CA2630013C - Network for telephony and data communication - Google Patents

Abstract

A local area network using the telephone wiring within a residence or other building simultaneously with telephony signals. The local area network uses high pass filters to access the high-frequency band across the media, whereas the standard telephone service uses low pass filters to access the low-frequency voice / analog telephony band across the same media. The electrically- conducting media connecting telephone / data outlets are split, or separated at each outlet, and the outlets are modified to provide access to both ends of the resulting segments. The low pass filters at each segment end join the segments together, allowing analog telephony signals to travel throughout the network, thus supporting normal telephone service. The high pass filters at each segment end are connected to modems or other Data Communication Equipment, thus supporting data communication networks of various topologies, including point-to-point topologies.

Description

Network for telephony and data communication This application is a Divisional of Application Ser. No. 2,362,781 filed in Canada on March 2, 2000.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of wired communication systems, and. more specifically. to the networking of devices using telephone lines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Figure 1 shows the wiring configuration for a prior-art telephone system 10 for a residence or other building, wired with a telephone line 5.
Residence telephone line 5 consists of single wire pair which connects to a junction-box 16, which in turn connects to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 18 via a cable 17. terminating in a public switch 19.
apparatus which establishes and enables telephony from one telephone to another. The term "analog telephony" herein denotes traditional analog low-frequency audio voice signals typically tinder 3KHz. sometimes referred to as "POTS" ("plain old telephone service"), whereas the term "telephony" in general denotes any kind of telephone service. including digital service such as Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN). The term "high-frequency" herein denotes any frequency substantially above such analog telephony audio frequencies. such as that used for data. ISDN
typically uses frequencies not exceeding 100KHz (typically the energy is concentrated around 40KHz). The term "telephone device" herein denotes, without limitation, any apparatus for telephony (including both analog telephony and ISDN), as well as any device using telephony signals, such as fax, voice-modem, and so forth.

Junction box 16 is used to separate the in-home circuitry from the PSTN and is used as a test facility for troubleshooting as well as for wiring new telephone outlets in the home. A plurality of telephones 13a. 13b. and Be connects to telephone line 5 via a plurality of outlets 11a. lib. I ic, and 11d. Each outlet has a connector (often referred to as a `,jack"). denoted in Figure 1 as 12a, 12b. 12c. and 12d. respectively. Each outlet may be connected to a telephone via a connector (often referred to as a "plug"), denoted in Figure 1 (for the three telephone illustrated) as 14a. 14b. and t4e. respectively. It is also important to note that lines 5a. 5b, Sc. 5d. and 5e are electrically the same paired conductors.
There is a requirement for using the existing telephone infrastructure for both telephone and data networking. This would simplify the task of establishing a new local area-network in a home or other building. because there would be no additional wires and outlets to install. U.S. Patent 4.766.402 to Crane (hereinafter referred to as "L rane'") teaches a way to form a LAN over two wire telephone lines. but without the telephone service.

The concept of frequency domain / division multiplexing (FDM) is well-known in the art, and provides a means of splitting the bandwidth carried by a wire into a low-frequency band capable of carrying an analog telephony signal and a high-frequency band capable of carrying data communication or other signals. Such a mechanism is described for example in U.S. Patent 4.785,448 to Reichert et at (hereinafter referred to as "Reichert"). Also is widely used are xDSL systems. primarily Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Loop (ADSL) systems.

Relevant prior art in this field is also disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,896.443 to Dichter (hereinafter referred to as "Dichter"). Dichter is the first to suggest a method and apparatus for applying such a technique for residence telephone wiring. enabling simultaneously carrying telephone and data communication signals. The Dichter network is illustrated in Figure 2, which shows a network 20 serving both telephones and a local area network. Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) units 24a, 24b and 24c are connected to the local area network via Data Communication Equipment (DCE) units 23a, 23b and 23c. respectively. Examples of Data Communication Equipment include modems. line drivers, line receivers, and transceivers. DCE units 23a. 23b and 23c are respectively connected to high pass filters (HPF) 22a, 22b and 22c. The i-IPF's allow the DCE units access to the high-frequency band carried by telephone line 5. In a first embodiment (not shown in Figure 2). telephones 13a. 13b and 13c are directly connected to telephone line 5 via connectors 14a. 14b and 14c.
respectively. However. in order to avoid interference to the data network caused by the telephones, a second embodiment is suggested (shown in Figure 2). wherein low pass filters (LPF's) 21a. 21b and 21c are added to isolate telephones 13a, 13b and 13c from telephone line 5. Furthermore, a low pass filter must also be connected to Junction-Box 16. in order to filter noises induced from or to the PSTN wiring 17. As is the case in Figure 1, it is important to note that lines 5a. 5b. 5c. 5d and Se are electrically the same paired conductors.

The Dichter network suffers from degraded data communication performance, because of the following drawbacks:
1. Induced noise in the band used by the data communication network is distributed throughout the network. The telephone line within a building 'serves as a long antenna, receiving electro-magnetic noise produced from outside the building or by local equipment such as air-conditioning systems, appliances, and so forth. Electrical noise in the frequency band used by the data communication network can be induced in the extremities of the telephone line 5 (line 5e or 5a in Figure 2) and propagated via the telephone line 5 throughout the whole system. This is liable to cause errors in the data transportation.

2. The wiring media consists of a single long wire (telephone line 5). In order to ensure a proper impedance match to this transmission-line. it is necessary to install terminators at each end of the telephone line 5.- One of the advantages of using the telephone infrastructure for a data network. however. is to avoid replacing the internal wiring. Thus. either such terminators must be installed at additional cost. or suffer the performance problems associated with an impedance mismatch.

3. In the case where LPF 21 is not fitted to the telephones 13. each connected telephone appears as a non-terminated stub. and this is liable to cause undesirable signal reflections.

4. In one embodiment an LPF 21 is to be attached to each telephone 13. In such a configuration. an additional modification to the telephone itself is required. This further makes the implementation of such system complex and costly, and defeats the purpose of using an existing telephone line and telephone sets .as is' for a data network.

5. The data communication network used in the Dichter network supports only the 'bus` type of data communication network, wherein all devices share the sane physical media. Such topology suffers from a number of drawbacks. as described in U.S. Patent 5.841.360 to the present inventor, which is incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. Dichter also discloses drawbacks of the bus topology, including the need for bus mastering and logic to contend with the data packet collision problem. Topologies that are preferable to the bus topology include the Token-Ring (IEEE 803). the PSIC

network according to U.S. Patent 5.841.360, and other point-to-point networks known in the art (such as a serial point-to-point 'daisy chain' network). Such networks are in most cases superior to 'bus' topology systems.
The above drawbacks affect the data communication performance of the Dichter network. and therefore limit the total distance and the maximum data rate such a network can support. In addition. the Dichter network typically requires a complex and therefore costly transceiver to support the data communication system. While the Reichert network relies on a star topology and does not suffer from these drawbacks of the bus topology. the star topology also has disadvantages. First, the star topology requires a complex and costly hub module, whose capacity limits the capacity of the network. Furthermore. the star configuration requires that there exist wiring from every device on the network to a central location, where the hub module is situated. This may be impractical and/or expensive to achieve, especially in the case where the wiring of an existing telephone system is to be utilized. The Reichert network is intended for use only in offices where a central telephone connection point already exists. Moreover, the Reichert network requires a separate telephone line for each separate telephone device, and this. too. may be impractical and/or expensive to achieve.

There is thus a widely-recognized need for. and it would be highly advantageous to have, a means for implementing a data communication network using existing telephone lines of arbitrary topology, which continues to support analog telephony while also allowing for improved communication characteristics by supporting a point-to-point topology network.

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-li-SUMMA.R.Y OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for using the telephone line wiring system within residence or other building for both analog telephony service and a local area data network featuring a serial "daisy chained'' or other arbitrary topology. First. the regular outlets are modified or substituted to allow splitting of the telephone line having two wires into segments such that each segment connecting two outlets is fully separated from all other segments. Each segment has two ends. to which various devices. other segments. and so forth. may be connected. A low pass filter is connected in series to each end of the segment. thereby Forming a low-frequency path between the external ports of the low pass filters, utilizing the low-frequency hand. Similarly. a high pass filter is connected in series to each end of the segment, thereby forming a high-frequency path between the external ports of the high pass filters, utilizing the high-frequency band. The bandwidth carried by the segments is thereby split into non-overlapping frequency hands, and the distinct paths can be interconnected via the high pass filters and low pass filters as coupling and isolating devices to form different paths. Depending on how the devices and paths are selectively connected. these paths may be simultaneously different for different frequencies. A low-frequency band is allocated to regular telephone service (analog telephony), while a high-frequency band is allocated to the data communication network.. In the low-frequency (analog telephony) band. the wiring composed of the coupled low-frequency paths appears as a normal telephone line, in such a way that the low-frequency (analog telephony) hand is coupled among all the segments and is accessible to telephone devices at any outlet, whereas the segments may remain individually isolated in the high-frequency (data) band, so that in this data band the communication media, if desired, can appear to be point-to-point (such as a serialized "daisy chain'") from one outlet to the next. The term "low pass filter' herein denotes any device that passes signals in the low-frequency (analog telephony) band but blocks signals in the high-frequency (data) band. Conversely, the term "high pass filter" herein denotes any device that passes signals in the high-frequency (data) band but blocks signals in the low-frequency (analog telephony) band. The term "data device" herein denotes any apparatus that handles digital data, including without .limitation modems. transceivers, Data Communication Equipment. and Data Terminal Equipment.

