Patent Application
20100061523
The invention relates to a switch module in a distribution point in the field of telecommunications, an assembly having the switch module, a distribution point having the switch module or the assembly, a method of connecting a subscriber line with a telecommunications carrier and a use of a switch module for connecting a subscriber line with a telecommunications carrier.
In the field of telecommunications, numerous customers are connected with the switch of a telecommunications company via telecommunications lines. Such customers are sometimes referred to as subscribers. The switch is often called an exchange or “PBX” (central office exchange operated by the telecommunications company). The telecommunications company, which may also be called a telecommunications carrier, may be an incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) or a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC). In the course of telecommunication deregulation, there have been efforts to allow CLECs to share telecommunications lines with the ILECs. The goal is to provide cost-effective solutions for the subscribers. Many subscribers are accordingly choosing CLECs for providing at least some of the different types of telecommunications services as detailed below. However, such a change of the telecommunications carrier may be inefficient, as a service person is required to move to a distribution point, that may be an outside cabinet, to change the connections. It may also be inconvenient for the subscriber that it may take a few days, before this task can be performed by a service person.
Between the subscriber and the switch, sections of telecommunications lines are connected with telecommunications modules. Telecommunications modules establish an electrical connection between a first wire attached to the telecommunications module at a first side and a second wire attached to the telecommunications module at a second side. The wires of one side can also be called incoming wires and the wires of the other can be called outgoing wires. Plural telecommunications modules can be put together at a distribution point, such as a main distribution frame, an intermediate distribution frame, an outside or remote cabinet or a distribution point located, for example, in an office building or on a particular floor of an office building. To allow flexibility in wiring, some telecommunications lines are connected with first telecommunications modules in a manner to constitute a permanent connection. Such a distribution point can be accommodated in a designated room, cabinet, closure or box located either inside or outside a building, as well as in manholes, i.e., underground holes that can be adapted to allow an individual to climb into the hole and provided with a cover.
To allow versatility in wiring, some telecommunications lines are connected with first telecommunications modules in a manner to constitute a permanent connection. Versatility is realized by so-called jumpers or cross connects that connect contacts of the first telecommunications module with contacts of a second telecommunications module in a versatile manner. These jumpers can be changed when, for example, a person moves within an office building to provide a different telephone (i.e., a different telephone line) with a telephone number the relocated person intends to keep. In the telecommunications module, disconnection points can be located in the electrical connection between the two sides. At such disconnection points, disconnection plugs can be inserted to disconnect the line. Protection plugs or magazines may also be connected at a disconnection point to the module to protect equipment connected to the wires from overcurrent and overvoltage. Test plugs can also be inserted at a disconnection point in order to test or monitor a line.
Recently, Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (or “ADSL”) technology has spread widely in the field of telecommunications. This technology allows at least two different signals to be transmitted on a single line and is achieved by transmitting the different signals at different frequencies along the same line. Signals are combined at a particular point in the telecommunications line and split at another point. In particular, at the subscriber side separate voice and data signals are combined and sent to the central office over a single line. In the central office or remote location (or remote terminal) the combined signal is split. For the transmission of voice and data signals to the subscriber, separate voice and data signals are combined at the central office or remote terminal, sent to the subscriber and split at the subscriber side. After splitting, the so-called “plain old telephone service” (or “POTS”) or ISDN can be used to transmit voice signals. The remaining part of the split signal can be used to transmit data or other information. Splitters, which are used to split or combine the signal, can generally be arranged at any distribution point. In this context, a POTS wire or POTS jumper indicates a wire that is connected with an exchange of the telecommunications company. A line connection indicates a wire that leads to the subscriber or customer, and, as discussed in more detail below, a DSL-wire indicates a wire that is connected with a DSLAM or other DSL service equipment and can thus, for example, transmit data. A DSLAM (Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer) processes the data signal.
