Apparatus for providing redundant services path to customer premises equipment

An apparatus for providing an operating path via one of an existing equipment module and a new equipment module in a network, the apparatus comprising:

• a signal supply module receiving signals from customer premises equipment;
• a transfer switch connected between the output of the signal supply module and respective inputs of the new equipment module and the existing equipment module;
• and
• a controller module, connected to respective outputs of the new equipment module and the existing equipment module, to the signal supply module and to the transfer switch, for controlling the operation of the signal supply module and the transfer switch to process signals via one of the new equipment module and the existing equipment module,
• wherein the controller module comprises:
• a diode for receiving the signal output from the new equipment module;
• a first comparator that compares a signal output from the diode with a first predetermined threshold value;
• a switch for receiving one of an output signal from the first comparator and a control signal from a central office;
• wherein the controller module controls the operation of the signal supply module and the transfer switch via an output from the switch to process signals via one of the new equipment module and the existing equipment module based upon one of the output signal from the comparator and the control signal from the central office.

An apparatus for providing an operating path via one of an existing equipment module and a new equipment module in a network, the apparatus comprising:

• first means for receiving signals from customer premises equipment;
• second means, connected between the output of the first means and respective inputs of the new equipment module and the existing equipment module;
• and
• third means, connected to respective outputs of the new equipment module and the existing equipment module, to the first means, and to the second means, for controlling the operation of the first means and the second means to process signals via one of the new equipment module and the existing equipment module.

An apparatus for providing an operating path via one of an existing equipment module and a new equipment module in a network, the apparatus comprising:

• first means for receiving signals from customer premises equipment;
• second means, connected between the output of the first means and respective inputs of the new equipment module and the existing equipment module;
• and
• third means, connected to respective outputs of the new equipment module and the existing equipment module, to the first means, and to the second means, for controlling the operation of the first means and the second means to process signals via one of the new equipment module and the existing equipment module,
• wherein the third means comprises:
• first receiving means for receiving the signal output from the new equipment module;
• first comparing means for comparing a signal output from the first receiving means with a first predetermined threshold value;
• second receiving means for receiving one of an output signal from the first comparing means and a control signal from a central office;
• wherein the third means is arranged to control the operation of the first means and the second means via an output from the second receiving means to process signals via one of the new equipment module and the existing equipment module based upon one of the output signal from the first comparing means and the control signal from the central office.