Voice over DSL method and system for supporting a lifeline

[0002] The present invention relates to a Voice over DSL (VoDSL) architecture for supporting a “lifeline” service. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a system and method for providing a telephone service to a VoDSL customer despite an electrical power outage or integrated access device failure at the customer premise.

[0003] Due to recent changes in the telecommunications industry (i.e., deregulation of local markets) and recent advancements in technologies that better utilize the existing copper loop infrastructure, digital subscriber line (DSL) is one of the most promising technologies for delivering viable low-cost, high-speed data to many business and residential customers. As is well known, DSL uses the existing copper loop that is traditionally used for conventional telephony to deliver voice and data at high bandwidth. DSL carries both voice and data signals simultaneously, in both directions, allowing a customer to log onto the Internet and make a telephone call at the same time. In other words, since DSL uses packet switching technology that operates independently of the voice telephone system, this allows telephone companies to provide Internet service and not lock up circuits for telephone calls. Thus, it is easy to understand why DSL technology is becoming the preferred method for sending/receiving both voice and digital data/signals in the telecommunications industry.

[0004] As is well known, there are different competing forms of digital subscriber line technologies collectively designated as xDSL technologies with the “x” representing various one or more letter combinations, which are used in front of the “DSL” acronym to designate the type of technology being used. Some of the more prevalent xDSL technologies include HDSL, ADSL, SDSL, RADSL, VADSL, and VDSL.

[0005] One particular technology known as Voice over DSL (VoDSL) provides multiple phone channels to be delivered over a DSL line, which itself is delivered over a single copper pair. Using VoDSL, multiple services—voice, data, fax, video conferencing, etc.—can be delivered over the single copper pair. In other words, by enabling up to, for example, 24 telephone channels (can be more or less than 24) and high-speed Internet access (typically at speeds up to 1.5 megabits per second) to be delivered over a single DSL connection, VoDSL systems allow service providers to apply DSL broadband access networks to small to mid-size business markets and residential homes. VoDSL essentially turns one copper pair into multiple telephone channels and one high-speed data channel. This substantially lowers the infrastructure cost for delivering such services when compared to T1 lines or multiple copper pairs.

[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified diagram of a conventional VoDSL architecture. In the conventional architecture, a regional switching center is connected to a customer premise (residential, business, small office/home office—SOHO, etc.) via a central office (CO) and a copper loop 10 (pair of copper wires). In the customer premise, an integrated access device (IAD) 12 (perhaps in a wiring closet) is connected to a data terminal such as the PC and multiple voice terminals such as telephones PH-1, . . . , PH-m, where m is some arbitrary number of channels/telephones. As known, the IAD 12 delivers both voice and data services to the customer and is described in greater detailer later herein.

[0007] The IAD 12 is connected to a DSL access multiplexer (DSLAM) 8 at the CO via the copper loop 10. As known, the DSLAM 8 generally receives incoming DSL signals and aggregates the traffic onto high-speed uplink trunks such as DS3 or SONET optical link.

[0008] In the regional switching center, an ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) switch 6 is connected to the DSLAM 8 via the high speed trunk such as DS3 or SONET optical link. ATM is a high-speed networking standard used in WANs and often used to route DSL traffic to the Internet backbone. One ATM switch 6 can be connected to many DSLAMs (hundreds, thousands) 8, which in turn, can support many IADs 12. The ATM switch 6 is further connected to a data network (e.g., Internet) and a public switched telephone network (PSTN) via a voice gateway 4 and a Class 5 voice switch (C5) 2.

[0009] The C5 switch 2, gateway 4, ATM switch 6, and DSLAM 8 are well known in the industry and thus will not be discussed in great detail. Communication interface between the gateway 4 and the C5 switch 2 is through an interface standard such as TR-303 or TR-008. The TR-303 and TR-008are standard interfaces developed for the North America PSTN for inter-working of voice switches and digital loop carrier (DLC) systems.

