FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) systems. More particularly, the invention relates to ADSL transceivers with improved data rate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

To more effectively utilize the frequency bandwidth of telephone lines (e.g., copper wires) for data transmission, ADSL systems have been developed. ADSL utilizes a multi-carrier technique called Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT) for data transmission. DMT separates the available bandwidth into many channels or carriers for transmission of data. Each channel uses Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) to carry about 1–15 bits/channel. The signals in each channel are modulated before transmission and demodulated on the other end.

The transmission capability of the individual channels is evaluated for each connection. The bits of data to be transmitted in the ADSL system are grouped into symbols. The data is assigned to the available channels, depending on the number of bits each channel or subcarrier can transmit. A frequency domain vector set is created by encoding the channels. The frequency domain vectors are modulated and converted to digital time domain information by an inverse discrete fourier transform (IDFT).

FIG. 1 shows a frequency spectrum of a conventional ADSL system over plain old telephone service (POTS). Voice transmission is located at the lower 4 kHz band. From 4 kHz to 1.1 MHz, 256 channels of 4.3125 KHz each are provided. The first 5 channels (from 4–26 kHz) are usually not used for data transmission. For frequency division multiplexed systems (FDM), transmission of data is limited to channels 7 to 256. The transmission band is separated into first and second portions 140 and 160, which are use for upstream (from the end user) and downstream (to the end user) communication. The first portion ranges from 25.875 kHz to 138 kHz (e.g., channels 7–32) while the second portion ranges from 138 kHz to 1.1. MHz (e.g., remaining 224 channels). Typically, the subcarrier at Nyguist frequency is not used for data transmission. For ADSL systems over ISDN, transmission of data begins at 138 kHz (or 120 kHz depending on system characteristics) instead of 25.875 kHz, as shown in FIG. 2. The upstream portion 140 comprises 26 channels. However, due to the fact that data upstream transmission is shifted to a higher frequency, the downstream portion 160 comprises 192 channels instead of 224.

The data bandwidth of conventional ADSL systems over POTS is about 1.1 MHz. As data transfer requirements become more voluminous and complex, there is a demand to further increase the data bandwidth of conventional ASDL systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an ADSL system with improved upstream data bit rate. The ADSL system comprises a frequency spectrum having a data transmission band from F_U0 to F_DE. The transmission band includes first and second sections, wherein the first section transmits upstream data from frequencies F_U0 to F_UE. The first section comprises first and second subsections. The first subsection being from F_U0 to F_U1 and has a plurality of upstream channels equal to the number a, where a is equal to the number of upstream channels in conventional ADSL systems. The second subsection is from frequencies F_U1 to F_UE and comprises x channels, where x is≦1 to increase the upstream data transmission rate. The second section transmits downstream data from frequencies F_D0 to F_DE for FDM systems. In one embodiment, F_DE is equal to 1.1. MHz, which is equal to the end of the data transmission band of conventional ADSL systems. In another embodiment, F_DE extends beyond 1.1 MHz, increasing the downstream data transmission rate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1–2 show frequency spectra of conventional ADSL systems;

FIG. 3 shows a frequency spectrum of an ADSL system according to one embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 4–6 show power spectral density masks for upstream data transmission in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 3 shows a frequency spectrum of an ADSL system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. A technical specification of an ADSL system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is included in appendix 1, which is herein incorporated by reference for all purposes. The ADSL system transmits data commencing at frequency F_U0. In some applications, frequencies below F_U0 are reserved for voice and data service. For example, POTS or ISDN typically reserves the lower frequency bands for voice/data communication (e.g., F_U0 for POTS is about 25.875 kHz and ISDN is about 120/138 kHz). Transmission of data at the lower frequency bands is also useful. For example, F_U0 can start at 0 (for ADL systems) or other frequencies. The data transmission band includes first and second portions 240 and 260 for transmitting data. In one embodiment, the first portion transmits upstream data and the second portion transmits downstream data.

