US20020044548A1 - Coupling multiple low data rate lines to effect high data rate communication - Google Patents
Coupling multiple low data rate lines to effect high data rate communication Download PDFInfo
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- US20020044548A1 US20020044548A1 US08/679,783 US67978396D US2002044548A1 US 20020044548 A1 US20020044548 A1 US 20020044548A1 US 67978396 D US67978396 D US 67978396D US 2002044548 A1 US2002044548 A1 US 2002044548A1
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L25/00—Baseband systems
- H04L25/02—Details ; arrangements for supplying electrical power along data transmission lines
- H04L25/14—Channel dividing arrangements, i.e. in which a single bit stream is divided between several baseband channels and reassembled at the receiver
Abstract
Apparatus for linking multiple baseband telephone lines to provide broadband communication. The apparatus comprises a broadband port, a plurality of baseband ports, and a controller. The broadband port provides connection to a broadband device or broadband communication line. The baseband ports provide connection to baseband communication lines. The controller integrates baseband data streams accepted at the baseband ports into a broadband data stream for transmission at the broadband port, and/or demultiplexes a broadband data stream received at the broadband port into baseband streams for transmission at the baseband ports. The baseband data include message data corresponding to the message data of the broadband stream, and control data describing an interrelationship among the message data, for controlling integrating of said baseband message data. The invention allows an individual to use multiple plain old telephone service (POTS) lines in combination to emulate the capability of a broadband line.
Description
- The invention relates to a method and apparatus for connecting high data rate telephone calls over conventional low data rate telephone lines.
- Communication network subscribers have the option of subscribing to plain old telephone service (POTS) or high data rate service, e.g. ISDN (integrated services digital network). POTS is suitable for voice communication, low data rate data communications, and computer transmission via modem and facsimile. ISDN service is suitable for high data rate data communications, e.g. high data rate computer transmissions and video.
- To have access to the greater data rate of ISDN service, a subscriber must make arrangements before he needs the high data rate to have the ISDN service connected. In many situations, however, the individual does not have the option to have ISDN service connected, e.g. when calling from a public area. ISDN service has the additional disadvantages that the subscriber (a) has to pay to have the ISDN line installed and (b) has to pay a monthly fee for the ISDN connection in excess of that for a POTS connection.
- The invention provides method and apparatus by which a telephone subscriber can obtain the benefits of high data rate communication using low data rate (baseband) POTS telephone lines. Individuals using the invention will be able to take advantage of higher data rate communication on demand, from any location with multiple POTS lines installed, and without being charged for connection to ISDN service.
- In general, in one aspect, the invention features a broadband port for connection to a broadband device or broadband communication line; baseband ports for connection to baseband communication lines; a controller for integrating baseband data streams accepted at said baseband ports into a broadband data stream for transmission at said broadband port, said accepted baseband data including message data for conveyance at said broadband port and control data describing an interrelationship among the message data received on said baseband ports, and for demultiplexing a broadband data stream received at the broadband port into a plurality of baseband data streams for transmission at the baseband ports.
- The advantages of the invention include the following. A broadband call can be placed to or from a location where no broadband line is available. For instance, in an airport, a user could use two or four adjoining pay stations to connect a broadband call.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 are block diagrams of a telephone network, including apparatus in accordance with the invention.
- FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a node in accordance with the invention.
- FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing setting up a node and adapter within a network.
- FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing connection of ISDN calls over POTS lines.