[0010] The C5 switch 2, gateway 4, ATM switch 6, DSLAM 8, and IAD 12 are conventionally known as network elements in the reference model for the conventional architecture. The IAD 12 is not an independent network element per se, but rather a subtending subsystem to the gateway 4. Thus, the gateway 4 and the subtending IAD 12 form an independent network element. Each gateway 4 and C5 switch 2 can support multiple IADs 12, depending on their capacities.

[0011] Associated with each network element is a software program generically known as an element management system (EMS), which manages the operation of each network element. The operation, administration, and maintenance (OAM) functions of the VoDSL network is performed by an operation support system (OSS) which supports the C5 switch 2, and works in conjunction with the EMSs for managing the gateway 4 and DSLAM 8. The OSS controls and coordinates all the network elements.

[0012] During operation, the IAD 12 receives, digitizes, packetizes, compresses the voice and data signals and formats them for transmission from the customer. The IAD 12 then sends the voice and data signals out in separate virtual circuits, with the voice circuit getting priority. Virtual circuits are connected to the DSLAM 8, which combines virtual circuits from multiple customers and/or IADs 12 and send them to the ATM switch 6 in the regional switching center. The ATM switch 6 then sends the data signals to the data network such as the Internet and the voice signals to the voice gateway 4. The gateway 4 decompresses and depacketizes the signals and sends them to the C5 switch 2, which signals are then sent to the PSTN.

[0013] Conversely, when the signals are sent from the regional switching center to the customer premise, the gateway 4 receives digital voice signals and formats them into packets for transmission to the ATM switch 6. The ATM switch 6 also receives data signals from the data network. These signals are then sent to the IAD 12 through the DSLAM 8 and copper loop 10. The IAD 12 receives the signals and distributes them to the proper terminals.

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a more detailed diagram of a DSLAM and IAD in the conventional VoDSL architecture of FIG. 1. In greater detail, the DSLAM 8 consists of an ATM interface block (AIB) 20 connected to n-number of ADSL (xDSL) termination unit-CO (ATU-C) 22a, 22i, 22n. Each ATU-C 22a, 22i, 22nis further connected to a loop pair (pair-1, pair-i, pair-n), which terminates at a corresponding IAD-112a, IAD-i 12i, IAD-n 12n. As can be appreciated, there will be n-number of IADs corresponding to n-number of ATU-Cs and loop pairs.

[0015] Using IAD-i 12ias an example, it consists of an ADSL (xDSL) termination unit-remote (ATU-R) 30 or similar unit that is further connected to a service interface block (SIB) 32. The SIB 32, which distributes signals to different terminals, is further connected to a data module (DM) 34 for high speed data service to the data terminal (PC) and to m-number of phone modules PM136-1, PMm 36-m, which are connected to multiple telephones PM-1, PM-m, respectively. Currently, m can be any arbitrary number such as 14, 16, 24, so long as the system components can support the m number of telephone lines. Accordingly, the IAD-i 12itypically supports one high-speed data port and m-number of telephone ports.

[0016] To fully implement the conventional VoDSL system, power is supplied to the IAD-i 12iusing a power supply (PS) 39 (110 Vrms, 60 Hz) from the customer premise because it is not economically feasible to power the IAD-i 12ifrom a CO battery. In addition, the connecting terminals of the ATU-C 22iand ATU-R 30 to the copper pair are normally capacitively coupled, meaning that there is no DC electrical path. As a result, the PS 39 takes AC power and converts it into DC voltage source to power the electronics within the IAD-i 12i.

[0017] At this point, it is important to point out that the copper pairs connecting the DSLAM 8 to the IADs 12a, 12i, 12nare “dry.” In other words, there is no DC current flowing through the copper pairs from the CO to the customer premise in the conventional VoDSL system. Conversely, in a conventional plain old telephone system (POTS), the copper pairs are “wet,” which means that there can be DC current flowing through them. Wet cop per pairs are normally connected to the CO battery to provide loop supervision and talk current to the telephone.

[0018] There are several major shortcomings and disadvantages associated with the conventional VoDSL architecture. For example, because the IAD is powered from the customer premise, electrical power outage at the customer's premise results in lost of services, and in particular telephone service to the customer. Further, a failure or defect in particular components of the IAD can also result in lost telephone and data service to the customer. These shortcomings and disadvantages are typically uncommon in the POTS system, since the telephone service is powered by the CO battery rather than power from the customer's premise.

