WO2011018190A2

WO2011018190A2 - Dsl vectoring technology reuse

Info

Publication number: WO2011018190A2
Application number: PCT/EP2010/004829
Authority: WO
Inventors: Axel Clausen
Original assignee: Lantiq Deutschland Gmbh
Priority date: 2009-08-13
Filing date: 2010-08-06
Publication date: 2011-02-17
Also published as: WO2011018190A3

Abstract

Described implementations provide a vectoring and routing module that is capable of selectively vectoring and routing signals received thereby. In one implementation, the vectoring and routing module distributes a first DSL signal back to a first DSL modem and distributes a second DSL signal from the first DSL modem to a second DSL modem. The first and second DSL signals for communication to a common customer premises.

Description

DSLVECTORING TECHNOLOGY REUSE

[0001] Digital subscriber line (DSL) technology has quickly emerged as a high quality solution for high speed Internet access. DSL can transmit both voice and data, including video data, simultaneously over an existing, single copper pair up to 18,000 feet long. Since DSL can utilize existing telephone lines, the service costs associated with DSL are relatively low for network providers and customers. Moreover, since data can be transmitted relatively quickly using DSL, it is a very attractive option for providing high-speed access to customers.

[0002] Crosstalk is a major problem in DSL networks, limiting both the datarate and reach of service. To mitigate the crosstalk problem, precoding may be applied, which is a technique where predistortion is added to each signal prior to transmission. This predistortion is chosen such that it annihilates the crosstalk caused when multiple insulated copper wires are bundled together into one or more cable binders, allowing DSL Access Multiplexers (DSLAM) and associated DSL linecards to operate over a crosstalk free channel, and achieve a much higher data-rate. This crosstalk mitigation is often referred to as vectoring.

[0003] To boost the achievable data-rate, bonded DSL technologies and/or bonded DSL services may be used. The technique of bonding utilizes two or more subscriber lines communicatively coupled between a DSLAM and a single customer premises or Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) to form a high data-rate aggregate DSL communication path. In bonded DSL services, a user's data is split, and the portions of the user's data are transmitted on different subscriber lines. Such an aggregate DSL communication path is capable of delivering higher data rate and/or a larger number of simultaneous communication services to the CPE.

[0004] To achieve the greatest data-rate, vectoring and bonding may be used together. In some cases, DSL network providers must manually associate one or more subscriber lines to be bonded with a particular DSLAM and linecard to ensure proper connectivity to a particular CPE. This can be a very time consuming and expensive manual task. Therefore, DSL network providers are increasingly interested in solutions that offer seamless and straightforward deployment of DSL services that provide combined vectoring and bonding.

[0005] The independent claims define the invention in various aspects. The dependent claims define embodiments of the invention.

[0006] In a first aspect, the invention encompasses an apparatus that includes at least two modems, each of the at least two modems to receive signals associated with a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) system, and at least one module coupled to the at least two modems, the module to mitigate interference associated with signals to be received from the at least two modems, the module further to route a signal from a first of the at least two modems to a second of the at least two modems. At least one effect of the foregoing apparatus is that the module makes it possible to route DSL lines/channels to DSL modems that have unused capacity.

[0007] In an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention in the first aspect, each of the at least two modems includes transmit upper layer processing and transmit lower layer processing segments, the module to receive the signal via the transmit upper layer processing segment of the first modem and route the signal to the transmit lower layer processing segment of the second modem.

[0008] In an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention in the first aspect, each of the at least two modems includes receive upper layer processing and receive lower layer processing segments, the module to receive the signal via the receive lower layer processing segment of the first modem and route the signal to the receive upper layer processing segment of the second modem.

[0009] In an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention in the first aspect, the module is to mitigate crosstalk interference associated with Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT) signals of a Very-high speed Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL) arrangement.

[0010] In an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention in the first aspect, the apparatus may further include a network management module coupled to the module, the network management module to provide at least one control signal to cause the module to route the signal from the first of the at least two modems to the second of the at least two modems. At least one effect of the foregoing apparatus is that the module enables an operator to route DSL lines/channels to DSL modems without having to change or modify the routing of physical DSL lines/channels to DSL modems.

[0011] In a second aspect, the invention encompasses an apparatus that includes a module configured to suppress signal interference and to provide routing for DSL signals associated with at least two Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) loops. At least one effect of the foregoing apparatus is that an operator may employ a module that suppresses crosstalk interference with the added capability to route DSL lines/channels to DSL modems that may be in diverse DSL linecards.

