EP0909489A1 - Systeme de communication numerique destine aux immeubles residentiels ou a des structures similaires et qui utilise les cables telephoniques existants - Google Patents

Systeme de communication numerique destine aux immeubles residentiels ou a des structures similaires et qui utilise les cables telephoniques existants

Info

Publication number
EP0909489A1
EP0909489A1 EP97932571A EP97932571A EP0909489A1 EP 0909489 A1 EP0909489 A1 EP 0909489A1 EP 97932571 A EP97932571 A EP 97932571A EP 97932571 A EP97932571 A EP 97932571A EP 0909489 A1 EP0909489 A1 EP 0909489A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
signals
hub
wiring
digital
data
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP97932571A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0909489A4 (fr
Inventor
David D. Goodman
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Cais Inc
Original Assignee
Inline Connection Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Inline Connection Corp filed Critical Inline Connection Corp
Publication of EP0909489A1 publication Critical patent/EP0909489A1/fr
Publication of EP0909489A4 publication Critical patent/EP0909489A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/10—Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable
    • H04N7/108—Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable the cable being constituted by a pair of wires
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
    • H04L12/2838—Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
    • H04L2012/284—Home automation networks characterised by the type of medium used
    • H04L2012/2841—Wireless
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
    • H04L2012/284—Home automation networks characterised by the type of medium used
    • H04L2012/2845—Telephone line
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
    • H04L2012/2847—Home automation networks characterised by the type of home appliance used
    • H04L2012/2849—Audio/video appliances

Definitions

  • the invention relates generally to digital communication over existing lines in residential structures .
  • the development and popularity of the computer communication network called the Internet has spurred much excitement.
  • data does not flow downstream (that is, towards the end user) at a rate that is sufficient to support many of the applications that are in demand.
  • the coaxial cabling in place in most localities is installed in a "tree-and-branch" manner. This allows for a very high downstream data rate, which is one reason why the cabling can be used for these Internet connections. It is very difficult, however, to use this cabling for an upstream (that is, away from the end user) data path at other than very low data rates. The best alternative seems to be the use of ordinary telephone lines to provide an upstream path. This either adds to the cost or ties up a line. Another difficulty is that cable modems are extremely sophisticated devices and their use will make the cable system expensive. Finally, the coaxial wall outlets in a residence are not, in general, located where connection of computers is convenient.
  • the municipal coaxial cabling networks represent, unfortunately, the only existing conductive pathways that can economically support a very high downstream communication data rate from a central location to individual residences in the surrounding areas. As a result, there is no satisfactory solution to the problem of inadequate downstream and upstream Internet bandwidth.
  • the present invention relates to two-way communication of signals, particularly digital signals, over telephone wires between the various residential units in an apartment building or similar structure and a point where the wires in the building converge, for example, on the ground floor, while the wires continue to fulfill their original function as a conductive path for voice signals.
  • a dedicated digital path is created, in this manner, between each apartment unit and a communications hub located at the point of convergence or hub.
  • a high capacity line connects between this hub and a part of a larger network, such as the well-known Internet. This completes the connection between the residents upstairs and an external communications network.
  • a particular advantage of the invention is that the residents can share access to the high-speed line in such a way that each resident can enjoy nearly its full capacity. This is possible because typical residents make short "bandwidth demands,” or requests for "dedicated” access to the line at very infrequent intervals as, for example, a demand for one second of access each minute. The result is that the line is dormant and therefore fully available to the other residents during the other 59 seconds. Ultimately, of course, a resident will have to wait for access, at least for a short period, when many other people in the same building are also engaged in communication activities.
  • the invention also provides for the use of these telephone wires to enable the tenants to concurrently access video signals that are brought to the same point of convergence.
  • the invention includes methods for reducing the effect that reflections in the internal wiring can have on transmitting signals at frequencies above voiceband. Some of these methods may be particularly useful in using the telephone wiring internal to single family homes for communication of data and video .
  • 08/431,270 relates to the transmission of telephone signals and non-telephonic signals (such as cable television signals, other video signals, audio signals, data signals, and control signals) across telephone wiring networks of a general nature.
  • non-telephonic signals such as cable television signals, other video signals, audio signals, data signals, and control signals
  • Many of the elements disclosed in U.S. patent application Serial No. 08/670,216 are particularly appropriate for transmission within typical single family residences, while the main focus of U.S. patent application Serial No. 08/816,059 is communication through apartment buildings and similar structures .
  • This invention takes advantage of the opportunities made available by the unused frequencies that exist on the telephone wiring in apartment buildings.
  • the invention is directed towards the use of a wiring network internal to apartment buildings to inexpensively establish a digital connection between the tenants and an outside communication line.
  • a wiring network internal to apartment buildings to inexpensively establish a digital connection between the tenants and an outside communication line.
  • An additional objective is to provide the digital communication capability while allowing for simultaneous communication of video over the same conductive pathways.
  • a third objective is to economically overcome some of the untoward effects that splits in internal wiring have on the use of these wires for non-telephonic communications.
  • FIG. la is an overview of a system for allowing tenants in an MDU (multiple-dwelling unit) to access multiple video and data sources brought to the point where the telephone wires converge.
  • FIG. lb is a splitter for connecting both voiceband and broadband signals.
  • FIG. lc shows the principles of the transceiver.
  • FIG. Id shows the processor, a principle component of the transceiver.
  • FIG. 2 shows the major system components in the wiring closet .
  • FIG. 3 shows the principle components of the communications hub.
  • FIG. 4a is a diagram of a patch panel for combining and separating multiple signals of different varieties .
  • FIG. 4b is a diagram of a patch panel for combining and separating voiceband and broadband signals.
  • FIG. 5 shows the principle components of a modem for transmitting data in an apartment unit over active telephone lines.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram of a modem that does not load the communication line.
  • FIG. 7 shows the details of the modem in FIG. 6.
  • FIG. 8a is a diagram showing how to use two pairs of active internal wiring to connect a lOBaseT adapter.
  • FIG. 8b is a diagram showing how to use a 10Base2 adapter over a single pair.
  • FIG. 9a is a diagram showing how to connect to a lOBaseT hub over the internal wiring of a multiple dwelling unit.
  • FIG. 9b is a diagram showing how to connect 10Base2 Adapters to a lOBaseT hub
  • FIG. 9c is a diagram showing how to connect lOBaseT Adapters to a lOBaseT hub using a single pair.
  • FIG. 10a shows a low data rate LAN that uses the internal wires of an MDU.
  • FIG. 10b shows a second low data rate LAN that uses the internal wires of an MDU.
  • FIG. 11 shows a data communications network established across a group of MDU buildings.
  • FIG. 12 shows a modulator that can transmit either video or data.
  • FIG. la shows the type of twisted pair network typically found in apartment buildings and other "multiple dwelling units,” hereinafter referred to as
  • MDUs The configuration is typical because multiple wire pairs fan out from a point of convergence, reaching each of the residential units in the building, which are called local networks 411. In most apartment buildings, each unit is served by two or more of these wire pairs. The wiring splits inside each unit, terminating at wall jacks at different locations. Often, both telephones and broadband devices connect to these jacks, the telephones communicating with local exchange 475 and the broadband devices communicating with a high-speed line 402 through transceiver a 400. (Voice signals are expressed at baseband using frequencies below 3 KHz. Signals whose energy is confined to frequencies above 3 KHz, by contrast, are referred to herein as broadband signals.) In FIG.
  • FIG. la telephone devices 414a, b, and c are shown connected to one of the jacks. Each telephone connects through a low pass filter. These jacks can follow the design of splitter 161, shown in FIG. lb.
  • Splitter 161 includes filters which block RF energy from transmitting between the telephone devices and the wiring, and also provides a termination at RF frequencies to prevent reflection of RF energy back onto the network.