[0019] As a result, power outages and/or IAD failures prevent the customer from using his/her telephone for an unspecified period of time. This can be unacceptable when there is an emergency and 911 service is needed. This lack of a “lifeline support” has been viewed by many in the telecommunications industry to be the critical factor inhibiting the widespread deployment of VoDSL technology.

[0020] As stated above, the conventional VoDSL architecture is generally workable when there is adequate and stable power at the customer premise, but is found to be inadequate and unworkable when there is a power outage and/or IAD failure/defect at the customer premise. Accordingly, there is a need for a reliable and efficient system and method for providing a lifeline support to a VoDSL customer during a power outage, IAD failure, and the like at the customer premise. The lifeline support is needed to keep a telephone line or “lifeline” available during emergency or other situations.

[0021] In view of the above-described problems of the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for providing a lifeline support to a VoDSL customer.

[0022] It is another object of the present invention to provide a lifeline support to a VoDSL customer using the existing VoDSL architecture.

[0023] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a lifeline support when there is an electrical power outage at the customer's premise having VoDSL service.

[0024] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a lifeline support when there is an integrated access device failure at the customer's premise having VoDSL service.

[0025] It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a system and method for actuating a bypass function in an IAD located at the customer premise.

[0026] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide one or more active telephone lines to one or more VoDSL customers when electrical power or IAD failure occurs at the customers' premises.

[0027] These and other objects of the present invention are obtained by providing a bypass function in the IAD located in the customer's premise. The bypass function is preferably a relay, which can be automatically activated to provide the lifeline support. The relay in the IAD, working in conjunction with systems in the central office and the regional switching center allows the customer to obtain an active telephone line. Electrical power is supplied to the customer's premise from the central office, thereby allowing the customer to use a telephone line in the traditional manner. The present invention can be implemented for any number of customers and telephone lines.

[0028] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following detailed description of the presently preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a conventional VoDSL architecture;

[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates a more detailed diagram of a DSLAM and IAD in the conventional VoDSL architecture of FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a VoDSL architecture with lifeline support in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates a more detailed block diagram of the DSLAM, cross connect, and IADs in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram showing the call origination operation from the customer premise in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram showing the call termination operation to the customer premise in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 7 illustrates a matrix architecture to enable traffic optimization in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 8 illustrates a more detailed block diagram of the RCB within the IAD in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0037] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a detailed circuit diagram of the SC in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] The present invention will now be described in greater detail, which will serve to further the understanding of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As described elsewhere herein, various refinements and substitutions of the various embodiments are possible based on the principles and teachings herein.

[0039] The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3-9, wherein like components and steps are designated by like reference numerals throughout the various figures. Further, specific parameters such as system architecture, circuit layouts, and the like are provided herein, and are intended to be explanatory rather than limiting.

[0040] The present invention is directed to a method and system for supporting a lifeline in an VoDSL architecture. In other words, the present invention allows a customer to use a telephone line on the VoDSL system even though there is an electrical power outage or IAD failure at the customer premise. This is accomplished by bypassing certain components in the IAD in the customer premise and “substituting” them with those from an IAD in the CO. In addition, the present invention provides the necessary electrical power to the customer's telephone from the CO.

[0041] FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an VoDSL architecture with lifeline support in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The system according to the present invention includes the network elements and components similar to those described in the conventional system, but includes additional elements such as a metallic cross connect unit (CX) 102, a relay K therein, and an integrated access device (IAD-C) 104 connected to the CX 102 at the CO. The present invention also includes a metallic bypass relay K_bwithin the IAD 212 at the customer premise, which relay K_bis illustrated is in its de-energized state in FIG. 3.

