Method for upgrading a communications network
US5729370A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 22, 1996 |
| Grant date | Mar 17, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 22, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L25/4921
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention is an efficient method for upgrading telephone networks having a large number of copper wire pairs 31 that extend from a telephone central office 300 to a predetermined number of telephone customers 250. Such networks are referred to as narrowband communication networks. However, for telephone companies to be competitive with cable television providers who may soon be offering telephone service, they must upgrade their narrowband networks to handle video communication signals such as CATV. This is done in an efficient multi-step process keeping in mind the eventual network configuration. During the first step, optical cable 21 is installed between the telephone office and a remote terminal 310; and digital loop carrier (DLC) equipment 201,202 is connected at each end. The DLC equipment is suitable for audio but not video communication signals. Thereafter, the DLC equipment is replaced at the telephone central office and at the remote terminal with broadband access (BA) equipment 203,204. The BA equipment is adapted to handle video communication signals. Finally, a broadband link 330 such as coaxial cable 34, or high speed modems 261 connected to copper wire-pa…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.