Interconnecting Network Locations Between Premises Network and Central Office Using Ethernet on Loop Plant

Abstract

A communication system includes a network office and at least one twisted pair loop plant wiring path between the network office and a first premises network. The network office is transmits first data over the twisted pair loop plant wiring using Ethernet protocol to the first premises network, and receives second data over the twisted pair loop plant wiring using Ethernet protocol from the first premises network.

1 . A communication system comprising: 
 (a) a network office; and    (b) at least one twisted pair loop plant wiring path between the network office and a first premises network,    wherein the network office is configured to:    transmit first data over the at least one twisted pair loop plant wiring path using Ethernet protocol to the first premises network, and    receive second data over the at least one twisted pair loop plant wiring path using Ethernet protocol from the first premises network.    
     
     
         2 . The communication system of  claim 1 , wherein the network office is further configured to: 
 transmit the second data to a second network including a wide area network, and    receive the first data from the second network.    
     
     
         3 . The communication system of  claim 1 , wherein the network office is further configured to transmit the first data using space-division multiplexing.  
     
     
         4 . The communication system of  claim 2 , wherein the network office is further configured to aggregate demand for telecommunication services to groups of subscribers at the first and a second premises.  
     
     
         5 . The communication system of  claim 1 , further comprises first and second network offices, interconnected with a public network.  
     
     
         6 . The communication system of  claim 1 , wherein the network office is associated with at least one workstation at the first premises network and is further configured to provide directory services to the at least one workstation.  
     
     
         7 . The communication system of  claim 1 , wherein the network office is configured to provide a usage monitoring capability.  
     
     
         8 . The communication system of  claim 1 , wherein the network office comprises a transceiver and is further configured to carry out frequency compensation and signal processing of signals carrying the first data and the second data.  
     
     
         9 . The communication system of  claim 1 , wherein the network office comprises a transceiver and is further configured to carry out frequency-dependent amplitude and phase compensation of signals carrying the first data and the second data.  
     
     
         10 . A method of communication using a system including a network office and at least one twisted pair loop plant wiring path between the network office and a first premises network, the method comprising: 
 transmitting first data over the at least one twisted pair loop plant wiring path using Ethernet protocol to the first premises network; and    receiving second data over the at least one twisted pair loop plant wiring path using Ethernet protocol from the first premises network.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 transmitting the first data from the network office to a second network including a wide area network, and    receiving the second data at the network office from the second network.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising aggregating demand for telecommunication services to groups of subscribers at the first and a second premises.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the network office provides a usage monitoring capability, wherein the usage monitoring provides information to a billing system.  
     
     
         14 . A communication system comprising: 
 a. a premises network interface device including at least one of a transmitter, a receiver and a transceiver, the premises network interface device associated with a first premises network, the first premises network including at least one workstation; and    b. a central office interface device including at least one of a transmitter, a receiver and a transceiver, the central office interface associated with a central office,    wherein the premises network interface device and the central office interface device are configured to be connected with and to communicate over at least one twisted pair loop plant wiring path, and    wherein the premises network interface device and the central office interface device are further configured to cooperate to:    transmit first data to the at least one workstation, over the at least one twisted pair loop plant wiring path using Ethernet protocol, from the central office, and    receive second data from the at least one workstation, over the at least one twisted pair loop plant wiring path using Ethernet protocol, to the central office.    
     
     
         15 . The communication system of  claim 14 , wherein the premise network interface device and the central office interface device are further configured to transmit the first data using space-division multiplexing.  
     
     
         16 . The communication system of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one twisted pair loop plant wiring path includes one of building wiring and wiring that is associated with a common carrier.  
     
     
         17 . The communication system of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one twisted pair loop plant wiring path is part of a public network.  
     
     
         18 . The communication system of  claim 14 , wherein the central office interface device is further configured to interconnect with a wide area network.  
     
     
         19 . The communication system of  claim 14 , wherein the premises network interface device is further configured to carry out frequency compensation and signal processing of signals carrying the first data and the second data.  
     
     
         20 . The communication system of  claim 14 , wherein the premises network interface device is further configured to carry out frequency-dependent amplitude and phase compensation of signals carrying the first data and the second data.