DSL Aggregation Device Tone-by-Tone Pre-Coding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Interference between different DSL protocols, such as G.fast and Ethernet over Powerline, used in a user's premises for data distribution leads to reduced bandwidth, latency, and stability issues, affecting the quality of data connections to devices.
Innovation Solution
A system with a distribution point and a splitter device within the user's premises, utilizing multiple access network modems and internal home wiring to terminate DSL connections at multiple points, employing a modified vectoring scheme for tone-by-tone pre-coding to minimize interference and enable simultaneous data transmission to multiple devices using Time Division Duplex and Frequency Division Multiple Access protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate data distribution networks (e.g., Ethernet over Powerline) are used alongside DSL protocols within a user's premises, then data can be distributed to multiple devices, but protocol interference occurs reducing bandwidth, latency, and connection stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges DSL and Ethernet over Powerline networks by implementing a media converter that allows Ethernet over Powerline devices to access the DSL network infrastructure. The media converter connects to the DSL network via the splitter device and provides Ethernet over Powerline connectivity, enabling both protocols to coexist and share the same physical infrastructure without requiring completely separate networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The media converter acts as an intermediary device between the DSL network and Ethernet over Powerline devices. It translates and adapts signals between the two protocols, allowing Ethernet over Powerline devices to communicate over the DSL infrastructure while minimizing protocol interference through controlled signal conversion rather than direct protocol interaction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple protocols operate simultaneously within a user's premises, then diverse device connectivity is enabled, but protocol interference reduces bandwidth and increases latency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into distinct functional zones using the splitter device and media converter. The splitter device separates the DSL signal into different connections (one to aggregation device, another to media converter), while the media converter further segments connectivity for Ethernet over Powerline devices. This segmentation allows different protocols to operate in separated logical domains, reducing interference and optimizing data throughput for each protocol type.
3Device complexity
If a single DSL termination point is used within a premises, then protocol implementation is simplified, but separate networks are required for multiple devices increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The media converter provides multi-functionality by serving as both a DSL network interface and an Ethernet over Powerline access point. It connects to the DSL infrastructure through the splitter device while simultaneously providing connectivity for multiple Ethernet over Powerline devices, making a single termination point serve multiple device types and protocols without requiring separate network infrastructures.
Data Source
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AI summary
An aggregation device (10) is arranged to receive a plurality of lines (21, 22) each of which is connected to a user premises (11, 12) and wherein one of the user premises is a multi-terminating-point enabled premises and comprises a splitter device connected to the line and at least two distinct terminating points each of which is connected to the splitter device via an in-premises connection and is operable to terminate a two part connection between the respective terminating point and the aggregation device via the splitter device, and wherein the aggregation device comprises: a transmitter portion operable to transmit signals to a pre-coding unit (e.g. a vectoring unit) for precoding the signals (on a tone-by-tone basis) to be transmitted over the lines so as to minimise the interference from one signal to another by means of a pre-coding matrix; a memory storing a plurality of pre-coding matrices, or sets of components thereof, (on a tone-by-tone basis) each of which is adapted for use when transmitting signals to a respective terminating point within the (or each) multi-terminating-point enabled premises; a determination means for determining to which terminating point within the (or each) multi-terminating-point enabled premises a signal for transmission is destined; and a selection means for selecting a respective pre-coding matrix, or a set of components thereof, adapted for use when transmitting signals to the determined terminating point for use by the transmitter portion, whereby signals transmitted to a respective termination point are pre-coded using a pre-coding matrix which is adapted for use when transmitting signals to that termination point, and wherein the pre-coding matrices for use when transmitting signals to one termination point are different from the corresponding pre-coding matrices for use when transmitting signals to another termination point.