- Referring to FIGS.1-2, the invention allows a telephone user to tie together several POTS lines, and thereby achieve high data rate communications over low data rate POTS lines. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, the high data rate data ordinarily carried over an ISDN
line 102 of atelephone network 100 are parceled out over fourPOTS lines fifth POTS line adapter 118 at the user's location, and anode 300 that is part ofnetwork 100. The user's ISDNterminal 120 connects to one side of the adapter; the fivePOTS lines POTS lines POTS lines node 300. - Node300
interfaces POTS lines line 102. For data bound fromlocal terminal 120 to remote device 122 (right-to-left in FIGS. 1 and 2),node 300 uses the coordination data offifth POTS line 114 to reassemble data on the other fourlines 112 into a single ISDN stream; this stream is delivered to aremote ISDN device 122 in the conventional fashion over ISDNline 102. Similarly, data from theremote device 122 travel on a conventional ISDN line (left-to-right FIGS. 1 and 2) to reachnode 300.Node 300 apportions these high-rate data among the fourPOTS lines 112, and transmits coordination data on thefifth POTS line 114. When these data reachadapter 118,adapter 118 uses coordination data offifth POTS line 106 to reassemble the original data stream.Adapter 118 presents the reassembled data toISDN terminal 120 as if they had arrived on a conventional ISDN line. - A
conventional network 100 includes POTS lines 104-114 and ISDN PRI (primary rate interface)lines 102 that are routed through a number ofswitches local terminal 120 to aremote device 122. The lines included in this connection will typically be owned by several different carriers, e.g., a local exchange carrier (LEC) 140 and an inter-exchange carrier (IXC) 142. The network lines will include an ISDNPRI line 102 and POTS lines 104-114. - Conventionally, a voice/
video device 122 that requires ISDN communication is connected to anISDN line 102 ofnetwork 100. Such ISDN devices can include computer or video terminals or any other type of system that requires a ISDN connection. - A user who wishes to use a ISDN device, e.g., a voice/
video terminal 120, but who has noISDN line 102 reaching his location, usesadapter 118 to connect his voice/video terminal 120 to thePOTS lines network 100.Terminal 120 is connected toadapter 118, typically using voice, data, andvideo lines 150, or a line having transmission characteristics essentially similar to those of anISDN line 102.Adapter 118 acts as a multiplexer/demultiplexer: whenterminal 120 generates data for transmission overnetwork 100,adapter 118 disassembles the ISDN data stream received onlines 150 into four data streams, and transmits these four low data rate streams overPOTS lines 104. An additional data stream, that includes data to control the reassembly of the four data streams into a single ISDN data stream, is generated byadapter 118 and transmitted over afifth POTS line 106. - In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the message data of the
original ISDN line POTS lines fifth POTS line POTS lines terminal 120 anddevice 122 and the data rate capacity of the individual POTS lines. Because an ISDN line has a capacity of 112,000 bits/sec, many devices use this as the maximum data rate at which they will transmit. Four POTS lines, at 28,800 bits/sec. each, are sufficient, collectively, to meet the 112,000 bits/sec. capacity requirement. Devices that have higher data rates would require more POTS lines, and devices that have lower data rates could use fewer. Similarly, as POTS modem rates improve, fewer lines will be required to provide the data rate of a single ISDN line. - Travelling over the POTS lines104-114 of the
network 100, these five POTS lines reachnode 300, located innetwork 100. The geographical location ofnode 300 is immaterial; the switches 130-134 will arrange a continuous circuit fromadapter 118 tonode 300 as part of connecting the call. - To support
adapter 118, the telephone network incorporatesnode 300. Node 300 has the capability to reassemble the four data streams onPOTS lines 112, using control and coordination information fromPOTS line 114, into a single ISDN data stream for transmission overISDN line 102. - In another embodiment, the message data and coordination data are distributed evenly over voice lines104-114. For instance, a 56 Kbits/sec data stream can be carried over three voice lines, each carrying 28,800 bits/sec. In this configuration, each of the three lines carry a third of the message data and a third of the coordination data. The data would be grouped in packets, and each third packet would be sent over each of the three lines:
line 1 might carrypackets 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, . . . ,line 2 might carrypackets line 3 might carrypackets - ISDN PRI
