WO2016197203A1

WO2016197203A1 - Telecommunications network mapping

Info

Publication number: WO2016197203A1
Application number: PCT/AU2016/050476
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sean Anthony GALLAGHER; Malcolm Charles BASELL; Gregg Alan WALLACE
Original assignee: Teletech Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2015-06-10
Filing date: 2016-06-10
Publication date: 2016-12-15

Abstract

A device for mapping a first set of telecommunication lines to a second set of telecommunication lines in a telecommunications network is disclosed. The first and second sets of telecommunication lines are on opposite sides of a distribution frame. The device includes a processing system, and a first and second pair of contacts for connecting to a first and second pair of terminals for telecommunication lines. The processing system performs the steps of outputting a first signal onto the first pair of terminals and monitoring the first pair of terminals for a first response signal. In the event that the processing system detects a first response signal, the system determines which first pair of terminals is in communication with the second pair of terminals and optionally outputs the first response signal.

Description

Telecommunications Network Mapping

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to mapping of telecommunications networks.

Background of the invention A portion of an exemplary telecommunications network 10 is illustrated in Figure 1.

The telecommunications network has a distribution frame 12 which connects a first set of telecommunication lines 14 on one side of the distribution frame 12 and to a second set of telecommunication lines 16 on the opposite side of the distribution frame 12.

Either the first or the second set of telecommunication lines services various customers, and the other set connects back to a telecommunication exchange 18. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , the first set of telecommunication lines 14 connects to the various customers. At the customer end, each of the telecommunication lines 14 (eg 14a to 14c) may be connected to one or more corresponding devices, such as a telephone, a modem or a fax machine etc. In a residential environment, commonly each home will be serviced with one, or sometimes more than one, of these telecommunication lines 14.

Each of the first telecommunication lines 14 consists of a twisted pair of wires that is routed from the customer access point (where the end device is connected) to the distribution frame 12. The distribution frame which may be outside the customer premises or, in the case of large apartment buildings, may be inside the premises. The customer side 15 of the distribution frame 12, also known as the distribution side, has M pairs of terminals, commonly 600 or 1200 pairs of terminals, for connecting to respective telecommunication lines of the first set of telecommunication lines 14.

An opposite, exchange side 17 of the distribution frame 12 has m pairs of terminals for connecting to respective telecommunication lines of the second set of telecommunication lines 16, which are directed back towards the telecommunications exchange 18. Like the telecommunication lines of the first set of telecommunication lines 14, each telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines consists of 2 conductors which, in current telecommunications networks, is a twisted pair of wires. The second set of telecommunication lines 16 may be connected directly back to the exchange 18 or may be routed via further, larger distribution frames, such as a main distribution frame (MDF).

To meet the bandwidth requirements of modern telecommunications, many networks are being updated to have Fibre-to-the-Node technology. In such embodiments, the second set of telecommunication lines 16 routes to an optic fibre-to- wire pillar. At the pillar, the telecommunication lines connect with fibre optic cable that is routed back to the exchange.

Commonly, there are fewer telecommunication lines on the exchange side 17 of the distribution frame 12 than on the customer side 15. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , where there are m telecommunication lines 16 on the exchange side 17, there may be 300 to 600 telecommunication lines, i.e. half of the quantity of lines on the customer side.

Each telecommunication line connects to a respective pair of terminals ("termination pair") on that line's corresponding side of the distribution frame 12. For simplicity, each termination pair is indicated on Figure 1 as a single termination point (1 to m on the exchange side, and 1 to M on the customer side). Telecommunication lines on opposing sides of the distribution frame are connected to each other by jumpers or some other switching mechanism that connects termination points on one side to termination points on the other. However, which termination point connects to which termination point is not fixed. When a connection is made between a customer line and an exchange line, the connection is selected depending on which of the exchange side telecommunication lines are not already in use. In the example shown in Figure 1 , terminal pairs 1 , 2 and N+1 of the customer side, are respectively connected to terminal pairs 2, N+2 and 3 of the exchange side by respective jumpers 20, 22 and 24. There are challenges in determining which of the first set of telecommunication lines is connected to which of the second set of telecommunication lines. Telecommunications service providers maintain a map between the first and second sets of telecommunication lines, stored electronically in the exchange. However the map often contains errors. The errors can be introduced for example, by servicemen changing the jumper connections without updating the map.

When a serviceman next visits the distribution frame to service a fault or connect a new customer to a given line to the exchange, the serviceman may not be able to readily ascertain which customer-side lines are connected to which exchange-side lines without undertaking the very arduous process of tracing each of the jumpers by hand from the exchange side to the customer side of the distribution frame, unless the service has a system for mapping the connections.

In telecommunications networks where Fibre-to-Node technology is being rolled out, there may be a need to map the wire-based telecommunication lines on the customer side of the distribution frame to their corresponding terminations at the optic fibre-to-wire pillar.

Reference to any prior art in the specification is not an acknowledgment or suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be understood, regarded as relevant, and/or combined with other pieces of prior art by a skilled person in the art.

Summary of the invention

A first aspect of the present invention provides a device for mapping a first set of telecommunication lines to a second set of telecommunication lines in a telecommunications network, the first and second sets of telecommunication lines being on opposite sides of a distribution frame. The device includes a first pair of contacts for connecting to a first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the first set of telecommunication lines. The device also includes a processing system configured to sequentially perform the following steps: (a) output a first signal onto the first pair of contacts between a beginning time and an ending time; and (b) after the ending time, monitor the first pair of contacts for a first response signal. In the event that the processing system detects a first response signal, the processing system determines, from identification data in the first response signal, which pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines is in communication with the first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the first set of telecommunication lines.

Preferably, in the event the a first predefined condition has been met, the processing system is configured to repeat steps (a)-(b). In one embodiment, the first predefined condition is that steps (a)-(b) have been repeated less than a maximum number of times and/or for less than a maximum duration of time. In another embodiment, the first predefined condition is that steps (a)-(b) have been repeated less than a maximum number of times and/or for less than a maximum duration of time; and that the processing system has not detected the first response signal.