[0012] In an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention in the second aspect, the module is to receive first and second DSL signals for distribution over the at least two DSL loops, respectively, and suppress crosstalk interference in the first and second DSL signals, the module further to route the first and second signals to a common customer premises.

[0013] In an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention in the second aspect, the apparatus may further include first and second modems coupled to the module, wherein routing the first and second DSL signals to the customer premises includes distributing the first DSL signal input from the first modem back to the first modem and distributing the second DSL signal received from the first modem to the second modem.

[0014] In an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention in the second aspect, the apparatus may further include a network management module coupled to the module, the network management module to. provide control signals to the module, the control signals being used by the module to route the first and second signals to the common customer premises.

[0015] In an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention in the second aspect, the module is a vectoring and routing module to suppress crosstalk in DSL signals received by the module, the module further to selectively route signals associated with the at least two DSL loops and to output a signal associated with at least one additional DSL loop in an un-bonded state. At least one effect of the foregoing apparatus is that both un-bonded and bonded DSL signal may be distributed and otherwise processed by the module.

[0016] In a third aspect, the invention encompasses a method that includes receiving, from a first Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) modem, a first signal and a second signal; mitigating interference associated with each of the first and second signals; routing the first signal to the first DSL modem that communicated the first signal; and routing the second signal to a second DSL modem. At least one effect of the foregoing method is that the routing DSL lines/channels to DSL to modems without having to change or modify the routing of physical DSL lines/channels to DSL modems is possible.

[0017] In an embodiment of the method according to the invention in the third aspect, the method may further include communicating the first and second signals to a common customer premises, the first and second signals being associated with bonded DSL loops.

[0018] In an embodiment of the method according to the invention in the third aspect, the mitigating act mitigates crosstalk associated with each of the first and second signals.

[0019] In an embodiment of the method according to the invention in the third aspect, the method may further include receiving a first control signal to initiate the mitigating act and a second control signal to initiate the routing acts.

[0020] In a forth aspect, the invention encompasses Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) system that includes a DSL Access Multiplexer (DSLAM), including: at least one linecard having at least two associated DSL modems; and a vectoring and routing module coupled to the at least two DSL modems, the vectoring and routing module capable of routing and vectoring signals received thereby; a network and management module coupled to the DSLAM, the network and management module to provide control signals to regulate the vectoring and routing behavior of the vectoring and routing module. At least one effect of the foregoing system is that the management module enables an operator to route DSL lines/channels to DSL modems without having to change or modify the routing of physical DSL lines/channels to DSL modems.

[0021] In an embodiment of the system according to the invention in the forth aspect, the vectoring and routing module is capable of receiving a first control signal including routing instructions and a second control signal including vectoring instructions, the first and second control signals to be provided by the network and management module.

[0022] In an embodiment of the system according to the invention in the forth aspect, each of the at least two DSL modems includes transmit upper layer processing and transmit lower layer processing segments and receive upper layer processing and receive lower layer processing segments, each of the at least two DSL modems further includes a control module to enable associated transmit and receive segments to process bonded, un-bonded and vectored signals to be provided by the vectoring and routing module.

[0023] In a fifth aspect, the invention encompasses apparatus, including at least two modems; and a module coupled to the at least two modems, the module to: receive a first Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) signal from a first modem; vector and route the first DSL signal to the first modem; receive a second DSL signal from the first modem; and vector and route the second DSL signal to a second modem; wherein the at least two modems are to communicate the first and second DSL signals, respectively, to a common customer premises. At least one effect of the foregoing system is that the DSL lines/channels to DSL modems in different linecards may be routed to a common customer premises without having to change or modify the routing of physical DSL lines/channels to DSL modems.

[0024] In an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention in the fifth aspect, a Very-high speed Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL) linecard, the VDSL linecard may incorporate the at least two modems.

[0025] In an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention in the fifth aspect, a DSL Access Multiplexer (DSLAM), the DSLAM may incorporate the at least two modems and the module.

[0026] In an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention in the fifth aspect, another modem may be implemented, the module further to receive a third DSL signal from the second modem and vector and route the third DSL signal to the another modem.

[0027] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference number in different instances in the description and the figures may indicate similar or identical items.