[0042] In greater detail, the CX 102 such as model “CX100 Copper CrossConnect System” from Turnstone Systems, Inc. is positioned in between the DSLAM 8 and the IAD 212. The CX100 Copper CrossConnect System is a platform that automates the physical layer infrastructure in the CO, enabling ILECs and CLECs to remotely control, test, and manage the copper pair 10. Additional information regarding Turnstone System's CX100 Copper CrossConnect System can be found at the web site trunstone.com, which contents are herein incorporated by reference. It is also noted that other units providing similar functionalities as the CX100 Copper CrossConnect System can be implemented in the present invention.

[0043] Since these additional components/devices are included in the present invention, the OSS is required to communicate with the element management software associated with the CX 102 in its overall operation, administration, and management process of the overall system. Therefore, the OSS will incorporate the new CX 102 software as an integral part of the coordination activities to operate the VoDSL system of the present invention.

[0044] Under normal system operation condition (i.e., VoDSL service), the DSLAM 8 is connected to the IAD 212, transparently through the CX 102. In other words, the CX 102 has very little effect to the VoDSL service from the customer's standpoint. The relay K_bis set in the energized state (opposite to that shown in FIG. 3) using power from the customer premise, thereby connecting the telephone PH-m to the components that are represented by block 12i(i.e., components in the IAD 12iin FIG. 2). The normal operation condition is similar to that described in the Background section herein.

[0045] As mentioned earlier, the present invention provides a method and system for providing a telephone service to the customer during a power outage or IAD 212 failure at the customer premise. When an outage occurs or particular components of the IAD 212 fails, relay K_bis de-energized (as shown in FIG. 3), thereby connecting the telephone PH-m or any other “lifeline terminal” directly to the tip and ring wires of the loop pair and bypassing block 12iin the IAD 212. These “particular components” of the IAD 212 that cause the relay K_bto be de-energized upon failure are well known in the art.

[0046] At the same time, the OSS (i.e., system software) receives information or status about such outage or IAD 212 failure associated with the particular loop pair. The OSS, working in coordination with the other EMSs, commands the CX 102 EMS to actuate the relay K residing therein. When relay K is actuated, the IAD-C 104 is connected to the DSLAM 8 on one end and to the telephone PH-m on other end. This, in turn, establishes a direct path from the DSLAM 8 through the IAD-C 104 to the telephone PH-m. In this manner, electrical power from the CO can be used to provide an active telephone line to the VoDSL customer, which additional details are described later herein. This results in at least one phone line/channel (e.g., line m) or lifeline within the customer premise being active, while the remaining phone lines (m−1 lines) or channels and the data port line remain inactive until the outage or IAD 212 failure is fixed. Additional details regarding specifics conditions for providing the lifelines support is described later herein.

[0047] FIG. 4 illustrates a more detailed block diagram of the DSLAM 8, CX 102, and IADs in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As described earlier herein, the DSLAM 8 includes the AIB 20 and multiple ATU-C blocks 22a, 22i, 22nconnected thereto, and need not be discussed in further detail.

[0048] The essential components of the CX 102 consists of a control bus (CB) connected to a CX control (CTRL) 150, a test bus (TB) connected to a test head (TH) 152, bypass bus on the equipment side (BE), bypass bus on the loop side (BL), test access relays (KT1, KTi, KTn), relays K1, Ki, Kn for connecting the IAD-C 104 to the DSLAM 8 and copper pairs, and battery injection and loop supervision (BILS) blocks 28a, 28i, 28n. A more detailed description of the BILS can be found in the co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/493,342 filed Jan. 28, 2000, titled “Battery Injection and Loop Supervision for DSL Environment”, commonly owned by the assignee of the present invention, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. The test head 152 includes a conventional processor board such as a P150 processor (e.g., CX100 Copper CrossConnect System), and the test access relays KT1, KTi, KTn or equivalent functional elements can bemused to connect the test head 152 to the copper pair-1, pair-i, pair-n.