A second aspect of the invention provides a device for mapping a first set of telecommunication lines to a second set of telecommunication lines in a telecommunications network, the first and second sets of telecommunication lines being on opposite sides of a distribution frame. The device includes a first pair of contacts for connecting to a first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines. The device also includes a processing system configured to monitor the first pair of contacts for a first signal. In the event that the processing system detects the first signal, the processing system outputs a first response signal onto the first pair of contacts. The first response signal includes identification data for identifying the first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines. The device has an impedance between the first pair of contacts. The impedance has a first impedance while the device outputs the first response signal, and a second impedance while the device monitors the first pair of contacts for the first signal. The second impedance is larger than the first impedance.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a system for mapping a first set of telecommunication lines to a second set of telecommunication lines in a telecommunications network, the first and second sets of telecommunication lines being on opposite sides of a distribution frame. The system includes a requesting device and a responding device. The requesting device includes a first pair of contacts for connecting to a first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the first set of telecommunication lines. The requesting device also includes a processing system. The processing system is configured to output a first signal onto the first pair of contacts, and monitor the first pair of contacts for a first response signal. In the event that the processing system detects a first response signal, the processing system determines, from identification data in the first response signal, which pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines is in communication with the first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the first set of telecommunication lines. The responding device includes a first pair of contacts for connecting to a first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines. The responding device also includes a processing system. The processing system of the responding device is configured to monitor the first pair of contacts for the first signal. In the event that the processing system detects the first signal, it outputs a first response signal onto the first pair of contacts. The first response signal includes identification data for identifying the first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines. The responding device has an impedance between the first pair of contacts that has a first impedance while the responding device outputs the first response signal, and a second impedance while the responding device monitors the first pair of contacts for the first signal. The second impedance is larger than the first impedance.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a system for mapping a first set of telecommunication lines to a second set of telecommunication lines in a telecommunications network, the first and second sets of telecommunication lines being on opposite sides of a distribution frame. The system includes a requesting device and a responding device. The requesting device includes a first pair of contacts for connecting to a first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the first set of telecommunication lines. The requesting device also includes a processing system. The processing system is configured to output a first signal onto the first pair of contacts, and monitor the first pair of contacts for a first response signal. In the event that the processing system detects a first response signal, the processing system determines, from identification data in the first response signal, which pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines is in communication with the first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the first set of telecommunication lines. The responding device includes a first pair of contacts for connecting to a first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines. The responding device also includes a processing system. The processing system of the responding device is configured to monitor the first pair of contacts for the first signal. In the event that the processing system detects the first signal, it outputs a first response signal onto the first pair of contacts. The first response signal includes identification data for identifying the first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines. At least one of the first signal and the first response signal is in a frequency band that is greater than a fundamental frequency of a mains supply to the telecommunications network and less than at least one of (i) a bottom frequency of a telecommunications voice band or (ii) a bottom frequency of a signalling band in the telecommunications voice band. A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a method of mapping a first set of telecommunication lines to a second set of telecommunication lines in a telecommunications network, the first and second sets of telecommunication lines being on opposite sides of a distribution frame. The method includes: (a) outputting a first signal onto the first pair of contacts, the first pair of contacts being for connecting to a first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the first set of telecommunication lines; and (b) monitoring the first pair of contacts for a first response signal. In the event that the monitoring detects a first response signal, the method further includes determining, from the first response signal, which pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines is in communication with the first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the first set of telecommunication lines.

A sixth aspect of the present invention provides a method of mapping a first set of telecommunication lines to a second set of telecommunication lines in a telecommunications network, the first and second sets of telecommunication lines being on opposite sides of a distribution frame. The method includes the following sequence of steps: (a) monitoring a first pair of contacts for a first signal, the first pair of contacts being for connecting to a first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines; and (b) in the event that the monitoring detects the first signal outputting a first response signal onto the first pair of contacts. The first response signal for identifying the first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a device for mapping a first set of telecommunication lines to a second set of telecommunication lines in a telecommunications network, the first and second sets of telecommunication lines being on opposite sides of a distribution frame. The device includes a first pair of contacts for connecting to a first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the first set of telecommunication lines. The device also includes a processing system. The processing system is configured to output a first signal onto the first pair of contacts, and monitor the first pair of contacts for a first response signal, In the event that the processing system detects a first response signal, it determines, from the first response signal, which pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines is in communication with the first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the first set of telecommunication lines, wherein the first signal encodes a symbol.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a device for mapping a first set of telecommunication lines to a second set of telecommunication lines in a telecommunications network, the first and second sets of telecommunication lines being on opposite sides of a distribution frame. The device includes a first pair of contacts for connecting to a first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines; and a processing system. The processing system is configured to monitor the first pair of contacts by decoding a signal received at the first pair of contacts to detect whether the signal is from a requesting device connected to a telecommunication line of the first set of telecommunication lines. In the event that the processing system detects that the signal is from a requesting device, the processing system outputs a first response signal onto the first pair of contacts, the first response signal including identification data for identifying the first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines.

A further aspect of the present invention provides system for mapping a first set of telecommunication lines to a second set of telecommunication lines in a telecommunications network, the first and second sets of telecommunication lines being on opposite sides of a distribution frame. The system includes at least one requesting device and at least one responding device. The requesting device that includes a first pair of contacts for connecting to a first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the first set of telecommunication lines, and a processing system. The processing system is configured to output a first signal onto the first pair of contacts, and monitor the first pair of contacts for a first response signal. In the event that the processing system detects a first response signal, it determines, from the first response signal, which pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines is in communication with the first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the first set of telecommunication lines, wherein the first signal encodes a symbol, The responding device includes a first pair of contacts for connecting to a first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines, and a processing system. The processing system is configured to monitor the first pair of contacts for the first signal, and in the event that the processing system detects the first signal, output a first response signal onto the first pair of contacts.

In one embodiment, at least one of the first signal and the first response signal is in a frequency band that is greater than a fundamental frequency of a mains supply to the telecommunications network and less than at least one of (i) a bottom frequency of a telecommunications voice band or (ii) a bottom frequency of a signalling band in the telecommunications voice band.