In one embodiment, the first portion is from frequency F_U0 to F_UE un and comprises a+x channels, where a is equal to the number of upstream channels in conventional ADSL systems and x is greater than or equal to 1. For example, a is equal to 26 for POTS and 32 for ADL and ISDN services. The a number of upstream channels ends at F_U1. Preferably, F_U1 is at a frequency which has 2ⁿ channels, where n is a whole number. More preferably, a=x ends at a frequency F_UE having 2ⁿ channels. For example, F_U1 is equal to about 138 kHz (32 or 2⁵ channels) for POTS and ADL applications and equal to 276 kHz (64 or 2⁶ channels) for ISDN applications. Providing x which extends F_UE to other frequencies is also useful. For example, F_UE can be extended to about 276 kHz or 552 kHz. The frequency range from F_U1 to F_UE provides additional bandwidth for transferring upstream data, thus increasing the upstream data rate over conventional ADSL systems.

The second portion starts from F_D0 for transmission of downstream data. Preferably, F_D0 is contiguous with F_UE. In one embodiment the second section is from F_D0 to F_D1, where F_D1 is equal to 1.1 MHz (256 or 2⁸ channels) which is equal to the end of the transmission band for conventional ADSL systems. Although the upstream data rate is increased, it is achieved at the expense of downstream data rate. In a preferred embodiment, the downstream transmission band is extended to F_DE and comprises additional y channels to improve the downstream data rate. F_DE is equal to F_D1=(y×4.3125). For DMT systems, F_DE is preferably equal to a frequency which results in 2z channels, where z is a whole number. More preferably, F_DE is equal to about 2.2 MHz (e.g., 512 or 29 channels). Providing F_DE equal to other frequencies is also useful. However, the higher F_DE is, the more attenuation the higher frequency data exhibits for longer loop lengths.

Extending the transmission band beyond conventional ADSL systems can improve both upstream and downstream data rates. Increasing both upstream and downstream data rates is particularly useful for applications requiring data transfer to and from the end-users, such as interactive applications, video-conferencing, video phones, or video games.

Alternatively, both first and second portions transmit downstream data. Such an ADSL operating mode is referred to as “echo cancellation mode”. In one embodiment, the ADSL system can be configured to operate in a full or partial echo cancellation mode. In the full echo cancellation mode, downstream data is transmitted in both the first and second portions. In the partial echo cancellation mode, only a segment of the first portion and the second portion transmit downstream data. For example, the x channels in the first portion (e.g., F_U1 to F_UE) and second portion are used to transmit downstream data.

A consideration in ADSL is the power used in transmitting a frame of information. If too much power is used, noise coupling can cause cross-talk with other lines which adversely impacts the integrity of the service. On the other hand, if not enough power is used, the signal may not reach the destination, particularly for longer loops due to attenuation. The power limits for data transmission is defined by the standard committee (T1.417), which is herein incorporated by reference for all purposes. According to the telecom standard T1.417, for spectral classes 5 and 9, the upper power limits for upstream (from about 25 kHz to about 138 kHz) and downstream (from about 138 kHz to 1104 kHz) data transmission in the frequency range are about 13 dBm and 20.9 dBm, respectively.

FIGS. 4–5 show power spectral density (PSD) masks used for upstream data transmission in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. Tables 1 and 2 show the frequency and power equations corresponding to the PSD masks of FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively. The PSD masks, in one embodiment, are shaped according to performance and power management requirements. Preferably, the PSD masks are shaped according to performance requirements while being compliant with the ADSL, standards. Referring to the figures, the power from F_U0 to F_U1 is at a first power level and decreases to a second power level from F_U1. The second power level is maintained at the second power level until F_UE. At F_UE, the power is reduced to a third level which is sufficiently low to avoid any cross-talk or disturbance to other services. Depending on the applications, the power increase exhibited below F_U0 is from the end of the service band (e.g., 4 Khz for POTS, 120 kHz for ISDN, or 0 for ADL).

In a preferred embodiment the raze of increase and decrease in power is substantially similar to that of conventional ADSL masks, increasing compatibility to conventional ADSL systems. For example, rate of decrease in power is equal to 48 dBm/octave while the rate of increase is 21.5 dBm/octave. Also, to maintain compatibility with conventional ADSL systems, the first power level is preferably maintained at a level as currently defined (e.g., −34.5 dBm as shown in FIG. 4) or slightly reduced (e.g., −35 dBm as shown in FIG. 5). Both PSD masks are within the power levels defined by ADSL standards (12.9 dBm for FIG. 4 and 12.5 dBm for FIG. 5).

TABLE 1

FREQUENCY BAND ƒ (kHz)

(VALUES ARE FOR ADSL

WITH POTS SERVICES

EQUATION FOR LINE

WITH X = 32 CHANNELS)

(dBm/Hz)

0 < ƒ < F_s

−97.5, with max power in the 0 − Fs

(Fs = 4 kHz)

kHz band with increase from Fs = +5

dBm

F_s < ƒ < F_U0

−92.5 + 21.5 × log₂(ƒ/F_s)

(F_U0 ≈ 25.875 kHz)

F_U0 < ƒ < F_U1

−35

(F_U1 ≈ 138 kHz)

F_U1 < ƒ < F_U1a

−35 − 48 × log₂(ƒ/F_U1)

(F_U1a ≈ 176.81 kHz)

F_U1a < ƒ < F_UE

−52

(F_UE ≈ 276 kHz)

F_UE < ƒ < F_DEa

−52 − 48 × log₂(ƒ/F_UE)

(F_DEa ≈ 478 kHz)

F_DEa < ƒ <F_DEb

−90

F_DEb ≈ 1221 kHz)

F_DEb < ƒ < F_DEc

−90 peak, with max power in the

(F_DEb ≈ 1630 kHz)

window of (−90 − 48 × log2

(ƒ/F_DEb) + 60) dBm

F_DEc < ƒ < F_DHd

−90 peak, with max power in the

(F_DEd ≈ 11040 kHz)

window of −50 dBm

TABLE 2

FREQUENCY BAND ƒ (kHz)

(VALUES FOR ADSL

WITH POTS SERVICES

EQUATION FOR LINE

WITH X = 32 CHANNELS)

(dBm/Hz)

0 < ƒ < F_s

−97.5, with max power in the 0 − Fs

(Fs = 4 kHz)

kHz band with increase from Fs = +5

dBm

Fs < ƒ < F_U0

−92.5 + 21.5 × log₂(ƒ/F_a)

(F_U0 ≈ 25.875 kHz)

F_U0 < ƒ < F_U1

−34.5

(F_U1 ≈ 138 kHz)

F_U1 < ƒ < F_U1a

−34.5 − 48 × log₂(ƒ/F_U1)

(F_U1a ≈ 176.81 kHz)

(F_U1a < ƒ < F_UE

−52

(F_UE ≈ 276 kHz)

F_UE < ƒ < F_DEa

−52 − 48 × log₂(ƒ/F_UE)

(F_DEa ≈ 478 kHz)

F_DEa < ƒ <F_DEb

−90

F_DEb ≈ 1221 kHz)

F_DEb < ƒ < F_DEa

−90 peak, with max power in the

(F_DEb ≈ 1630 kHz)

window of (−90 − 48 × log2

(ƒ/F_DEb) + 60) dBm

F_DEc < ƒ < F_DHd

−90 peak, with max power in the

(F_DEd ≈ 11040 kHz)

window of (−50 dBm

Providing other PSD masks for transmission of upstream data is also useful, for example, different power levels as well as different rates of increase and decrease. Alternatively, a PSD mask in which the first and second power levels are equal can be used for transmission of upstream data, as shown in FIG. 6. As an example, the power level can be set at −38 dBm. Other power levels can also be useful. Preferably, the power level is set to ensure that transmission in the upstream direction is with the limits defined by T1.417. For transmission of downstream data, PSD masks as described in, for example, ITU—Telecommunication Standardization Sector proposal titled “G.gen: G.dmt.bis: G.lite.bis: ADSL+” Texas Instrument, March 2002, which is incorporated by reference for all purposes, can be used.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to various embodiments, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that modifications and changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The scope of the invention should therefore be determined not with reference to the above description but with reference to the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.