A network according to the present invention allows the telephone devices to be connected as in a normal telephone installation (i.e., in parallel over the telephone lines). but can be configured to virtually any desired topology for data transport and distribution, as determined by the available existing telephone line wiring and without being constrained to any predetermined data network topology. Moreover. such a network offers the potential, for the improved data transport and distribution performance of a point-to-point network topology. while still allowing a bus-type data network topology in all or part of the network if desired. This is in contrast to the prior art, which constrains the network topology to a predetermined type.

A network according to the present invention may be used advantageously when connected to external systems and networks. such as xDSL. ADSL. as well as the Internet.

In a first embodiment, the high pass filters are connected in such a way to create a virtual 'bus' topology for the high-frequency band. allowing for a local area network based on DCE units or transceivers connected to the segments via the high pass filters. In a second embodiment, each segment end is connected to a dedicated modem. hence offering a serial point-to-point daisy chain network. In all embodiments of the present 8a invention, DTE units or other devices connected to the DCE units can communicate over the telephone line without interfering with, or being affected by, simultaneous analog telephony service. Unlike prior-art networks, the topology of a network according to the present invention is not constrained to a particular network topology determined in advance, but can be adapted to the configuration of an existing telephone line installation. Moreover, embodiments of the present invention that feature point-to-point data network topologies exhibit the superior performance characteristics that such topologies offer over the bus network topologies of the prior art such as the Dichter network and the Crane network.
Therefore, according to one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a device for coupling a data unit to a digital data signal and for coupling a service unit to an analog service signal, for use with a service wire pair installed in walls of a building, the service wire pair concurrently carrying a bi-directional digital data signal and an analog service signal carried over a service signal frequency band, using frequency division multiplexing, and the digital data signal is carried over a frequency band distinct from the service signal frequency band, and the device comprises a single enclosure and, within the single enclosure:
a wiring connector for connecting to the service wire pair;
a first filter coupled to the wiring connector for passing only the analog service signal;
a standard service connector coupled to the first filter and connectable to the service unit for coupling the service unit to the analog service signal;
a second filter coupled to the wiring connector for passing only the digital data signal;
a modem coupled to the second filter for transmitting the digital data signal to the service wire pair and for receiving the digital data signal from the service wire pair;
a standard data connector connectable to the data unit;
a transceiver coupled to the standard data connector for coupling packet-based bi-directional digital data to the data unit;
a multiport device that is a selected one of a bridge, a router and a gateway coupled to pass data between the modem, and the transceiver for coupling the digital data carried by the digital data signal and the packet based digital data; and a power supply coupled to the modem and the transceiver for powering the modem and the transceiver.
According to another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a device for coupling a first data unit and a second data unit to first and second distinct Internet-based data streams carried over a single xDSL connection using time division multiplexing, for use with a telephone wire pair concurrently carrying xDSL and analog telephony signals using frequency division multiplexing, and the 8b xDSL signal is carried over a high frequency band and the analog telephony signal is carried over a low frequency band, and the device comprises a single enclosure and, within the single enclosure:
a telephone connector for connecting to the telephone wire pair;
a high pass filter coupled to the telephone connector for passing only the xDSL signal;
a xDSL modem coupled to the high pass filter for transmitting and receiving the xDSL signal;
a first standard data connector connectable to the first data unit;
a first data transceiver coupled with the first standard data connector for first Internet-based data stream communication with the first data unit;
a second standard data connector connectable to the second data unit;
a second data transceiver coupled with the second standard data connector for second Internet-based data stream communication with the first data unit; and a multipart device that is a selected one of a bridge, a router and a gateway coupled to the xDSL
modem, and the first and second data transceivers for coupling the xDSL signal and the first and second Internet-based data streams, According to another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a device for coupling first and second bi-directional digital data signals, each carried over a distinct wiring, to each other and to a data unit, for use with a telephone wire pair at least in part in a building, the telephone wire pair concurrently carrying first bi-directional digital data using a xDSL signal containing the first bi-directional digital data and an analog telephone signal over a telephone signal frequency band, and the xDSL signal is carried over a frequency band distinct from and higher than the telephone signal frequency band, and a service wire pair installed at least in part in walls within a building, the service wire pair concurrently carrying a second bi-directional digital data signal containing second bi-directional digital data and an analog service signal carried over an analog service signal frequency band, using frequency division multiplexing wherein the second bi-directional digital data signal is carried over a frequency band distinct from the analog service signal frequency band, and the device comprising a single enclosure and, within the single enclosure:
a telephone connector for connecting the device to the telephone wire pair;
a high pass filter coupled to the telephone connector for passing only the xDSL signal;
a xDSL modem coupled to the high pass filter for coupling with the first bi-directional data signal;
a service wiring connector for connecting the device to the service wire pair;
a filter coupled to the service wiring connector for passing only the second bi-directional data signal;

Sc a service wiring modem coupled to the filter for coupling with the second bi-directional data signal;
a multiport unit that is one of a bridge, a router and a gateway coupled to the xDSL modem and service wiring modem and operative to couple the first and second bi-directional digital data to each other; a standard data interface coupled to the multiport unit for coupling a standard data interface signal to at least one of the xDSL signal and the second bi-directional digital data signal; and a standard data connector coupled to the standard data interface and connectable to a data unit for coupling the standard data interface signal to the data unit.
According to another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a device for coupling a first data unit and a second data unit to respective first and second distinct data streams, for use with a wiring concurrently carrying over the same wires a power signal and a digital data signal, the digital data signal including the first and second distinct data streams carried using time division multiplexing, and the device comprises a single enclosure and, within the single enclosure:
a wiring connector for connecting to the wiring;
a wiring modem coupled to the wiring connector for coupling to the digital data signal;
a first standard data connector connectable to the first data unit;
a first data transceiver coupled to the first standard data connector for data communication with the first data unit;
a second standard data connector connectable to the second data unit;
a second data transceiver coupled to the second standard data connector for data communication with the second data unit; and a multiport unit coupled to the wiring modem and the first and second data transceivers for coupling only the first data stream to the first data transceiver and for coupling only the second data stream to the second data transceiver, and wherein at least part of the device is coupled to the wiring connector to be powered by the power signal.
According to another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a device for coupling a first data unit and a second data unit to respective first and second distinct data streams, for use with a wiring at least in part in walls of a building and carrying a digital data signal, the digital data signal including the first and second distinct data streams carried using time division multiplexing, and the device comprises a single enclosure and, within the single enclosure:
a wiring connector for connecting to the wiring;
a modem coupled to the wiring connector for coupling to the digital data signal;
a first standard data connector connectable to the first data unit;

8d a first data transceiver coupled to the first standard data connector for data communication with the first data unit;
a second standard data connector connectable to the second data unit;
a second data transceiver coupled to the second standard data connector for data communication with the second data unit; and a multiport unit coupled to the modem and the first and second data transceivers for coupling only the first data stream to the first data transceiver and for coupling only the second data stream to the second data transceiver, and wherein at least one of the modem and the first and second data transceivers comprises power consuming components.
According to another embodiment of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for configuring a network in a building, the network having first and second wiring segments, each wiring segment comprising at least two conductors installed at least in part in a wall of the building, the first wiring segment carrying a frequency domain multiplexed first packet-based digital data signal and a first analog signal, and the second wiring segment carrying a frequency domain multiplexed second packet-based digital data signal and a second analog signal, the apparatus comprising:
first and second ports each connectable to a respective one of the first and second wiring segments;
first and second data filters each coupled to a respective one of the first and second ports, each having a data signal port operative to pass only a respective one of the first and second digital data signals;
first and second modems each coupled to the data signal port of a respective one of the first and second filters, and each operative for bi-directionally conducting a respective packet-based data signal over a respective one of the first and second wiring segments;
at least one data connector operative for establishing a data signal connection with a data unit;
a multiport unit coupling the first and second modems to the at least one data connector for data transfer between the modems and the at least one data connector, the multiport unit being constituted by one of a repeater; a bridge; and a router;
first and second analog filters each coupled to a respective one of the first and second ports, each having a respective analog signal port and each operative to pass only a respective one of the first and second analog signals; and a single enclosure housing the ports, the data filters, the modems, the at least one data connector, the multiport unit and the analog filters, wherein the analog signal ports of the first and second analog filters are coupled to each other for coupling the first and second analog signals to each other, According to another embodiment of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for configuring a network in a building, for use with first and second wiring segments, each wiring segment comprising at least two conductors installed at least in part in a wall of the building, the first wiring segment carrying a frequency domain multiplexed first packet-based digital data signal and a first analog signal, the second wiring segment carrying a frequency domain multiplexed second packet-based digital data signal and a second analog signal, the apparatus comprising:
first and second ports each connectable to a respective one of the first and second wiring segments;
first and second data filters each coupled to a respective one of the first and second ports, each having a data signal port operative to pass only a respective one of the first and second digital data signals;
first and second modems each coupled to the data signal port of a respective one of the first and second filters, and each operative for bi-directionally conducting a respective packet-based data signal over a respective one of the first and second wiring segments;
at least one data connector operative for establishing a data signal connection with a data unit;
a multiport unit coupling the first and second modems to the at least one data connector for data transfer between the modems and the at least one data connector, the multiport unit being constituted by one of, a repeater; a bridge; and a router;
an analog filter coupled to the first port and having an analog signal port and operative to pass only the first analog signal;
an analog connector operative for establishing an analog signal connection with an analog unit, the analog connector being coupled to the analog signal port of the analog filter; and a single enclosure housing the ports, the data filters, the modems, the at least one data connector, the multiport unit, the analog filter and the analog connector.
According to another embodiment of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for configuring a network in a building, for use with first and second wiring segments, each wiring segment comprising at least two conductors installed at least in part in a wall of the building, the first wiring segment carrying a frequency domain multiplexed first packet-based digital data signal and a first analog signal, the second wiring segment carrying a frequency domain multiplexed second packet-based digital data signal and a second analog signal, the apparatus comprising:
first and second ports each connectable to a respective one of the first and second wiring segments;