[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary implementation of a Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL) architecture that may be deployed in a Central Office (CO). [0029] FIG. 2. illustrates an exemplary DSL communication arrangement that may implement a vectoring and bonding module according to a described implementation.

[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates a vectored and bonded signal flow diagram that may be realized using DSL modems and a vectoring and routing module.

[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative vectored and bonded signal flow diagram that may be realized using DSL modems and plurality of vectoring and routing modules.

[0032] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary vectoring and routing procedure.

[0033] FIG. 6 is an illustrative computing device that may be used to implement the devices, modules, apparatuses, and hardware discussed herein.

[0034] The following description describes implementations related to the implementation of a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) vectoring module that is capable of routing bonded and un-bonded signals received thereby. In one implementation of the vectoring and routing module, signals received thereby may be vectored and routed, where bonded signals received by at the module may be routed by the module to DSL modems and associated DSL lines/channels that are coupled to a common customer premises. In another implementation, the vectoring and routing module may be coupled to a network and management module. The network and management module may send instructions to the vectoring and routing module in the form of control signals. Such control signals may enable the vectoring and routing module to route bonded DSL signals to a common customer premises, via particular DSL modems. [0035] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary implementation of a DSL architecture 100 that may be deployed in a Central Office (CO) 102. The CO 102 may be centrally located DSL infrastructure that serves satellite DSL cabinets in the field, or such a field located DSL cabinet. In a particular implementation, the DSL architecture 100 may be an ADSL architecture, an ADSL 2 architecture, an ADSL 2+ architecture, a Very high data rate DSL (VDSL), VDSL2, or any other xDSL architecture.

[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the DSL architecture 100 may include at least one DSL Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) 104 that is located at the CO 102. The DSLAM 104 may include a plurality of DSL linecards 106 - 106n. Each DSL linecard 106 - 106n deployed in the DSLAM 104 may have an associated splitter 108 - 108n. The DSL architecture 100 may also include a POTS switch 110. The POTS switch 110 may include a plurality of POTS cards 112 - 112n. The DSL architecture 100 may also include a Main Distribution Frame (MDF) 114. The DSL architecture may also include a network management module 116, which coordinates or controls certain functionalities associated with devices deployed in the CO 102.

[0037] In the following, multiple devices illustrated in FIG. 1 , and other figures related hereto, may be referenced in the singular to improve the readability of this disclosure. However, each of the plural devices may have the same or similar operational characteristics as the like or similar devices explicitly described herein.

[0038] Operationally, the MDF 114 may receive analog and DSL signals that originate from customer locations. The MDF 114 may also distribute analog and DSL signals to customer locations. The MDF 114 is coupled to the splitter 108. The role of the splitter 108 is to combine the lower frequency signals from the POTS card 112 with the higher frequency DSL data signals from the DSL linecard 106 in such a way that the high and low signals will not interfere one another. Similarly, the splitter 108 may also be capable of separating analog and digital signals sent by customers back into constituent component signals and then direct those signals to the appropriate destination entities. In FIG. 1 , the splitter 108 is depicted as an independent component associated with the DSL linecard 106. Alternatively, the splitter 106 may be an independent component associated with the POTS switch 110, or implemented as a standalone device at the CO 102.

[0039] The POTS switch 110 illustrated in FIG. 1 may be responsible for managing analog signals, incoming and outgoing, associated with the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). The DSLAM 104 may be responsible for managing DSL signals, incoming and outgoing, associated with Internet. The MDF 114 may be responsible for distributing, incoming and outgoing, combined analog and DSL signals associated with customers having DSL service. Moreover, the MDF 114 distributes, incoming and outgoing, signals associated with the Internet and the PSTN. Alternatively, as illustrated, Internet and PSTN signals, incoming and outgoing, may be managed by the DSLAM 104 and the POTS switch 110, respectively.

[0040] As those of ordinary skill in the art appreciate, the POTS switch 110 and the splitters 108 may be eliminated if an All Digital (AD) DSL loop is deployed. The vectoring and routing implementations described herein may be used in connection with DSL implementations offering legacy POTS connectivity and DSL implementations offering AD-DSL (e.g., VDSL and VDSL2). [0041] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary DSL communication arrangement 200 that may implement a vectoring and routing module 202 according to a described implementation. The operational details of the module 202 will be described in greater detail later in this disclosure and in connection with FIG. 3. Generally, the arrangement 200 provides data and/or communication services (e.g., telephone services, Internet services, data services, messaging services, instant messaging services, electronic mail (email) services, chat services, video services, audio services, and gaming services) to one or more customer premises 204 and 206.

