US 6,829,252 B1 · Digital subscriber line access multiplexer for use with ethernet over VDSL transport facility

Abstract

A digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) adapted for use with an Ethernet over Very High Speed Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL) transport facility. The DSLAM connects to a plurality of CPE devices on one end and to a high speed Ethernet link on the other. The DSLAM is adapted to receive HDLC protocol formatted VDSL frames, extract Ethernet frames therefrom and generate standard Ethernet signals for transmission overran Ethernet connection. Standard Ethernet frames are received from a Fast Ethernet input signal and encapsulated in HDLC frames for transmission over the VDSL facility to a particular CPE. The voice signal from a conventional telephone set is combined with the VDSL data signal. The combined signal is split at the DLSAM into separate voice and data signals. The Ethernet frame data is extracted from the HDLC frames and input to the Ethernet switch. The voice signal is forwarded to a conventional PBX.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) apparatus for use in an Ethernet over Very high speed Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL) transport facility, said DSLAM connected to a plurality of Customer Premise Equipment (CPE), each CPE connected to said DSLAM via a separate VDSL channel, comprising:

a plurality of channel circuits, each channel circuit corresponding to a channel and comprising:
an Ethernet bridge adapted to encapsulate entire Ethernet frames within High level Data Link Control (HDLC) frames and to extract Ethernet frames from HDLC frames received over said VDSL transport facility;
a VDSL transceiver adapted to transmit HDLC frames over said VDSL transport facility, wherein HDLC frames are transmitted over said VDSL transport facility without regard to VDSL transmit and receive start of cell (SOC) signals;
an analog front end operative to provide a line interface to a VDSL channel;
an Ethernet switch having a plurality of ports, each port coupled to a channel circuit;
an Ethernet port coupling said Ethernet switch to an external Local Area Network (LAN);
a processor;
and
software means operative on said processor for controlling said plurality of channel circuits, said Ethernet switch and said Ethernet port.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Digital subscriber line access multiplexer for use with ethernet over VDSL transport facility

Life of this patent

Digital subscriber line access multiplexer for use with ethernet over VDSL transport facility

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29