Preferably, communication over the contact pairs of the requesting and receiving devices is in half duplex mode over a single frequency band. This reduces the risk of interfering with other signals that be on the telecommunication network. However, in other some embodiments, an operator of the mapping system may have exclusive use over the part of the network being mapped, for example during installation of a distribution frame. In such instances, a full duplex mode of communication may be employed for faster mapping. In the full duplex mode, the first signal and the first response signal may be transmitted over different frequency bands to each other. For exclusive use situations, one or both of these first signal and first response signal can be in a voiceband and/or can coincide with a frequency that would be used for signalling were that part of the telecommunications network in operational use.

It is a further aspect of the invention to provide a method of mapping a first set of telecommunication lines to a second set of telecommunication lines in a telecommunications network, the first and second sets of telecommunication lines being on opposite sides of a distribution frame. In the method at least one telecommunication line of the first and second sets of telecommunication is connected to an optic fibre. The method includes identifying an optic fibre-to-wire pillar from which the first response signal was transmitted or received. The method can further use any of the method steps, devices or systems of any other aspect of the invention.

As used herein, except where the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise" and variations of the term, such as "comprising", "comprises" and "comprised", are not intended to exclude further additives, components, integers or steps. Various embodiments of the invention are set out in the claims at the end of this specification. Further aspects of the present invention and further embodiments of the aspects described in the preceding paragraphs will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a portion of a telecommunications network having attached thereto a telecommunications network mapping system in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 shows, in a block diagram form, a device that is part of the system in Figure 1 ; and

Figure 3 shows a timing diagram showing communication between a plurality of devices in accordance with Figure 2.

Detailed description of the embodiments

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the exemplary telecommunications network 10 illustrated in Figure 1. In particular, Figure 1 shows a mapping system 100 for mapping the first set of telecommunication lines 14 to the second set of telecommunication lines 16 of the telecommunications network 10. The mapping system 100 includes a plurality of devices 1 10 to 120. Devices 110, 1 12 and 1 14 are configured to be requesting devices and devices 116, 1 18 and 120 are configured to be responding devices. The hardware and software on each of the devices 1 10 to 120 may be the same but with each device being configured into a mode of operation that corresponds to either a requesting device or a responding device, as required. Therefore, optionally, the responding devices may be configured to act as requesting devices, and the requesting devices may be configured to act as responding devices. In one embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 1 , the responding devices are on the exchange side of the distribution frame and the requesting devices on the customer side. However, in another embodiment, the responding devices may be attached to the customer side, with the requesting devices being on the exchange side.

Each device 1 10 to 120 has N pairs of contacts (labelled 1 ' to N' in Figure 1 ) for respectively connecting with N pairs of terminals for N telecommunication lines, ie each pair of terminals being for one telecommunication line. The distribution frame 12 has m pairs of terminals on the second, exchange side so that the distribution frame can have up to m telecommunications lines in the second set of telecommunication lines 16. In total there are r responding devices 116 to 120 used to fully populate the second side of the distribution frame. For a distribution frame having 300 exchange-side lines and of each the responding devices 1 16 to 120 having 25 pairs of contacts each, there will be 12 responding devices (ie m/N responding devices) required to fully populate the second side of the distribution frame.

On the first side 15 of the distribution frame, at least one requesting device 1 10, 1 12, and/or 1 14 is connected to terminal pairs for the first set of telecommunication lines. In the example of Figure 1 , this corresponds to the customer side of the exchange. To most quickly map the telecommunication network, this first side 15 of the distribution frame 12 may be fully populated with R requesting devices (ie it may have M/N devices connected to it). Alternatively, one or more requesting devices (eg devices 1 10 and/or 1 12) may be connected to a subset of the telecommunication lines to firstly map the first subset and then be sequentially moved to other subsets until all of the first set of telecommunication lines are mapped to the second set of telecommunication lines.

The conceptual components of an exemplary device, which may be any one of devices 110 to 120 illustrated as a block diagram in Figure 2, with the illustrated device being connected to the distribution frame 12. The exemplary device is denoted in Figure 2 as device 200.

The device 200 includes a processing system 212 comprising at least one processing unit 214, such as a microprocessor, or a microcontroller or a plurality of these or other computer processing devices. The device 200 also includes a memory system 222 in communication with the processing system 212 via a bus 224. The memory system 222 includes one or more machine readable storage devices which store instructions and/or data for controlling operation of the processing system 212. In this instance, memory system 222 includes a system memory (eg a ROM for a Bios), volatile memory (eg a random access memory such as one or more DRAM modules) and non-volatile memory (eg Flash memory or other EEPROM device). The device 200 also includes an antenna 226 to enable wireless transmission of data stored in the memory system 222. The device also includes a graphical for user interface (GUI) 228 in communication with the processing system 212 to enable display of information to a user at the device 200. The device 200 also includes an input/output (I/O) interface 230 to enable user control over the device 200, eg via a keypad or touchscreen. Optionally, some of components of the device, such as a component of the processing system 214, may be performed by one or more other devices that are in communication with device 200. The device 200 has N pairs of contacts, marked 1 ' to N' in Figure 2. The device 200 has at least one connector 203 that mates with at least one connector-block 202 to connect the device to N terminal pairs (from either terminal pairs 1 to M or terminal pairs 1 to m) in the distribution frame 12. Each of the connector-block terminal pairs (1 to M and 1 to m) of the distribution frame may be connected to respective telecommunication lines 204, each being a twisted pair of wires. Each connector 203 has a plurality of planar fingers 205, with each finger 205 having one of the pairs of contacts 1 ' to N', such that when the finger is inserted into the connector block 202, the contacts on the finger electrically connect with contacts of the corresponding terminal pair in the connector block 12. In other embodiments, there can be an intermediate connector between the contact pairs (1 ' to N') of the device 200 and the terminal pairs (1 to N) to which they mate.

In the device 200, each of the N pairs of contacts 1 ' to N' are electrically connected to a multiplexer/demultiplexer module 210 to selectively enable communication between each contact pair and the processing system 212. The processing system includes at least one high-impedance input 216 for presenting a high impedance between the contacts in any one of the pairs of contacts 1 ' to N' that may receive an input signal. The processing system 212 also includes a modem module 218 for enabling low impedance communication between the device 200 and the telecommunications network accessed via a selected contact pair (1 ' to N'). A switch 220 enables selection between the high-impedance input 216 and the low-impedance modem 218 so that the impedance between each pair of contacts can be selectively determined.