  • FIG. la also shows a digital device, computer 495c, connected to the wiring through a digital transceiver 491c. This transceiver exchanges digital signals with a transceiver/switch 400. The basic principles of transceiver 495c are shown in FIG. lc.
  • transceiver 491c combines the functions of these two devices together so that they transmit and receive signals through the same connection to the wiring.
  • FIG. la shows components of the systems called Local Network Interfaces 404a, b, and c. These represent electronic processors connected to the wiring at a point just before the wires reach their destination, (that is the individual apartment units) , and split off towards the various terminations. Local Network Interfaces 404 are provided to assist in the communication process. An example would be the placing of an amplifier in the wiring closet on each floor of the building. However, these interfaces are not strictly required.
  • FIG. Id shows processor 418, which is the principle component of transceiver 400. This is the "nerve center" of the apartment communication system described in U.S. patent application Serial No. 08/816,059. It applies signals onto the wires leading to the residential units up above, receives broadband signals applied to the wiring by the transmitters that connect at the terminations in the local networks 411, provides the switching necessary to direct signals to their proper locations, and exchanges signals with a high-speed communication line 402.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the telephone connections to an apartment building.
  • Telephone service s typically provided to tenants in apartment buildings m the following manner.
  • a bundle of wire pairs from the central telephone office arrive at a patch panel 612 in the master wiring closet in the basement of the building.
  • Panel 612 allows cross connection of these wires with the internal wires that lead from the closet upwards to apartment units 611.
  • An internal line is made active when it is cross-connected to one of the outside lines terminating in panel 612.
  • typical apartment units are served by at least two internal pairs.
  • Some apartment buildings include a private telephone switch to which all tenants connect.
  • a switch also called a PBX
  • PBX is functionally identical to the central office of the telephone company. Referring to FIG. 2, it is clear that the validity of the teachings of this invention are not affected when the "central office" is replaced by a PBX.
  • broadband panel 615 is installed in the wiring closet, and a "detour" through this panel is created for each twisted pair 616 that will carry broadband signals to or from an apartment unit.
  • These pairs 616 exchange signals with hub 618 through patch panel 615.
  • signals are added to pairs 616, transmitting in the direction of the apartment units, and signals transmitted in the opposite direction are stripped from the pairs and transmitted to hub 618.
  • separators 613 and panel 615 are described later.
  • the functions performed by digital communication hub 618 are a subset of the functions performed by processor 418, in FIG. Id. Both processor 418 and hub 618 are designed to manage two-way communication with multiple destinations in a single structure that are served by twisted pairs that converge at a common point. As described in U.S. patent application Serial No. 08/816,059, processor 418 manages communication of signals of all varieties, and also manages communication between one destination and another, and between each destination and the outside communication line. Hub 618, by contrast, manages only digital communications, between the one destination and another, and, especially, between one destination and an outside communication line. The details of hub 618 is shown in FIG. 3.
  • Hub 618 receives signals from communication line 602, converts these signals to a time-multiplexed digital Bitstream, separates the signal into individual bitstreams, and applies the individual bitstreams to the twisted pairs leading to the appropriate destinations.
  • hub 618 inputs digital signals from the various telephone lines leading from patch panel 615, time-multiplexes them together into a high-speed Bitstream, and applies this Bitstream to communication line 602.
  • Hub 618 includes interface 609.
  • Interface 609 performs the function of exchanging signals with a high speed communication line 602. There are many different methods for performing that exchange, one of which is frequency modulation/demodulation to separate the frequencies of signals applied to line 602 from those received from it. Manchester encoding could also be used separate these frequencies.
  • Signal collection subsystem 607 represents the part of hub 618 that receives digital signals at broadband frequencies from twisted pairs 678 that lead from broadband patch panel 615. (These pairs ultimately lead to the individual apartment units.)
  • Demodulators 608 represent the parts of subsystem 607 that convert the received signals from broadband frequencies to baseband, thereby creating a datastream of digital signals. Processor 614 then uses time-domain multiplexing to combine them into a single datastream that is passed to interface 609.
  • Signal distribution subsystem 603 represents the part of hub 618 that separates a digital Bitstream into many digital signals at lower data rates, and applies them onto the twisted pairs leading to the broadband patch panel 615.
  • Processor 606 is the part of subsystem 603 that separates a time-multiplexed datastream into its individual signals.
  • Modulators 610 represent the part of subsystem 603 that converts each of the lower-rate digital signals to broadband frequencies before passing them to broadband patch panel 615.
  • Modulators 610 and demodulators 608 may not work by modulating a carrier wave in the classical style.
  • a method called Manchester coding can be used to express digital sequences as electrical signals that will transmit across the wiring at frequencies above the voiceband.
  • Manchester codes are the same as the codes used in standard LAN (local area network) technologies such as Ethernet and Token Ring systems .
  • Manchester codes are bi- level square waves that transition at the midpoint of every time interval used to encode a bit. This transition provides timing information, and extra transitions encode the data.
  • Manchester coded signals do not have energy at DC and have little energy at low frequencies. As a result, no additional modulation of the waveform is necessary to place the signal completely above the voiceband, and the signal output by standard LAN products can be passed directly through a hi -pass filter onto the wiring. (Such a high pass filter is necessary to block voiceband energy. ) These types of signals can also be interpreted directly by the receiver without classical demodulation.
  • modulators 610 actually work by converting (that is modulating) classical square waves into bi- level square waves with a fixed transition pattern.
  • Demodulators 608 work by performing the reverse process .
  • subsystems 603 and 607 which include additional functionality, are illustrated in hub 618', 618a, and 618b, which are shown in Figs 9a, 10a, and 10b of this application and described below.
  • FIG. 4a shows the details of one version of patch panel 615 labeled 615a. A simpler version of the patch panel shown in FIG. 4b will be described later.
  • the signals outputted through the ports of hub 618 are passed through broadband patch panel 615a, before they are transmitted to the apartment units 611. Broadband signals sent from the apartments also pass through this panel as they flow towards hub 618. These signal pathways are now described in greater detail.
  • Panel 615a is composed of a collection of signal separators 613a, 613b and 613c.
  • broadband signals reach one of signal separators 613 by transmitting along pairs 616 from the tenants apartment unit or by transmitting along pairs 678 leading from hub 618.
  • Voice signals flow through the separators from the central office to the tenants' apartment units and back.
  • Separators 613 use passive processing to guide broadband signals from pairs 616 (in FIG. 2) onto the correct ones of pairs 678 (in FIG. 2), and to guide signals transmitting in the opposite direction in a similar manner. In doing so, they receive signals that transmit at different frequency bands on a single pair, and separate them by applying them onto different ones of multiple pairs. They also combine signals, at different frequencies, from multiple pairs onto a single wire pair. Different types of separators are described below.
  • Separator 613a is an example of a junction that allows digital signals to flow in opposite directions on the same wire pair.
  • Digital signals headed downstream (towards the tenant) pass through a coupling junction 623 that is internal to 613a.
  • Junction 623 prevents downstream signals from reversing directions by taking the alternate path down through the junction.
  • High pass filter 622 is located downstream of the junction, and it blocks the voiceband signals from flowing towards Hub 618.
  • the digital signals pass though filter 622 and continue on to the tenant's apartment.
  • the voiceband signals meanwhile, reach the upstairs apartment after passing through low pass filter 621 that blocks the digital signals from flowing towards the central office.
  • the upstream and downstream signals servicing a tenant flow over different wires pairs.
  • Signals transmitting upstream towards hub 618 transmit over the left pair. They encounter a simple split in the wiring but are blocked from exiting towards the central office by low pass filter 627 shown on one branch of the split. Instead, they continue through high pass filter 624 and flow towards hub 618.
  • High pass filter 624 prevents voice band signals from transmitting towards the hub . Broadband signals flowing in the opposite direction (downstream) use the second twisted pair that services the same apartment. These signals lead from hub 618 through high pass filter 625, while telephone signals pass, in both directions, through low pass filter 626 that prevents RF energy from flowing towards the central office.
