EP1932331A1

EP1932331A1 - Device for converting a plurality of pots/asdl connections into a vdsl connection, pots being converted into voip

Info

Publication number: EP1932331A1
Application number: EP06792989A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Rainer Wiggers
Original assignee: Nokia Siemens Networks GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Nokia Solutions and Networks GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2005-09-29
Filing date: 2006-08-24
Publication date: 2008-06-18
Also published as: WO2007036406A1; DE102005046780A1; US20080219419A1; CN101288293A

Abstract

A device is disclosed in the field of user network access using xDSL processes. ADSL and VDSL processes have long been known. However, the object of the invention is to improve the known devices and processes, in particular the range of the subscriber line, the voltage supply and/or the migration capabilities of switching telephone networks and data transmission networks. This object is achieved by an intermediary unit having the following functionalities: termination of the PoADSL interface, i.e. termination of the ADSL connection (ADSL Interface User Side) at the CO (central office) end, power supply to the intermediary unit (30), provision of a user-oriented ADSL interface (ADSL Interface CO Side), provision of a user-oriented POTS interface (POTS Interface CO Side), an ADSL bridge function between the two ADSL interfaces, and a TDM/IP gateway function between the POTS and ADSL interfaces via the host controller; alternatively, a gateway function is also provided in an IP network.

Description

Device and method for forwarding telephone data

The invention relates to a device and a method for forwarding telephone data to a subscriber line. The telephone data are, for example, analog telephone data or digital telephone data, in particular ISDN data (Integrated Services Digital Network). In order to simultaneously use the subscriber line for a broadband digital data transmission, various proposals have been made, for example:

- Use of Asymmetric Digital Subsciber Line (ADSL) techniques, e.g. according to standards ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union - Telecommunication Standardization Sector) G.992.x, ANSI (American National Standards Institute) Tl.413, ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) RTS TM-06006, and

- VDSL (Very High Digital Subscriber Line), for example, according to the standards ETSI TS 101 270, ITU-T 993.x, or ANSI Tl.424.

Although transceivers based on this method are already used millions of times, it is still an object of the invention to improve the known devices and methods, in particular with regard to the range of the subscriber line, with respect to the power supply and / or with regard to the migration capability of circuit-switched telephone networks and data transmission networks, such as the internet. In addition, in particular, the data transmission rate should be as high as possible.

The object related to the device is achieved by the features specified in claim 1. Further developments are specified in the subclaims.

The device according to the invention contains: a user-side first connection, which serves to connect a first line, which leads to a terminal of a first user of a data transmission network,

a network-side connection which serves to connect a line leading to a node of the data transmission network,

a first data separation unit that separates data received at the first port in a lower frequency range from data received at the first port in an upper frequency range. Such data separation units are also referred to as splitters. The data received in the lower frequency range are either analog telephone data or digital telephone data, in particular according to ISDN-transmitted telephone data. The data received in the upper frequency range are digital data transmitted in data packets, in particular data transmitted in IP (Internet Protocol) data packets.

a first telephone data receiving unit which outputs data received in the low frequency domain as digital data,

a packetizing unit which generates user data packets of a telephone service from the data output by the telephone data receiving unit,

a first data packet receiving unit which outputs the data packets received in the upper frequency band,

a forwarding unit which forwards the generated user data packets and the data packets received in the upper frequency band to a network-side transmission unit, wherein the transmission unit transmits the generated user data packets and the received data packets via the network-side connection.

The data packets have a data packet header in which a destination address and possibly also a sender address are stored. In addition, the data packets have a data packet body in which user data are contained, eg user data of a service or signaling data for a service, in particular, for example, voice data, music data, image data, video data, program data, etc. The lines are particularly electrically conductive and thus suitable for a remote voltage supply. Particularly suitable are two-wire lines, such as twisted two-wire lines, in particular of copper.

The device according to the invention makes it possible to keep the number of data separation units or splitters on the subscriber line low, in particular the number of data separation units or splitters that are traversed by analog telephone data or digital telephone data in a lower frequency band. With regard to these data, additional damping would be particularly great.

In addition, the device according to the invention allows the network operator to use only a broadband data transmission, but not a narrowband telephone data transmission. Thus, a tenant can only rent a broadband data transmission connection from a network operator and still provide the subscriber with a narrowband telephone service, for example because this telephone service has a higher voice quality or better availability than an Internet telephone service.