EP 1 175 078 A2 is related to a system and a method for providing data and voice services on a shared line having a cross-connect physical layer switching system integrated into a central office, however besides an MDF. The cross-connect physical layer switching system allows both the ILEC and the CLEC to access a test head which may be controllably connected to the shared line. The system requires a splitter.
WO 01/45452 describes systems and methods for electronically managing DSL connections having a controllable matrix of relays. The matrix is provided outside an MDF and allows “any to any” connections through a plurality of relays or switches.
The invention provides switch modules in the field of telecommunications which allow versatile and efficiently controllable connections between subscribers and telecommunications carriers.
In another aspect, the invention provides assemblies and distribution points having an improved switch module.
In yet another aspect, the invention provides a novel method of selectively connecting a subscriber line with a telecommunications carrier as well as a novel use of a switch module. Whereas the below-mentioned applicants' patent application WO 03/079599 A2 is related to the use of a switch module for connecting a telecommunications line with a test device, the invention, for the first time, suggests to use a switch module to selectively connect a subscriber line with an exchange of a telecommunications carrier selected from two or more telecommunications carriers or with equipment of one and the same carrier selected from different types of equipment providing different types of services. Different types of services may be different types of DSL, existing services and next generation services etc. The term “exchange” used herein may mean any type of telecommunications equipment. The above difference also applies in view of below mentioned applicants' patent application EP 06 018 131.0 related to the use of a switch module for bypassing a splitter.
The invention will be described hereinafter in part by reference to non-limiting examples thereof and with reference to the drawings, in which
The switch modules described herein are provided in a distribution point, such as a main distribution frame (“MDF”) or a remote telecommunications cabinet. The switch modules are generally units that may be handled separately from other units (e.g., other modules such as general telecommunications modules) not only during their manufacture but also as they are installed or used at a distribution point.
One or more of the modules described above or below may include a housing that comprises one or more housing parts made of, for example, an insulating material such as plastic. As the modules may be attached and electrically connected with each other, the modules, especially the housings of the modules, may include mechanical connectors such as latch hooks, brackets and/or recesses or openings adapted to cooperate with latch hooks, brackets or similar contours. To establish an electrical connection the modules may have exposed contacts that extend from the insulating housings or are accessible through openings formed in the housings. For example, one or more contacts of a first module may project from the module and may be insertable into an opening formed in a second module to connect the contacts of the first module with the contacts of the second module. One or more of the modules described above or below may be provided as a strip that may have one, two or more preferably parallel rows of contacts. Plural strips may be collected in one or more blocks that may have a backplane, such as a printed circuit board, on which contacts may be provided. When such a block comprises one or more switches as described below, the block may be considered a switch module according to the present invention. When a strip as described above or a similar module comprises a switch as described below, the strip may be considered a switch module according to the present invention.
The switch modules described herein may be located in any type of distribution point, including in a main distribution frame, an intermediate distribution frame, a remote cabinet or any other remotely located distribution point. The switch modules and the telecommunications modules of the invention may be located in different locations (i.e., physically separated) and may be connected, for example, by jumpers. At least some of the switch modules and the telecommunications modules may be collected in one or more shelves. The assemblies described herein also relate to such arrangements.
The provision of the switch modules in a distribution point, such as an MDF or a remote cabinet, may provide a fully integrated assembly providing not only those connections that are required in a telecommunications network, but also the possibility to switch a particular subscriber line between different telecommunications carriers. In other words, the switch modules allow for the preparation of distribution points in which the necessary connections are prepared and may readily be changed by appropriate switching operations. Thus, the invention allows the switching between different carriers or providers or between different transmission equipment of the same carrier providing different types of services which both receive and transmit signals (i.e., the telecommunications line carries bidirectional traffic). In addition, it is possible to connect a subscriber line with a test head or similar device which implies unidirectional traffic toward the test head. Further, whereas a test device is usually “switched to” a line (i.e., constitutes an additional connection in addition to a remaining connection) such as a connection to a telecommunications carrier, the switch modules described herein switch “between” different service contacts, i.e. the connection to a first pair of service contacts is interrupted and the connection to a second pair of service contacts is established when the switch is operated.