first and second data filters each coupled to a respective one of the first and second ports, each having a data signal port operative to pass only a respective one of the first and second digital data signals;
first and second modems each coupled to the data signal port of a respective one of the first and second filters, and each operative for bi-directionally conducting a respective packet-based data signal over a respective one of the first and second wiring segments;
at least one data connector operative for establishing a data signal connection with a data unit;
a multiport unit coupling the first and second modems to the at least one data connector for data transfer between the modems and the at least one data connector, the multiport unit being constituted by one of. a repeater, a bridge; and a router;
a telephone connector connectable to a telephone device, the telephone connector being coupled to the first port; and a single enclosure housing the ports, the data filters, the modems, the at least one data connector, the multiport unit and the telephone connector.
According to another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a network interface device for coupling data units to the Internet over pre-existing PSTN wiring, for use with a first telephone wire pair at least in part external to a building and connected to a PSTN
network and connected for carrying an xDSL signal and with a second telephone wire pair at least in part in a wall of the building and connected to a telephone outlet, the second telephone wire pair being connected for concurrently carrying an analog telephone signal in an analog telephone frequency band, frequency multiplexed with a bi-directional serial digital data signal in a digital data frequency band, the digital data frequency band being distinct from, and higher than, the analog telephone frequency band, the device comprising;
a first port for connecting to the first telephone wire pair;
an xDSL modem coupled to the first port for conducting xDSL-based full-duplex serial digital data over the first telephone pair;
a second port for connecting to the second telephone wire pair;
a third port for connecting to a source of an analog telephone signal;
a first low pass filter connected between the second and third ports for substantially passing signals in the analog telephone frequency band and for substantially stopping signals in the digital data frequency band;
a telephone line modem connected for conducting the bi-directional serial digital data signal in the digital data frequency band over the second telephone wire pair;

lI
a first high pass filter coupled between the second port and the telephone line modem for substantially passing signals in the digital data frequency band and for substantially stopping signals in the analog telephone frequency band;
a digital data connector for connecting to a data unit; a local area network transceiver coupled to the digital data connector for packet-based bi-directional digital data communication with the data unit;
a router coupled to the xDS1:. modem, the telephone line modem and the local area network transceiver for packet-based data transfer between the xDSL modem, the telephone line modem and the local area network transceiver; and a single enclosure housing the first, second and third ports, the xDSL modem, the low pass filter, the high pass filter, the telephone line modem, the digital data connector and the router, wherein the single enclosure is mountable to a wall of the building.
According to another embodiment of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for configuring a local area network in a building for the transport of digital packet-based data signals and analog signals across a wiring using frequency domain multiplexed analog and digital packet-based data signals, and the wiring including at least first and second wiring segments each including at least two conductors, the apparatus comprising:
first and second ports each connectable to a respective one of the first and second wiring segments;
first and second data filters each coupled to a respective one of the first and second ports, each having a digital data signal port operative to pass only digital packet-based data signals;
first and second modems each coupled to the digital data signal port of a respective one of the first and second filters, operative for bi-directional digital packet-based data signal communication with a respective one of the first and second wiring segments;
at least one data connector operative for establishing a bi-directional digital packet-based data connection with a data unit;
a multiport unit coupling the first and second modems to the at least one data connector for packet-based data transfer between the modems and the at least one data connector, the multiport unit being constituted by one of a bridge and a router; and a single enclosure housing the ports, the data filters, the modems, the at least one data connector and the multipart unit, According to another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a device for coupling a digital data signal to a first data unit, for use with a telephone wire pair installed at least in part in walls of a building, the telephone wire pair being connected for carrying a bi-directional digital data signal in a digital data frequency band distinct from, and higher than, an analog telephone frequency band, and the device comprises a single enclosure and, within the single enclosure:
a telephone connector for connecting to the telephone wire pair;
a modem connected for transmitting to and receiving the bi-directional digital data signal over the telephone wire pair;
a high pass filter coupled between the telephone connector and the modem for substantially passing signals in the digital data frequency band;
a data connector connectable to the first data unit;
a transceiver coupled to the data connector for transmitting and receiving packet-based bi-directional digital data with the first data unit; and a router or a gateway coupled to pass digital data between the modem and the transceiver for handling protocol layers above the physical layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWTN S
In order to understand the invention and to see how the same may be carried out in practice, some preferred embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 shows a common prior art telephone line wiring configuration for a residence or other building.
Figure 2 shows a prior art local area network: based on telephone line wiring for a residence or other building.
Figure 3 shows modifications to telephone line wiring according to the present invention for a local area network.
Figure 4 shows modifications to telephone line wiring according to the present invention to support regular telephone service operation.
Figure 5 shows a splitter according to the present invention.
Figure 6 shows a local area network based on telephone lines according to the present invention wherein the network supports two devices at adjacent outlets.
Figure 7 shows a first embodiment of a local area network based on telephone lines according to the present invention, wherein the network 25 supports two devices at non-adjacent outlets.
Figure 8 shows a second embodiment of a local area network based on telephone lines according to the present invention, wherein the network supports three devices at adjacent outlets.

-f3-Figure 9 shows third embodiment of a local area network based on telephone lines according to the present invention. wherein the network is a bus type network.
Figure 10 shows a node of local area network based on telephone lines according to the present invention.

Figure 11 shows a fourth embodiment of a local area network based on telephone lines according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The principles and operation of a network according to the present invention may be understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description. The drawings and descriptions are conceptual only. In actual practice, a single component can implement one or more functions: alternatively. each function can be implemented by a plurality of components and circuits. In the drawings and descriptions, identical reference numerals indicate those components which are common to different embodiments or configurations.

The basic concept of the invention is shown in Figure 3. A network 30 is based on modified telephone outlets 31a. 31b. 31c and 31d. The modification relates to wiring changes at the outlets and substituting the telephone connectors, shown as connectors 32a. 32b. 32c and 32d in outlets 31a, 31b. 31c and 31d respectively. No changes are required in the overall telephone line layout or configuration. The wiring is changed by separating the wires at each outlet into distinct segments of electrically-conducting 25" media. Thus, each segment connecting two outlets can be individually accessed from either end. In the prior art Dichter network, the telephone wiring is not changed, and is continuously conductive from junction box 16 throughout the system. According to the present invention, the telephone line is broken into electrically distinct isolated segments 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d and 15e, each of which connects two outlets. In order to fully access the media. each of connectors 32a. 32b. 32c and 32d must support four connections. two in each segment. This modification to the telephone line can be carried out by replacing each of the outlets 31a. 31b. 31c and 31d.

replacing only the connectors 32a. 32b. 32c and 32d. or simply by cutting the telephone line wiring at the outlet. As will he explained later, these modifications need be performed only to those outlets which connect to data network devices, but are recommended at all other outlets. A minimum of two outlets must be modified. enabling data communication between those outlets only.

Figure 4 shows how a network 40 of the present invention continues to support the regular telephone service. by the installation of jumpers 41.a.
41b. 41c and 41d in modified outlets 31a. 31b, 31c and 31d respectively.
At each outlet where they are installed, the jumpers connect both segment ends and allow telephone connection to the combined segment. Installation of a jumper effects a re-connection of the split telephone line at the point of installation. Installation of_jumpers at all outlets would reconstruct the prior art telephone line configuration as shown in Figure 1. Such jumpers can be add-ons to the outlets, integrated within the outlets, or integrated into a separate module. Alternately, a jumper can be integrated within a telephone set. as part of connector 14. The term "jumper" herein denotes any device for selectively coupling or isolating the distinct segments in a way that is not specific to the frequency band of the coupled or isolated signals. Jumper 41 can be implemented with a simple electrical connection between the connection points of connector 32 and the external connection of the telephone.

As described above. jumpers 41 are to be installed in all outlets which are not required for connection .to the data communication network.
Those outlets which are required to support data communication connections, however. will not use jumper 41 but rather a splitter 50. shown in Figure 5. Such a splitter connects to both segments in each modified, outlet 31 via connector 32. using a port 54 for a first connection and a port 55 for a second connection. Splitter 50 has two LPF's for maintaining the continuity of the audio / telephone l()w-frequencv band. After low pass filtering by LPF 51a for the port 54 and LPF 51b for port 55. the analog telephony signals are connected together and connected to a telephone connector 53. Hence, from the point of view of the telephone signal, the splitter 50 provides the same continuity and telephone access provided by the jumper 41. On the other hand. the data communication network employs the high-frequency band. access to which is made via HPF's 52a and 52b.
HPF 52a is connected to port 54 and HPF 52b is connected to port 55. The high pass filtered signals are not passed from port 54 to port 55, but are kept separate. and are routed to a connector 56 and a connector 57. respectively.
The term "splitter" herein denotes any device for selectively coupling or isolating the distinct segments that is specific to the frequency band of the coupled or isolated signals.