The device according to the invention also makes it possible to combine or distribute several narrow-band telephone services of several subscribers. This is due to the fact that the lower frequency band on the side of the network is no longer needed for narrowband telephone services.

In a development of the device according to the invention, this device contains a voltage supply unit which generates a local supply voltage for feeding the device from a remote supply voltage applied to the line-side connection. For example, the power supply unit contains a DC-DC converter (Direct Current / Direct Current), in particular a switched-mode power supply. The remote feed allows a very cost-effective operation of the device, since, for example, no batteries are to be maintained, no network connection is required and no solar modules, which must also contain batteries.

In a next development, the voltage supply unit is designed on the supply side for supply voltages greater than 100 volts, in particular greater than 200 volts. The local supply voltage is less than 10 volts. Voltages above 100 volts and in particular above 200 volts can be very dangerous for humans depending on the internal resistance of the voltage source and must therefore not reach a user interface. For the power supply within the data transmission network, however, voltages over 100 volts are particularly suitable for energy balance reasons. In contrast, the value of the local supply voltage depends on the required voltage of the circuits used. Typical voltages are, for example, 3.3 volts.

In another development, the voltage supply unit at the user-side terminal generates a voltage for feeding an analog telephone line or a digital telephone line, preferably a voltage in the range from 30 volts to 99 volts, the upper voltage range in particular for ISDN connections. These voltages are harmless to humans and thus can be applied to a user interface to which untrained users also work with regard to this interface.

In another development of the device according to the invention, the device contains: at least one user-side second connection,

at least one second data separation unit,

at least one second telephone data receiving unit, and

- At least a second data packet receiving unit.

These second elements have the same function relative to a second line or to a second user as the corresponding first elements with respect to the first line and the first user. Thus, the second connection is used for Conclusion of a second line leading to the second user of the data transmission network.

By means of the second elements, the device can serve for transferring data from or to several subscribers. Of the

Connection of participants in rural or sparsely populated areas can be realized in this way particularly cost-effective.

In a next development, the second elements are fed by the power supply unit. The required power of the power supply unit increases with the number of further elements. For example, this power reaches more than 4 watts.

In a next development, the first data packet receiving unit operates according to an xDSL standard. Optionally, the transmitting unit also operates according to an xDSL standard. The frequency range on the transmitting side is greater than the frequency range on the receiving side, for example, because the lower frequency range can also be used for the transmission of data packets in the direction of the network. But same frequency range are used.

The invention also relates to a method with the method steps specified in claim 9. The method according to the invention is carried out in particular with the aid of a device according to the invention or one of its further developments. Thus, the above-mentioned technical effects also apply to the method and its developments.

In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 shows a subscriber line with a remote-fed intermediate unit,

Figure 2 is a block diagram of the intermediate unit, and Figure 3 is a network topology using an intermediate unit with distributor function. FIG. 1 shows an ADSL connection configuration 10. On the side of a network node 12, for example an exchange, the connection configuration 10 comprises: an optional timeslot multiplexer 14,

a DSL access multiplexer 16, also referred to as DSLAM (Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer),

a remote feed unit 18, and

a separation unit 20.

A line 22 leads from the separation unit 20 to the access multiplexer 16. On the line 22 is transmitted according to an ADSL method. A line 24 leads from the separation unit 20 to the remote feed unit 18. On the line 24, for example, a voltage of 200 volts is transmitted. The separation unit 20 thus serves to separate a broadband data transmission signal from a DC voltage or to combine the broadband signal and the DC voltage in the countertransmission direction.

The access multiplexer 16 terminates the subscriber line or several subscriber lines with its line cards and collects or distributes the DSL data traffic of the end customer at the local level and forwards it to a regional DSL-AC (Digital Subscriber Line Access Concentrator) . Is responsible for the IP routing and, for example, a PPPoE termination (Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet). If the network node 12 is an exchange, optionally an IP telephony connection or optionally several IP telephony connections in the network node 12 are terminated or set up by a gateway function or gateway function. The associated voice data is forwarded to the time slot multiplexer 14 or comes from the time slot multiplexer, see line 26.

A line 28 leads from the separation unit 20 to an intermediate unit 30, the structure of which will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIG. On the line 28 is in accordance with a Protocol PoADSL (Power over ADSL) transmitted, which essentially corresponds to the ADSL standard, but in addition still a supply voltage of 200 volts is transmitted.