The switch module described herein generally has at least one pair of “in” contacts adapted to transmit an incoming signal. The incoming signal may be a line signal Such that a subscriber line is connected with the pair of in contacts. In the field of DSL, the incoming signal may be a combined signal. The switch module generally further has a first pair of service contacts adapted to transmit a POTS, DSL or combined signal. The service contacts are generally provided to allow one or more services, for example telecommunications carriers to provide their service through the service contacts. The switch module may, for example, connect a subscriber line with the exchange of a telecommunications carrier through the above-described contacts. To allow for a subscriber line to be readily connected to an alternative telecommunications carrier, at least one further pair of service contacts adapted to transmit a POTS, DSL, test, monitoring or combined signal is provided.
The service contacts may transmit a combined signal when a subscriber chooses to ask a particular telecommunications carrier to provide plural telecommunications services such as POTS and DSL. In the assemblies described herein, however, the signal may be split at an appropriate point along the telecommunications line, and only the POTS or the DSLAM signal may be forwarded to a particular telecommunications carrier. At least one pair of service contacts may also be used to transmit a test or monitoring signal to test a line or monitor the same.
One or more of the above-described contacts may be adapted to directly connect wires. Thus, the contacts may be provided as IDCs (insulation displacement contacts), wrap pins, around which the exposed metal part of a wire can be wrapped, or any other suitable type of contacts. The contacts may also be provided as contact points on a printed circuit board that may be provided as a backplane in a telecommunications block as described above. A wire may be connected with such a contact provided on a printed circuit board in a fixed manner, such as by soldering. The connections between wires and contacts may also be disconnectable. Thus, suitable connectors, such as sockets, may be provided on a printed circuit board, and a plug may be provided at the end of a wire or wire pair. Moreover, plural wires may be collected in a connector plug having plural contacts. When wires are directly connectable with at least one pair of contacts, the switch module provides a fully integrated solution. In other words, the switch module may be considered a telecommunications module, as wires are connectable therewith. However, the contacts of the switch module may also be provided so that they may be electrically connected with contacts of a further module, such as a telecommunications module. In particular, the telecommunications module may have contacts to which wires can be directly connected. The switch module may in this case be combined with the telecommunications module by attaching the switch module to the telecommunications module to connect the contacts of the switch module and the contacts of the telecommunications module with one another. In this context, the entire disclosure of the applicants' European patent application EP 06 018 131.0 filed Aug. 30, 2006 is incorporated herein by reference, particularly with regard to an assembly having a telecommunications module and a switch module.
In the switch modules described herein, the number of pairs of in contacts is generally less than the number of pairs of service contacts. This keeps the module small and simple in construction and still allows the desired “one to a few” connection configuration. In other words, one subscriber may be connected with a few different carriers or service providers in an efficient manner and through a relatively small and simple switch module. This increases efficiency compared to known “any to any” system configurations and allows the switch and the switch module to be incorporated in a distribution point such as an MDF. Thus, no re-wiring that may be costly and time consuming may be needed.
To allow a subscriber to be selectively connected with one of two or more telecommunications carriers, the switch modules generally have at least one remotely controllable switch adapted to switch between the first pair of service contacts and the at least one further pair of service contacts. The switch may be any electric or electronic component that allows to disconnect a first connection and establish a second connection. The second connection may be selected from a group of several connections including connections to different types of transmission equipment of one and the same carrier. The switch may be provided as a relay, a microswitch or any other suitable component.
Thus, when a subscriber decides to change his telecommunications carrier for some or all services, the connection to this carrier (such as a CLEC or a second CLEC) for particular services can be readily completed by performing the required switching operation. This operation may advantageously be remotely controlled by addressing the required switch and causing it to switch to a different pair of service contacts. With regard to any details related to the connections between the switch module and a central location from where the switch operation is initiated, for example via a bus, the disclosure of applicants' above-mentioned European patent application EP 06 018 131.0 is again incorporated herein by reference. The SESYS™ System available from 3M Telecommunications may be installed as a bus system for connecting one or more switch modules as described herein.