  • the second twisted pair passing through separator 613c also illustrates a different concept. It routes through separator 613c which allows video signals at frequencies higher than the data to flow onto the wire pair and transmit towards the tenant . Internal to separator 613c, the video and data signals converge at coupler 630, which prevents either signal from flowing back towards the opposite signal source. They continue on through band pass filter 628, which blocks energy outside of the bands occupied by the two signals
  • control signals used to control the video source are created in the tenant's apartment. These signals are converted to electrical form and transmitted onto the wiring, reaching separator 613c.
  • separators 613b and 613c To more clearly illustrate the signal flow through separators 613b and 613c, an example of the combination of video, data, and control on the same wire is now given.
  • the digital signal flowing through these separators is an Ethernet signal with energy between 3 MHZ and 18 MHz.
  • a video source frequency modulates a 27.5 MHz carrier, expressing the video information between 20 MHz and 35 MHz. Because the digital and video signals are separated in frequency by 2 MHZ, they can readily transmit on the same wire without interference.
  • the control signal could occupy, for example, the frequencies between 1.5 and 2 MHz, and also avoid interfering with those two.
  • Bandpass filter 629 in this case, would pass frequencies between 1.5 and 2 MHz, while bandpass filter 628 would pass frequencies between 3 and 35 MHz.
  • High pass filter 625 in separator 613b, would pass all the frequencies between 1.5 and 35 MHz, because the video, data, and control signals are not separated in that component .
  • Low pass filter 626 would pass only the voiceband, blocking the three broadband signals from transmission towards the central office.
  • FIG. 4b shows patch panel 615b, which is a simpler version of patch panel 615.
  • the simplicity is due to the fact that there is no separation or combination of two different broadband signals on the panel. Rather, the separation and combination of broadband signals in accomplished internal to hub 618 and internal to the electronic transceiver that locates in the tenant's apartment unit and is described below.
  • the passive electronics on panel 615b only separate broadband signals from voiceband signals, and only combine a broadband signal onto a pair that conducts a voiceband signal and nothing else.
  • Low pass filter 628 and high pass filter 617 are used to perform these functions, which are described many times m the preceding applications. 4.
  • Signal Flow and Processing m the Apartment Units FIG. 5 shows the communication processes in the tenant's apartment unit Modem 645a exchanges signals between PC 646 and hub 618 through patch panel 615.
  • Modem 645a connects to the wiring through splitter 634.
  • low pass filter 631b allows the voiceband signals to reach the telephone, while blocking broadband signals, thereby preventing a telephone device from loading down broadband energy.
  • the digital signals transmitting between the hub 618 and the modem 645a pass through high a pass filter 631a.
  • High pass filter 631a blocks the voiceband signals from transmitting towards modem 645a.
  • Splitter 634 is similar to splitter 161 in FIG. lb but does not have the terminator 163.
  • the signals arriving at the modem 645 through the splitter 634 pass through a coupler 643 and pass through band pass filter 640 to a digital demodulator 636. That component converts the analog waveform of the signal into a digital Bitstream.
  • the resulting Bitstream reaches digital diplexer 637 which sends the data to the computer.
  • Digital signals transmitted from the computer 646, are received by the diplexer 637 and are passed to digital modulator 635. That device converts the digital Bitstream to an analog waveform, which flows through band pass filter 641, through coupler 643 and high pass filter 631a, and onto the internal wiring.
  • the bandpass filters 641 and 640 prevent the analog signals passing through coupler 643 from crossing over towards the opposite sections of the modem.
  • the analog signals passing onto the internal wiring split and transmit in two directions. If the energy of the signal is high enough, however, sufficient strength will appear at the one of demodulators 608, that is the companion to modem 645 and is located in the wiring closet.
  • Digital modulator 635 works in coordination with one of demodulators 608 (FIG. 3)
  • digital demodulator 636 works in coordination with one of modulators 610 (FIG. 3) in hub 618.
  • the modulators use coding to express digital information as analog waveforms, and the coding procedure must be correctly interpreted by the demodulators in order for the Bitstream to be correctly reproduced.
  • Digital diplexer 637 is simply a digital device that includes the means to establish two-way communication with a port on a PC or other type of computer. In the preferred embodiment, this diplexer will be designed to communicate with the parallel ports that are common to most PCs. The parallel port is a good choice because it can be inexpensively added to the computer, it can accommodate two-way digital communication at high data rates, and digital diplexer 637 can be designed to emulate one of the many devices that communicates through such a port in this manner. Such emulation would allow the PC to use approximately the same software that is designed to communicate with the device being emulated.
  • the lower upstream requirement means that the upstream data can be expressed within a narrower frequency band.
  • the narrow band makes it easier to find enough spectrum on a single twisted pair for the expression of both signals.
  • Expressing both the upstream and downstream signals on a single pair has many advantages. First of all, it leaves all the frequencies (that is the spectrum) on the second pair open for other types of communication, such as the transmission of analog video described in Patent No. 5,010,399 and in subsequent continuations in part.
  • a second advantage is that the path established by the second wire pair is often broken at intermediate wiring closets and at some of the telephone jacks in the apartment unit. As a result, confining all communication to the first path can decrease the amount of preparation necessary to begin service to a particular unit.
  • modulator 610 in subsystem 603 receives a Bitstream at 2 Mbs from processor 606. Modulator 610 can then use the common encoding scheme called frequency shift keying (FSK) to express this Bitstream as an analog waveform confined within, for example, 5-10 MHz.
  • FSK frequency shift keying
  • This signal transmits through patch panel 615b (FIG. 2) and reaches digital demodulator 636 in modem 645 (FIG. 5) . That component recreates the 2 Mbs digital Bitstream and passes it through digital diplexer 637 to computer 646, thereby completing the downstream path.
  • the PC creates a Bitstream of only 1 Mbs.
  • This signal can also be converted to an analog waveform using FSK, and is slow enough to be expressed in only 3 MHz of bandwidth, as between the frequencies of 1-4 MHz. It can, as a result, flow between digital modulator 635 and digital demodulator 608 in subsystem 607 without interfering with the downstream signal, because the two do not overlap in frequency.
  • splitter 661 is designed to allow connection of a broadband device without causing reflection problems. It connects to jack 648 with a zero impedance, so no splitting or reflection of energy can occur. Signals can be received from the main path because processor 632 detects the voltage variations of the signal as it flows past the wall jack, without disturbing or loading down the signal flow. The detected signal is then amplified and sent on to the broadband device, which is modem 645 in the case of Fig. 6. The cord that issues from splitter 661 can be very long, yet it will not affect the signal flow on the main path of the internal wiring.
  • Signals transmitted onto the wiring through splitter 661 simply flow through the zero impedance connection, only adding to the signals on the main path. These signals split, transmitting towards the terminations at either end.
  • splitter 661 also includes terminator 669 that connects behind high pass filter 664, at the same point that processor 632 connects.
  • Switch 671 allows one to break the connection (at high frequencies) between this terminator and the wiring.
  • the terminator should not be connected when the wiring runs past a jack in "daisy-chain" style, as it runs past jack 648 in FIG. 6. Such a connection would drain energy from the line before it can flow on to jack 649 downstream.
  • splitter 661 connects to a jack at the end of a segment of wiring, such as jack 649 in the lower right part of FIG. 6.
  • This connection terminates the line at broadband frequencies, allowing the energy to "exit gracefully" without causing a reflection.
  • Processor 632 can still detect the broadband signal energy, if one is present, because the signal flows past its point of connection. (Note that a similar terminator is required where the internal wiring connects to hub 618, down in the wiring closet. This defines that opposite end of the transmission "bus” , and will be discussed below.)
