Patent ID: 6704324
Filing Date: 2004-03-09
Classification: H04Q

Abstract:
A data communications apparatus for supporting at least one plain old telephone service (POTS) communications device simultaneously, said data communications apparatus comprising:interface circuitry connectable to a communications link; a derived POTS interface circuitry connectable to said at least one POTS communications device; a digital-interface circuitry connectable to a digital device; and a logic circuitry that allows said data communications apparatus to alternately transmit a signal from said at least one POTS communications device and a signal from said digital device, wherein said logic circuitry further comprises: a converter circuitry for converting each analog signal from said at least one POTS communications device into derived digital signal samples; at least one buffer memory, wherein said at least one buffer memory receives and stores said derived digital signal samples so that a block of derived digital signal samples for said at least one POTS communications device source signal is available to be sent over said communications link as a burst; a selector circuitry that selects from one of said at least one buffer memory a block of said derived digital signal samples for formatting; a multi-dimensional formatting circuitry that receives said block of said derived digital signal samples from said at least one buffer memory and combines at least two of said signal samples into a single multi-dimensional symbol; and a multiplexer that alternately selects blocks of symbols for transmission over said communications link, said multiplexer alternately selecting blocks of symbols from said at least one POTS communications device and said digital device.