Since the switches in the switch modules of the invention are remotely controllable, any changes of the telecommunications carriers can be effected immediately and within a few seconds. This is particularly advantageous compared to current configurations in which a service person has to be sent to the distribution point (e.g., a remote cabinet) to change one or more connections. This may be time consuming, costly and inconvenient for both the service provider and the subscriber, as the subscriber may have to wait for as long as a few days for the connections to be changed. The provision of different telecommunications services by different carriers or providers is sometimes called “unbundling,” as a “bundle” of service lines is separated and single lines are connected with different carriers. The present invention is particularly useful in such a situation. This also applies to line sharing, where a subscriber line is shared by different carriers and there is a desire to switch between two or more carriers providing a specific type of telecommunications service. These situations, i.e. “unbundling” and “line sharing”, also apply, when at least one of the services provided involves testing and/or monitoring a telecommunications line.
Generally, the switch modules described herein may have a single pair of in contacts. Thus, a single subscriber line may be connected with the module. It may be advantageous, however, to provide two or more in contacts on the switch module (which may have a strip-like appearance) to connect two or more subscriber lines with a single switch module and provide the two or more pairs of service contacts to which a single subscriber line may be switched in the same switch module.
The invention also provides assemblies in the field of telecommunications having at least one switch module and at least one telecommunications module having contacts adapted to connect wires directly therewith. As outlined above, the switch modules generally have both in contacts and service contacts. One or more switch modules may, however, be connected with one or more telecommunications modules which may be formed as specific modules, such as “in modules” or “service modules”. In other words, specific “in modules” may be provided to connect only incoming wires therewith. Other modules may be provided to which only POTS, DSL or test wires are connected. Moreover, plural wires which lead to the exchange of a particular telecommunications carrier may be connected with a specific telecommunications module, and these wires may be adapted to transmit only POTS, DSL or combined signals or signals for test purposes. In this case, specific modules are reserved for specific telecommunications carriers, and an advantageous separation in a distribution point may be realized. For example, CLECs may have access to their specific modules, whereas an ILEC retains control of other modules including the switch modules. The service contacts in the switch modules and any plural service present in a telecommunications module may generally be considered service points. Thus, the invention provides the opportunity to switch between two or more service points.
The connection between the one or more switch modules and the one or more telecommunications modules may advantageously be constituted by wires. Thus, required connections for one or more CLECs may be provided when an MDF is prepared, and the subscriber line may be connected to the desired telecommunications carrier by activating one or more switches at a future time.
Generally, the switch modules described herein may be used without DSL or splitters. However, the switch modules may be particularly advantageous in connection with DSL technology, for example to allow a CLEC to provide DSL services and allow the ILEC to continue POTS or vice versa. Thus, it may be advantageous to provide at least one splitter circuit in the described assemblies. When splitter circuits are provided, they may advantageously be incorporated into a switch module or a telecommunications module. It may also be advantageous to provide one or more DSLAMs in the assemblies described herein to complete and integrate the equipment related to DSL. Moreover, the assemblies described herein may have one or more assemblies as described in the applicants' patent application EP 06 018 131.0, incorporated herein by reference, that allows a splitter to be bypassed.
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The present invention has now been described with reference to several individual embodiments. The foregoing detailed description has been given for clarity of understanding only. No unnecessary limitations are to be understood or taken from it. All references to right, left, front, rear, up and down as well as references to directions are exemplary only and do not limit the claimed invention. It will be apparent to those persons skilled in the art that many changes can be made in the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the details and structures described herein, but rather by the structures described by the language of the claims, and the equivalents of those structures.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06025360.6 | Dec 2006 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2007/085621 | 11/27/2007 | WO | 00 | 6/2/2009 |