[0042] In FIG. 2, the vectoring and routing module 202 is shown as being integrated with a linecard 208. However, the module 202 may also be separate unit. The linecard 208 may also include a number of DSL modems 210 - 21On. Each of the DSL modems 210 may be coupled to the vectoring and routing module 202. The vectoring and routing module 202 is capable of routing two or more bonded signals that are for communication to a common customer premises. Furthermore, the vectoring and routing module 202 is capable of vectoring signals received thereby. As those skilled in the art appreciate, vectoring is a technique used to reduce interference (e.g., crosstalk) associated with one or more signals. In FIG. 2, the vectoring and routing module 202 is illustrated as being located between the DSL modem 210 and a cable binder (not illustrated). However, the placement of the module 202 is for illustration purposes only. In particular, the module 202 may be positioned between the modems 210, between the modems 210 and a network management processor 222, and so on.

[0043] As is illustrated, the vectoring and routing module 202 may route two or more bonded signals 212 received from the modems 210. The module 202 communicates the bonded signals 212 to the customer premises 204. The bonded signals 212 may also undergo vectoring by the module 202. The module also may communicate an un-bonded signal 214 to the customer premises 206. The un-bonded signal 214 may undergo vectoring by the module 202 before being communicated to the customer premises 206.

[0044] The customer premises 204 may include a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) 216. The CPE 216 may include modems 218 - 218n. The modems 218 may be designed to receive bonded or un-bonded signals from the linecard 208. In one implementation, the signals from the modems 218 are multiplexed as a multiplexed signal for communication to a user equipment 220. In another implementation, a single modem 218 is deployed to receive the bonded signals 212. In such a deployment, the modem 218 performs the multiplexing of the bonded signals 212 and communicates the multiplexed signal to the user equipment 220. The user equipment 220 may include one or more of communications equipment and computing devices (e.g., a personal computer, a set-top box, a phone, and a VoIP phone).

[0045] A network management module 222 is also illustrated in FIG. 2. The network management module 222 is capable of managing the operation of the vectoring and routing module 202, as well as other functional devices that may be implemented in the CO 102. The network management module 222 may be coupled to the various functional devices described herein by way of a processor interface bus that is capable of high-speed data transfer. Other coupled devices and modules described herein may use such a processor interface bus as well. Some of the operational characteristics of the network management module 222 will be described in this disclosure and in connection with FIG. 3.

[0046] FIG. 3 illustrates a vectored and bonded signal flow diagram 300 that may be realized using DSL modems 302 and 304 and a vectoring and routing module 306. The vectoring and routing module 306 is illustrated being positioned between the DSL modems 302 and 304, but this for illustration purposes only. Furthermore, although two DSL modems are illustrated in the figure, any number of DSL modems may be implemented. Even further, although a single vectoring and routing module 306 is illustrated, a plurality of such modules may be implemented and provide the same or similar operational functionalities as the vectoring and routing module 306 described herein.

[0047] Each of the DSL modems 302 and 304 illustrated in FIG. 3 includes various operational modules. The modules will be briefly described in the following. However, as those of ordinary skill in the art appreciate, other implementations of the DSL modems 302 and 304 are also possible, and such implemented modems may also be used in connection with the vectoring and routing techniques described herein.

[0048] Each of the modems 302 and 304 includes a transmission convergence (TC) layer module 308 that receives one or more input bit streams via DSL lines/channels 0 -N- 1 , or lines/channels 0 - X-1 for the modem 304. The DSL lines 0 - N-1/0 -X-1 are bidirectional lines. Each line 0 -N-1/0 -X-1 may be considered a single DSL line, where DSL signals carried thereon may be received by an upstream customer premises. Similarly each line 0 -N-1/0 -X-1 may receive DSL signals transmitted by an upstream customer premises. The signals associated with the modems 302 and 304 may be Discrete Multitone Modulation (DMT) signals associated with a VDSL2 system, or other xDSL system. Such signals are modulated onto orthogonal tones, or subcarriers, within a relatively wide frequency band.