line 102 connectsnode 300 to a remote voice orvideo device 122.Line 102 is routed fromnode 300 toremote device 122 throughseveral switches 134. Typically ISDNline 102 will include segments owned by two or more different carriers, just as lines 104-114 were owned by the LEC 140 and IXC 142.Device 122 receives the data online 102 and displays them as video, or presents them as sound, as agreed by thelocal terminal 120 andremote device 122. - Data produced by
remote device 122 will be transmitted to the network overISDN line 102 tonode 300.Node 300 will disassembledata 102 into four low data rate data streams 112, plus a fifth stream ofcoordination data 114. POTS lines 104-114 will convey these data back toadapter 118.Adapter 118 will use coordination data received on fifth POTS line 106 to reassemble the four low-data rate streams 104 into asingle ISDN stream 150. This ISDN stream will then be conveyed to thelocal terminal 120, for appropriate display or presentation. - FIG. 3 shows a more detailed block diagram of
node 300.Node 300 has anISDN port 302 for connection toISDN line 102. For eachPOTS line node 300,node 300 has a modem andPOTS port 306. The modems and ports together form amodem bank 304. In some embodiments,node 300 might have oneISDN port 302 and fivePOTS modem ports 306. In other embodiments,node 300 might haveseveral ISDN ports 302, and roughly five times as manyPOTS modem ports 306, so thatnode 300 can route several calls between several pairs ofterminals 120 anddevices 122 simultaneously. - For conveying data from/to modem bank to/from
ISDN port 302,node 300 has adata processor 310.Data processor 310 includes aCPU 312 and amemory 314.Memory 314 includes adatabase memory 318 and storage for the program code executed byCPU 312.Database 318 stores information about the connections and interrelationships between thePOTS lines database 318 might store information recording that POTS ports one through five are connected to ISDN line number three and store the phone numbers of the lines to which POTS ports one through five are connected to.CPU 312 executes software that reads the coordination data received onPOTS line 114 and uses them to reassemble the message data received onPOTS lines 112 for transmission onISDN line 102.CPU 312 also executes software that disassembles data received atISDN port 302 and transmits them at theappropriate POTS ports 306. EachPOTS port 306 has a buffer to store received message data temporarily, until the reassembly information is received over the fifth POTS line. Similarly, the buffers hold outgoing message data until the coordination of the streams is completed. The multiplexing and demultiplexing functions are performed byCPU 312 according to methods used by multiplexers and demultiplexers in conventional telephone circuit switches. - At the level of detail of the block diagram of FIG. 3,
adapter 118 is essentially similar to thenode 300 shown in FIG. 3, except thatadapter 118 has only one set of POTS lines and one ISDN line, rather then the n sets of POTS lines and n ISDN lines shown in FIG. 3. Indeed, bothadapter 118 andnode 300 could be two “boxes” of the same model (of course one,adapter 118, would be physically located at the local user's location, and the other,node 300, would be geographically located at the convenience of the carrier) though the programming of the two CPU's might differ slightly. - FIG. 4 illustrates a setup phase, where a user informs the telephone service provider of the existence of
adapter 118, and its configuration relative tonetwork 100. FIG. 5 illustrates the steps of connecting a ISDN call overnetwork 100, using the information provided during the setup phase of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 illustrates connecting a call from terminal 120 todevice 122. - Referring primarily to FIG. 4 and secondarily to FIGS. 1, 2 and3, to connect
adapter 118 tonetwork 100, instep 410, the user determines the number of telephone lines needed to convey an ISDN call. This determination will consider the baud rate of the ISDN line that is to be emulated and the baud rate of the individual POTS lines. With this number in hand, the user ensures that a sufficient number of POTS lines are installed. In the remaining steps of the method, either the phone numbers ofnode 300 and lines 112-114 are determined and stored in a memory ofadapter 118, or else the phone numbers of lines 104-106 ofadapter 118 are determined and stored in a memory ofnode 300. It may be advantageous to do both. - In
step 412, the user determines the telephone numbers of the telephone lines he intends to use to send or receive a ISDN call. Instep 414, the local user connects thePOTS lines adapter 118. In some embodiments, the user notes the correspondence between the phone numbers of the lines and the ports of the adapter to which the lines are connected, so thatnode 300 andadapter 118 can agree which signals are to be transmitted on which lines. - In