Advantageously, the device can be configured so that it can monitor the contact pairs 1 ' to N', for any received signals, in a high impedance mode, and can transmit signals in a low-impedance mode. The low impedance mode enables effective transmission of data over a telecommunication line of the telecommunications network 10. For example, the impedance is preferably less than 1 kOhm. For example, it may be equal to a characteristic impedance the telecommunication line, typically eg 600 Ohms for twisted wire pairs. The high-impedance mode presents a contact pair 1 ' to N' with a high impedance when it is not transmitting data, so that the impedance presented to the telecommunications network 10 by the device 200 has as little a loading effect on the telecommunications network 10 as possible. If too much loading occurs, the voltage on the affected telecommunication line can be interpreted to be indicating that a telephone is "off the hook". The high impedance is selected to be high enough to avoid such a situation, and can be determined from the relevant telecommunications standard imposed by regulations, such as Australian Standard AS/CA S002:2010. Consistent with this standard, for a 600 Ohm characteristic impedance line, the high impedance mode presents an impedance greater than 15 kOhms to avoid and off-line (off the hook) state.

Advantageously, the presented impedance is high in a voice band (eg 300Hz to 3.4kHz), so that it does not attenuate any voice signals which may be transmitted over the telecommunications network. This enables the device to be used without being noticed by a customer who may be using a telecommunication line on which the device 200 is connected.

Further, so signals transmitted by device 200 are not heard by such a customer (or at least not to any significant degree), when transmitting data with modem 218, the device 200 transmits its data in a frequency band that is less than the voice-band on the telecommunications network 10. More particularly, the transmission is between (i) a fundamental frequency (eg above 25Hz), or a top frequency of a frequency band, for a ring signal on the telecommunications network and (ii) a bottom frequency of the telecommunications voice band (eg 300Hz) or a bottom frequency of a signalling band in the telecommunications voice band (eg 425Hz, as used in some networks to signal that a phone line is "busy"). In one embodiment, the transmission is also advantageously above a fundamental frequency of a mains supply to the telecommunications network (eg 50Hz or 60Hz).

In one embodiment, transmitted signals are in a frequency band that does not intersect with one or more of: an odd harmonic of the fundamental frequency of the mains supply; a third harmonic of the fundamental frequency of the mains supply; an odd harmonic of a ring signal used on the telecommunications network; and a third harmonic of a ring signal used on the telecommunications network. For example, in some networks a ring signal is at 25Hz, resulting in a third harmonic at three times this frequency (ie 75 Hz) and other odd harmonics at 125Hz and every 50Hz thereafter. Preferably, the frequency band does not intersect with at least the third and fifth harmonics of the mains supply and the ring signal. Optionally, the communication mode may be by amplitude modulation. However, in one embodiment, the transmitted signals are transmitted by frequency modulation having a carrier frequency at about 216Hz, or more precisely, 215.625Hz, and a bandwidth of 30Hz. Thus the signals are in a frequency band from about 201 to 231 Hz, thus being intermediate the third and fifth harmonics of a mains supply (at 50Hz or 60Hz). This band also advantageously avoids interference with the third, fifth and seventh harmonics of a 25 Hz ring tone.

Communication over this frequency band is advantageously performed in a half- duplex mode of communication. Further, signals sent and received by the device 200 via its contacts can be sent and received over the same frequency band. The communication is based on a data rate of between 5 and 50 baud, more particularly 25 baud. Advantageously, an encoding scheme can be used in which the bit rate is the same as the data rate. In one embodiment, the mode of communication uses an 8bit/1 Obit encoding scheme. With this scheme, the bit rate can be 25 bits per second with the data rate being at 25 baud.

During operation of the mapping system 100, each requesting device 110, 1 12, 1 14 generates a first signal which is identifiable by one or more responding device 116, 1 18, 120 that receives the first signals. Each of the first signals encodes a symbol which can be decoded by the responding device 1 16, 1 18, 120 to verify that the source of the signal is a requesting device. For example, the symbol can be an identification code. A responding device 1 16, 118, 120 that receives such a signal can reply by sending a reply signal that encodes identification data defining an identity associated with the telecommunication line and/or pair of terminals on which the responding device received the request signal. The reply signal also includes a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) or other error checking code. The identification data and CRC are included between symbols identifying the beginning and end of the reply data packet that makes up the reply signal.

The identification data may be formatted to suit the hierarchical structure and/or nomenclature of the given telecommunications network 10. For example, the identification data can include an identifier of a distribution frame 12 (eg a number and/or location identifier) and a terminal pair identifier (eg pair number and whether the pair is on the exchange or customer side) on which the request signal was received by the responding device. If the telecommunications network includes twisted wire pairs between the distribution frame and a more central location in the network 10, such as at the exchange 18, the responding devices 1 16, 1 18, 120 can be connected to the network 10 at that location, eg at the exchange. In this case, the identification data in the reply signal can include an identifier of the exchange, a cable number (if such a level exists in the hierarchy), and the terminal pair number on which the request signal was received by the responding device. In another example, the identification data may include an identifier of a fibre-to-copper pillar in the telecommunications network and a terminal pair of the pillar at which the device 116, 118, 120 is connected.

A requesting device 1 10, 112, 1 14 that receives a reply signal will decode the identification data to determine the identity of the exchange-side terminal pair that received the request signal. The requesting device then stores, to its memory system 222, data that correlates that exchange-side terminal pair with the customer-side terminal pair on which the request signal was sent, thus identifying, which exchange- side terminal pair is connected to that customer-side terminal pair. Once the requesting device 1 10, 1 12, 1 14 has determined these correlations for each of its N terminal pairs, the device 1 10, 1 12, 1 14 transmits the accumulated data to a central database in the telecommunications network. At the central database, a map of a greater part of the telecommunications network is stored, and is maintained and used by the relevant telecommunications service provider. Such a database may be stored in a central responder unit in the telecommunications network.

