local users. The network architecture may also include: (1) a dual-pipelined structure for separately transporting the voice and data signals; (2) a mechanism for prioritizing the transport of the voice signals, or (3) a method of synchronizing the timing of the voice signals to a telephone switch.
Claims78
A method of time-synchronizing voice signals in a local loop digital packet network connected between a central office location and a plurality of user access devices, comprising:
- deriving time-synchronization information from a local digital switch at the central office location on a periodic basis;
- converting the time synchronization information into a time synchronization packet;
- transporting the time synchronization packet to the plurality of user access devices;
- and
- locking the time clock of the local access device to the local digital switch using the time synchronization packet.
A digital packet data network for transporting packetized voice and data signals in the local loop between a central office switch and a plurality of local users, wherein the data signals comprise data packets, comprising:
- a first converter located at the central office for converting the voice signals into packets;
- a second converter located remotely from the central office and in the vicinity of the local users for converting the voice packets into voice signals;
- and
- a packet-switched network connected between the first and second converters for transporting the voice and data packets to and from the plurality of local users;
- wherein the packet switched network comprises at least one remote cabinet including a packet switching device, and a plurality of remote access devices coupled to the packet switching device and including the second converter.
A digital packet data network for transporting voice and data signals in the local loop between a central office switch and a plurality of local users, wherein the data signals comprise data packets, comprising:
- a first converter located at the central office for converting the voice signals into voice packets;
- a second converter located remotely from the first converter for converting the voice packets into voice signals;
- a packet-switched network connected between the first and second converters for transporting the voice and data packets to and from the plurality of local users;
- and
- means for synchronizing the converted voice signals at the second converter to a local digital switch at the central office.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.