Therefore, when installed in an outlet. the splitter 50 serves two functions. With respect to the low-frequency analog telephony band, splitter 50 establishes a coupling to effect the prior-art configuration shown in Figure 1. wherein all telephone devices in the premises are connected virtually in parallel via the telephone line. as if the telephone line were not broken into segments. On the other hand, with respect to the high-frequency data communication network, splitter 50 establishes electrical isolation to effect the configuration shown in Figure 3. wherein the segments are separated, and access to each segment end is provided by the outlets. With the use of splitters, the telephone system and the data communication network are actually decoupled. with each supporting a different topology.

Figure 6 shows a first embodiment of a data communication network 60 between two DTE units 24a and 24b. connected to adjacent outlets 31b and 31c. which are connected together via it single segment 15c. Splitters 50a and 50b are connected to outlets 31 b and 31 c via connectors 32b and 32c. respectively. As explained above. the splatters allow transparent audio /
telephone signal connection. Thus. for analog telephony. the telephone line remains virtually unchanged, allowing access to telephone external connection 17 via junction box 16 for telephones 13a and 13c. Likewise.
telephone 13b connected via connector 14b to it connector 53a on splitter 50a. is also connected to the telephone line. In a similar way. an, additional telephone can be added to outlet 31c by connecting the telephone to connector 53b on splitter SOb. It should be clear that connecting a telephone to an outlet, either via jumper 41 or via splitter 50 does not affect the data communication network.

Network 60 (Figure 6) supports data communication by providing a communication path between port 57a of splitter 50a and port 56b of splitter 50b. Between these ports there exists a point-to-point connection for the high-frequency portion of the signal spectrum. as determined by HPF
52a and 52b within splitters 50 (Figure 5). This path can be used to establish a communication link between DTE units 24a and 24b. by means of DCE units 23a and 23b. which are respectively connected to ports 57a and 56b. The communication between DTE units 24a and 24b can be unidirectional, half-duplex, or full-duplex. The only limitation imposed.on the communication system is the capability to use the high-frequency portion of the spectrum of segment 15c. As an example. the implementation of data transmission over a telephone line point-to-point system described in Reichert can also be used in network 60. Reichert implements both LPF
and HPF by means of a transformer with a capacitor connected in the center-tap, as is well known in the art. Similarly. splitter 50 can be easily implemented by two such circuits. one for each side.

It should also be apparent that HPF 52a in splitter 50a and HPF 52b in splitter 50b can be omitted. because neither port 56a in splitter 50a nor port 57b in splitter 50b is connected.

Network 60 provides clear auvantages over the networks described in hitherto-proposed networks. First. the communication media supports point-to-point connections, which are known to he superior to multi-tap (bus) connections for communication performance. In addition, terminators can be used within each splitter or DCE unit. providing a superior match to the transmission line characteristics. Furthermore. no taps (drops) exists in the media, thereby avoiding impedance matching problems and the reflections that result therefrom.

Moreover, the data communication system in network 60 is isolated from noises from both the network. and the 'left- part of the telephone network (Segments 15a and 15b). as well as noises induced from the 'right' portion of the network (Segments 15d and 15e). Such isolation is not provided in any prior-art implementation. Dichter suggests installation of a low pass filter in the junction box. which is not a satisfactory solution since the junction box is usually owned by the telephone service provider and cannot always be accessed. Furthermore. safety issues such as isolation.
lightning protection, power-cross and other issues are involved in such a modification.

Implementing splitter 50 by passive components only, such as two transformers and two center-tap capacitors. is also advantageous. since the reliability of the telephone service will not be degraded, even in the case of failure in any DCE unit, and furthermore requires no external power. This accommodates a `life-line' function, which provides for continuous telephone service even in the event of other system malfunction . (e.g.
electrical failures).
The splitter 50 can be integrated into outlet 31. In such a case. outlets equipped with splitter 50 will have two types of connectors: One regular telephone connector based on port 53. and one or two connectors providing access to ports 56 and 57 (a single quadruple-circuit connector or two double-circuit connectors). Alternatively, splitter 50 can be an independent module attached as an add-on to outlet 31. In another embodiment, the splitter is included as part of DCE 23. However. in order for network 60 to operate properly. either jumper 41 or splitter 50 must be employed in outlet 31 as modified in order to split connector 32 according to the present invention, allowing the retaining of regular telephone service.

Figure 7 also shows data communication between two DTE units 24a and 24b in a network 70. However, in the case of network 70, DTE
units 24a and 24b are located at outlets 31b and 31d. which are not directly connected, but have an additional outlet 31c interposed therebetween.
Outlet 31c is connected to outlet 31b via a segment 15c. and to outlet 31d via a segment 15d.

In one embodiment of network 70. a jumper (not shown, but similar to jumper 41 in Figure 4) is connected to a connector 32c in outlet 31c. The previous discussion regarding the splitting of the signal spectrum also applies here, and allows for data transport.between DTE units 24a and 24b via the high-frequency portion of the spectrum across segments .15c and 15d. When only jumper 41 is connected at outlet 31c, the same point-to-point performance as previously discussed can be expected; the only influence on communication performance is from the addition of segment 15d, which extends the length of the media and hence leads to increased signal attenuation. Some degradation. however, can also be expected when a telephone is connected to jumper 41 at outlet 31c. Such degradation. can be the result of noise produced by the telephone in the high-frequency data communication band. as well as the result of the addition of a tap caused by the telephone connection. which usually has a non-matched termination. Those problems can he overcome by installing a low pass filter in the telephone.

In a preferred embodiment of network 70. a splitter 50b is installed in outlet 31c. Splitter 50b provides the LPF functionality, and allows for connecting a telephone via connector 53b. However, in order to allow for continuity in data communication. there must be a connection between the circuits in connectors 56b and 57b. Such a connection is obtained by a .jumper 71. as shown in Figure 7. Installation of spotter 50b and jumper 71 provides good communication performance. similar to network 60 (Figure 6). From this discussion of a system wherein there is only one unused outlet between the outlets to which the DTE units are connected, it should be clear l5 that the any number.of unused outlets between the outlets to which the DTE
units are connected can he handled in the same manner.

For the purpose of the foregoing discussions. only two communicating DTE units have been described. However, the present invention can be easily applied to any number of DTE units. Figure 8 illustrates a network 80 supporting three DTE units 24a, 24b and 24c, connected thereto via DCE units 23a. 23b and 23c. respectively. The structure of network 80 is the same as that of network 70 (Figure 7). with the exception of the substitution of jumper 71 with a jumper 81. Jumper 81 makes a connection between ports 56b and 57b in the same way as does jumper 71. However, in a manner similar to that of jumper 41 (Figure 4), jumper 81 further allows for an external connection to the joined circuits, allowing the connection of external unit. such as a DCE unit 23c. In this way, segments 15c and 15d appear electrically-connected for high-frequency signals, and constitute media for a data communication network connecting DTE units 24a. 24b and 24c. Obviously. this configuration can he adapted to any number of outlets and DTE units. In fact, any data communication network which supports a "bus' or multi-point connection over two-conductor media. and which also makes use of the higher-frequency part of the spectrum can be used. In addition, the -discussion and techniques explained in the Dichter patent are equally applicable here. Some networks. such as Ethernet IEEE 802.3 interface IOBaseT and 100BaseTX. require a four-conductor connection. two conductors (usually single twisted-wire pair) for transmitting, and two conductors (usually another twisted-wire pair) for receiving. As is known in the art, a four-to-two wires converter (commonly known as hybrid) can be used to convert the four wires required into two. thereby allowing network data transport over telephone lines according to the present invention.

As with jumper 41 (Figure 4. jumper 81 can be an integral part of splitter 50, an integral part of DCE 23, or a separate component.

In order to simplify the installation and operation of a network. it is beneficial to use the same equipment in all parts of the network. One such embodiment supporting this approach is shown in for a set of three similar outlets in Figure 8, illustrating network 80. In network 80. outlets 31 b.
31c.

and 31d are similar and are all used as part of the data communication network. Therefore for uniformity. these outlets are all coupled to splitters 50a. 50b, and 50c respectively, to which jumpers are attached. such as a jumper 81 attached to splitter 50b (the corresponding jumpers attached to splitter 50a and splitter 50c have been omitted from Figure 8 for clarity), and thus provide connections to local DCE units 23a. 23c, and 23b, respectively. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, all outlets in the building will be modified to include both splitter 50 and jumper 81 functionalities. Each such outlet will provide two connectors: one connector ..............

coupled to port 53 for a telephone connection. and the other connector coupled to.jumper 81 for a DCE connection.

In yet another embodiment. DCE 23 and splitter 50 are integrated into the housing of outlet 31, thereby offering a direct DTE connection. In a preferred embodiment, a standard DTE interface is employed.

In most 'bus' type networks- it is occasionally required to split the network into sections, and connect the sections via repeaters (to compensate for long cabling), via bridges (to decouple each section from the others), or via routers. This may also be done according to the present invention, as illustrated in Figure 9 for a network 90. which employs a repeater / bridge router unit 91. Unit 91 can perform repeating. bridging. routing, or any other function associated with a split between two or more networks. As illustrated, a splitter 50b is coupled to an outlet 31 c. in a manner similar to the other outlets 'and. splitters of network 90. However, at splitter 50b, no jumper is employed. Instead, a repeater / bridge/ router unit 91 is connected between port 56b and port 57b, thereby providing a connection between separate parts of network 90. Optionally. unit 91 can also provide an interface to DTE 24c for access to network 90.