[0049] The IAD-C 104, which is connected to the CX 102 through the relays K1, Ki, Kn, consists of an ADSL (xDSL) termination unit-remote (ATU-R) 31, a service interface block (SIB) 33, and a phone module-CO (PMC) 37 (terminal module). These components/devices are similar to the corresponding components/devices in the IAD 212i(described below) and those in the IAD 12iof FIG. 2, with the exception of the PMC 37. Further, the BE and the BL connect multiple loop pairs to the ATU-R 31 and PMC 37, respectively. In this manner, the IAD-C 104 can be inserted into any one of the loop pairs connected to the BE/BL buses at any given time. Stated alternatively, one IAD-C 104 can provide a lifeline service to n-number of loop pairs at one loop pair at a time.

[0050] In other situations, it may be necessary to support more than one loop pair at a time for lifeline service to provide higher availability of such services. This can be accomplished by providing multiple IAD-Cs as illustrated in FIG. 7, which is described in greater detail later herein.

[0051] Again using the IAD 212ias an example, it consists of the same components/devices as those described in the IAD 12isuch as the ATU-R 30, SIB 32, DM 34, PM136-1, PMm 36-m, and PS 39. The IAD 212i, however, includes additional components/devices such as a relay control block (RCB) 214 and the bypass relay K_b, as described above.

[0052] As discussed above, during normal VoDSL operating condition, the ATU-C 22iis connected directly to the ATU-R 30, and the relay K_Bis energized so that the telephones PH-1, PH-m are connected to the phone modules PM136-1, PMm 36-mas in the conventional system. However, when a power outage or particular components of IAD failure occurs at the customer premise, the relay K_Bis de-energized causing the connection from telephone PH-m to phone module PMm 36-mto be terminated. Meanwhile, the same telephone PH-m is connected directly to the tip and ring wires by bypassing the phone module PMm 36-m, SIB 32, and ATU-R 30. Simultaneously, the ATU-C 22irecognizes the bypassing of these components through communication protocols between the ATU-C 22iand the ATU-R 30 and reports this event to the OSS. With this information, the OSS recognizes the affected loop pair and places it in the lifeline support mode. The OSS will also send commands to the appropriate network elements to block service to the data module and the other telephone channels within the affected IAD, with the exception of the one lifeline telephone channel.

[0053] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram showing the call origination operation from the customer premise in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Reference will be made to FIGS. 3-5 concurrently for a more complete understanding of this operation. To make a telephone call, the telephone PH-m is taken off-hook in step 502. The BILS 28idetects the off-hook status and reports it to the CTRL block 150 via the control bus CB in step 504. In step 506, the EMS for the CX 102 then transmits this status to the gateway 4 for processing the request for lifeline service. A “call processing” software in the gateway 4 then commands the CX 102 to actuate the relay Ki therein in step 508. Thereafter, after actuating the relay Ki, the IAD-C 104 is inserted into the copper pair-i in step 510. The ATU-C 22iis then connected to the ATU-R 31 through bus BE, and the telephone PH-m is connected to the PMC 37 through bus BL and the copper pair-i.

[0054] The PMC 37 possess all the functionality required to support the traditional POTS service. The POTS functionality is known to as the “BORSCH” function, which stands for “Battery Overvoltage Ringing Supervision Codec Hybrid”. At this stage, the PMC 37 provides power and a dial tone to the customer in step 512, which allows the customer to originate a call from the customer premise in the traditional manner. The PMC 37 has the same functionality as the PMm 36-min the IAD-i 212iexcept that the parametric requirement has to comply with longer loop length. The PMC 37 is commonly known and widely available in the industry.

[0055] It should be noted that the supervision of the affected loop pair is a two step process where in the first step, the loop pair is supervised by the BILS 28iduring the idle state. Once an off-hook condition is detected, the loop pair is supervised by the PMC 37 in the second stage. This process is essential to support simultaneous and multiple copper loop pairs.

[0056] FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram showing the call termination operation to the customer premise in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] Again, reference will be made to FIGS. 3, 4, and 6 concurrently for a more complete understanding of this operation.

[0058] When a telephone call is made to the lifeline telephone PH-m, the incoming call is received by the “call processing” software in the gateway 4 in step 602. The gateway 4 identifies that the particular call is for a lifeline telephone PH-m in step 604, and commands the CX 102 to actuate the relay Ki corresponding to the loop pair-i in step 606. When the relay Ki is actuated, this results in inserting the IAD-C 104 into the copper pair-i in step 608, as described above. In step 610, the call processing software commands the CX 102, which in turn activates the ringing function in the PMC 37 to send a ringing voltage to the telephone PH-m.