step 416, the local user notifies thecommunication service provider 142 of the number oftelephone lines 104 connected toadapter 118 and the telephone numbers of those telephone lines. In the embodiments discussed above, the user also notifies the provider of the correspondence between the telephone numbers and the adapter ports to which the lines are connected. The user can so notify thecommunication service provider 142 through any suitable means, e.g. a telephone call. Instep 418, thecommunication service provider 142 stores intodatabase 520 the number of thetelephone lines adapter 118, the telephone numbers of thetelephone lines adapter 118. Instep 420, the call betweenlocal terminal 120 and the communication service provider is disconnected.Adapter 118 is now prepared to receive an inbound ISDN call over thetelephone lines 104, 106 (step 422). - In some embodiments, steps412-418 are automated. The user need not take special care to record the correspondence between the phone numbers and the ports of
adapter 118. In these embodiments, the adapter has a processor and memory. As a multi-POTS-line ISDN call is being connected, the node'sCPU 312 will communicate with the processor atadapter 118. This communication will establish the correspondence betweennode ports 306 and the respective ports ofadapter 118. In one family of such embodiments,steps adapter 118, and gives a “setup network” command toadapter 118.Adapter 118 then calls the network using one of itsPOTS lines 106, e.g., reachingCPU 312 ofnode 300. Over this call,adapter 118 tellsnode 300 the number of POTS lines connected, and the phone numbers oflines database 520. - Alternatively, the local user can simply plug a sufficient number of phone lines into
adapter 118. When the user directsadapter 118 to perform the initialization process of FIG. 4,adapter 118 tests its modem ports to determine how many lines 104-106 are connected.Adapter 118 calls tonode 300 on a single line, typically calling a hunt group phone number ofnode 300, programmed intoadapter 118.Adapter 118 tellsnode 300 the number n of lines 104-106 that are connected.Node 300 responds by reserving n-1ports 306, and communicating toadapter 118 the n-1 phone numbers of thereserved lines - Alternatively, the local user can simply plug a sufficient number of phone lines into
adapter 118. During the initialization process of FIG. 4,adapter 118 tests its modem ports to determine how many lines are connected.Adapter 118 will then calltelephone node 300 over each of the connected lines, and allow a caller ID feature to identify the phone number on which the adapter is calling toCPU 312 ofnode 300.Node 300 can then hang up and call back toadapter 118 on these identified lines.Adapter 118 andnode 300 will exchange information to associated the lines of the broadband call with each other, and to distinguish these calls from the calls of other calls tonode 300 fromother adapters 118. - Alternatively, when the first call is connected,
node 300 can provide toadapter 118 over this first call n-1 telephone numbers of n-1baseband ports 306 ofnode 300, to whichadapter 118 can call to connect the n-1 additional baseband phone calls. - Alternatively, the n telephone numbers of n baseband
ports 306 can be stored in a non-volatile memory ofadapter 118. - Alternatively, each
adapter 118 can have a node phone number reserved to it, and all lines ofadapter 118 can be phoned tonode 300 on that single phone number (with call roll-over) so that the individual voice lines 104-114 of a single broad band call are associated with each other. - Alternatively, each
adapter 118 can have a unique device ID, for instance encoded in a non-volatile ROM. When theadapter 118 calls in on the n lines, the device ID can be exchanged over the n lines so thatnode 300 can associate the associate the calls from asingle node 118. - Alternatively, when the first call is connected,
node 300 can generate a unique call tag value, and communicate this toadapter 118. Asadapter 118 connects the n-1 remaining calls toports 306,adapter 118 provides this call tag value tonode 300, which in turn uses the call tag value to associate the n separate baseband calls into a single group. - FIG. 5 illustrates connecting a call, in the case where a call originates at remote device122 (at the left end of FIGS. 1 and 2) to local terminal 120 (at the right end). Referring primarily to FIG. 5 and secondarily to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, in