Figure 9 also demonstrates the capability of connecting to external DTE units or networks, via a high pass filter 92 connected to a line 15a.
Alternatively, HPF 92 can be installed in junction box 16. HPF 92 allows for additional external units to access network 90. As shown in Figure 9.
HPF 92 is coupled to a DCE unit 93. which in turn is connected to a network 94. In this configuration, the local data communication network in the building becomes part of network 94. In one embodiment, network 94 offers ADSL service, thereby allowing the DTE units 24d. 24a. 24c and 24b within the building to communicate with the ADSL network. The capability of communicating with external DTE units or networks is equally applicable to all other embodiments of the present invention, but for clarity is omitted from the other drawings.

While the foregoing relates to data communication networks employing bus topology. the present invention can also support networks where the physical layer is distinct within each communication link. Such a network can be a Token-Passing or 'token-Ring network according to IEEE
802. or preferably a PSIC network as described in U.S. Patent 5,841.360 to the present inventor, which details the advantages of such a topology.
Figure 10 illustrates a node 100 for implementing such a network. Node 100 employs two modems 103a and 103b. which handle the communication physical layer. Modems 103a and .103b are independent.
and couple to dedicated communication links 104a and 104b, respectively.
Node 100 also features a DTE interface 101 for connecting to a DTE unit (not shown). A control and logic unit 102 manages the higher OSI layers of the data communication above the physical layer. processing the data to and from a connected DTE and handling the network control. Detailed discussion about such node 100 and the fiinctioning thereof can be found in U.S. Patent 5.841.360 and other sources known in the art.

Figure 11 describes a network 110 containing nodes 100d. 100a, 100b and 100c coupled directly to splitters 50d. 50a. 50b and 50c, which in turn are coupled to outlets 31a, 31b. 31c and 31d respectively. Each node 100 has access to the corresponding splitter 50 via two pairs of contacts, one of which is to connector 56 and the other of which is to connector 57.
In this way, for example. node 100a has independent access to both segment 15b and segment 15c. This arrangement allows building a network connecting DTE units 24d. 24a. 24b and 24c via nodes 100d, 100a, 100b and 100c, respectively.

For clarity, telephones are omitted from Figures 9 and 11. but it will be clear that telephones can be connected or removed without affecting the - 12 ^

data communication network. Telephones can be connected as required via connectors 53 of splitters 50. In general. according to the present invention, a telephone can be connected without any modifications either to a splitter 50 (as in Figure 8) or to a jumper 41 (as in Figure 4).
Furthermore, although the present invention , has so far been described with a single DTE connected to a single outlet. multiple DTE
units can be connected to an outlet, as long as the corresponding node or DCE supports the requisite number of connections. Moreover, access to the communication media can he available for plurality of users using multiplexing techniques known in the art. In the case of time domain /
division multiplexing (TDM) the whole bandwidth is dedicated to a specific user during a given time interval. In the case of frequency domain / division multiplexing (FDM). a number of users can share the media simultaneously, each using different non-overlapping portions of the frequency spectrum.

In addition to the described data communication purposes, a network according to the present invention can be used for control (e.g. home automation), sensing, audio, or video applications. and the communication can also utilize analog signals (herein denoted by the term "analog communication"). For example. a video signal can be transmitted in analog form via the network.

While the present invention has been described in terms of outlets which have only two connections and therefore can connect only to two other outlets (i.e., in a serial, or 'daisy chain" configuration), the concept can also be extended to three or more connections. In such a case, each additional connecting telephone line must be broken at the outlet, with connections made to the conductors thereof. in the same manner as has been described and illustrated for two segments. A splitter for such a multi-segment application should use one low pass filter and one high pass filter for each segment connection.

The present invention has also been described in terms of media having a single pair of wires, but can also be applied for more conductors.
For example. ISDN employs two pairs for communication. Each pair can be used individually for a data communication network as described above.
Also as explained above. an outlet 31 according to the invention (Figure 3) has a connector 32 having, at least four connection points. As an option, Jumper 41 (Figure 4), splitter 50 (Figure 5). or splitter 50 with Jumper 81 (Figure 8), low pass filters. high pass filters, or other additional hardware may also be integrated or housed internally within outlet 31.
Alternatively, these devices may be external to the outlet. Moreover, the outlet may contain standard connectors for devices. such as DTE units. In one embodiment, only passive components are included within the outlet.
For example, splitter 50 can have two transformers and two capacitors (or an alternative implementation consisting of passive components). In another embodiment, the outlet may contain active. power-consuming components.
Three options can be used for providing power to such circuits:

1. Local powering: In this option. supply power is fed locally to each power-consuming outlet. Such outlets must be modified to support connection for input power.
2. Telephone power: In both POTS and ISDN telephone networks, power is carried in the lines with the telephone signals. This power can also be used for powering the outlet circuits. as long as the total power consumption does not exceed the POTS / ISDN
system specifications. Furthermore, in some POTS. systems the power consumption is used for OFF-HOOK/ON-HOOK
signaling. In such a case. the network power consumption must not interfere with the telephone logic.

Dedicated power carried in the media: In this option, power for the data communication related components is carried in the communication media. For example. power can be distributed using 5 kHz signal. This frequency is beyond the telephone signal bandwidth. and thus does not interfere with the telephone service.
The data communication bandwidth. however.- be above this 5 kHz frequency. again ensuring that there is no interference between power and signals.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations.
modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.

Claims (126)

1. A device for coupling a data unit to a digital data signal and for coupling a service unit to an analog service signal, for use with a service wire pair installed in walls of a building, the service wire pair concurrently carrying a bi-directional digital data signal and an analog service signal carried over a service signal frequency band, using frequency division multiplexing, and the digital data signal is carried over a frequency band distinct from the service signal frequency band, and the device comprises a single enclosure and, within said single enclosure:
a wiring connector for connecting to the service wire pair;
a first filter coupled to the wiring connector for passing only the analog service signal;
a standard service connector coupled to the first filter and connectable to the service unit for coupling the service unit to the analog service signal;
a second filter coupled to the wiring connector for passing only the digital data signal;
a modem coupled to the second filter for transmitting the digital data signal to the service wire pair and for receiving the digital data signal from the service wire pair;
a standard data connector connectable to the data unit;
a transceiver coupled to the standard data connector for coupling packet-based bi-directional digital data to the data unit;
a multiport device that is a selected one of a bridge, a router and a gateway coupled to pass data between said modem, and said transceiver for coupling the digital data carried by the digital data signal and the packet based digital data; and a power supply coupled to the modem and the transceiver for powering the modem and the transceiver.

2. The device as in claim 1, wherein the digital data signal is xDSL based and the analog service signal is an analog telephone signal.

3. The device as in claim 1, wherein the standard data connector and the transceiver are operative for coupling to an Ethernet IEEE802.3 interface.

4. The device as in claim 1, further comprising a power connector connectable to a power source, and wherein the power supply is coupled to said power connector for power feeding the modem and the transceiver from the power source.

5. The device as in claim 1, wherein the service wire pair further carries a power signal, and the power supply is coupled to the wiring connector for coupling to the power signal and feeding at least one component in the device from the power signal.

6. The device as in claim 1, wherein the service wire pair is a telephone wire pair and the analog service signal is an analog telephone signal.

7. The device as in claim 1, wherein the device is capable of coupling an additional data unit to digital data carried by the digital data signal, and the digital data comprises distinct first and second data streams using time division multiplexing, and wherein the device further comprises: a second standard data connector connectable to a second data unit, a second transceiver coupled to the second standard data connector and to the multiport device, and the device is operative for coupling the first data unit to the first data stream and for coupling the second data unit to the second data stream.

8. A device for coupling a first data unit and a second data unit to first and second distinct Internet-based data streams carried over a single xDSL connection using time division multiplexing, for use with a telephone wire pair concurrently carrying xDSL and analog telephony signals using frequency division multiplexing, and the xDSL
signal is carried over a high frequency band and the analog telephony signal is carried over a low frequency band, and the device comprises a single enclosure and, within said single enclosure:
a telephone connector for connecting to the telephone wire pair;

a high pass filter coupled to the telephone connector for passing only the xDSL
signal;
a xDSL modem coupled to the high pass filter for transmitting and receiving the xDSL signal;
a first standard data connector connectable to the first data unit;
a first data transceiver coupled with the first standard data connector for first Internet-based data stream communication with the first data unit;
a second standard data connector connectable to the second data unit;
a second data transceiver coupled with the second standard data connector for second Internet-based data stream communication with the first data unit; and a multiport device that is a selected one of a bridge, a router and a gateway coupled to said xDSL modem, and said first and second data transceivers for coupling the xDSL signal and the first and second Internet-based data streams.

9. The device as in claim 8, wherein the device is further couplable to an analog telephone device, and the device further comprising:
a low pass filter coupled to said telephone connector for passing only the analog telephony signal; and a second telephone connector coupled to said low pass filter for coupling an analog telephone device to said analog telephony signal.

10. The device as in claim 8, wherein the device is further couplable to a service wiring within a building carrying a bi-directional wired digital data signal and an analog service signal over an analog service signal frequency band, using frequency division multiplexing, and the bi-directional wired digital data signal is carried over a frequency band distinct from the service signal frequency band, and wherein said device further comprises:
a wiring connector for connecting to the service wiring;
a second filter coupled to said wiring connector and operative to pass only the second bi-directional wired digital data, and a service wiring modem coupled between said second filter and said multiport device.

11. The device as in claim 10, wherein the service wiring is a telephone wiring and the analog service signal is a further analog telephony signal.

12. The device as in claim 8, wherein the device is integrated within a service outlet.

13. The device as in claim 8, wherein the telephone wire pair concurrently carries a power signal, and the device is couplable to the power signal to be at least in part powered by the power signal.

14. A device for coupling first and second bi-directional digital data signals, each carried over a distinct wiring, to each other and to a data unit, for use with a telephone wire pair at least in part in a building, the telephone wire pair concurrently carrying first bi-directional digital data using a xDSL signal containing the first bi-directional digital data and an analog telephone signal over a telephone signal frequency band, and the xDSL signal is carried over a frequency band distinct from and higher than the telephone signal frequency band, and a service wire pair installed at least in part in walls within a building, the service wire pair concurrently carrying a s6cond bi-directional digital data signal containing Second bi-directional digital data and an analog service signal carried over an analog service signal frequency band, using frequency division multiplexing wherein the second bi-directional digital data signal is carried over a frequency band distinct from the analog service signal frequency band, and the device comprising a single enclosure and, within said single enclosure:
a telephone connector for connecting said device to the telephone wire pair;
a high pass filter coupled to said telephone connector for passing only the xDSL
signal;
a xDSL modem coupled to said high pass filter for coupling with the first bi-directional data signal;
a service wiring connector for connecting said device to the service wire pair;

a filter coupled to said service wiring connector for passing only the second bi-directional data signal;
a service wiring modem coupled to said filter for coupling with the second bi-directional data signal;
a multiport unit that is one of a bridge, a router and a gateway coupled to said xDSL modem and service wiring modem and operative to couple the first and second bi-directional digital data to each other; a standard data interface coupled to the multiport unit for coupling a standard data interface signal to at least one of the xDSL
signal and th6 second bi-directional digital data signal; and a standard data connector coupled to the standard data interface and connectable to a data unit for coupling the standard data interface signal to the data unit.

15. The device as in claim 14, wherein the device is further connectable to an analog telephone device, and the service wiring is a telephone wire pair and the service signal is an analog telephone signal, and the device further comprising:
a low pass filter coupled to said telephone connector for passing only the analog telephone signal; and a second telephone connector coupled to said low pass filter for coupling an analog telephone device to said analog telephony signal.

16. The device as in claim 14, wherein the device is further connectable to a service unit, and the device further comprising:
a second filter coupled to said service wiring connector for passing only the analog service signal; and a service connector coupled to said second filter for coupling a service unit to said analog service signal.

17. The device as in claim 14, wherein the device is integrated within a service outlet.

18. The device as in claim 14, wherein the telephone wire pair concurrently carries a power signal, and the device is couplable to the power signal to be at least in part powered by the power signal.

19. A device for coupling a first data unit and a second data unit to respective first and second distinct data streams, for use with a wiring concurrently carrying over the same wires a power signal and a digital data signal, the digital data signal including said first and second distinct data streams carried using time division multiplexing, and the device comprises a single enclosure and, within said single enclosure:
a wiring connector for connecting to the wiring;
a wiring modem coupled to the wiring connector for coupling to the digital data signal;
a first standard data connector connectable to the first data unit;
a first data transceiver coupled to the first standard data connector for data communication with the first data unit;
a second standard data connector connectable to the second data unit;
a second data transceiver coupled to the second standard data connector for data communication with the second data unit; and a multiport unit coupled to said wiring modem and said first and second data transceivers for coupling only the first data stream to the first data transceiver and for coupling only the second data stream to the second data transceiver, and wherein at least part of the device is coupled to the wiring connector to be powered by the power signal.

20. The device as in claim 19, wherein the first and second data streams are packet.
based.

21. The device as in claim 19, wherein the multipart unit is one of a bridge, a router and a gateway.

22. The device as in claim 19, wherein the power signal is Direct Current (DC).

23. The device as in claim 19, wherein the power signal is Alternating Current (AC).

24. The device as in claim 19, wherein the digital data signal is carried over a digital data signal frequency band and the power signal is carried over it frequency band distinct from the digital data signal frequency band, and the device further comprises:
a first filter coupled between the wiring connector and the wiring modem for passing only the digital data signal; and a second filter coupled to the wiring connector for passing only the power signal to a part of the device.

25. The device as in claim 19, wherein the wiring is a pre-existing service wiring at least in part in the walls of a building, and the service wiring further concurrently carries an analog service signal over an analog service signal frequency band, and the digital data signal is carried using frequency division multiplexing, and the digital data signal is carried over a digital data frequency band distinct from the analog service signal frequency band.

26. The device as in claim 25, wherein the device is operative for coupling a service unit to the analog service signal, and the device further comprises:
a service filter coupled to the wiring connector for passing only the analog service signal; and a standard service connector coupled to the service filter and connectable to a service unit for coupling the service unit to the analog service signal.

27. The device as in claim 26, wherein the service wiring is a telephone wire pair and the analog service signal is an analog telephone signal.

28. The device as in claim 19, wherein the device is integrated within a service outlet.

29. The device as in claim 19, wherein the first and second data streams are Ethernet based.

30. A device for coupling a first data unit and a second data unit to respective first and second distinct data streams, for use with a wiring at least in part in walls of a building and carrying a digital data signal, the digital data signal including the first and second distinct data streams carried using time division multiplexing, and the device comprises a single enclosure and, within said single enclosure:
a wiring connector for connecting to the wiring;
a modem coupled to the wiring connector for coupling to the digital data signal;
a first standard data connector connectable to the first data unit;
a first data transceiver coupled to the first standard data connector for data communication with the first data unit;
a second standard data connector connectable to the second data unit;
a second data transceiver coupled to the second standard data connector for data communication with the second data unit; and a multiport unit coupled to said modem and said first and second data transceivers for coupling only the first data stream to the first data transceiver and for coupling only the second data stream to the second data transceiver, and wherein at least one of the modem and the first and second data transceivers comprises power consuming components.

31. The device as in claim 30, wherein the first and second data streams are packet-based.

32. The device as in claim 30, wherein the multiport unit is one of a bridge, a router and a gateway.

33. The device as in claim 30, wherein the wiring concurrently carries a power signal over the same wires, and the power consuming components are coupled to the wiring connector to be powered by the power signal.

34. The device as in claim 33, wherein the power signal is Direct Current (DC).

35. The device as in claim 33, wherein the power signal is Alternating Current (AC).

36. The device as in claim 33, wherein the digital data signal is carried over a digital data signal frequency band and the power signal is carried over a frequency band distinct from the digital data signal frequency band, and the device fitter comprises:
a first filter coupled between the wiring connector; and a second filter coupled between the wiring connector, and the at least one of the power consuming components for passing only the power signal, and the modem for passing only the digital data signal.

37. The device as in claim 30, further comprising a power connector connectable to a power source, the power supply being coupled to said power connector for power feeding said wiring modem and at least one of said transceivers from said power source.

38. The device as in claim 30, wherein the wiring is a pre-existing service wiring at least in part in the walls of the building, and the service wiring further concurrently carries analog service signal over an analog service signal frequency band, and the digital data signal is carried using frequency division multiplexing wherein the digital data signal is carried over a digital data frequency band distinct from the analog service signal frequency band.

39. The device as in claim 38, wlierein the device is operative for coupling a service unit to the analog service signal, and the device further comprises;
a service fitter coupled to the wiring connector for passing only the analog service signal; and a standard service connector coupled to the service filter and connectable to a service unit for coupling the service unit to the analog service signal.

40. The device as in claim 39, wherein the service wiring is a telephone wire pair and the analog service signal is an analog telephone signal.

41. The device as in claim 30, wherein the first and second data streams are Ethernet based.

42. An apparatus for configuring a network in a building, the network having first and second wiring segments, each wiring segment comprising at least two conductors installed at least in part in a wall of the building, the first wiring segment carrying a frequency domain multiplexed first packet-based digital data signal and a first analog signal, and the second wiring segment carrying a frequency domain multiplexed second packet based digital data signal and a second analog signal, the apparatus comprising:
first and second ports each connectable to a respective one of the first and second wiring segments;
first and second data filters each coupled to a respective one of said first and second ports, each, having a data signal port operative to pass only a respective one of the first and second digital data signals;
first and second modems each coupled to said data signal port of a respective one of said first and second filters, and each operative for bi-directionally conducting a respective packet-based data signal over a respective one of the first and second wiring segments;
at least one data connector operative for establishing a data signal connection with a data unit;
a multiport unit coupling said first and second modems to said at least one data connector for data transfer between said modems and said at least one data connector, said multiport unit being constituted by one of a repeater; a bridge; and a router;
first and second analog filters each coupled to a respective one of said first and second ports, each having a respective analog signal port and each operative to pass only a respective one of the first and second analog signals; and a single enclosure housing said ports, said data filters, said modems, said at least one data connector, said multiport unit and said analog filters, wherein said analog signal ports of said first and second analog filters are coupled to each other for coupling the first and second analog signals to each other.

43. The apparatus according to claim 42, wherein at least one of the first and second analog signals is an analog telephone signal, and the analog filter associated with at least the one of the first and second analog signals is a low pass filter.

44. The apparatus according to claim 42, wherein at least one of the wiring segments is a telephone wiring segment, and the modem associated with one of the wiring segments is a telephone wiring modem.

45. The apparatus according to claim 42, wherein the apparatus is at least partially housed within an outlet.

46. The apparatus according to claim 42, further comprising at least one power consuming component connected to at least one of the wiring segments and powered by a power signal carried by the at least one of the wiring segments.

47. The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the power signal is carried in a frequency spectrum distinct from the analog and data signals.

48. The outlet according to claim 46, wherein the power signal is an alternating current signal.

49. The apparatus according to claim 42, wherein the data signals carried over at least one of the wiring segments include a plurality of time division multiplexed data channels, and said apparatus further comprises a plurality of data connectors each operative for establishing a data signal connection with a data unit, and said data connectors are each coupled to said multiport unit, and said apparatus is operative for coupling each data unit to a distinct data channel.

50. The apparatus according to claim 42, wherein the data signals carried over at least one of the wiring segments include a plurality of frequency division multiplexed data channels, and said apparatus further comprises a plurality of data connectors each operative for establishing a data signal connection with a data unit, and said data connectors are each coupled to said multiport unit, and said apparatus is operative for coupling each data unit to a distinct data channel.

51. The apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said enclosure is attachable to a wall of the building.

52. The apparatus according to claim 42, further comprising an analog connector connectable to an analog unit and coupled to said analog signal port of said first analog filter.

53. An apparatus for configuring a network in a building, for use with first and second wiring segments, each wiring segment comprising at least two conductors installed at least in part in a wall of the building, the first wiring segment carrying a frequency domain multiplexed first packet-based digital data signal and a first analog signal, the second wiring segment carrying a frequency domain multiplexed second packet-based digital data signal and a second analog signal, the apparatus comprising:
first and second ports each connectable to a respective one of the first and second wiring segments;
first and second data filters each coupled to a respective one of said first and second ports, each having a data signal port operative to pass only a respective one of the first and second digital data signals;
first and second modems each coupled to said data signal port of a respective one of said first and second filters, and each operative for bi-directionally conducting a respective packet-based data signal over a respective one of the first and second wiring segments;
at least one data connector operative for establishing a data signal connection with a data unit;

a multiport unit coupling said first and second modems to said at least one data connector for data transfer between said modems and said at least one data connector, said multiport unit being constituted by one of: a repeater; a bridge; and a router;
an analog filter coupled to said first port and having an analog signal port and operative to pass only the first analog signal;
an analog connector operative for establishing an analog signal connection with an analog unit, said analog connector being coupled to said analog signal port of said analog filter; and a single enclosure housing said ports, said data filters, said modems, said at least one data connector, said multiport unit, said analog filter and said analog connector.

54. The apparatus according to claim 53, wherein said first analog signal is an analog telephone signal, said analog filter is a low pass filter and said analog connector is a telephone connector.

55. The apparatus according to claim 53, wherein at least one of the wiring segments is a telephone wiring segment, and the modem associated with one of the wiring segments is a telephone wiring modem.

56. The apparatus according to claim 53, wherein the apparatus is at least partially housed within an outlet.

57. The apparatus according to claim 53, further comprising at least one power consuming component connected to at least one of the wiring segments and powered by a power signal carried by the at least one of the wiring segments.

58. The apparatus according to claim 57, wherein the power signal is carried in a frequency spectrum distinct from the analog and data signals.

59. The apparatus according to claim 57, wherein the power signal is an alternating current signal.

60. The apparatus according to claim 53, wherein the data signal carried over at least one of the wiring segments include a plurality of time division multiplexed data channels, and said apparatus further comprises a plurality of data connectors each operative for establishing a data signal connection with a data unit, and said data connectors are each coupled to the multiport unit, and said apparatus is operative for coupling each data unit to a distinct data channel.

61. The apparatus according to claim 53, wherein the data signal carried over at least one of the wiring segments includes a plurality of frequency division multiplexed data channels, and said apparatus further comprises a plurality of data connectors each operative for establishing a data signal connection with a data unit, and said data connectors are each coupled to the multiport unit, and said apparatus is operative for coupling each data unit to a distinct data channel.

62. The apparatus according to claim 53, wherein said enclosure is attachable to a wall of the building.

63. An apparatus for configuring a network in a building, for use with first and second wiring segments, each wiring segment comprising at least two conductors installed at least in part in a wall of the building, the first wiring segment carrying a frequency domain multiplexed first packet-based digital data signal and a first analog signal, the second wiring segment carrying a frequency domain multiplexed second packet-based digital data signal and a second analog signal, the apparatus comprising;
first and second ports each connectable to a respective one of the first and second wiring segments;
first and second data filters each coupled to a respective one of said first and second ports, each having a data signal port operative to pass only a respective one of the first and second digital data signals;
first and second modems each coupled to said data signal port of a respective one of said first and second filters, and each operative for bi-directionally conducting a respective packet-based data signal over a respective one of the first and second wiring segments;
at least one data connector operative for establishing a data signal connection with a data unit;
a multiport unit coupling said first and second modems to said at least one data connector for data transfer between said modems and said at least one data connector, said multiport unit being constituted by one of: a repeater; a bridge; and a router;
a telephone connector connectable to a telephone device, said telephone connector being coupled to said first port; and a single enclosure housing said ports, said data filters, said modems, said at least one data connector, said multiport unit and said telephone connector.

64. The apparatus according to claim 63, further comprising a low pass filter operative to pass only analog telephone signals, the low pass filter coupled between said telephone connector and said first port.

65. The apparatus according to claim 63, wherein at least one of the wiring segments is a telephone wiring segment, and the modem associated with one of the first and second analog signals is a telephone wiring modem.

66. The apparatus according to claim 63, wherein the apparatus is at least partially housed within an outlet.

67. The apparatus according to claim 63, further comprising at least one power consuming component connected to at least one of the wiring segments and powered by a power signal carried by the at least one of the wiring segments.

68. The apparatus according to claim 67, wherein the power signal is carried in a frequency spectrum distinct from the analog and data signals.

69. The apparatus according to claim 67, wherein the power signal is an alternating current signal.

70. The apparatus according to claim 63, wherein the data signal carried over at least one of the wiring segments includes a plurality of time division multiplexed data channels, and said apparatus further comprises a plurality of data connectors each operative for establishing a data signal connection with a data unit, and said data connectors are each coupled to said multiport unit, and the apparatus is operative for coupling each data unit to a distinct data channel.

71. The apparatus according to claim 63, wherein the data signal carried over at least one of the wiring segments includes a plurality of frequency division multiplexed data channels, and said apparatus further comprises a plurality of data connectors each operative for establishing a data signal connection with a data unit, and said data connectors are each coupled to said multiport unit, and said apparatus is operative for coupling each data unit to a distinct data channel.

72. The apparatus according to claim 63, wherein said enclosure is attachable to a wall of the building.

73. A network interface device for coupling data units to the Internet over pre-existing PSTN wiring, for use with a first telephone wire pair at least in part external to a building and connected to a PSTN network and connected for carrying an xDSL
signal and with a second telephone wire pair at least in part in a wall of the building and connected to a telephone outlet, the second telephone wire pair being connected for concurrently carrying an analog telephone signal in an analog telephone frequency band, frequency multiplexed with a bi-directional serial digital data signal in a digital data frequency band, the digital data frequency band being distinct from, and higher that, the analog telephone frequency band, the device comprising:
a first port for connecting to the first telephone wire pair;

an xDSL modem coupled to said first port for conducting xDSL-based full-duplex serial digital data over the first telephone pair;
a second port for connecting to the second telephone wire pair;
a third port for connecting to a source of an analog telephone signal;
a first low pass filter connected between said second and third ports for substantially passing signals in the analog telephone frequency band and for substantially stopping signals in the digital data frequency band;
a telephone line modem connected for conducting the bi-directional serial digital data signal in the digital data frequency band over the second telephone wire pair;
a first high pass filter coupled between said second port and said telephone line modem for substantially passing signals in the digital data frequency band and for substantially stopping signals in the analog telephone frequency band;
a digital data connector for connecting to a data unit; a local area network transceiver coupled to said digital data connector for packet-based bi-directional digital data communication with the data unit;
a router coupled to said xDSL modem, said telephone line modem and said local area network transceiver for packet-based data transfer between said xDSL
modem, said telephone line modem and said local area network transceiver; and a single enclosure housing said first, second and third ports, said xDSL
modem, said low pass filter, said high pass filter, said telephone line modem, said digital data connector and said router, wherein said single enclosure is mountable to a wall of the building.

74. The device according to claim 73, wherein said third port is a standard telephone connector.

75. The device according to claim 74, wherein said standard telephone connector is a RJ-11 jack or a RJ-11 plug.

76. The device according to claim 73, wherein the first telephone wire pair is connected for carrying the xDSL signal in an xDSL frequency band frequency multiplexed concurrently with a second analog telephone signal in a second analog telephone frequency band distinct from, and lower than, the xDSL frequency band, and the device further comprises:
a second high pass filter coupled between said first port and said xDSL modem for substantially passing signals in the xDSL frequency band and for substantially stopping signals in the second analog telephone frequency band;
a fourth port for connecting to a source of an analog telephone signal; and a second low pass filter connected between said first port and said fourth port for substantially passing signals in the second analog telephone frequency band and for substantially stopping signals in the xDSL frequency band.