[0059] The customer answers by picking up the phone receiver, creating an off-hook condition. This off-hook condition is detected by the supervision circuit in the PMC 37, which immediate causes the removal of the ringing voltage. Thereafter, a voice path is established between the two parties as in the conventional system.

[0060] It is evident from the call origination and termination descriptions provided above that each time a lifeline call is active, one set of BE/BL buses is occupied and it can not support another “call” on the same bus at that time. To overcome this limitation, a matrix architecture as illustrated in FIG. 7 can be implemented.

[0061] FIG. 7 illustrates a matrix architecture to enable traffic optimization in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The copper cross connect matrix in the CX 103 now has p-number of BE/BL buses with each terminating with a corresponding IAD-C1104a, IAD-Cp 104pfor a total of p-number IAD-Cs. Consequently, the CX 103 architecture can support multiple lifeline services simultaneously.

[0062] In greater detail, assuming one set of BE/BL bus is occupied, the next call to/from the lifeline telephone can be supported by a different set of BE/BL bus in the CX 103. This process can continue until all the available sets of BE/BL buses are occupied. By properly choosing the numbers p and n, where n is the number of loop pairs and IADs, the present invention can be customized to support a desired level of lifeline services to various customers. In addition, this customization and flexibility provides trade offs between the cost and lifeline service availability for each system.

[0063] FIG. 8 illustrates a more detailed block diagram of the RCB within the IAD in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The RCB 214 includes a signal conditioner SC 300, first OR gate (OR1) 302a, second OR gate (OR2) 302b, latch (LH1) 304 and relay driver (RDR) 306. The relay K_Band an associated suppression diode D are also illustrated in FIG. 8. Relay K_Bis preferably a standard (i.e. non-latching) type relay to insure that when the power supply fails in the IAD-i, the relay K_Bautomatically reverts to the “de-energized” or “reset” mode. The diode D is used to suppress the voltage transient produced during operation.

[0064] In further detail, the SC 300 conditions the signal from the tip and ring wires to be within the voltage range acceptable to the circuitry in the RCB 214. The detected signal is compared to reference voltages to generate either a “set” or “reset” signals at the SC 300 outputs, which is dependent on the input signal level and polarity.

[0065] When a “set” output is generated in the SC 300, it is sent to the first OR gate OR1302abefore it is inputted into the “s” (set) input of the latch LH1304. Conversely, when a “reset” output is generated in the SC 300, it is sent to the second OR gate OR2302bbefore it is inputted into the “rs” (reset) input of latch LH1304. For example, a logical 1 at the output of first OR gate OR1302aproduces a logical 1 at the Q1 output of latch LH1304, and logical 1 at the output of second OR gate 302bproduces a logical 0 at the Q1 output.

[0066] The signal Q1 is then sent to the relay driver RDR 306. If the signal Q1 is a logical 1, the RDR 306 will energize the relay K_B. In addition, if the detected signal at the tip and ring wires produces a logical 1 at the SC 300 “set” output, the relay K_Bis again “set” or energized. On the other hand, if the detected signal produces a logical 1 at the SC 300 “reset” output, the relay K_Bis “reset” or de-energized. This process is used to provide the lifeline support when the IAD 212 has failed for any reason as in the case (3) described below.

[0067] It should also be noted that there are two other signals, designated as “set” and “reset”, sent from the SIB block 32 to the first OR gate OR1302aand second OR gate OR2302b, respectively. Again, logical 1's in these signals will enable the same operation behavior for relay K_Bas described above. This process is used to control the lifeline support function when there is a need to bypass the functional IAD 212 for testing or maintenance as in the case (4) described below.