Figure 3 depicts a timing diagram in which a first requesting device 1 10 and second requesting device 1 12 send request signals onto the telecommunications network 10. The timing diagram of Figure 3 shows how responding device 1 16 responds to the requesting devices 1 10 and 1 12. At time 302 the first requesting device transmit a first signal on its first pair of contacts. At time 306, the responding device 1 16 switches to contact pair 1 ' to monitor contact pair 1 ' for a period of time T2 to determine if a signal (ie a request signal) from a requesting device has been sent.

However, as shown in Figure 1 , the first pair contacts 1 ' of the responding device 1 16 is not in electrical communication with terminal pair 1 on the customer side of the distribution frame 12, so it does not receive this request signal sent from requesting devices 1 10. As a result, the responding device does not send a reply signal. Rather, at time 307, when the monitoring period expires, the multiplexor/demultiplexor module 210 on the monitoring device 116 switches from contact pair 1 ' to contact pair 2' to monitor terminal pair 2 on the second side 17 of the distribution frame 12.

At 308, the processing system of device 1 10 monitors whether any reply signals are received on its first pair of contacts. This monitoring occurs for a period of time T1. In this case, no reply is received by requesting device 1 10, so the requesting device 1 10 sends another of these first signal requests from its first pair of terminals, at 310.

The request signal that was sent by the first requesting device 1 10 (at 310) is detected by the responding device 1 16. This is because the responding device 1 16 is now monitoring for signals on its second pair of contacts, and these contacts are electrically connected, because of jumper 20, to the first pair of terminals on the first side 15 distribution frame 12. As a result, at 314, the responding device 1 16 detects the arrival of the request signal.

The times T1 and T2 respectively spent by the requesting device 1 10 and the responding device 1 16 each time they are monitoring for received signals requires careful management so that the overall time to map the telecommunication network can be kept to a minimum. The monitoring times at a given device are set to be just long enough to detect if a signal was sent to the device. However, this monitoring time might not be enough to receive the entire signal, particularly if the start of the signal arrives at the monitoring device near the expiry of the monitoring period. In such instances, the monitoring device is configured to extend the monitoring period so that it can receive the entire signal.

In the timing diagram example of Figure 3, the responding device 116 detects the arrival of the request signal at time 314 well into the monitoring period T2, with not enough time left in monitoring period T2 to receive the full request signal. Therefore, the monitoring period is extended by a further period T4 to time 316 to enable all of the signal to be received and decoded.

At 316, the responding device 116 sends a reply signal which then is detected by the first requesting device 1 10, at time 318. In this particular instance, the requesting device 1 10 detects the arrival of the reply signal only just before the end of the monitoring period T1 is due to end at time 320. There is insufficient time within the period T1 to receive all of the signal, so the monitoring period performed by first requesting device 110 is extended by a further period T3 to enable all of the signal to be received and decoded. The first requesting device 110 then stores the identification data decoded from the received signal (eg distribution frame number 12, exchange-side, pair number 2) together with data identifying the terminal pair which sent the request (eg distribution frame number 12, customer-side, pair number 1 ). Had no reply signal been received by the requesting device 1 10, the device 1 10 would have continued to send signals from its first pair of contacts until the responding device had had enough time to cycle through monitoring all of the N contacts pairs of the responding device and send any reply signals. However, in the example illustrated in Figure 3, the first terminal pair of the requesting device has already been mapped after receiving the reply at 318. Therefore, at 322, the requesting device 1 10 sends a request signal from its second pair of contacts (ie a "second request signal"). The second pair of contacts are mapped to a different responding device (ie second responding device 118), so this request signal is not received by the first responding device 1 16. Figure 3 shows that if no identification data is received from the second responding device 1 18, a further second request is sent by the first requesting device 1 10 from its second pair of contacts at time 323.

The second requesting device 1 12 is not synchronised with the first requesting device 1 10. In this example the second requesting device 1 12 begins sending its first request signal from its first pair of contacts at time 304, which as depicted in Figure 3, maybe some period of time after the first requesting device 1 10.

The first pair of contacts of the requesting device 112 are connected by jumper 24 to terminal 3 of the responding device 1 16. However, when the first request from the second requesting device 1 12 arrives at the responding device 1 16, the responding device 116 is sending data from its second contact pair, so does not detect the request. At 309, the processing system of device 1 12 monitors whether any reply signals are received on its first pair of contacts. This monitoring occurs for a period of time T1. No reply is received by requesting device 1 12, so the requesting device 1 12 sends another of these first signal requests from its first pairs of terminals, at 312.

The responding device 1 16 is still sending data from its second pair of contacts. Therefore, again, no reply signal is received by the second requesting device 112 before the end of the monitoring period T1 , now at time 321. Therefore, at 324, the second requesting device 1 12 sends another first request signal, which is now the third time it has sent such a signal. In the absence of receiving any reply signals, the requesting device 1 12 will send request signals from its first pair of contacts for a predetermined period of time, Tr (not shown), sufficient to allow each responding device 1 16, 1 18, 120 to monitor each of their N contact pairs and send at least one reply signal that includes identification data. At time 325, the first responding device has finished sending data from its second pair of contacts and has just switched to monitoring its third pair of contacts. As a result, at 326 the first responding device 1 16 receives the entirety of the request signal within the monitoring period T2, and sends a reply signal at time 328. However, because of the time taken to send the first response signal (between time 316 and time 325), were the responding device 116 to now send to the second requesting device 1 12 a full response signal that includes identification data and a CRC, the monitoring functions still needing to be performed by the first responding device on its other contact pairs would be behind schedule. There may not be enough time available to cycle through its contact pairs fast enough to keep up with the timeout timers of the requesting devices on the other side of the distribution frame, which will timeout at the expiry of the period Tr. Therefore, to save on time, at 328 the responding device sends a shorter reply signal to inform that second requesting device 1 12 that its request was received but that there was not enough time to send a full reply that included a terminal pair identifier.

This shorter reply signal is received by the second requesting device 1 12, at time 330. The predetermined time period Tr is set to allow for at least one, and preferably multiple, of these shorter reply signals. In one embodiment, Tr is large enough to allow at least one full reply signal and 8 to 10 shorter reply signals to be received.