[0049] Among other functionalities, the TC layer module 308 may provide (de)scrambling, Reed-Solomon coding and interleaving for signals processed thereby. In one implementation, the TC layer module 308 is responsible for bonding two or more DSL channels. More specifically, the TC layer module 308 may receive a signal bit stream and divide the signal between two or more channels. The two or more channels that carry the divided signal may be considered bonded channels, as these channels are for delivery to a common customer premises. A framer module 310 may be provided. The framer module 310, for signals for transmission, provides functionality such as generation of DSL frames and synchronization of DSL frames. For signals from a customer premises, the framer module 310 may perform de-framing and de- synchronization. Each of the modems 302 and 304 also includes a symbol encoder 312 that encodes DSL frames and associated data for transmission as symbols in a signal constellation. An Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) module 314 may be provided to transform signals from the frequency-domain to the time-domain. The transformed signals may be provided to a time domain module 316, which applies filtering and sampling rate conversion to the signals. For signals from a customer premises, the time domain module 316 may apply sampling rate conversion and filtering to the received signals. In addition, each of the modems 302 and 304 may include a frontend module 318 for converting signals for communication to a customer premises to analog signals and signals received from a customer premises to digital signals. A Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) module 320 may be provided to transform signals received by the modems 302 and 304 to the frequency-domain. A frequency domain equalizer module 322 may be provided to compensate for channel amplitude and phase effects associated with signals received from a customer premises. Finally, a control module 324 may be provided to generate configuration control signals that may control the operational functionality of the various modules of the modems 302 and 304.

[0050] In general, the TC layer module 308, the framer module 310 and the symbol encoder 312 may form a transmit upper layer processing segment 326, and the IFFT module 314, the time domain module 316 and the frontend module 318 may form a transmit lower layer processing segment 328. The TC layer module 308, the framer module 310 and the frequency domain equalizer module 322 may form a receive upper layer processing segment 330, and the FFT module 320, the time domain module 316 and the frontend module 318 may form a receive lower layer processing segment 332. The DSL modem 302 is illustrated with the demarcated segments 326, 328, 330 and 332. The DSL modem 304 may also include the described segments.

[0051] The vectoring and routing functionality of the vectoring and routing module 306 is described in the following. Unless otherwise stated, a network management module 334 or the control module 324 of a relevant one of the DSL modems 302 or 304 may provide control instructions or signals that enable the modems 302 and 304 and the vectoring and routing module 306 to process downstream and upstream DSL signals.

[0052] In the exemplary signal flow diagram 300 of FIG. 3, one or more signals may be received at an input of the DSL modem 302. In the FIG. 3, a signal A and a signal B are output from the TC Layer 308. The signals A and B may be signals created by dividing a signal bit stream received by the DSL modem 302. The signals A and B are to be bonded and communicated to a common customer premises. To achieve proper routing of the signals A and B, the vectoring and routing module 306 receives the signal A and vectors the signal A to remove any interference. In addition, the vectoring and routing module 306 communicates/routes the signal A to the DSL modem 304. The DSL modem 304 processes the signal A and transmits the signal A to the common customer premises. In addition, the vectoring and routing module 306 receives the signal B and vectors the signal B to remove any interference. In addition, the vectoring and routing module 306 communicates/routes the signal B to the DSL modem 302. The DSL modem 302 processes the signal B and transmits the signal B to the common customer premises.

[0053] Similarly, the DSL modems 302 and 304 may receive signals A' and B¹, respectively, from a common customer premises. The signal A' is processed by the receive lower layer processing segment 332 of the DSL modem 304 and communicated to the vectoring and routing module 306. The module 306 passes the signal A' to the DSL modem 302. The signal B' is received and processed by the DSL modem 302.

[0054] The vectoring and routing module 306 according the implementations described herein provides a flexible and advantageous solution to DSL network providers that desire to offer configurable vectoring and routing at COs. In particular, the vectoring and routing module 306 may be operatively controlled to route DSL signals to and from DSL modems having signal lines that are assigned to a common customer premises (i.e., bonded). Moreover, the vectoring and routing module 306 is capable of vectoring signals processed thereby. In addition, the vectoring and routing module 306 may be used to maximize DSL modem line/channel use within a given CO and/or DSLAM. In particular, the vectoring and routing module 306 may be used to route DSL lines/channels to DSL modems that have unused capacity. For example, in FIG. 3, such unused capacity is shown in demarked segment 336.