From the intermediate unit 30 leads a line 32 to the subscriber TInA, more precisely to a separation unit 34 or to a so-called splitter. On the line 32 ADSL data and in a lower frequency range telephone data is transmitted, which is also referred to as POTSoADSL. On the side of the subscriber TInA is also an analog telephone 36, a broadband network termination 38 and a computer or a data processing system 40th

A line 42 connects the separation unit 34 to the analog telephone 36. On the line 42, analog voice data and signaling signals are transmitted as usual in conventional analog telephone networks. Here, the term POTS (Piain Old Telecommunication System) is also used for such networks.

A line 44 is located between the separation unit 34 and the broadband network termination. Via the line 44 is transmitted according to an ADSL method. Between the network termination 38 and the data processing system 40 is a line 46, via which, for example, data is transmitted in accordance with the Ethernet protocol. The units on the side of the subscriber TInA work as previously used units, so that reference is made to their function on such units.

With the help of the intermediate unit 30, the range problem of the broadband application can be solved. For this purpose, the intermediate unit 30 is inserted into the subscriber line and realizes here a function which is similar to a classic repeater or regenerator function. In this application, u.a. the following challenges:

Remote supply of the intermediate unit 30 by the network node 12 via the same line 28, via which data is also transmitted, - Hybrid implementation of narrowband and broadband interface towards users and mediation, and

- Increasing the range of the ADSL interface while maintaining a given bandwidth.

In summary, FIG. 1 illustrates the network topology when using the intermediate unit 30 in the application of a hybrid repeater. The peculiarity of the solution is based, on the one hand, on the principle that the narrowband service between exchange and repeater is provided via a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), e.g. IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) or ITU-T H.248 is realized. On the other hand, the special feature of the solution is that an additional remote feed source 18 is installed in the exchange or in the network node 12, via which the intermediate unit 30 is fed. The DC power that is typically used to power the terminal in the POTS service is thus used in this application to power the inter-unit 30 and the telephone 36 connected thereto. Since this interface transmits only the supply voltage in addition to the ADSL information, it is referred to as Power over ADSL (PoADSL).

The following components are additionally required when using the intermediate unit 30:

the intermediate unit 30 itself, also known as ACN (Active Copper Node),

- The remote feed unit 18 for remote feeding of the intermediate unit 30, and - optionally a gateway function or gateway module within the DSLAM or the access multiplexer 16 for reconverting the VoIP narrow band connection in the usual TDM method (Time Division Multiplexing) or in the reverse direction.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the intermediate unit 30. In a first embodiment, the intermediate unit 30 contains: a network-side separation unit 50,

a power supply unit 52,

a network-side ADSL interface 54,

a subscriber-side separation unit 56, which is also referred to as splitter, in particular only a single subscriber-side separation unit 56,

a telephone interface 58,

a subscriber-side ADSL interface 60, and

- A host computer 62, or a data processing system.

The ADSL interface 54 and 60 respectively carry out a modulation / demodulation, a coding / decoding and other functions in both transmission directions, which are required, for example, in an ADSL standard. The separation unit 56 is constructed as an active unit or as a passive unit. The structure of the separation unit 56 corresponds to a separation unit or a known splitter previously used in an exchange.

In the case of an analog telephone line 36, the telephone interface 58 includes an analog-to-digital converter and a digital-to-analog converter for generating digital data from the analog data. In addition, the interface 5 <: signals according to a protocol for circuit-switched networks to the subscriber TInA.

The separation unit 50 is used for separating broadband digital data and the remote supply voltage or for the convergence of broadband data and supply voltage.

The voltage supply unit 52 contains, for example, a DC / DC converter and supplies an internal supply voltage for the intermediate unit 30. In addition, the voltage supply unit 52 generates a voltage for supplying the telephone 36, see arrow 152.

The host computer 62 carries out a packetization of the digital data coming from the telephone interface or In addition, the host computer 62 terminates or initiates an Internet telephony connection between the intermediate unit 30 and the network node 12, in particular the access multiplexer 16. The host computer 62 also forwards data packets ADSL interface 54 further receives from this interface 54 data packets that affect the phone 36. In addition, the host computer 62 forwards data packets between the ADSL interfaces 54 and 60, see arrow 146.

An arrow 148 symbolizes the data transmission between the separation unit 50 and the ADSL interface 54 in both transmission directions. An arrow 150 symbolizes the supply of the supply voltage from the separation unit 50 to the voltage supply unit 52.

An arrow 140 symbolizes the data transmission between the separation unit 56 and the telephone interface 58, i. a narrowband data transmission. In contrast, an arrow 144 symbolizes a broadband data transmission between the separation unit 56 and the ADSL interface 60.

The units shown in FIG. 2 can be realized with the aid of a processor or even without a processor with electronic circuits. On the line 28, for example, a larger frequency range is used for the broadband data transmission than on the line 32, because on the line 28 no narrowband telephone data in the lower frequency range must be transmitted.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, there are only two separating units 56 and 34 between the network node 12 and the devices of the subscriber TInA, which concern narrow-band telephone data in a lower frequency range. Thus, no additional fumes are generated by additional separation units in this frequency range. In another embodiment, the unpacking of the data packets for the narrowband telephone connection is carried out not by the host computer 62 but by the telephone interface 56.

In a second exemplary embodiment, the intermediate unit 30 additionally contains, in addition to the elements already explained:

one or more subscriber-side separation units 100 to 104,

one or more telephone interfaces 110 to 114,

one or more ADSL interfaces 120 through 124, and

- One or more subscriber lines 130 to 134.

The functions of the subscriber-side separation units 100 to 104, the telephone interfaces 110 to 114, the ADSL interfaces 120 to 124 and the subscriber lines 130 to 134 correspond in this order to the functions of the subscriber-side separation unit 56, the telephone interface 58, the ADSL interface 60 and the subscriber line 32, so that reference is made to the above statements.

In the second embodiment, the line 28 is signaled according to an ADSL method, for example, according to ADSLl, ADSL2 or ADSL2 +. Alternatively, however, it is also possible to use a VDSL method, for example VDSL1 or VDSL2.

The further units 100 to 124 are also supplied by the voltage supply unit 52 and thus via the line 28.

FIG. 3 shows a network topology when using the intermediate unit 30 as a distribution unit. In the one shown in FIG

Embodiment are connected to an access multiplexer 200 via lines 202 to 208 more than two, for example. Four, intermediate units 210 to 216, whose structure is the structure corresponds to the intermediate unit 30 with distribution function. More than two, for example three, subscriber lines 220, 222 and 224 are connected to the intermediate unit 210. Also, more than two, for example four, subscriber lines 226 to 232 are connected to the intermediate unit 212. To the intermediate unit 214, five subscriber lines 234 to 242 are connected. Finally, three subscriber lines 244 to 248 are connected to the intermediate unit 216.

The configuration on the subscriber lines 220 to 248 corresponds to the configuration explained above with reference to FIG. 1 for the subscriber line 32. As phones 36 both analog phones and ISDN phones are used.

Thus, the intermediate unit 30 provides the following functionalities:

Termination of the PoADSL interface, i. the CO-side (Central Office) completion of the ADSL connection (ADSL Interface User Side) and the power supply of the intermediate unit 30.

Provision of an ADSL interface in the direction of the user (ADSL interface CO side),

Providing a POTS interface in the direction of the user (POTS interface CO side),

- ADSL bridge function between the two ADSL interfaces, and

- TDM / IP gateway function between POTS and ADSL interface via the host controller, whereby a gateway function is alternatively provided in an IP network.

In the second embodiment, the intermediate unit is used for more than one subscriber interface. This approach is gaining in importance if the bandwidth offered to the user by the network operator deviates significantly from the technologically feasible data rate of the xDSL technology. For example, ADSL2 + interfaces with data of up to 25 Mbps (megabits per second) and are in turn surpassed by VDSL solutions. If the case is that a network provider wants to offer his customers a broadband service of, for example, 2 Mbit / s (downstream), then an intermediate unit 30 could, for example, also connect eight subscribers at the same time without bandwidth having to be allocated twice. In this case, the intermediate unit 30 is used in the function of a "distribution node".

With the aid of this extended intermediate unit 30, a new topology for an ADSL access network results, which can also be referred to as a "distributed" DSLAM. For this purpose it is sufficient if only the remote feed source and a small concentrator DSLAM with relatively few interfaces are provided centrally. To the DSLAM then remote inter-unit nodes are connected, which then realize the actual ADSL connection to the participants. The network structure shown in FIG. 3 is very similar to that of a passive optical network (PON) - however, instead of the passive optical fiber distributors, the intermediate unit 30 is based on active-electrical copper distributors.

By way of example, an inter-unit network with an average distribution factor of 1: 4 allows the connection of up to 256 subscribers via a single 64-port DSLAM to which in turn 64 intermediate units 30 are connected.