In response to receiving the shorter the reply, the processing device of the second requesting device 112 stays in communication with its first contact pair until the first responding device 1 16 has a chance to send a full reply signal that includes the relevant terminal pair identification data. More particularly, the second requesting device 112 continues to send requests from the same pair of contacts (ie in this case its first contact pair) until the first responding device 1 16 has a chance to receive the signal and send the full reply signal. Meanwhile, the first responding device 1 16 continues to cycle through monitoring each of its N contact pairs. After N cycles have been performed all contact pairs of the first responding device have been monitored. Three cycles later, at time 331 , the first responding device 1 16 is now again monitoring its third contact pair, ie in the (N+3)th cycle, and thus receives the request signal at time 332, and sends a full reply at time 334. In other embodiments, first responding device skips those contact pairs which it has already identified (in this example, its second terminal pair), thus returning to the third contact pair before the (N+3)th cycle. Once the second requesting device 1 12 receives the full reply signal at time 336, it stores the relevant identification data and begins sending request signals from its second contact pair, at time 338.

Once each requesting device 1 10, 1 12 finishes its request cycles on all of its N contact pairs, it transmits all of the stored mapping data to the central responder unit (not shown) in the telecommunications network. The data can be sent via one or more of its contact pairs (1 ' to N') or via its wireless transmission via antenna 226.

While the description herein refers to the mapping of a first set of telecommunication lines to a second set of telecommunication lines, some pairs of terminals on the distribution frame may have no twisted wire pairs attached to it, and hence no line, per se. For example, the distribution frame 12 may not be fully populated with customer-side telecommunication lines. By connecting to terminal pairs, which may or may not have a telecommunication line terminated to it, the mapping system 100 can also map any unused terminal pair on the distribution frame 12. For example, if an old jumper connects a previously used, but now unused, customer-side terminal pair to an exchange-side telecommunication line, the mapping system 100 can identify that when a customer-side telecommunication line will be connected to that customer-side terminal pair, which exchange-side line it will be connected to. Additionally, the device 200 can positively identify any terminal pairs that are not connected to a terminal pair on the other side of the exchange, thus identifying any free terminal pairs or potentially, a fault in the network 10.

It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention. It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

Claims

1. A device for mapping a first set of telecommunication lines to a second set of telecommunication lines in a telecommunications network, the first and second sets of telecommunication lines being on opposite sides of a distribution frame, wherein the device includes:

a first pair of contacts for connecting to a first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the first set of telecommunication lines; and

a processing system configured to sequentially perform the following steps:

(a) output a first signal onto the first pair of contacts between a beginning time and an ending time;

(b) after the ending time, monitor the first pair of contacts for a first response signal; and

in the event that the processing system detects a first response signal, determine, from identification data in the first response signal, which pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines is in communication with the first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the first set of telecommunication lines.

2. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the first signal is a modulated carrier wave that encodes a symbol for identifying that the first signal is from a device in accordance with claim 1.

3. A device for mapping a first set of telecommunication lines to a second set of telecommunication lines in a telecommunications network, the first and second sets of telecommunication lines being on opposite sides of a distribution frame, wherein the device includes:

a processing system configured to:

output a first signal onto the first pair of contacts; and

monitor the first pair of contacts for a first response signal; and in the event that the processing system detects a first response signal, determine, from the first response signal, which pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines is in communication with the first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the first set of telecommunication lines, wherein the first signal encodes a symbol.

4. A device according to claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein the modulated carrier wave is an FM modulated carrier wave.

5. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first signal is in a frequency band that is greater than a fundamental frequency, or a top of a frequency band, for a ring signal on the telecommunications network and less than at least one of (i) a bottom frequency of a telecommunications voice band or (ii) a bottom frequency of a signalling band in the telecommunications voice band.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the first signal is in a frequency band between (i) a fundamental frequency of a mains supply to the

telecommunications network Hz and (ii) at least one of 300Hz and 425Hz.

7. A device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first signal is in a frequency band that does not intersect with at least one of:

an odd harmonic of the fundamental frequency of a mains supply;

an third harmonic of the fundamental frequency of the mains supply; an third and fifth harmonic of the fundamental frequency of the mains supply;

an odd harmonic of a ring signal used on the telecommunications network;

a third harmonic of a ring signal used on the telecommunications network;

a third and fifth harmonic of a ring signal used on the

telecommunications network; and

a third, fifth and seventh harmonic of a ring signal used on the telecommunications network.

8. A device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the first signal has a carrier frequency of about 216 Hz, such as 215.625 Hz.

9. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first signal has a data rate of between 5 and 50 baud.

10. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the processing system is configured to send the first signal and receive the first response signal using a half-duplex mode of communication over the first pair of contacts and/or over the same frequency band.

1 1. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein after outputting the first signal, the processing system monitors for the first response signal for a first predetermined time period; and

wherein the processing system monitors the first pair of contacts for a first predetermined time period, wherein in the event that the processing system detects a signal representing part of the first response signal, the processing system extends the monitoring period to detect an entirety of the first response signal.

12. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 1 1 , wherein in the event the a first predefined condition has been met, the processing system is

configured to repeat steps (a)-(b).

13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the first predefined condition is:

that steps (a)-(b) have been repeated less than a maximum number of times and/or for less than a maximum duration of time; and that the processing system has not detected the first response signal.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein after outputting the first signal, the processing system monitors for the first response signal for a first

predetermined time period; and

in the event that, within the first predetermined time period, the processing signal receives a response signal that does not have identification data for identifying which pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines is in communication with the first pair of terminals for telecommunication line of the first set of telecommunication lines, the processing system repeats steps (a)-(b) for more than said maximum number of times and/or maximum duration of time.

15. A device according to claim 14, wherein the response signal that does not have the identification data has a shorter duration that the first response signal.

16. A device according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the device includes:

a second pair of contacts for connecting to a second pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the first set of telecommunication lines;

wherein in that event that the predefined condition is not met, the processor is further configured to sequentially perform the following steps:

(c) output a second signal onto the second pair of contacts between a beginning time and an ending time;

(d) after the ending time, monitor the second pair of contacts for a first response signal to the second signal; and

in the event that the processing system detects the first response signal to the second signal: determine, from the first response signal to the second signal, which pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines is in communication with the second pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the first set of telecommunication lines.

