A method and apparatus for transmitting data from a transmitter device to one or more receiver devices, each of which is connected to the transmitter device via a respective wire connection, the transmitter device being operable to transmit signals onto the wire connections over different channels, the method comprising, for each channel: determining a value of a first function which is a function of a power mask for transmitting the data over the channels; determining a value of a second function which is a function of an upper bound for a channel capacity of the channel; determining a value of a third function, the third function being a function of the first and second functions; using the determined value of the third function, determining a transmission power for that channel; and transmitting, by the transmitter device, data over that channel at the transmission power determined for that channel.

A method and apparatus of transmitting data from a transmitter device to one or more receiver devices, each of the one or more receiver devices being connected to the transmitter device via a respective wire connection, the transmitter device being operable to transmit signals onto the wire connections over one or more different channels, the method comprising: iteratively performing steps (i) to (iii) until one or more criteria are satisfied, thereby determining current transmission powers for transmitting data, wherein: step (i) comprises determining values of a first function depending on one or more channel properties; step (ii) comprises, using the determined value of the first function, determining transmission powers for transmitting data; and step (iii) comprises determining whether or not the determined transmission powers satisfy one or more criteria; and thereafter transmitting data at the current transmission powers.

Methods, apparatus and devices are disclosed for controlling communications in respect of local area networks (20) having user-devices (22, 23, 24, 25) located therein operable to communicate via a local area network (LAN) gateway device (30) with remote devices in a communications network (10,15) outside the LAN (20), communications being carried via one or more LAN links (28) for at least a portion of a path between user-devices (22, 23, 24, 25) and the gateway device (30), and being carried via a digital subscriber (xDSL) line (19) for at least a portion of a path between the gateway device (30) and the remote devices. The method comprises monitoring digital subscriber line performance characteristics in respect of data communications on the xDSL line (19) whereby to identify changes therein; monitoring data flow rate in respect of data flows on LAN links (28) whereby to identify changes therein; and adjusting the data flow rate in respect of the data flows in the event that identified changes in digital subscriber line performance characteristics coincide with identified changes in data flow rate.

The present document discloses network nodes and apparatuses deployable in network systems. The network node may be coupleable via a transmission line to the apparatus. In particular, the network node may comprise means for receiving supply power from the apparatus via the transmission line; performing a line measurement on the transmission line; and signaling to the apparatus to disconnect from the transmission line, wherein the means may be further configured to perform the line measurement on the transmission line during a period of time when the apparatus is disconnected from the transmission line. The apparatus may comprise means for providing supply power to the network node; monitoring at least one electrical parameter of the transmission line; and disconnecting the apparatus from the transmission line if a predetermined line condition or a power violation is detected such that the network node can perform a measurement on the transmission line.

A multifunctional amplifier for Time Division Duplex signals and Frequency Division Duplex signals in Very High Bit-Rate Subscriber Line, is disclosed. The multifunctional amplifier may include a first and second bidirectional terminals, at least one first filter connected between said first and second bidirectional terminals for bypassing signals in a first configuration, an amplifier circuit arranged in a signal path between first and second bidirectional terminals to amplify said signals, the amplifier circuit being operable in a second configuration for amplifying said signals in one direction along the signal path and a third configuration for amplifying said signals in the opposite direction along the signal path, and a control circuit arranged to control said amplifier circuit to change configuration.

The present subject matter relates to one or more devices systems and/or methods for generating sealing current at a customer's premises or residence and injecting the sealing current into a DSL service provider's telephone cables to prevent the oxidation or corrosion of wire splices or connections on the telephone cables transporting DSL services. A cable pair stabilizer unit is connected at the customer's premises or residence, between the service provider's telephone cables and the customer's residential gateway/modem. The cable pair stabilizer unit comprises circuitry for generating the sealing current and for injecting the sealing current into the service provider's telephone cables transporting DSL services. The cable pair stabilizer unit may be combined with an AC/DC power supply adapter as a single, integrated device. The cable pair stabilizer unit may alternatively be combined with or inside of the Residential Gateway as a single, integrated device.

A method and system for managing performance of over a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN), such as a digital subscriber line network, involves receiving an indication of an impairment in network performance from an MCDN client. The MCDN node associated with the client may be identified and a community of MCDN clients coupled to the MCDN node may be further identified. Impairment information, representative of MCDN equipment, may be collected for each of the MCDN clients. Detailed network diagnostics and field service may be performed for MCDN clients based on a characterization of the impairment parameters. After remediation of the MCDN node, collection of the impairment information may be terminated.

Within a communication system that includes multiple communication channels, a low-power mode of operation and a higher-power mode of operation are provided. Each channel is allocated to one of several groups, based on criteria such as whether power is allocated to that channel in low power mode, and whether power was allocated to that channel in a previous high power mode. Initial power levels for each channel for each mode are approximated using an interpolation rule known to both the receive and the transmitter. The system switches between modes according to a PMD pre-defined schedule. When a new power mode begins, the receiver measures signal power received on each channel and then transmits corrective information sufficient to allow adaptation of power levels to achieve PMD pre-defined levels of received power.

Methods and systems are provided for managing communication between a digital subscriber line access multiplexer and customer devices. A downlink communication signal may be communicated to a customer device concurrently via a direct customer line connected to the customer device and at least one other customer line connected to another customer device. Communication of signals may be managed, the managing including configuring the downlink communication signal to generate a total received signal at the customer device. The total received signal corresponds to a combining of a first received signal, corresponding to communication of the downlink communication signal via the direct customer line, and a second received signal, corresponding to crosstalk effects, at the customer device, of communication of the downlink communication signal via the at least one other customer line. The downlink communication signal is configured to increase power of the total received signal compared to the first received signal.

Methods, apparatus and devices are disclosed for identifying and of controlling communications on interfering links in a local area network (20) having user-devices (22, 23, 24, 25) located therein operable to communicate via a local area network (LAN) gateway device (30, 50) with remote devices in a communications network (10,15) outside the LAN (20), communications being carried via one or more LAN links (28) for at least a portion of a path between user-devices (22, 23, 24, 25) and the gateway device (30, 50), and being carried via a digital subscriber (xDSL) line (19) for at least a portion of a path between the gateway device (30, 50) and the remote devices. The method comprises triggering performance of a signal transmission action on a LAN link during a predetermined period; monitoring digital subscriber line (DSL) performance characteristics in respect of data communications on the xDSL line (19) during said predetermined period whereby to identify changes therein; classifying the LAN link as an interfering link in the event that identified changes in DSL performance characteristics coincide with the predetermined period during which the signal transmission action has been performed; and adjusting the data flow rate in respect of data flow on a LAN link if it is classified as an interfering link.