[0068] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a detailed circuit diagram of the SC 300 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The SC 300 is represented by resistors R1-R6, capacitor C1, and amplifiers A1, A2. Resistors R1, R2 and R3 form a voltage divider to scale the signal to be within the voltage operation range of the circuit. The voltage range is defined by supply voltages V− and V+. Capacitor C1 is used to filter out spurious signals, which could cause erroneous operation. One end of the resistors R4, R5, and R6 string connects to the V+ and the other end connects to, V− to form a voltage divider in order to generate reference voltages VR1 and VR2. In one embodiment, the reference voltage VR1 can be positive with respect to ground and the reference voltage VR2 can be negative with respect to ground. Amplifiers A1 and A2 compare the voltage V_in, which is proportional to voltage at the tip and ring wires, with reference voltages VR1 and VR2. When the voltage V_inis more positive than reference voltage VR1, this will result in a logical 1 at the “set” output. On the other hand, when the voltage V_inis more negative than reference voltage VR2, this will result in a logical 1 at the “reset” output.

[0069] In summary, there are generally four different conditions that require actuating the relay K_bfor lifeline support: (1) electrical power outage at the customer premise; (2) failure of the power supply powering the IAD 212; (3) failure of particular components of the IAD 212 without power supply failure; and (4) voluntary bypassing of the IAD 212 in cases where the ATU-C has failed or for testing and maintenance.

[0070] For the first two cases (1) and (2), the electrical power outage de-energizes relay K_Band automatically connects the lifeline telephone PH-m to the tip and ring wires, bypassing the IAD-i components. The OSS (system software) receives status of the power outage through its protocols via the ATU-C in the DSLAM.

[0071] For the third case (3), the system software receives status of IAD-i failure from the EMS of the DSLAM through protocols for the ATU-C. The OSS will need to provide the necessary commands to connect the lifeline telephone PH-m to the tip and ring wires. This is accomplished when the system software commands the CX to actuate the relay KTi therein, thereby connecting the loop pair-i to the test bus TB. This allows the IAD-i to connect to the test head TH in the cross connect CX. The TH is then commanded to send a longitudinal DC voltage signal to reset relay K_B; which de-energizes it, and connects the lifeline telephone PH-m to the tip and ring wires. An example of the signaling approach is disclosed in co-pending U.S. applications Ser. No. 09/476,226 filed Dec. 30, 1999, titled “Remotely Addressable Maintenance Unit” and Ser. No. 09/516,345 filed Mar. 1, 2000, titled “Remotely Actuated Splitter Bypass System and Method”.

[0072] In one embodiment, relays are “set” or energized when an appropriate-positive voltage is applied from tip and ring wires with respect to the ground wire. Conversely, relays are “reset” when an appropriate negative voltage is applied from tip and ring wires with respect to the ground wire.

[0073] In greater detail, each relay can be set with a positive polarity, using some arbitrary voltage range, which range is pre-defined/pre-designed. Conversely, each relay can be reset with a negative polarity, using some arbitrary voltage range, which range again is pre-defined/pre-designed. In additional, a particular voltage range that sets a particular relay or relays may include a reciprocal voltage range to reset another relay or relays. In this manner, multiple relays can be remotely actuated from the CO by providing different voltages and polarities. The polarity of the voltages for set and reset conditions can be interchangeable by a person skill in this art (i.e., set having negative polarities and reset having positive polarities).

[0074] For the fourth case (4), the relay K_bcan be “reset” (de-energize) and “set” (energize) using the service interface block SIB. This operation is described in greater detail earlier herein.

[0075] The relays described herein can be switched via software, hardware, or combinations thereof, but in certain embodiments, the relays are controlled via hardware functions. Further, although the lifeline service described herein is implemented with one bypass relay, it is understood that more than one relay in the customer premise can be used herein and is within the scope of the present invention.

[0076] In other embodiments, other components can be substituted for the specific components described herein so long as these components perform essentially identical functions as described herein.

[0077] In the previous descriptions, numerous specific details are set forth, such as specific functions, components, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, as one, having ordinary skill in the art would recognize, the present invention can be practiced without resorting to the details specifically set forth.

[0078] Although only the above embodiments have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications of the exemplary embodiments are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention.