A Device Abstraction Proxy (DAP) interface receives a request for operational data relating to broadband access line services provided to a plurality of broadband access terminals in a network by multiple providers. The DAP interface receives, in response to the request, operational data for multiple DSL lines coupled to the multiple broadband access terminals. The DAP then identifies multiple broadband access lines as belonging to a common neighborhood of broadband access lines, each of the multiple DSL lines respectively associated with multiple broadband access terminals being provided the broadband access services by different providers. Embodiments correlate a condition and/or a performance of one of the multiple broadband access lines identified as belonging to the common neighborhood with a condition and/or performance of another one of the multiple broadband access lines identified as belonging to the common neighborhood.

This invention relates to a fault analysis device that can be connected to a DSL line and home modem, and used to perform line measurements when interference may be present. The device receives status information about the DSL line from the modem via a suitable interface such as Ethernet, and when the status information indicates that the line is not synchronised, which may be due to interference causing the line to lose synchronisation, the device disconnects the line from the modem and performs spectral analysis on the line. In doing so, measurements are made at the time when interference may be occurring, rather than at some later time when interference may no longer be present.

The method includes inputting first groups of frequency samples to be transmitted over, respectively received from, first and second subsets of subscriber lines at respective first tones and following a first group selection order, alternated with mirrored second groups of frequency samples to be transmitted over, respectively received from, the second subset of subscriber lines at respective mirrored second tones of the first tones, and following a mirrored second group selection order of the first group selection order, to a vectoring processor for joint mitigation of first crosstalk present over the first and second subsets of subscriber lines at the respective first tones and second crosstalk present over the second subset of subscriber lines at the respective second tones. The first tones are common to the first and second transmit spectra. Mirroring is with respect to a folding frequency derived from a reference sampling frequency applicable to the first subset of subscriber lines.

The present disclosure describes an autonomous mechanism for seamlessly coordinating timing of subscriber devices in a service provider system based on the subscriber devices' physical geographic locations. The service provider system dynamically calibrates local times for subscriber devices in geographic locations around in the world without requiring additional local infrastructure. This calibration allows the subscriber devices to receive customized services specifically tailored to their physical geographic locations from the service provider system. Moreover, this autonomous mechanism allows the subscriber devices to be quickly re-purposed to different physical geographic locations without the need to manually configure each individual subscriber device prior to relocation.

The present disclosure describes an autonomous mechanism for seamlessly coordinating timing of subscriber devices in a service provider system based on the subscriber devices' physical geographic locations. The service provider system dynamically calibrates local times for subscriber devices in geographic locations around in the world without requiring additional local infrastructure. This calibration allows the subscriber devices to receive customized services specifically tailored to their physical geographic locations from the service provider system. Moreover, this autonomous mechanism allows the subscriber devices to be quickly re-purposed to different physical geographic locations without the need to manually configure each individual subscriber device prior to relocation.

The present disclosure relates to methods and devices for communication systems comprising an electrically conductive line. The disclosure proposes a method in a line estimation device for determining termination characteristics of an electrically conductive line in a communication system. The method comprises outputting a test signal to the line, wherein the test signal is a wideband test signal with a bandwidth arranged to provide an adequate measurement time-resolution. The method further comprises receiving reflections from impedance discontinuities of the line in response to the test signal. The method also comprises forming a trace of the reflections. The method additionally comprises identifying at least one anomaly in the trace of reflections. The method yet further comprises determining termination characteristics of the line based on characteristics of the trace before and after the identified at least one anomaly. The disclosure also relates to corresponding line estimation devices and computer programs.

The present disclosure relates to methods and devices for communication systems comprising an electrically conductive line. The disclosure proposes a method in a line estimation device for determining termination characteristics of an electrically conductive line in a communication system. The method comprises outputting a test signal to the line, wherein the test signal is a wideband test signal with a bandwidth arranged to provide an adequate measurement time-resolution. The method further comprises receiving reflections from impedance discontinuities of the line in response to the test signal. The method also comprises forming a trace of the reflections. The method additionally comprises identifying at least one anomaly in the trace of reflections. The method yet further comprises determining termination characteristics of the line based on characteristics of the trace before and after the identified at least one anomaly. The disclosure also relates to corresponding line estimation devices and computer programs.

A Device Abstraction Proxy (DAP) interface receives a request for operational data relating to broadband access line services provided to a plurality of broadband access terminals in a network by two or more providers. The DAP interface receives, in response to the request, the operational data, including operational data for a plurality of DSL lines coupled to the plurality of broadband access terminals. The DAP then identifies at least two of the plurality of broadband access lines as belonging to a common neighborhood of broadband access lines, each of the at least two of the plurality of DSL lines respectively associated with at least two of the plurality of broadband access terminals being provided the broadband access services by different providers. Embodiments correlate a condition and/or a performance of one of the at least two broadband access lines identified as belonging to the common neighborhood with a condition and/or performance of another one of the at least two broadband access lines identified as belonging to the common neighborhood.

A test instrument connectable to a network to provide copper impairment testing and remediation in a digital subscriber line (DSL) service is provided. The test instrument may comprise a port connectable to a test point in a network. The test instrument may also comprise a processing circuit to perform tests in the following categories: (i) shorts, grounds, and opens, (ii) true length, (iii) balance, and (iv) series fault, wherein the combination of these tests may determine copper impairment. Once tests are conducted, one or more remediation recommendations may be provided based at least in part on failure in one of the test categories. The test results and remediation recommendations may then be presented at an output, such as a display at a test instrument or user device.

A method includes: determining a length of a trunk cable based on a first time domain characteristic of an echo channel of a cable modem termination system CMTS; determining, based on a second time domain characteristic of an echo channel of each cable modem CM, a length of a drop cable connected to the trunk cable; determining a connection relationship between each CM and the trunk cable based on a signal to interference plus noise ratio SINR between any two of the CMs; and determining a topology of a network based on the length of the trunk cable, the length of the drop cable, and the connection relationship between each CM and the trunk cable.