A system for powering a network element of a fiber optic wide area network is disclosed. When communication data is transferred between a central office (CO) and a subscriber terminal using a network element to convert optical to electrical (O-E) and electrical to optical (E-O) signals between a fiber from the central office and twisted wire pair, coaxial cable or Ethernet cable transmission lines from the subscriber terminal, techniques related to local powering of a network element or drop site by the subscriber terminal or subscriber premise remote powering device are provided. Certain advantages and/or benefits are achieved using the present invention, such as freedom from any requirement for additional meter installations or meter connection charges and does not require a separate power network.

System and method for a subscriber-powered network element

In a switching protection system, a protocol is followed by a first connection controller to help facilitate the resynchronization of the network after the failure has occurred. This protocol contains the messaging system of the ability to query and store the exact sequence of logical ports and time slots that make up the data path, as a resynchronization table coupled to the first controller. The head/ingress end of the path can receive this information during set-up and can store it both locally and in shadow locations. The system also contains the ability to distinguish between signaling and data channel failures, as signaling channel failures to do not clear cross connect data but simply leave it "ownerless". The system also contains the ability to populate the exact sequence of logical ports and time slots accumulated in the definition of the network, as the set-up message initiated by the head controller to re-claim "ownerless" cross connections contained on respective network elements. The system also facilitates the clearing of a "ownerless" cross connection after a pre-determined period of time has lapsed.

Resynchronization of control and data path state for networks

A distributed telemetry method is effected by coordinating the taking of readings of a parameter by mobile phone users, the parameter readings being then sent to a service system together with location information on the users. Collating the readings and location information enables a representation to be generated of the geographic variation of the measured parameter. Incentives can be offered to encourage cell phone users to participate in the telemetry method.

Distributed telemetry method and system

An optical network termination (ONT) apparatus can determine its own geographic location information automatically, thereby permitting the ONT to report its geographic location to a management entity in a passive optical network (PON) automatically, without manual intervention.

Optical network termination with automatic determination of geographic location

A protocol for communicating data on a passive optical network conforming to the Ethernet standard provides processes for remote network node discovery and synchronization. Uplink packet transmissions to a central controller, such as an optical line terminal, are scheduled by the central controller. Downlink packets from the central controller to a remote network node, such as an optical network unit, are encrypted to preserve privacy, and the key used for encryption is changed periodically. The protocol further provides processes for detecting the loss of physical or logical connection between the central controller and the remote network nodes.

Communication protocol for passive optical network topologies

A synchronization system in accordance with the principles of the invention includes a central synchronizing management unit, at least one synchronization distribution unit, and at least one network element. Each synchronization distribution unit receives synchronization and management information from the central synchronization management unit. This information may be transmitted directly from the central synchronization management unit, or it may be transmitted though another synchronization distribution unit in a group of a daisy-chained synchronization distribution units. The daisy-chained arrangement employs both active and passive optical paths. The central synchronizing management unit may query any synchronization distribution unit within the system to obtain performance statistics. Additionally, the central synchronizing management unit may detect faults within the system by setting performance monitoring thresholds and interrogating a synchronization distribution unit to determine whether a threshold has been exceeded. The synchronization distribution units are physically located in close proximity to the network elements they serve. Additionally, the management and synchronization information exchanged between the central synchronization unit and a synchronization distribution unit is carried over a bidirectional optical link.

Optical synchronization system

Real time switch overs from one set of timing signals to a redundant set of timing signals in an ATM system, as required by periodic maintenance checks, are accomplished without incurring data errors by this apparatus and method. Each switch over apparatus has a phase locked loop with a controlled control loop which assists the phase locked loop in rapidly achieving nearly perfect phase locks to one of multiple system reference clocks. The characteristics of the special phased locked loop provide the stability and the timing functions necessary for switch overs between reference clocks to produce errorless ATM signal handling.

Method and apparatus for a hitless switch-over between redundant signals

Timing information, such as stratum 1 traceable synchronization information, is transmitted in a high-bit-rate digital subscriber line (HDSL) transport frame by timing the transport frame using a corresponding timing reference signal. In an illustrative embodiment, a central office modem maps a DS1 payload at 1.544 Mbps into HDSL transport frames at 1.552 Mbps, using a DS1 timing reference signal generated by, e.g., a building integrated timing supply (BITS) having global positioning system (GPS) capability. The transport frame is transmitted by the central office modem to a customer premises modem which demaps the transport frames to recover the DS1 payload and the DS1 timing reference signal. The recovered timing reference signal is then delivered to an external timing input of a computer, set-top box or other customer premises equipment (CPE). Synchronization status messages (SSMs) may be included in the timing information transmitted between the central office and customer premises modems. The invention is applicable to DSL signals other than HDSL2, including, e.g., single-pair HDSL signals, multiple-pair HDSL signals, as well as other types of signals used in conjunction with the transport of information over existing wired connections.

Method and apparatus for synchronization of high-bit-rate digital subscriber line signals

A system for transmitting data signals across a data transmission line in accord with a specified digital data transport protocol utilizes a powering shelf for powering the line. To that end, the line electrically couples the powering shelf with a signal converter that converts the data signals to optical signals. The signal converter includes a first interface for receiving a first data signal complying with the protocol from the line, and a housing. The powering shelf, which is external to the converter housing, preferably includes a first powering circuit for the first interface.

Line powering shelf for data transmission line

An electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding system includes one or more electrically conductive gaskets placed between electronic circuit cards in a card rack. The conductive gaskets are affixed to circuit cards to form a conductive shield, at the end of the card rack that is nearest the door of the cabinet in which the card racks are mounted. A gasket is attached to each circuit card within a rack, the gasket “filling” the space between the faceplates of two adjacent circuit cards.

Paul Stephan Bedrosian

Papers

Optical synchronization system

Method and apparatus for a hitless switch-over between redundant signals

Method and apparatus for synchronization of high-bit-rate digital subscriber line signals

Line powering shelf for data transmission line

Apparatus and method for electromagnetic shielding