  • splitter 161 which is connected at jack 649, provides the termination used in FIG. 6. Now consider the issue presented when the branch leading to jack 642b actually connects to the internal wiring at jack 642a. This may be referred to as a "natural" branch, because it is not a result of connecting a high frequency device to the main path.
  • This branch may be a wire leading to some other part of the apartment not shown in the diagram. Because there is nothing to prevent signal energy flowing from hub 618 from splitting, at that branch, energy will be diverted away from broadband devices that may connect at jacks 648 and 649. Also, reflections may be created at jack 642b, causing some energy to reflect back towards jack 624a.
  • low pass filter 647 on the part of the branch nearest jack 642a. This will make the RF signal flow behave as if there were no branch connected at that jack. Fortunately, most such branches are created at wall jacks, so easy access is usually available to the point where the filter should connect. Furthermore, low pass filters are made in the form of well-known "split magnetic cores," which can be connected to the wiring in a “snap on” manner, that is without even making a break in the wire to connect the filter.
  • low pass filter 647 prevents the operation of a broadband device at the end of the branch.
  • a good solution is available, however, when the internal wiring consists of more than one pair, as is typical.
  • LPF 647 will not affect the second pair, and broadband signals can use that pair to flow towards jack 642b at the end of the branch.
  • a similar low pass filter (not shown) , however, must be installed along the second pair that leads from jack 642a to jack 648. Placement of both these filters would create, effectively, two special paths. One path would allow broadband energy to flow, on the first wire pair, directly between hub 618 and jack 649, without any splits whatsoever, and without any devices that could drain energy from the line. The second path would allow flow of energy between jack 642b and hub 618 in exactly the same manner.
  • splitter 661 When a second pair exists but the wiring is of the "quad" type, where the four conductors are all twisted together, the creation of two paths in this manner may not be possible because of the likelihood of large amounts of crosstalk.
  • Yet another alternative (not shown) is to place a sophisticated coupler at the 3-way junction. In theory, such a junction could prevent reflections on all branches, and allow signals to split cleanly when crossing a junction in any direction.
  • the details of splitter 661 are shown in FIG. 7.
  • Low pass filter 663 connects directly to the internal wiring, blocking the broadband energy from transmitting to any telephone that may connect.
  • Terminator 669 and processor 632 connect behind high pass filter 664, which blocks signals in the voiceband.
  • Switch 671 interposes between terminator 669 and the wiring. Switch 671 is provided to defeat (that is disconnect) the termination when needed. As described above, the terminator should not connect when the internal wiring runs past the jack and on to a second location. A possible improvement is to provide an adjustment mechanism (not shown) that can vary the resistance that creates the termination. This will allow the impedance to be more closely matched to the line, making the suppression of reflections more certain.
  • Splitter 661 is designed to be used with Modem 645, which is a slight variation on modem 645, shown earlier. One difference is that bandpass filters 641 and 640, and coupler 643 are not included. Another difference is that two wire pairs connect between modem 645 and splitter 661, and signals flow in only one direction on each pair.
  • amplifier 665 Key to processor 632 is amplifier 665. This device detects the voltage variations created by the signal on the internal wire as it flows past the wall jack towards the termination. These variations can be sensed through high pass filter 664, coupler 668, and band pass filter 660. Amplifier 665 sends the amplified signals towards demodulator 636 at a specified energy level. Amplifier 665 is powered by a DC source in modem 645, as shown in FIG. 7. The DC power is separated from the other signals on the wire by the series of high and low pass filters shown in the diagram. Alternatively, amplifier 665 can be connected directly to a DC power source.
  • signals from modulator 635 flow through amplifier 662a and band pass filter 662 to coupler 668. That junction applies 30 dB attenuation to signals crossing towards band pass filerter (BPF) 660, so it prevents amp 665 from picking up the signal from modulator 635. The small amount of energy crossing towards amp 665 is blocked by filter 660. Signals continue onto the wiring and immediately split, transmitting towards the terminator at jack 649 (FIG. 6) and the terminator (described later on) at hub 618 down in the wiring closet.
  • BPF band pass filerter
  • modulator 635 can transmit signals within one frequency band, and demodulator 636 can receive the signals sent from hub 618 within the same band.
  • the well-known 10Base2 computer communication network sends signals between stations over a single conductive path in exactly the same manner.
  • Coupler 668 The only possibility of confusion can occur at coupler 668. As described above, signals sent from modulator 635 cannot reach demodulator 636 because coupler 668 attenuates signals flowing along the path from 635 to 636. (Band pass filters 662 and 660, which were provided for extra separation, will not be effective when signals communicate at the same frequencies.) A similar mechanism allows hub 618 to send and receive signals within the same band.
  • coupler 668 There may be several ways to implement coupler 668.
  • An example of such a device is the "hybrid" junction found in common telephones. (Common telephones, of course, communicate signals m opposite directions over a single pair within the same frequency bands.)
  • coupler 668 will include an adjustment mechanism, so that the separation can be "tuned” to account for minor variations in the characteristics of the wiring and the electronics at the specific site.
  • demodulator 608 and modulator 610 must also transmit and receive signals within the same frequency band.
  • the same methods that are used in splitter 661 can be used to create this property in those devices. Transmitting Analog Video when Reflections and Loadings are Suppressed.
  • the methods described above which suppress all splits within the network, reduce the signal attenuation of the digital signals described herein, but they can also can be used to reduce the attenuation of any other broadband signal in exactly the same manner.
  • the attenuation is reduced in the following ways: As described above, when a signal encounters a split, a small amount of energy reflects back to the source, while half of the remaining energy, in general, transmits down one branch and half transmits down the other. Assuming the target receiver is located downstream of one of the branches, suppression of the reflection and diversion saves slightly more than half of the energy lost .
  • FIG. 8a shows the electronics in the apartment unit.
  • Low pass filters 647, 647a, and 647b confine the high frequencies along the dedicated path between hub 618' and powered splitter 691 which connects at jack 648. There are no reflections along this path because there are no splits.
  • Filters 647, 647a, and 647b provide filtering on each of the two pairs.
  • the cord connecting powered splitter 691 to jack 648 need not be short. That is because the technology, described in the last section, is not used for the solution which is shown in FIG. 8a and 9a. In particular, the broadband devices do not connect to the wiring in the style of a bus.
  • a lOBaseT Ethernet adapter only requires an ordinary two-pair connection to a hub, so long as the length does not exceed lOOm and the wiring meets certain specifications. In this case, however, several problems may arise. These problems and their corresponding solutions (shown in FIG. 8a) are described below.
  • Voice signals are on the line.
  • High pass filters 692a are provided to block to the voiceband. • A telephone device can load down the energy.
  • Low pass filter 692b is provided to block high frequencies from those devices.
  • Impedance matcher (IM) 694a corrects for these types of mismatches on the wire pair over which signals arrive at the adapter.
  • Impedance matching and balancing (1MB) circuitry 694b corrects for similar mismatches on the opposite pair, and also balances the signal across the two leads of the line before applying it to the wiring.
  • IM units 694a and 694b should be manually adjustable, so that the impedance matching can be conveniently and correctly established upon installation.
  • the wiring may attenuate the signal more than the Ethernet spec allows, and higher frequencies may attenuate more, vis-a-vis the lower frequencies, than is allowed under spec. (This relative attenuation difference is also called “tilt.")
  • Amplifier/equalizer 695a corrects for tilt on the first wire pair, and 695b provides gain and corrects for impending tilt by "pre- emphasizing" the signal that is about to be applied to the second pair.
  • broadband devices cannot connect to either of jacks 649, 642a, or 642b, because broadband energy does not reach those jacks. This is necessary to reduce splits, and while this is somewhat limiting to the tenant, powered splitter 691 can be removed and connected at either of the other jacks to operate in the same way. All that is required is to shift the position of low pass filters 647, 647a and/or 647b. (For example, connecting powered splitter 691 at jack 649 would require LPF 647b to be disabled, and for all telephones that connected to jack 648 to be filtered.
  • DC power supply 691a is shown connected behind low pass filter 692b. (Power will be available at that point, but not behind filters 692.)
  • Those skilled in the art will be able to design 691 so that it can derive power for the operation of amplifiers 695. This concept can be extended further, allowing the network to supply power for the lOBaseT adapters, or other devices that connect to powered splitter 691 at port 691b.
  • Yet another good solution is to use an empty pair to make power available throughout the network. If such a pair is available, this may be the best alternative . ]
  • FIG. 9a The electronics in the wiring closet are shown in FIG. 9a.
  • the major components in this diagram are
  • Ethernet Switching Hub 618' bridge transceiver 609a, rectangle switch 699, and patch panel 615b.
  • the diagram also includes PBX/voice concentrator 698a, voice-ethernet link 698c, and backup telephone link 698b. These devices are used to join the voice traffic to the data traffic on a common external line. Except for that important function, they do not play a role in the systems described herein.)
  • Bridge transceiver 609a can be any device that: connect to a group of devices connected together according to a local area network standard, such as the 10Base2 Ethernet standard, and can connect to a communications line that ties into the Internet to exchange signals with that line, and either performs the addressing functions necessary to direct signals to the correct destinations on the local area network, or coordinates with devices that perform such addressing.
  • a local area network standard such as the 10Base2 Ethernet standard
  • bridge transceiver 609a is one half of an Ethernet Bridge transceiver pair. Together with the companion pair, it constitutes what is known as an Ethernet Bridge.
  • a bridge When connected to a group of computers (or other digital devices) that are connected together according to the Ethernet local area network (LAN) standard, a bridge gives the local network the property of being an "ethernet segment.”
  • the segment is composed of the computers or other digital devices that connect to this LAN.
  • the bridge connects to a second LAN, which also becomes an ethernet segment.
  • the dataflow between the two can be increased by adding an extra bridge transceiver pair as an additional link between each of the two segments.
  • One property of the bridge is that data applied by one station that is destined for a second station on the same LAN does not flow across the bridge. (The LAN connected to bridge transceiver 609b is shown in FIG. 11 and the manner in which these two ethernet segments coordinate is described later on.)
  • the BestLan2 bridge which is carried in the catalog of the well-known Black Box Corporation.
  • the BestLan2 bridge consists of two companion transceivers. As described, one transceiver connects to one Ethernet segment, and the second connects to a different segment. They allow 2 million bits per second to flow from one segment to another. If a second BestLan bridge is established, of course, the data rate connecting the two segments becomes 4 Mbs.
  • Switching hub 618' is a common Ethernet lOBaseT switching hub. It has a multiple number of lOBaseT ports through which Ethernet adapters can connect via two twisted pair wires. Typically, it also has one port for establishing a connection to a 10Base2 bus. In the preferred embodiment, it connects to bridge transceiver 609a via this port. (Voice-Ethernet Link 698c may also connect to this 10Base2 bus.) Hub 618' exchanges signals
  • the effect of 617 and 691 is to adapt the wiring so that this communication functions, for all practical purposes, exactly like lOBaseT hubs that are used in a more recognizable system.
  • the switching property of hub 618' protects the privacy of the individual tenants. Without this property, all signals flowing through hub 618' are transmitted to all of the connected lOBaseT adapters. While the lOBaseT adapters are normally set to intercept only data tagged with their address, overriding that protection is not difficult.-- leaving open the opportunity for monitoring a neighbor's communication. When switching is provided, signals flow only to their intended destinations.
  • Rectangular switch 699 is provided to economize on the number of ports that must be included on hub 618' .
  • the number of required ports is equal to the maximum number of users that may connect at any one time. Because this is likely to be far less than the total number of users that subscribe, that is that have the ability to connect, one need not include one port for each subscriber.
  • the number of ports on hub 618' can correspond to the maximum number of users that one may expect at any one time. This will correspond to the number of ports on the input to switch 699.
  • the dimensionality of the output should be equal to the total number of subscribers.
  • some mechanism of controlling switch 699 is required, and it is clear that one can be developed by those skilled in the art of switching and control. For example, a cross point switching circuit could be used as the rectangular switch.
  • Amplifier/equalizer section 699a is provided to do the following at each port of hub 618' : boost the power of the signals transmitted out through the port apply pre-emphasis to the transmitted signals to compensate for impending tilt tightly balance the transmitted signals across the twisted pairs match the impedance of the port to the transmission line equalize the signals input by the port, thereby compensating for spectral tilt, and increase the energy level of the input signals.
  • PBX/voice concentrator 698a intercepts all voice traffic in the building, and converts it to a coded Bitstream. This data is applied, via voice/Internet link 698c, to the 10Base2 LAN that connects hub 618' to bridge transceiver 609a. The data is addressed for "PSTN" link 673, shown in FIG. 11 and described later on. In the event of the failure of this link, telephone communications would be suspended.
  • Telephone backup 698b is provided to ensure emergency connections. Backup 698b can be any telephone link that is activated "on-demand" and makes the telephones in the building active.
  • FIG. 8b where modem 645a represents an ordinary Ethernet 10Base2 card.
  • This figure will illustrate a method of using this common adapter to establish an Ethernet LAN by connecting computers to the network hub over internal wiring.
  • this method is attractive when there is at least one "inactive" twisted pair leading from the apartment unit down to the wiring closet.
  • Establishing such a capability is important because there may be situations where external factors, such as warranty contracts on PBX systems, prevent the connection of external devices to active wiring. (When no PBX is present, warranties are not an issue but governmental regulations are. Fortunately, the low pass filters 628 can be made to block any energy that might be in violation. These regulations, and the filters necessary to meet them, are described in U.S. patent application Serial No. 08/816,059 and the Patent No. 5,010,399. )
  • the 10Base2 adapter connects to adapter 661a, which is an optional device.
  • Adapter 661a is only needed when the communication is to be conducted over an active twisted pair. The pair in question is assumed to be inactive, at the outset of this discussion, and description of adapter 661a is deferred.
  • Low pass filters 647 and 647a block broadband frequencies at two of the paths leading away from jack 642a. As a result, signals transmit directly between modem 645 and hub 618 and do not split at jack 642a or anyplace else. (Note that the cord connecting to modem 645 cannot cause a split because it is part of the main transmission path. The technology, described above, that prevents connecting cords from creating splits is not required in the examples of 8b and 9b.) Thus, the wiring between the two devices acts as a standard 10Base2 bus, so long as a termination is provided at modem 645a (as indicated by the circled T in figure 8a, and also at hub 618.)
  • the processing in the wiring closet is nearly identical to the processing shown in FIG. 9a.
  • the only difference is in the electronics, shown in FIG. 9b, that connect between hub 618' and switch 699.
  • FIG. 9b no high pass filters are required because the line is not active. Instead, Media converters 679a and baluns 679b are interposed between the switch and the hub.
  • the baluns 679b convert the path from a single twisted pair to a single coax, which is the natural media for 10Base2.
  • the converters 679a which are available as inexpensive, off-the-shelf devices, perform the exact coordination necessary for 10Base2 devices to connect to lOBaseT hubs.
  • the coax media of 10Base2 is replaced with two twisted pair wires, and coordination of the different collision detection schemes of the two systems is provided.
  • they would also include the amplification and equalization functions embodied in amp/equalizer 699a.
  • adapter 661a includes means (not shown) to provide the following: Block DC signals with a low pass filter.
  • Detect the DC offset from 645a create a tonal frequency in response, and apply the tone to the line.
  • Detect tones applied to the line by a similar adapter connected to hub 618. Create a DC offset at the connection to 645 in response to these tones.
  • the media converters, 679a, shown in FIG. 9b must be adapted to recognize that collision detection is signaled by a tone and not a DC offset, and to react accordingly.
  • lOBaseT cards use Manchester codes to communicate both their data signals and their collision detection signals. As a result, both of these signals will transmit across the bus between jack 649 and hub 618. It remains to show how these signals would coordinate with a lOBaseT switching hub.
  • a lOBaseT hub is the best choice for hub 618 because it is the only inexpensive piece of hardware that performs the switching functions necessary to protect privacy.
  • the electronics in the wiring closet are nearly the same as those shown in FIG. 9a. The only differences are shown in FIG. 9c . That figure shows how diplexers 679c replace amp/equalizer 699a. Also, a termination is provided between each diplexer and hi pass filter 617.
  • Diplexers 679c connect to detect signals without loading the bus. These signals are passed to the twisted pair providing input to a port on the lOBaseT hub. Signals issued by the hub are picked up from the second pair by the diplexers, and applied to the bus, ultimately reaching lOBaseT adapter 645a in the apartment unit. In the preferred embodiment, diplexers 679c also perform the amplification/equalization ordinarily provided by 699a.
  • lOBaseT hub is not required. This has major implications for use in single family homes.
  • multiple lOBaseT adapters can connect, each through splitter 661, to a "bus" created from the internal wiring in the manner shown in FIG. 6 and described above. These adapters will then communicate with each other over this bus without the aid of a hub -- just as 10Base2 cards communicate over a stretch of coaxial cable.
  • Each adapter will all receive all data signals and collision signals applied by each of the other cards -- exactly as if they had been connected to a lOBaseT hub.
  • 645b is a lOBaseT adapter
  • a second lOBaseT adapter is connected (through a second splitter 661) to jack 642a. If a low pass filter is connected between hub 618 and jack 642a, and terminator 669 in the second splitter 661 is connected, the "bus" will reach between jack 642a and the termination at jack 649. The two lOBaseT cards will be able, at that point, to freely communicate across this stretch of wiring. Were other jacks available along the bus, additional lObaseT adapters could connect and communicate in the same manner.
  • 10Base2 adapters can connect directly to a bus, without the aid of splitter 661, and no reflections will occur if the connecting cord is not too long. (One way to do this is to connect a "pocket-style" 10Base2 adapter to a wall jack using a very short cord, and use a long cord to connect to the parallel port on a PC.) In order that the collision signaling work properly, however, the twisted pair that serves as the bus must be empty -- it cannot be used for telephone communications. If these conditions are met, the 10Base2 adapters will communicate as they do over standard coaxial cables .
  • a data rate of 2 Mbs between the basement and each tenant be used. While this rate is significantly less than 10 Mbs, the data rate may be limited below 10 Mbs by other factors. Also, the advantage of the extra 8 Mbs may be that the user can download a graphic in .2 seconds instead of 1 second, a difference that may not be appreciated.
  • Hub 618a which differs from hub 618 only in that its description is more detailed, is shown in FIG. 10a.
  • Hub 618a consists of bridge transceiver 609a, bus 619, and modems 650a.
  • bridge transceiver 609a in this system, is the same as the function it played in the system described above.
  • bridge transceiver 609a can be any device that: can connect to a group of devices connected together according to a similar LAN (local area network) standard, such as the 10Base2 Ethernet standard, and can connect to a communications line that ties into the Internet to exchange signals with that line, and either performs the addressing functions necessary to direct signals to the correct destinations on the LAN, or coordinates with devices that perform such addressing .
  • bridge transceiver 609a is one half of an Ethernet Bridge transceiver pair. Together with its companion pair, bridge transceiver 609b, it constitutes what is known as an Ethernet bridge, and the LAN in the wiring closet is called an Ethernet Segment.
  • Modems 650a include modulators and demodulators that apply signals on to the twisted pairs and recover signals transmitting from the apartment units up above. They correspond to modulators 610 and demodulators 608, shown in FIG. 3. (It is noted that, together with bus 619, which is described below, modems 650a perform the same processing as subsystems 603 and 607, described above . ) Modems 650a and bridge transceiver 609a connect to bus 619, and can apply data to and recover data from that bus. Data applied to the bus transmits to all other devices connected to the same bus. Communication is therefore established between all devices that connect to bus 619. In the preferred embodiment, the common 10Base2 standard governs communication across this bus.
  • Bus 619 connects the modems together into an Ethernet LAN. (As described above, this LAN also becomes an Ethernet network "segment" when bridge transceiver 609a connects to its companion transceiver.) Bus 619 can follow the standard of the common lOBaseT hubs, the 10Base2 bus, or similar mechanisms. In the case of 10Base2. the "hub” is simply a thin coaxial cable, or bus, that is terminated at both ends. The digital stations on the network connect to the bus through a high impedance, picking up the signals without disturbing or otherwise loading down the flow of signal energy. Signals applied to the bus transmit to both ends, where their energy is removed by the terminators.
  • each modem 650a Part of each modem 650a is Ethernet NIC 653, which does processing equivalent to a Network Interface Card, or NIC.
  • a NIC is the common piece of electronics that connects between computers and a network hub or bus. Each NIC senses all the signals flowing across the bus, and selects only those that are tagged with the same "address" that is encoded on the NIC. These signals are passed to the data bus of the computer.
  • a NIC provides the processing necessary to exchange signals between the computer bus (to which it connects) and the network bus (or hub) while protecting the privacy of others on the network.
  • a typical NIC While providing a two-way communication path, a typical NIC also uses the computer's processing power to manage some of the processing it (the NIC) conducts.
  • Microprocessor 654 is included in modem 650a for this specific purpose. This eliminates the need for NIC 653 to make use of a processor in a large computer. (Such a need would significantly increase the cost of the hub.) A design for hub 618a whereby one microprocessor 654 performs this function for several of modems 650a would be preferred.
  • FIFO 655. first in first out queue 655, hereinafter referred to as FIFO 655. That device is a digital buffer and matches the speed at which data flows across the network with the speed of the data flowing between the modem and the subscriber.
  • FIFO 655 can be implemented by well-known electronic circuits.
  • NIC 653 must pass data downstream at a rate of 10 Mbs. Under those circumstances, NIC 653 will fill the buffers of FIFO queue 655 at the rate of 10 Mbs, but only in relatively short "bursts.” The buffers must be emptied, or read out, at the rate of 2 Mbs, and the capacity of the buffer will determine the possibility of an overflow. Clearly, the buffers should be large enough to make such possibility very small.
  • the FIFO operates under control of MPU 654 and its buffers are read out towards modulator 657. That device expresses the digital energy as a waveform confined to frequencies above the voiceband, and passes it to broadband patch panel 615. Various methods, such as QPSK (quadrature phase shift keying) or the Manchester coding described earlier, can be used to encode the information at frequencies above the voiceband.
  • QPSK quadrature phase shift keying
  • the analog waveform created by modulator 657 is passed through band pass filter 658 and coupler 651 and onto the twisted pair leading through broadband panel 615 and towards the tenant's apartment.
  • Modem 650a also receives signals sent from the tenant's apartment. These signals are applied' by modem 645a, as shown in FIG. 6.
  • band pass filter 658, 652 and coupler 651 perform filtering and signal separation that is equivalent to that performed by signal separator 613a.
  • Demodulator 656 converts the received signals to digital logic form. Finally, this data is applied to the NIC card in the same manner that a PC would pass signals to that card. This completes the communication circuit in the wiring closet because any further transmission of the signals is accomplished according to common Ethernet standards .
  • modem 645a communicates, in the preferred embodiment, with the tenant's PC through a common parallel port.
  • An advantage of using the parallel port can be seen by envisioning modem 650a and modem 645 working together in a common enclosure.
  • Modem 650a connects to a common 10Base2 Ethernet network
  • modem 645a connects to a parallel port on a PC.
  • the combination of the two devices is equivalent to what are known as "pocket Ethernet Adapters.”
  • Those devices are small electronic boxes that connect to a parallel port on a PC and also to an Ethernet.
  • modem 645 can be designed to emulate these adapters, and the same software used to drive the adapters can be used to accommodate the system described herein.
  • FIG. 10b shows Hub 618b, which is an alternative to Hub 618a.
  • hub 618b includes one modem (shown in FIG. 10b as modem 650b) for each subscribing tenant.
  • Hub 618b also includes bridge transceiver 609a. The main difference between the two is embodied in the way data from bridge transceiver 609a reaches the input of each modem. This mechanism is now described.
  • bridge transceiver 609a over line 602, and continues on to microprocessing unit (MPU) 670.
  • MPU microprocessing unit
  • Data destined for the Internet transmits in the opposite direction.
  • the physical connection between bridge transceiver 609a and MPU 670 adheres to the Ethernet 10Base2 LAN standard, and the protocols of communication also adhere to standards established for Ethernet LA s. Other types communication links may also suffice.
  • a second bridge transceiver can simply connect to the 10Base2 LAN in the ordinary manner. This will double the data rate between the MPU and the Internet. If more bridge transceivers connect in this manner, the factor limiting the data rate in the wiring closet may ultimately become the 10 Mbs of the 10Base2 link, rather than the aggregate data rate of bridge transceivers .
  • data reaching MPU 670 includes a tag that determines which of the tenants is targeted as the final destination. Using software, MPU 670 must interpret this tag, and apply the associated signals onto logical data bus 681 in such a way as to direct them to the appropriate destination. Circuitry that implements such a communication bus is well known. Furthermore, a particular MPU, Motorola xxx, is already designed to conduct the type of communication described herein, adding an economy to this system.
  • Modems 650b connect to bus 681 and allow data to flow in each direction. This exchange of data is managed by digital diplexer 684. That device is similar in function to digital diplexer 637, described above.
  • modems 650b The function of modems 650b is nearly identical to modems 650a. Both exchange data with the communication bus, and relay that data to the modems in the tenants apartments. As can be seen from Figs 10a and 10b, both use the same arrangement of modulators and passive filtering and coupling to create the data-over- voice function. One difference in function is that modem 650b must include hardware to recognize data addresses. That function is performed by NIC 653 under control of MPU 654. When modems 650b are used, this function is performed in software by MPU 670. Connecting Small Offices that are Located in the Building.
  • the system described herein gives each subscriber shared access to a high capacity line. This capability can be useful for individual residents in an apartment building, but it can also by attractive to small businesses. In particular, when many different small businesses share a common building, some may find that the cost for level of service provided by this system is one that is attractive to them. These businesses may choose to subscribe and locate modem 645a on the desktops of workers with a requirement to access the Internet .
  • a common PBX switch is installed in many such offices, and this device may interrupt the continuity of a twisted pair path reaching between the basement wiring and a desktop.
  • a high frequency bypass is required to reach the desktop in such a configuration.
  • Many such offices however, have a LAN that connects the computers used by several of the workers, and may desire to provide the workers with access to line 602 over this LAN. This can be accomplished by connecting the office LAN to the 10Base2 network in the basement by using a network bridge, such as the bridges described above.
  • a network bridge can be implemented by a variety of products. Some of the products, such as the V.35 bridges that appear in the catalog of the Black Box Corporation, consist of transceiver pairs. Such a connection is shown in FIG. 10a, where Ethernet Bridge transceiver 659 connects to the Ethernet LAN established in the basement, and the companion transceiver connects to the network LAN established in the office. When such a connection is made, the networks become Ethernet segments relative to each other.
  • each computer can communicate digital data with any other computer in the building.
  • a more important benefit, which is the focus of this invention, is that each tenant can communicate with the well-known Internet at a relatively high data rate.
  • the first is the rate at which signals communicate from the Internet Connection to hubs 618', 618a, or 618b, located in the wiring closet.
  • the second is the rate at which signals communicate between these hubs and modems 645a (or 645b) in the apartment units .
  • a shared connection functions most efficiently when a large part of its capacity can be focused, that is "burst" upon a single user.
  • the connecting link can focus in this manner, a request for bandwidth can be quickly satisfied and the user examines the data while the bandwidth of the connection is dedicated to satisfying requests of other users in the pool.
  • the requests for a "burst" are so numerous as to overlap and concentrate at a single moment in time, every user feels as if he or she enjoys the full bandwidth of the connecting link.
  • the data rate of the connection to the Internet is limited by remote bridge 609a, which, in the preferred embodiment , provides a data rate of approximately 2 Mbs .
  • Extra bridges can be added to create a simple increase in this data rate, that is doubling the number of bridges increases the rate of connection to the Internet by a factor of 2.
  • the Internet "refreshes the user's screen," b) the user examines the screen, c) the user makes certain decisions, d) the Internet reacts by refreshing to create a new screen, and e) the cycle begins again.
  • the newly created screen consists largely of graphics rather than text (alphanumerics) refresh of the screen can be very time consuming. It is this phenomenon that has created a large demand for an increase in the rate at which users can access the Internet .
  • the efficiency of the system increases when the number of users sharing access increases while the "quality of service" remains the same.
  • the "quality of service” be defined by the percentage of times that a user who requests y seconds of access must wait more than x seconds for such access, (where x is a fixed threshold.)
  • x is a fixed threshold.
  • Standard motion pictures can be expressed as a compressed digital Bitstream with a data rate of 1.5 Mbs, and a data rate of 6 Mbs can be used to express any NTSC video signal whatsoever.
  • Transmission of compressed digital video signals requires the source to feed a steady stream of data to the receiver, and such a capability cannot typically be provided by the systems in
  • Figs 6-10 The next section describes how to make the communication link between modems 650 and modems 645 provide a path for the digital video signals generated by the systems disclosed in U.S. patent application Serial No. 08/816,059. Providing Multiple Apartment Buildings with Shared Access and a Common Router
  • Ethernet LAN As described above, when one the systems described in Figs 6-10 is installed in a given apartment building, it creates a LAN among the computers of the tenants in that building. In the preferred embodiment, this network follows the well-known Ethernet LAN standards. (In FIG. 8b, to be precise, only a small Ethernet LAN connects at the root of the electronics -- that is between bridge transceiver 609a and MPU 670. Data moving beyond MPU 670 to the individual tenants is shared by means other than LAN technology.)
  • Ethernet bridges devices known as Ethernet bridges.
  • All the computers in all the buildings are actually part of the same large network.
  • the LAN in the basement of a single building is referred to as an "Ethernet segment,” and the larger network is composed of many of these different segments.
  • a device called a router is required to provide Internet access to the computers on an Ethernet network.
  • One router can suffice for each network, even networks that are composed of many different segments. Because routers are relatively expensive, there is a significant advantage to connecting (the networks installed in) several buildings so that they become separate Ethernet segments of a single common network, allowing one router to serve them all.
  • Another economy available to large networks is the shared use of a computer called an Internet workstation. Such a computer can be useful in improving the convenience and power available to users accessing the Internet over a network.
  • a single computer moreover, can be useful to any of the users on any segment of the network.
  • a group of bridge transceivers 609b are located together with router 672 and port 670.
  • Port 670 is a port providing a fixed rate of access into the Internet. It connects to router 672, which connects to bus 675, which is a simple 10Base2 Ethernet bus.
  • the bridge transceivers 609b also connect to the same bus. Bridge transceivers 609b and router 672 are co-located with port 670. Such a location is commonly referred to as a "point of presence.”
  • PSTN Link 686b communicates with PBX/Voice Concentrator 698a, shown in FIG. 9a.
  • Those devices cooperate to connect the telephones in each apartment (of the group of apartments) to a common port of the public switched telephone network.