A new active distribution hub used in xDSL local loop access networks has been identified, solving the problem of providing ADSL broadband services to households further away from the switch, for example at distances greater than 2 km, greater than 3 km or more. greater than 4 km.

Contrary to classic narrowband services, which can be operated over relatively long subscriber lines, For example, 8 km, the range of ADSL services depending on the required bandwidth is limited to eg 4 km (at 2 Mbps downstream). Households which are connected to the exchange via a subscriber line which is longer than the ADSL range can thus either not be connected or can only be supplied very hesitantly, since this involves a relatively high capital outlay for the network operator.

The solutions described here describe a new network component that is inserted into the subscriber line, thereby increasing its range. Contrary to classic regenerator solutions, the peculiarity of the new insert is that it offers a solution for realizing not only the ADSL interface but also the narrowband interface (POTS or ISDN). Furthermore, the new solution is used as a distribution node to which several subscribers are connected, which enables a new tree-like network in the ADSL feeder network.

The illustrated exemplary embodiments use the following technologies and combine them into a new overall solution:

- Remote supply of remote operated network components via subscriber lines,

- transmission of narrowband links over IP networks,

- Narrowband interface solutions on the network side, and

- ADSL interface solutions on the exchange or network and subscriber side.

The special feature is that the DC path, which was previously used in ADSL interfaces for powering Telefonendge- rates, future is used for the remote feed of the intermediate unit 30. The narrowband connection is realized within the subscriber access network, ie externally not recognizable, via a VoIP connection. In particular, the following technical effects result:

1. The ability to connect far-flung participants to an ADSL DSLAM.

2. The ability to extend a DSLAM multiplexer by remote components and thus to improve the scalability of a subscriber access network, especially on the periphery in rural, sparsely populated areas.

Claims

claims

A device (30) for forwarding telephone data, comprising a user-side first connection serving to connect a first line (32) leading to a terminal of a first user (TInA) of a data transmission network, having a network-side connection leading to the connection a line (28) leading to a node (12) of the data transmission network, having a first data separation unit (56) separating data received at the first terminal in a low frequency range from data received at the first terminal in an upper frequency range; The data received in the lower frequency range is analog telephone data or digital telephone data, the data received in the upper frequency range is digital data transmitted in data packets, with a first telephone data receiving unit (58) outputting the data received in the lower frequency range as digital data, with a packetizing unit consisting of from the telephone number reception unit (28) Generate data user data packets of a telephone service, with a first data packet receiving unit (60) which outputs the data packets received in the upper frequency range, with a forwarding unit (62) which forwards the generated user data packets and the data packets received in the upper frequency band to a network-side transmission unit (54) , the transmitting unit (54) transmits the generated user data packets and the received data packets via the network-side connector.

2. Device (30) according to claim 1, characterized by a voltage supply unit (52) which generates from a voltage applied to the mains-side terminal remote supply voltage, a local supply voltage for feeding the device (30).

3. Device (30) according to claim 2, characterized in that the voltage supply unit (52) is designed for supply voltages greater than 100 volts, and / or that the local supply voltage is less than 10 volts.

4. Device (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the power supply unit

(52) at the user-side terminal generates a voltage for powering an analog telephone line (36) or a digital telephone line, preferably a voltage in the range of 30 volts to 99 volts.

5. Device (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one user-side second connection, at least one second data separation unit (100), at least one second telephone data reception unit (110) and at least one second data packet reception unit (120), these second elements (100 , 110, 120) with respect to a second line (130) and a second user have the same function as the corresponding first elements (56, 58, 60) with respect to the first line (32) and the first user (TInA).

6. Device (30) according to claim 5 and one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the second telephone data receiving unit (110) and the second data packet receiving unit (120) are powered by the power supply unit (52).

7. Device (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first data packet receiving unit (60) operates according to an xDSL method, in particular according to an ADSL method or a VDSL method.

8. Device (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmitting unit (54) according to a The xDSL method operates, in particular according to an ADSL method or a VDSL method.

9. Method for forwarding telephone data, with the steps:

Receiving analog telephone data or digital telephone data via a user-side first terminal in a lower frequency band, receiving data packets over the first terminal in an upper frequency range,

Generating user data packets of a telephone service from the telephone data,

Forwarding the generated user data packets and the received data packets via a network-side connection.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized by a step which is carried out with a device (30) according to one of the preceding claims.