Telecommunications

US7239687B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• STMICROELECTRONICS N.V. · NL

Inventors

• Sven-Rune Olofsson · Älvsbyn, SE
• Lennart Olsson · Luleå, SE
• Joachim Johansson · Älvsbyn, SE
• Hans Ohman · Luleå, SE
• Mikael Isaksson · Luleå, SE
• Magnus Johansson · Luleå, SE
• Tomas Stefansson · Luleå, SE
• Gunnar Bahlenberg · Luleå, SE
• Anders Isaksson · Luleå, SE
• Goran Okvist · Luleå, SE
• Lis-Marie Ljunggren · Luleå, SE
• Daniel Bengtsson · Luleå, SE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 28, 1999
• Grant date: Jul 3, 2007
• Expiry date: Jan 28, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04M11/062
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

When delivering a broadband service, such as xDSL, without inband POTS, it is necessary to separate the analogue POTS signal and the xDSL signal from each other at both the CO (Central Office) and the CP (Customer's Premises). This can be achieved by using an active POTS splitter. The present invention incorporates test functionality for the line between the CP and the CO, or ONU (Optical Network Unit), in the POTS splitter. This enables two-sided measurements on the line, both during installation and during operation. The measurements are performed at the CO and upon request, or when the test device automatically sends a test message/signal. In this way there is no need for field technicians at the CP side. The POTS splitter can have a unique identity code that is transmitted to the CO each time a test is started, or on receipt of a request from the CO.