  • the connections described above establish a network among router 672, the transceivers 609b, the
  • Router 672 processes the data as it is applied to the network. It follows well established protocols for communicating between Ethernet networks and the Internet. In particular, it examines the addressing information associated with the data, and alters that information so that it can be understood by the bridges and the network interface cards (also known as network adapters,) that are connected to the network.
  • FIG. 11 A group of apartment buildings is shown at the top of FIG. 11.
  • Bridge transceiver 609a is installed in the basement of each of these buildings, as well as the other electronics shown in Figs 9-10.
  • each of transceivers 609b is the dedicated companion of one of bridge transceivers 609b installed in the basement of one of the apartment buildings. (More than one of bridge transceivers 609a may be connected to the network segment in the basement wiring closet of any given building, so long as it has a dedicated companion transceiver at the point of presence.
  • This data will be input by the one of Ethernet transceivers 609b that connects to the LAN at the point of presence. The data will be passed across to the companion Ethernet transceiver 609a. It will not flow to other buildings.
  • the Ethernet transceiver 609a will apply the data to the access sharing system inside the building.
  • the data will be recognized by hub 618' (or by modem 650a or modem 650b) and directed to the correct tenant.
  • the network segment established by transceiver 609a can be broadened by connecting extra buildings.
  • a bridge can connect the network segment in the "under- subscribed" building to a neighboring building. If the neighboring building is nearby, the cost of the bridge may be significantly less than the cost of the 609 pair, and total number of subscribers in the two buildings can justify the cost of the link to the Point of Presence. This type of "doubling" is illustrated by the apartment building shown in the upper left of FIG. 11.
  • such digital links are provided between modem 650a and modem 645a.
  • a mechanism of transmitting the data streams to modem 650a must be provided. Applying these signals directly to the network established by bus 619 is not a solution because the network cannot guarantee transmission of a datastream at a minimum steady rate, a characteristic required for digital video transmission.
  • FIFO 655 two communication lines connect to FIFO 655: the line connecting to NIC 653, and a line from digital video source 655a.
  • Source 655a can be provided, in coordination with a path for control signals, by many of the systems described in U.S. patent application Serial No. 08/816,059.
  • MPU 654 controls FIFO 655, enabling it to input digital signals from either NIC 653 or source 655a. If digital signals are input from the video source rather than NIC 653, there is no reason for interruptions of the datastream, and the digital signals can flow steadily to the PC up in the tenant's apartment.
  • a method for a transmit/receive pair that can communicate both analog video and digital signals is now disclosed.
  • the transmit/receive pair works on FM principles.
  • an FM transmit/receive pair will treat any input waveform in the same manner -- whatever waveform is input by the transmitter will be reproduced as output at the receive end.
  • the only consideration is that the bandwidth of the input be within the range of the devices .
  • the same transmit/receive pairs described in U.S. patent application Serial No. 08/431,270 can be used to communicate a digital Bitstream as well as an analog video signal. An example of how these devices would react to digital and analog input is shown in FIG. 12.
  • time varying behavior of an ordinary NTSC video signal is shown in the left most diagram of the top row in FIG. 12.
  • the waveform looks arbitrary, but its spectrum, shown in the diagram to the right, indicates that its energy is confined below 4.5 MHZ.
  • the time varying amplitude of the input waveform is used to create time-varying alterations in the frequency of a carrier, shown at the right.
  • This carrier which oscillates at 25 MHZ when no input is applied, travels over 20 MHZ of spectrum, between 15 MHZ and 35 MHZ, when reacting to the video information supplied at its input.
  • This motion provides an encoded expression of the video information.
  • the FM receiver at the receive end will interpret this motion to reconstruct the signal on the left.
  • a bi-level square wave produced by digital logic is shown on the left side of the lower row. High levels represent ones and low levels represent zeros. If the data rate is at or below 2 Mbs, most of its spectrum will be confined below 4.5 MHZ, as shown in the middle diagram.
  • the frequency of the 25 MHZ carrier changes between approximately 17.5 MHZ and 32.5 MHZ.
  • the spectrum of the transmitted signal is shown on the right, concentrated at the 17.5 and 32.5 extremes but spread about them so that the entire spectrum is largely confined to the same channel as is shown in the top row. The motion of the carrier between the two frequency extremes is detected by the receiver and used to reproduce the square wave at the receive end.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Cable Transmission Systems, Equalization Of Radio And Reduction Of Echo (AREA)
  • Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)
  • Interconnected Communication Systems, Intercoms, And Interphones (AREA)
  • Communication Cables (AREA)

Abstract

Système de communication numérique (Fig. 9 a) destiné aux immeubles résidentiels ou à des structures similaires et utilisant les câbles téléphoniques existants; le système inclut, premièrement, un concentrateur de commutation (618') servant à diriger de manière sélective l'information qui provient d'une source vers quelques-unes des lignes commutées, sous forme de signaux et dans une gamme de fréquences sélectionnée, lesdites fréquences étant supérieures à celles des signaux vocaux lors d'une liaison téléphonique; deuxièmement, un commutateur (699) servant à coupler de manière sélective chacune des lignes commutées à l'une des m lignes téléphoniques; et, troisièmement, un ensemble de circuits qui commandent le commutateur (699).
EP97932571A 1996-07-12 1997-07-11 Systeme de communication numerique destine aux immeubles residentiels ou a des structures similaires et qui utilise les cables telephoniques existants Withdrawn EP0909489A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US2165196P 1996-07-12 1996-07-12
US21651P 1996-07-12
PCT/US1997/012045 WO1998002985A1 (fr) 1996-07-12 1997-07-11 Systeme de communication numerique destine aux immeubles residentiels ou a des structures similaires et qui utilise les cables telephoniques existants

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EP0909489A1 true EP0909489A1 (fr) 1999-04-21
EP0909489A4 EP0909489A4 (fr) 2002-04-24

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EP97932571A Withdrawn EP0909489A4 (fr) 1996-07-12 1997-07-11 Systeme de communication numerique destine aux immeubles residentiels ou a des structures similaires et qui utilise les cables telephoniques existants

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EP (1) EP0909489A4 (fr)
AU (1) AU720165B2 (fr)
CA (1) CA2262859A1 (fr)
IL (1) IL128009A0 (fr)
NZ (1) NZ333770A (fr)
WO (1) WO1998002985A1 (fr)

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US6480510B1 (en) 1998-07-28 2002-11-12 Serconet Ltd. Local area network of serial intelligent cells
US6567981B1 (en) 1998-08-03 2003-05-20 Elysium Broadband Inc. Audio/video signal redistribution system
US6473495B1 (en) * 1999-04-15 2002-10-29 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Apparatus and method for coupling analog subscriber lines connected to a private branch exchange for transmission of network data signals in a home network
US6690677B1 (en) 1999-07-20 2004-02-10 Serconet Ltd. Network for telephony and data communication
US6549616B1 (en) 2000-03-20 2003-04-15 Serconet Ltd. Telephone outlet for implementing a local area network over telephone lines and a local area network using such outlets
WO2001097516A1 (fr) * 2000-06-14 2001-12-20 Arrista Technologies Inc. Systeme multimedia de convergence/distribution
US6687374B2 (en) * 2001-06-12 2004-02-03 At&T Wireless Services, Inc. Multi-service network interface for FDM communications systems
IL159838A0 (en) 2004-01-13 2004-06-20 Yehuda Binder Information device
CA2559133C (fr) * 2006-09-08 2011-10-25 Bce Inc Appareil et systeme pour commander le filtrage de signaux

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU3599797A (en) 1998-02-09
CA2262859A1 (fr) 1998-01-22
EP0909489A4 (fr) 2002-04-24
AU720165B2 (en) 2000-05-25
NZ333770A (en) 2000-10-27
WO1998002985A1 (fr) 1998-01-22
IL128009A0 (en) 1999-11-30

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