step 502, the remote device makes a ISDN call overISDN lines 102 using the procedures conventionally used to connect to any other ISDN device. Usually this ISDN call will be made over a translatable telephone number, e.g. an 800 service telephone number, such that reference to a database will be required to connect the call. - In
step 504,network switch 132 intercepts the call, recognizing the destination phone number as one that must be connected over multiple POTS lines rather than over an end-to-end ISDN line.Switch 132 has adatabase 520, analogous to the database that translates “800” numbers into a true area code and phone number. In steps 506-510, switch 132 uses this database to connect three call segments. A first segment,ISDN line 522, connectsswitch 132 andnode 300. A second segment, overPOTS lines node 300 andswitch 132. A third segment, POTS lines 104-110, connectsswitch 132 toadapter 118. Steps 506-510 may be reordered relative to each other, or may be overlapped in time. - In
step 506,switch 132 consultsdatabase 520 to translate the ISDN phone number dialed byremote device 122 into the telephone number of at least one of thePOTS lines adapter 118 at the local user's location. In one embodiment,database 520 stores the number ofPOTS lines adapter 118, the phone number of each of these lines, and the association between each line and the corresponding port ofadapter 118. - In
step 508,switch 132 connects the appropriate calls over lines 104-114 in accordance with the information obtained instep 506 fromdatabase 520. As the lines 104-110 are connected,node 300 andadapter 118 will test the lines to determine their quality and capacity. For instance, some voice lines will carry a full 28.8 Kbits/sec; as discussed above, it is believed that three of these lines will readily carry the message data and coordination data for a 56 K bit/sec transmission. However, if the lines are somewhat noisy or ill-conditioned, then the set up phase of FIG. 4 may determine that a line can only carry less than 28.8 Kbits/sec, and that more than three lines are needed. - In step510,
switch 132 connectsPOTS segments ISDN segment 522. The number of POTS lines insegment 112 will agree with the number ofPOTS lines 104 determined by consultation ofdatabase 520. In making these connections, the connection of respective lines ofsegments node 300 to the POTS ports ofadapter 118. For example, thecoordination data line 114 ofnode 300 will be connected tocoordination data line 106 ofadapter 118, not tomessage data line 104. - In
step 512, a high data rate call is connected betweenterminal 120 anddevice 122. Part of the call is carried overISDN lines device 122 tonode 300, and part over POTS lines 104-114 fromnode 300 toadapter 118. Control software, primarily inswitch 132, has consulteddatabase 520 to ensure that the POTS lines 104-110 are sufficient in number to carry the data rate ofISDN line 102, and that POTS lines 104-114 connect ports ofnode 300 to corresponding ports ofadapter 118. - In the embodiment described,
steps switch 132. Alternatively, much of the handshaking to establish the multiple POTS connections can be performed bynode 300. Similarly,database 520 of information required to connect the multiple POTS calls may reside at, or be distributed among, any of several locations. For example, FIG. 1 showsdatabase 520 connected to switch 132. In a first alternative, much of the information ofdatabase 520 could reside in a database connected tonode 300,e.g. database 318 of node 300 (FIG. 3). - In a second alternative embodiment,
database 520 could store only a single one of the phone numbers oflocal ISDN terminal 120, and much of the remaining information could be stored in a database residing inadapter 118. In this alternative, for example, switch 132 would initially connect toadapter 118 over asingle POTS line adapter 118 and switch 132 would handshake to exchange information over this initial call, to establish the additional calls required to complete the high data rate call over multiple POTS lines. This handshaking could include, for example,adapter 118 providing to switch 132 the phone numbers of the remainingPOTS ports 104 ofadapter 118.Switch 132 would then connect the additional POTS calls over the phone numbers provided during the initial handshaking. -
Steps 508 and 510 establish the n calls betweennode 300 andadapter 118, and establish a correspondence of the calls to each other. Many alternative embodiments of these steps exist, for instance those corresponding to the alternative embodiments of steps 416-418 discussed above. These alternatives will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill, without elaboration here. - Referring primarily to FIG. 6 and secondarily to FIGS. 1, 2, and3, a high data rate call from the
