Repeaterless Backhaul

Abstract

Using the concepts of inverse multiplexing, repeaterless backhaul can be provided on loaded or unloaded loops. Inverse multiplexing can effectively support a large bit rate capacity between the conversion equipment and the CO-side equipment by utilizing a large enough number of potentially low capacity loops. As the distance that the data has to be backhauled increases, the bit rate capacities of the loops generally decrease. However, this decrease in the bit rate capacities of the loops can be compensated for by using inverse multiplexing to gather together enough loops to meet the data rate requirements for backhauling customer data given various service level and contention criteria.

1 . A method of providing repeaterless backhaul, the method comprising the steps of:
 inverse multiplexing data over a plurality of loops; and   selecting enough of the plurality of loops to meet a bandwidth requirement over a distance the data is to be backhauled.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of loops are repeaterless loops. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving the data over a first loop according to a first modulation method; and   transmitting the data over the plurality of loops according to a second modulation method.   
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein inverse multiplexing comprises inverse multiplexing data across a first pair of wires, a second pair of wires, and a third pair of wires, such that data is communicated in a forward direction on the first pair of wires, in a reverse direction on the second pair of wires, and in a direction selectable from the forward direction and the reverse direction on the third pair of wires. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the direction selectable from the forward direction and the reverse direction changes between the forward direction and the reverse direction based on data demand. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein selecting comprises selecting loops in accordance with a contention ratio. 
   
   
       7 . A method of providing repeaterless backhaul, the method comprising:
 selecting a plurality of loops, wherein a count of loops in the plurality of loops is based on a backhaul bandwidth requirement and a backhaul distance requirement; and   inverse multiplexing data over the plurality of loops.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the plurality of loops are repeaterless loops. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 receiving the data over a first loop according to a first modulation method; and   transmitting the data over the plurality of loops according to a second modulation method.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first modulation method is a digital subscriber line (DSL) modulation method. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the second modulation method is a digital subscriber line (DSL) modulation method. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first loop carries communication of plain old telephone service (POTS) data and digital subscriber line (DSL) data. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein inverse multiplexing comprises inverse multiplexing data across a first pair of wires, a second pair of wires, and a third pair of wires, such that data is communicated in a forward direction on the first pair of wires, in a reverse direction on the second pair of wires, and in a direction selectable from the forward direction and the reverse direction on the third pair of wires. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the direction selectable from the forward direction and the reverse direction changes between the forward direction and the reverse direction based on data demand. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein selecting enough comprises selecting loops in accordance with a contention ratio. 
   
   
       16 . A device for providing repeaterless backhaul, the device comprising:
 an first interface to a plurality of loops; and   an inverse multiplexer in communication with the interface, wherein the inverse multiplexer inverse multiplexes data over the plurality of loops, wherein a count of loops in the plurality of loops is based on a backhaul bandwidth requirement and a backhaul distance requirement.   
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of loops are repeaterless loops. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a second interface in communication with the inverse multiplexer, wherein the second interface receives the data over a first loop according to a first modulation method, and wherein the first interface transmits the data over the plurality of loops according to a second modulation method.   
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 16 , where the inverse multiplexer inverse multiplexes data across a first pair of wires, a second pair of wires, and a third pair of wires, such that data is communicated in a forward direction on the first pair of wires, in a reverse direction on the second pair of wires, and in a direction selectable from the forward direction and the reverse direction on the third pair of wires. 
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising a multiplexer, in communication with the first interface, to multiplex data from the plurality of loops.