[0055] FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative vectored and bonded signal flow diagram 400 that may be realized using DSL modems 302 and 304 and a plurality of vectoring and routing modules 306 and 402. For brevity, the operational properties of the DSL modems 302 and 304 and their associated modules will not be repeated in the following. Although two modems 302 and 304 and two vectoring and routing modules 306 and 402 are illustrated and described in the following, other device quantities are also contemplated. Furthermore, although the network management module 334 is not shown as being coupled to the vectoring and routing module 402 directly, the module 334 is indirectly coupled to the module 402 via the module 306, or some other intervening module or plurality of modules.

[0056] In the exemplary signal flow diagram 400 of FIG. 4, one or more signals may be received at an input of the DSL modem 302. In the FIG. 4, a signal A and a signal B are output from the TC Layer 308. The signals A and B may be signals created by dividing a signal bit stream received by the DSL modem 302. The signals A and B are to be bonded and communicated to a common customer premises. To achieve proper routing of the signals A and B, the vectoring and routing module 306 receives the signal A and routes the signal A to the vectoring and routing module 402. The vectoring and routing module 402 vectors the signal A to remove any interference. In addition, the vectoring and routing module 402 communicates/routes the signal A to the DSL modem 304. The DSL modem 304 processes the signal A and transmits the signal A to the common customer premises. In addition, the vectoring and routing module 306 receives the signal B and vectors the signal B to remove any interference. In addition, the vectoring and routing module 306 communicates/routes the signal B to the DSL modem 302. The DSL modem 302 processes the signal B and transmits the signal B to the common customer premises.

[0057] Similarly, the DSL modems 302 and 304 may receive signals A¹ and B¹, respectively, from a common customer premises. The signal A' is processed by the receive lower layer processing segment 332 of the DSL modem 304 and communicated to the vectoring and routing module 402. The module 402 passes the signal A¹ to the vectoring and routing module 306, which routes the signal A' to the DSL modem 302. The signal B' is received and processed by the DSL modem 302.

[0058] Specifics of exemplary procedures (methods) are described below. However, it should be understood that certain acts need not be performed in the order described, and may be modified, and/or may be omitted entirely, depending on the circumstances. Moreover, the acts described may be implemented by a computer, processor or other computing device based on instructions stored on one or more computer-readable storage media. The computer-readable storage media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computing device to implement the instructions stored thereon. The exemplary procedures described below may reference one or more of the exemplary devices described in FIGS. 1 - 4. Therefore, one or more of the devices illustrated in FIGS. 1 - 4 may implement the described procedures. However, the referenced devices are not limiting of the described procedures.

[0059] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary vectoring and routing procedure 500. At block 502, a first DSL modem bonds a first channel and a second channel. At block 504, a vectoring and routing module mitigates interference (e.g., crosstalk) on signals associated with each of the first and second channels. At block 506, the vectoring and routing module routes first and second signals associated with the bonded first and second channels, respectively, wherein the routing defines DSL loops that are for communication to a common customer premises.

[0060] At block 508, the vectoring and routing module routes the first signal back to the first DSL modem and routes the second signal to a second DSL modem. At block 510, a third DSL signal associated with another channel is received at the vectoring and routing module. At block 512, a vectoring and routing module mitigates interference (e.g., crosstalk) associated with third signal. At block 414, the vectoring and routing module routes the third signal to a DSL modem that can accommodate processing the third signal. That is, a DSL modem that has unused processing modules or signal/channel lines that can accommodate the third signal.

[0061] FIG. 6 is an illustrative computing device that may be used to implement the devices, modules, apparatuses, and hardware discussed herein. In a very basic configuration, the computing device 600 includes at least one processing unit 602 and system memory 604. Depending on the exact configuration and type of computing device 600, the system memory 604 may be volatile (such as RAM), nonvolatile (such as ROM and flash memory) or some combination of the two. The system memory 604 typically includes an operating system 606, one or more program modules 608, and may include program data 610.

[0062] For the present implementations, the program modules 608 may realize the various elements described as being associated with the architectures and implementations herein. Other modules and device functionalities described herein may also be part of the program modules 608. The computing device 600 may have additional features or functionality. For example, the computing device 600 may incorporate high pass and low pass filtering functionality. And, the computing device 600 may also include additional data storage devices (removable and/or nonremovable) such as, for example, magnetic disks, optical disks, or tape. Such additional storage is illustrated in FIG. 6 by removable storage 620 and non-removable storage 622. Computer storage media may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. The system memory 606, removable storage 620 and non-removable storage 622 are all examples of computer storage media. Thus, computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by computing device 600. Any such computer storage media may be part of the device 600. Computing device 600 may also have input device(s) 624 such as keyboard, mouse, pen, voice input device, and touch input devices. Output device(s) 626 such as a display, speakers, and printer, may also be included. These devices are well known in the art and need not be discussed at length.

