Embodiments relate to an apparatus (5, 7) comprising means (31, 32, P) configured for: generating (S1) a dataset specifying, for a plurality of communication lines: a channel frequency response of a communication line having one or two bridged taps, and a set of M lengths of bridged taps associated with the communication line, with M greater than one, training (S2), based on the dataset, a machine learning model configured for determining, based on the channel frequency response of a communication line, a set of M lengths of bridged taps associated with the communication line.

An access network includes a twisted metallic pair connection over which data may be transmitted in accordance with a digital subscriber line protocol of transmission. The access network further includes an access network modem connected to the twisted metallic pair connection which is operable to transmit and receive signals thereover, in accordance with a digital subscriber line protocol of transmission. The access network further comprises a broadband speed estimation tool including a web server and/or an order processing sub-system 1120 and a line length, further deployment factors and speed determiner module 1170. The access network further comprises a line management subsystem which determines an appropriate value for each of one or more configuration parameters associated with the operation of the access network modem in dependence upon an estimated data rate and causes the access network modem to operate in accordance with the determined value or values of the configuration parameters.

A network distribution, point (1) for operation as a node in a telecommunications system intermediate between a remote access server (41) and a plurality of individual termination points (1) served from the remote access server (41) by respective digital subscriber loops (30), in particular at an optical fibre/copper wire interface (17), incorporates a dynamic line management system (18) for processing data relating to the capabilities of each of the digital subscriber loops (30), and generating a pro file of each digital subscriber loop (30) for transmission to the remote access server (49) to allow control of the transmission of data to the individual termination points.

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.

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.

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.

In accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, there are provided apparatus, systems and methods for implementing DSL line fault determination and localization via SELT, DELT, and MELT diagnostics. For example, such a system or computer implemented method may include means for: receiving Metallic Loop/Line Testing (MELT) test output from applying a MELT test to a DSL line; receiving Dual-End Line Testing (DELT) test output from applying a DELT test to the DSL line; receiving Single-Ended Loop Testing (SELT) test output from applying a SELT test to the DSL line; determining one or more faults are present on the DSL line by comparing the MELT test output, the DELT test output, and the SELT test output; and localizing the one or more determined faults by comparing the MELT test output, the DELT test output, and the SELT test output. Other related embodiments are disclosed.

Embodiments relate to an apparatus comprising means configured for: obtaining echo response data representative of the echo response of a communication line, wherein the echo response data specifies the echo response based on two dimensions and includes first dimension data and second dimension data, determining at least one property of the communication line based on processing the echo response data with a neural network, wherein the neural network comprises at least: a first convolutional branch for processing the first dimension data, a second convolutional branch for processing the second dimension data, a dense part for processing the outputs of the first and second convolutional branches.

A method of determining the location of a disconnection on a digital subscriber line, in particular a VDSL line, where the line has a number of nodes or connection points along it. A statistical model is generated from a population of lines that maps the loop (line) lengths of each of those lines obtained by line test measurements (such as single ended line test tracesSELT traces) against the corresponding loop lengths obtained from inventory data. The model is then used to determine a predicted loop length by mapping a measured loop length (taken from line test measurements) onto an inventory loop length using the model. Knowledge of the node positions on the line is then used to give a probability a line disconnect occurring at a given node by mapping the predicted loop length onto the node positions.