local terminal 120 to theremote device 122 is completed in accord withmethod 600, using the setup information established by the method of FIG. 4. Instep 610, the local user issues a command toadapter 118 to connect a call to the desired ISDN phone number ofremote device 122. Instep 612,adapter 118 connects a single POTS call tonode 300. - In
step 614,processor 312 innode 300, and processors inswitch 132 andadapter 118 handshake over this single line. The processors consultdatabase 318 innode 300,database 520 inswitch 132, and a database (if any) in the memory ofnode 118. This handshaking establishes the number of POTS calls 104-114 required to carry the data rate of theISDN line 102, the phone numbers which must be dialed, whethernode 300 is to dialadapter 118 or vice-versa, and the correspondence between the phone numbers and ports ofnode 300 andadapter 118. One correspondence might be to note the order in which the lines are connected to the ports ofadapter 118. For example,node 300 might provide toadapter 118 four additional phone numbers foradapter 118 to call, over which to establish the message lines 104, 106, 112. Another would be to establish this correspondence by handshaking information betweennode 300 andadapter 118. Another would be to associate the lines in the order that the calls are connected. - Typically, the additional POTS calls will be placed by
adapter 118 tonode 300 so that tolls will be billed correctly, although it is also possible that the additional POTS calls will be connected bynode 300 toadapter 118. In the adapter-calls-node configuration, it is preferred thatnode 300 reserve the appropriate number ofinbound POTS ports 306, so that these lines will be available asadapter 118 calls to connect the individual lines. - In step616 (which may proceed in parallel with step 614), the ISDN link 102 between
node 300 andremote device 122 is established. - In
step 618, the ISDN call is connected betweenterminal 120 anddevice 122. ISDN message communication may now begin. - It is to be understood that the above description is only of one preferred embodiment of the invention. Numerous other arrangements may be derived by one skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention. The invention is thus limited only as defined in the accompanying claims.
Claims (22)
1. A method for conveying data of a broadband telephone call, comprising the steps:
receiving a broadband data stream at a first port;
demultiplexing said broadband data stream into a first plurality of baseband data streams, and developing control signals to enable recreation of the broadband data stream from the baseband data streams with a latency that is unrelated to structure of data contained in the broadband data stream; and
transmitting said baseband data streams as well as the control signals over a second plurality of baseband channels, each of aid baseband channels having a transmission capacity less than the capacity necessary to carry said broadband data stream.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:
receiving said baseband data streams and said control signal
combining the received baseband data streams under direction of the received control signals to reassemble the broadband data stream, and
conveying said reassembled data stream to a second port.
3. The method of claim 1 where said control signals enable recreation of the broadband data stream from the baseband data streams with a latency that is related solely to transmission delays of the baseband data streams.
4. The method of claim 1 where said first plurality is equal to said second plurality.
5. The method of claim 1 where said second plurality is greater than said first plurality.
6. The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of:
establishing a correspondence between the baseband data streams and the received baseband data streams, said correspondence being reflected in said control data.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein said establishing of said correspondence comprises recording an order in which baseband channels are connected to baseband ports for said baseband data streams.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein:
said baseband data streams are partitioned between at least one control stream and at least one message streams said control stream or streams conveying primarily said control data, and said message stream or streams conveying primarily message data of said broadband data stream.
9. The method of claim 6 wherein said establishing of said correspondence comprises detecting an originating phone number of at least one of said baseband data streams at a receiving port for said at least one of said baseband data streams.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising a step, at a time of connecting said baseband data streams, of computing a count of a number of said baseband data streams required to collectively carry said broadband data stream.