[0063] The computing device 600 may also contain a communication connection 628 that allow the device to communicate with other computing devices 630, such as over a network. The communication connection may also enable the computing device 600 to wirelessly communicate with many different types of wireless service providers and medium.

[0064] Various modules and techniques may be described herein in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, executed by one or more computers or other devices. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and so forth, for performing particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. These program modules and the like may be executed as native code or may be downloaded and executed, such as in a virtual machine or other just-in-time compilation execution environment. Typically, the functionality of the program modules may be combined or distributed as desired in various embodiments. An implementation of these modules and techniques may be stored on or transmitted across some form of computer readable media.

[0065] For the purposes of this disclosure and the claims that follow, the terms "coupled" and "connected" have been used to describe how various elements interface. Such described interfacing of various elements may be either direct or indirect. Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as preferred forms of implementing the claims. The specific features and acts described in this disclosure and variations of these specific features and acts may be implemented separately or may be combined.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

at least two modems, each of the at least two modems to receive signals associated with a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) system;

at least one module coupled to the at least two modems, the module to mitigate interference associated with signals to be received from the at least two modems, the module further to route a signal from a first of the at least two modems to a second of the at least two modems.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein each of the at least two modems includes transmit upper layer processing and transmit lower layer processing segments, the module to receive the signal via the transmit upper layer processing segment of the first modem and route the signal to the transmit lower layer processing segment of the second modem.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the at least two modems includes receive upper layer processing and receive lower layer processing segments, the module to receive the signal via the receive lower layer processing segment of the first modem and route the signal to the receive upper layer processing segment of the second modem.

4. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the module is to mitigate crosstalk interference associated with Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT) signals of a Very-high speed Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL) arrangement.

5. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a network management module coupled to the module, the network management module to provide at least one control signal to cause the module to route the signal from the first of the at least two modems to the second of the at least two modems.

6. A method performed by a vectoring and routing module, comprising:

receiving, from a first Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) modem, a first signal and a second signal;

mitigating interference associated with each of the first and second signals;

routing the first signal to the first DSL modem that communicated the first signal; and

routing the second signal to a second DSL modem.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising communicating the first and second signals to a common customer premises, the first and second signals being associated with bonded DSL loops.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising receiving a first control signal to initiate the mitigating act and a second control signal to initiate the routing acts.

9. A Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) system, comprising:

a DSL Access Multiplexer (DSLAM), including: at least one linecard having at least two associated DSL modems; and a vectoring and routing module coupled to the at least two DSL modems, the vectoring and routing module capable of routing and vectoring signals received thereby;

a network and management module coupled to the DSLAM, the network and management module to provide control signals to regulate the vectoring and routing behavior of the vectoring and routing module.

10. The DSL system according to claim 9, wherein the vectoring and routing module is capable of receiving a first control signal including routing instructions and a second control signal including vectoring instructions, the first and second control signals to be provided by the network and management module.

11. The DSL system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein each of the at least two DSL modems includes transmit upper layer processing and transmit lower layer processing segments and receive upper layer processing and receive lower layer processing segments, each of the at least two DSL modems further includes a control module to enable associated transmit and receive segments to process bonded, unbonded and vectored signals to be provided by the vectoring and routing module.

12. An apparatus, comprising,

at least two modems; and

a module coupled to the at least two modems, the module to:

receive a first Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) signal from a first modem; vector and route the first DSL signal to the first modem;

receive a second DSL signal from the first modem; and

vector and route the second DSL signal to a second modem; wherein the at least two modems are to communicate the first and second DSL signals, respectively, to a common customer premises.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a Very-high speed Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL) linecard, the VDSL linecard incorporating the at least two modems.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, further comprising a DSL Access Multiplexer (DSLAM), the DSLAM incorporating the at least two modems and the module.

15. The apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 14, further comprising another modem, the module further to receive a third DSL signal from the second modem and vector and route the third DSL signal to the another modem.