17. A device according to claim 16, wherein the second signal is

indistinguishable from said first signal.

18. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the device further includes a memory system wherein the processing system is configured to store data identifying which pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines is in communication with the first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the first set of telecommunication lines.

19. A device according to claim 18, wherein the processing system is configured to accumulatively store data identifying which pairs of terminals for telecommunication lines of the second set of telecommunication lines are respectively in communication with a plurality of pairs of terminals for

telecommunication lines of the first set of telecommunication lines, and then transmit the accumulatively stored data to a central database.

20. A device for mapping a first set of telecommunication lines to a second set of telecommunication lines in a telecommunications network, the first and second sets of telecommunication lines being on opposite sides of a distribution frame, wherein the device includes:

a first pair of contacts for connecting to a first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines; and

a processing system configured to:

monitor the first pair of contacts for a first signal; in the event that the processing system detects the first signal: output a first response signal onto the first pair of contacts, the first response signal including identification data for identifying the first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines; and

wherein the device has an impedance between the first pair of contacts that has:

a first impedance while the device outputs the first response signal; and

a second impedance while the device monitors the first pair of contacts for the first signal;

wherein the second impedance is larger than the first impedance.

21. A device according to claim 20, wherein:

the second impedance is a relatively high impedance (eg greater than 15 kOhms); and the first impedance is a relatively low impedance (eg less than or equal to 1 kOhm, such as being approximately equal to a characteristic impedance of one of said telecommunication lines, eg 600 Ohms).

22. A device according to claim 21 , wherein:

the second impedance has a relatively high impedance at least in a voice band (eg 300Hz to 3.4kHz) of the telecommunications network, and preferably also at a carrier frequency of the first signal.

23. A device according to claim 21 or 22, wherein:

the first impedance has a relatively low impedance at a carrier frequency of the response signal and, optionally, a higher impedance in the voice band.

24. A device for mapping a first set of telecommunication lines to a second set of telecommunication lines in a telecommunications network, the first and second sets of telecommunication lines being on opposite sides of a distribution frame, wherein the device includes:

a processing system configured to:

monitor the first pair of contacts by decoding a signal received at the first pair of contacts to detect whether the signal is from a requesting device connected to a telecommunication line of the first set of

telecommunication lines;

in the event that the processing system detects that the signal is from a requesting device, output a first response signal onto the first pair of contacts, the first response signal including identification data for identifying the first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of

telecommunication lines.

25. A device according to any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein the first response signal is a modulated carrier wave that encodes the identification data.

26. A device according to claim 25, wherein the modulated carrier wave is an FM modulated carrier wave.

27. A device according to any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein the first signal is in a frequency band that is greater than a fundamental frequency, or a top of a frequency band, for a ring signal on the telecommunications network and less than at least one of (i) a bottom frequency of a telecommunications voice band or (ii) a bottom frequency of a signalling band in the telecommunications voice band.

28. A device according to claim 27, wherein the first signal is in a frequency band between (i) a fundamental frequency of a mains supply to the

telecommunications network and (ii) at least one of 300Hz and 425Hz.

29. A device according to claim 27 or 28, wherein the first signal is in a frequency band that does not intersect with at least one of:

an odd harmonic of the fundamental frequency of a mains supply; an third harmonic of the fundamental frequency of the mains supply; an third and fifth harmonic of the fundamental frequency of the mains supply;

an odd harmonic of a ring signal used on the telecommunications network;

a third harmonic of a ring signal used on the telecommunications network;

a third and fifth harmonic of a ring signal used on the

telecommunications network; and

30. A device according to claim 28 or 29, wherein the first signal has a carrier frequency of about 216 Hz, such as 215.625 Hz.

31. A device according to any one of claims 20 to 30, wherein the first signal has a data rate of between 5 and 50 baud.

32. A device according to any one of claims 20 to 31 , wherein the

processing system is configured to monitor for the first signal and output the response signal using a half-duplex mode of communication over the first pair of contacts and/or over the same frequency band.

33. A device according to any one of claims 20 to 32, wherein the

processing system monitors the first pair of contacts for a first monitoring period, wherein in the event that the processing detects a signal representing part of the first signal, the processing system extends the first monitoring period to detect an entirety of the first signal.

34. A device according to any one of claims 20 to 33, wherein the device also includes a second pair of contacts for connecting to a second pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines; wherein processing system is configured to monitor the second pair of contacts for the first signal in the event of a first predefined condition being met.

35. A device according to claim 34, wherein the processing system monitors the first pair of contacts for a first monitoring period and wherein the first predefined condition is met if at least one of the following conditions is satisfied:

that the first monitoring period has finished and the processing system did not detect the first signal in the monitoring period; and

at least that (i) the processing system has detected the first signal and (ii) the processing system has outputted a reply signal onto the first pair of contacts.

36. A device according to claim 34, wherein in the event that the first predefined condition has been met, then in the event the processing system detects the first signal via the second pair of contacts, the processing system outputs a reply signal onto the second pair of contacts.

37. A device according to claim 36, wherein: in the event that a second predefined condition is not met, the reply signal is a second response signal, wherein the second response does not include identification data for identifying the second pair of terminals for a telecommunication line; and

in the event that the second predefined condition is met, the reply signal is a third response signal that includes identification data for identifying the second pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication line, wherein the second response signal has a shorter duration than the third response signal.

38. A device according to claim 37, wherein the second predefined condition is met if at least one of the following conditions is satisfied::

that the processing system did not detect a first signal from the first pair of contacts; and

that processing system has determined that a total time required to both transmit identification data and monitor each of a plurality of further pairs of contacts is less than a maximum time allowance.

39. A system for mapping a first set of telecommunication lines to a second set of telecommunication lines in a telecommunications network, the first and second sets of telecommunication lines being on opposite sides of a distribution frame, wherein the system includes: a requesting device, being a device that includes:

a processing system configured to:

output a first signal onto the first pair of contacts;

monitor the first pair of contacts for a first response signal;

in the event that the processing system detects a first response signal, determine, from identification data in the first response signal, which pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of

telecommunication lines is in communication with the first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the first set of telecommunication lines; and a responding device being a device that includes:

a processing system configured to:

monitor the first pair of contacts for the first signal; and in the event that the processing system detects the first signal: output a first response signal onto the first pair of contacts, the first response signal including identification data for identifying the first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines; and

a first impedance while the device outputs the first response signal; and

wherein the second impedance is larger than the first impedance.