11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising a step of notifying a communication service provider or a communications subscriber of a telephone number of a baseband port at a place of said multiplexing so that the provider or subscriber can use the telephone number to connect a broadband call.
12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, as part of connecting said baseband data streams, the step of consulting a non-volatile memory in which is stored at least one of the telephone numbers over which said baseband data streams is to be connected.
13. Apparatus for linking multiple baseband telephone lines to provide broadband communication, comprising:
a broadband port for connection to a broadband device or broadband communication line;
baseband ports for connection to baseband communication lines; and
a controller for demultiplexing a broadband data stream received at said broadband port into a plurality of baseband data streams for transmission at said baseband ports, said baseband data including message data collectively encoding said broadband data and control data describing a multiplexing interrelationship among the message data transmitted at said baseband ports.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein said controller is further configured to integrate baseband data streams accepted at said baseband ports into a broadband data stream for transmission at said broadband port, said accepted baseband data including message data for conveyance at said broadband port and control data describing an interrelationship among the message data received on each of said baseband ports, for controlling said integrating of said received baseband message data.
15. The apparatus of any of claim 13 , wherein said controller further comprises.
means for coordinating with a remote device over said baseband lines, said coordinating including:
connecting said baseband lines between said baseband ports and said remote device, and
establishing a correspondence between respective ones of said baseband ports of the apparatus and baseband ports of said remote device, said correspondence for use in said control data's interrelationship description.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein:
said establishing includes noting an order in which said baseband communication lies re connected to said baseband ports.
17. The apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising:
means for notifying a communication service provider or a communications subscriber of a telephone number of at least one of said baseband ports so that the provider or subscriber can a conventional telephone line to establish a broadband call.
18. The apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising:
means for determining a number of said baseband lines that in combination have sufficient data capacity to carry said broadband data stream and said control data.
19. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein:
said baseband ports are partitioned into control ports and message ports, said controller being configured to convey said control data primarily at said control ports, and said message data primarily at said message ports.
20. A communications network, comprising:
first and second apparatus, each according to claim 13;
a broadband line connecting said broadband port of said first apparatus with a broadband terminal, said broadband line being of a length requiring an amplifier or repeater; and
a plurality of baseband lines, each said baseband line connecting a baseband port of said first apparatus with a corresponding baseband port of said second apparatus, each of said baseband lines being of a length to require an amplifier or repeater.
21. The communications network of claim 20 , further comprising:
a non-volatile memory describing the plurality of baseband ports of said first apparatus;
a switch configured to
query said memory on receipt of a call from said second apparatus; and
provide to said second apparatus a phone number at which to connect each of said plurality of baseband lines;
a call establishing means configured to connect a call to said switch, and responsive to the switch's provided phone number or numbers, to connect calls between the baseband ports of said second apparatus and the baseband ports of said first apparatus.
22. The communication network of claim 21 , further comprising:
means for identifying the originating phone number of a call from said first to said second apparatus, and for storing said originating phone number in said non-volatile memory.
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-
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- 1996-07-15 US US08/679,783 patent/US20020044548A1/en active Granted
- 1996-07-15 US US08/679,783 patent/US6373852B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1997
- 1997-03-24 CA CA002200790A patent/CA2200790C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1997-07-15 JP JP9188838A patent/JPH10107896A/en active Pending
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US20120113819A1 (en) * | 2006-04-25 | 2012-05-10 | Tektronix, Inc. | System and Method of Remote Testing in Loopback Mode Using MGCP/NCS |
US8767563B2 (en) * | 2006-04-25 | 2014-07-01 | Tektronix, Inc. | System and method of remote testing in loopback mode using MGCP/NCS |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2200790A1 (en) | 1998-01-15 |
US6373852B1 (en) | 2002-04-16 |
CA2200790C (en) | 2000-04-18 |
JPH10107896A (en) | 1998-04-24 |
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