77. The device according to claim 76, wherein said fourth port is a standard telephone connector.

78. The device according to claim 77, wherein said standard telephone connector is a RJ-11 jack or a RJ-11 plug.

79. The device according to claim 76, wherein said fourth port is connected to said third port for passing analog telephone signals between the first and second telephone wire pairs.

80. The device according to claim 73, wherein the xDSL signal carries Internet Protocol based data.

81. The device according to claim 73, further being operative to be at least in part powered from a power signal carried over a telephone wire pair connected to said device.

82. The device according to claim 81, wherein the power signal is a direct current (DC) power signal.

83. The device according to claim 81, wherein said power signal is an alternating current (AC) power signal.

84. The device according to claim 83, wherein the AC power signal has a frequency distinct from, and higher than, the analog telephone frequency band.

85. The device according to claim 83, wherein the AC power signal has a frequency distinct from, and lower than, the digital data frequency band.

86. The device according to claim 73, further configured to be mountable collocated with a junction box/Network Interface Device.

87. The device according to claim 73, wherein communication with the data unit is full-duplex, packet-based point-to-point communication.

88. The device according to claim 87, wherein the communication is substantially based on Ethernet IEBE802.3 10/100BaseT, the local area network transceiver is an Ethernet transceiver, and said digital data connector is a RJ-45 connector.

89. The device according to claim 73 wherein said single enclosure is attachable to a wall opening or to an outlet cavity.

90. The device according to claim 73, wherein said single enclosure is a wall-mounted enclosure that is constructed to have at least one of the following:
a form substantially similar to that of a standard outlet;
wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard wall outlet;
a shape allowing direct mounting in an outlet opening or cavity; and a form to at least in part substitute for a standard outlet.

91. The device according to claim 73, wherein said xDSL modem is an ADSL
modem, and the xDSL signal is an ADSL signal.

92. The device according to claim 73, wherein at least one of the xDSL signal and the bi-directional serial digital data signal comprises multiple frequency multiplexed data streams, and each stream is in a distinct, non-overlapping frequency band.

93. The device according to claim 73, wherein at least one of the xDSL signal and the bi-directional serial digital data signal comprises multiple time multiplexed data streams, and each such stream uses a distinct, non-overlapping time interval.

94. A method comprising mounting a device according to claim 73 onto a wall of a building.

95. An apparatus for configuring a local area network in a building for the transport of digital packet-based data signals and analog signals across a wiring using frequency domain multiplexed analog and digital packet-based data signals, and the wiring including at least first and second wiring segments each including at least two conductors, the apparatus comprising:
first and second ports each connectable to a respective one of said first and second wiring segments;
first and second data filters each coupled to a respective one of said first and second ports, each having a digital data signal port operative to pass only digital packet-based data signals;
first and second modems each coupled to said digital data signal port of a respective one of said first and second filters, operative for bi-directional digital packet-based data signal communication with a respective one of said first and second wiring segments;
at least one data connector operative for establishing a bi-directional digital packet-based data connection with a data unit;
a multipart unit coupling said first and second modems to said at least one data connector for packet-based data transfer between said modems and said at least one data connector, said multiport unit being constituted by one of a bridge and a router; and a single enclosure housing said ports, said data filters, said modems, said at least one data connector and said multiport unit.

96. The apparatus according to claim 95, wherein the apparatus is further operative to couple a first analog signal to an analog unit the apparatus further comprising:
an analog filter coupled to said first and second ports and having an analog signal port, said analog filter being operative to pass only the first analog signal;
and an analog connector operative for establishing an analog signal connection with the analog unit, the analog connector being coupled to said analog signal port of said analog filter.

97. The apparatus according to claim 96, wherein the first analog signal is an analog telephone signal, and the analog unit is a telephone set.

98. The apparatus according to claim 95, wherein at least one of the wiring segments is a telephone wiring.

99. The apparatus according to claim 95, wherein the apparatus is at least partially housed within an outlet.

100. The apparatus according to claim 95, further comprising at least one power consuming component connected to at least one of the wiring segments and powered by a power signal carried by the at least one of the wiring segments.

101. The apparatus according to claim 100, wherein the power signal is carried in a frequency spectrum distinct from the analog and digital data signals.

102. The apparatus according to claim 100, wherein the power signal is an alternating current signal.

103. The apparatus according to claim 95, wherein the digital packet-based data signals are carried over at least one of the wiring segments and include a plurality of time division or frequency division multiplexed data channels, the apparatus further comprising:
a plurality of data connectors each operative for establishing a bi-directional digital packet-based data connection with a data unit, said data connectors are each coupled to the multiport unit, and the apparatus is operative for coupling each data unit to a respective one of the data channels.

104. The apparatus according to claim 95, wherein the apparatus is attachable to a wall of a building.

105. A device for coupling a digital data signal to a first data unit, for use with a telephone wire pair installed at least in part in walls of a building, the telephone wire pair being connected for carrying a bi-directional digital data signal in a digital data frequency band distinct from, and higher than, an analog telephone frequency band, and the device comprises a single enclosure and, within the single enclosure:
a telephone connector for connecting to the telephone wire pair;
a modem connected for transmitting to and receiving the bi-directional digital data signal over the telephone wire pair;
a high pass filter coupled between said telephone connector and said modem for substantially passing signals in the digital data frequency band;
a data connector connectable to the first data unit;
a transceiver coupled to said data connector for transmitting and receiving packet-based bi-directional digital data with the first data unit; and a router or a gateway coupled to pass digital data between said modem and said transceiver for handling protocol layers above the physical layer.

106. The device according to claim 105, wherein said device is further operative to couple an analog telephone signal to an analog telephone set, and the telephone wire pair is further connected for carrying an analog telephone signal in the analog telephone frequency band, and the device further comprises, in the single enclosure:
an analog telephone connector for connecting to the analog telephone set; and a low pass filter coupled between said telephone connector and said analog telephone connector for substantially passing signals in the analog telephone frequency band.

107. The device according to claim 105, wherein said single enclosure is constructed to have at least one of the following:
a form substantially similar to that of a standard telephone outlet;
wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard telephone wall outlet;
a shape allowing direct mounting in a standard outlet receptacle or opening;
and a form to at least in part substitute for a standard telephone outlet.

108. The device according to claim 105, wherein said devices is further pluggable into and attachable to a telephone outlet.

109. The device according to claim 105, wherein said single enclosures is structured to attach to a mating fixture secured on one of the walls of the building.

110. The device according to claim 105, wherein said device is integrated within a telephone outlet.

111. The device according to claim 105, wherein said single enclosure is attachable to one of the walls in the building.

112. The device according to claim 105, wherein the telephone wire pair is connected to concurrently carry a power signal, and the power signal is couplable to the device to at least in part power said device by the power signal.

113. The device according to claim 105, wherein the digital data signal is XDSL based and said modem is a xDSL modem.

114. The device according to claim 113, wherein the digital data signal is ADSL based, said modem is an ADSL modem and said telephone connector is RJ-11 type.

115. The device according to claim 105, wherein said modem is operative to perform bi-directional communication with one or more identical modems connected to the telephone wire pair.

116. The device according to claim 105, wherein said modem is operative to perform full-duplex point-to-point communication with only a single other modern over the telephone wire pair.

117. The device according to claim 105, wherein the digital data transmitted and received over the telephone wire pair is based on a first protocol, the packet-based bi-directional digital data is based on a second protocol different from the first protocol, and said router or gateway is operative to adapt between the first and second protocols.

118. The device according to claim 105, wherein the digital data signal carried by the telephone wire pair is based on Internet Protocol.

119. The device according to claim 105, wherein said transceiver is a Local Area Network (LAN) transceiver, said data connector is a LAN connector, and communication with the first data unit is based on LAN standard.

120, The device according to claim 119, wherein said transceiver is an Ethernet transceiver, said data connector is a RJ-45 type, and communication with said first data unit is based on IEEE802.3 standard.

121. The device according to claim 120, wherein communication with the first data unit is based on IEEE802.3 10 BaseT or 100BaseTX standards.

122. The device according to claim 119, wherein the digital data signal carried over the telephone wire pair comprises distinct first and second digital data streams using time division multiplexing, and the device is further operative to couple the digital data signal carried over the telephone wire pair to a second data unit, and the device further comprises:
a second data connector connectable to the second data unit; and a second transceiver coupled between said second data connector and said router or gateway for transmitting and receiving packet-based bi-directional digital data with the second data unit, and the device is operative to pass the first digital data stream between said telephone wire pair and the first data unit and to pass the second digital data stream between said telephone wire pair and the second data unit.

123. The device according to claim 122, wherein said second transceiver is a Local Area Network (LAN) transceiver, said second data connector is a LAN connector and communication with the second data unit is based on LAN standard.

124. The device according to claim 123, wherein said transceiver is an Ethernet transceiver, said data connector is a RJ-45 type, and communication with the first data unit is based on IEEE802.3 standard.

125. The device according to claim 124, wherein communication with the second data unit is based on IEEE802.3 10 BaseT or 100BaseTX standards.

126. The device according to claim 105, wherein the device is further for use with a wiring segment at least in part in walls of a building and connected for carrying a second bi-directional digital data signal in a second digital data frequency band distinct from, and higher than, analog telephone frequency band, and the device further comprising in the single enclosure:

a wiring connector for connecting to the wiring segment;
a second high pass filter coupled to said wiring connector for substantially passing signals in the second digital data frequency band; and a second modem coupled between said second high pass filter and said router or gateway, the second modem being connected for transmitting and receiving the bi-directional digital data signal over the wiring segment.