40. A system for mapping a first set of telecommunication lines to a second set of telecommunication lines in a telecommunications network, the first and second sets of telecommunication lines being on opposite sides of a distribution frame, wherein the system includes: a requesting device, being a device that includes:

a first pair of contacts for connecting to a pair of terminals for a first telecommunication line of the first set of telecommunication lines; and a processing system configured to:

output a first signal onto the first pair of contacts;

monitor the first pair of contacts for a first response signal; in the event that the processing system detects a first response signal, determine, from identification data in the first response signal, which pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines is in communication with the first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the first set of telecommunication lines; and a responding device being a device that includes:

a first pair of contacts for connecting to a first pair of terminals for a

telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines; and

a processing system configured to:

monitor the first pair of contacts for the first signal; and

in the event that the processing system detects the first signal: output a first response signal onto the first pair of contacts, the first response signal including identification data for identifying the first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines; wherein at least one of the first signal and the first response signal is in a frequency band that is greater than a fundamental frequency of a mains supply to the telecommunications network and less than at least one of (i) a bottom frequency of a telecommunications voice band or (ii) a bottom frequency of a signalling band in the telecommunications voice band.

41. The system according to claim 39 or 40 wherein the requesting device is a device in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 18, and the responding device is a device in accordance with any one of claims 19 to 36.

42. A system for mapping a first set of telecommunication lines to a second set of telecommunication lines in a telecommunications network, the first and second sets of telecommunication lines being on opposite sides of a distribution frame, wherein the system includes:

a requesting device, being a device that includes:

a first pair of contacts for connecting to a first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the first set of telecommunication lines; and a processing system configured to:

output a first signal onto the first pair of contacts; and monitor the first pair of contacts for a first response signal; and

in the event that the processing system detects a first response signal, determine, from the first response signal, which pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines is in communication with the first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the first set of telecommunication lines, wherein the first signal encodes a symbol; and a responding device being a device that includes:

a first pair of contacts for connecting to a first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines; and a processing system configured to:

monitor the first pair of contacts for the first signal; and in the event that the processing system detects the first signal: output a first response signal onto the first pair of contacts.

43. The system of claim 40 or 42 wherein communication between the first requesting device and the first responding device is by a full duplex mode of communication.

44. The system of claim 40 or 42 wherein communication between the first signal and/or the first response signal are transmitted with carrier frequencies that are different to each other.

45. A system of any one of claims 39 to 44, further including at least one of: a second requesting device, being a device that includes:

a first pair of contacts for connecting to a pair of terminals for a further telecommunication line of the first set of telecommunication lines; and

a processing system configured to:

output a first signal onto the first pair of contacts; and monitor the first pair of contacts for a first response signal;

in the event that the processing system detects a first response signal, determine, from identification data in the first response signal, which pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines is in communication with the pair of terminals for a further telecommunication line of the first set of telecommunication lines; and a second responding device being a device that includes:

a first pair of contacts for connecting to a pair of terminals for a further telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines; and

a processing system configured to:

monitor the first pair of contacts for the first signal; and

in the event that the processing system detects the first signal: output a first response signal onto the first pair of contacts, the first response signal including identification data for identifying the pair of terminals for a further telecommunication line of the second set of

telecommunication lines.

46. A method of mapping a first set of telecommunication lines to a second set of telecommunication lines in a telecommunications network, the first and second sets of telecommunication lines being on opposite sides of a distribution frame, wherein the method includes:

(a) outputting a first signal onto the first pair of contacts, the first pair of contacts being for connecting to a first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the first set of telecommunication lines;

(b) monitoring the first pair of contacts for a first response signal; and

in the event that the monitoring detects a first response signal, determining, from the first response signal, which pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines is in communication with the first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the first set of telecommunication lines.

47. A method according to claim 46, wherein the method includes:

attaching multiple devices in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 19 to a plurality of pairs of terminals for a respective plurality telecommunication lines of the first set of telecommunication lines; and simultaneously operating a plurality of said devices.

48. A method according to claim 47, wherein the method includes: the multiple devices fully populate one side of the distribution frame.

49. A method according to any one of claims 46 to 48, wherein the first set of telecommunication lines is on a customer side of the distribution frame.

50. A method of mapping a first set of telecommunication lines to a second set of telecommunication lines in a telecommunications network, the first and second sets of telecommunication lines being on opposite sides of a distribution frame, wherein the method includes the following sequence of steps:

monitoring a first pair of contacts for a first signal, the first pair of contacts being for connecting to a first pair of terminals for a telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines; and

in the event that the monitoring detects the first signal:

outputting a first response signal onto the first pair of contacts, the first response signal for identifying the first pair of terminals for a

telecommunication line of the second set of telecommunication lines.

51. A method according to claim 50, wherein the method includes:

attaching multiple devices in accordance with any one of claims 20 to 38 to a plurality of pairs of terminals for a respective plurality of telecommunication lines of the first set of telecommunication lines; and simultaneously operating a plurality of said devices.

52. A method according to claim 51 , wherein the method includes: the multiple devices fully populate one side of the distribution frame.

53. A method according to any one of claims 50 to 52, wherein the first set of telecommunication lines is on a customer side of the distribution frame.

54. A method of mapping a first set of telecommunication lines to a second set of telecommunication lines in a telecommunications network, the first and second sets of telecommunication lines being on opposite sides of a distribution frame, wherein the method includes both the method of any one of claim 46 to 49 and the method of any one of claim 50 to 52.

55. A method in accordance with any one of claims 46 to 54, wherein at least one telecommunication line of the first and second sets of

telecommunication is connected to an optic fibre, wherein the method includes identifying an optic fibre- to-wire pillar from which the first response signal was transmitted or received.

56. The method according to claim 55 wherein the optic fibre-to-wire pillar is identified by identification data in the first response signal.