Abstract:
The present invention is generally directed to a method for controlling the application of power to a line driver. The method operates by sensing a request from a customer premises for a transmission exchange across a local loop, applying power to a line driver circuit, in response to the request for transmission, determining when the transmission exchange has terminated, and then terminating the application of power to the line driver circuit.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to telecommunications circuitry, and more particularly to a circuit that controls the application of power to a line driver circuit. 
     2. Discussion of the Related Art 
     In recent years telephone communication systems have expanded from traditional plain old telephone system (POTS) communications to include high-speed data communications as well. As is known, POTS communications includes not only the transmission of voice information, but also PSTN (public switched telephone network) modem information, control signals, and other information that is transmitted in the POTS bandwidth, which extends from approximately DC to approximately 3.4 kilohertz. 
     New, high-speed data communications provided over digital subscriber lines, such as Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL), Rate Adaptive Digital Subscriber Line (RADSL), etc. (more broadly denoted as xDSL) provide for high speed data transmissions, as is commonly used in communicating over the Internet. As is known, the bandwidth for xDSL transmissions is generally defined by a lower cutoff frequency of approximately 30 kilohertz, and a higher cutoff frequency which varies depending upon the particular technology. Since the POTS and xDSL signals are defined by isolated frequency bands, both signals may be transmitted over the same two-wire loop. 
     A “line-card,” containing line interface circuitry, is provided at the central office. The line interface circuitry provides the interconnections among xDSL circuitry, POTS or PSTN voice circuitry, off-hook (or tip/ring) detection circuitry, ring generator circuitry, and the local loop. The line interface circuitry also includes appropriate electronic filtering circuitry that operates to minimize any noise transmission across the local loop. As is known, the line interface circuitry includes a POTS filter that is interposed between the various POTS circuits and the xDSL circuit. This filter protects the POTS circuitry from the high frequency signals of the xDSL transmission circuitry. It also serves to minimize noise transmissions across the local loop from the central office to the customer premises. 
     As is known, a central office typically includes numerous line cards to service a number of local loops. Each line card includes a line driver circuit that drives signals across the local loop. It should be appreciated that, for any given local loop, the line driver spends a significant percentage of time in standby operation (ie., not transmitting). During this “standby” time, however, the line driver circuit continues to consume power. Although the power consumed by a single line driver circuit is relatively small (often on the order of approximately 30 mAmps), this power consumption, multiplied by the large number of line drivers in a central office location, realizes a relatively large overall power consumption. 
     Accordingly, there is a desire to provide line driver circuitry that dissipates less power than line driver circuitry known in the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Certain objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned with the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     To achieve certain advantages and novel features, the present invention is generally directed to a power control circuit for a line driver circuit in a central office. In a broad sense, the present invention operates to power-down line driver circuitry when it is not in use, and apply power to the line driver circuitry when transmissions are requested by a customer (e.g., customer premises). This reduces the power consumption of the line driver by eliminating the quiescent current draw when the line driver is idle. Recognizing that the typical line driver is in an idle state the vast majority of the time, compounded by the vast number of line drivers that exist within a central office environment, it will be appreciated that the overall power savings may be tremendous. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention a circuit is provided for controllably applying power to a line driver. The circuit includes an isolation circuit disposed to receive a power control signal, the isolation circuit configured to generate a pair of output signals that are electrically isolated from the power control signal, each of the output signals having a state that is determined by the power control signal. The circuit also includes a power application circuit having a first and second input and a first and second output, wherein the first input is coupled to a first output of the isolation circuit and the second input is coupled to a second output of the isolation circuit, and wherein the first output is disposed to be coupled to a positive power input of the line driver and the second is disposed to be coupled to a negative power input of the line driver. 
     In accordance with the preferred embodiment, circuit includes a first optocoupler comprising a first light emitting diode and a first phototransistor disposed to sense emissions from the first light emitting diode, wherein the first light emitting diode is configured to receive an input power control signal. The circuit also includes a second optocoupler comprising a second light emitting diode and a second phototransistor disposed to sense emissions from the second light emitting diode, wherein the second light emitting diode is series-connected with the first light emitting diode between the input power control signal and ground. The circuit also includes a p-channel MOSFET having a source node coupled to a positive power supply, the p-channel MOSFET having a gate node coupled to an output of the first phototransistor, and the p-channel MOSFET having a drain output coupled to a positive power input of the line driver. The circuit includes a n-channel MOSFET having a source node coupled to a negative power supply, the n-channel MOSFET having a gate node coupled to an output of the second phototransistor, and the n-channel MOSFET having a drain output coupled to a negative power input of the line driver. The circuit further includes a first voltage control circuit coupled to the gate node of the p-channel MOSFET, the first voltage control circuit configured to turn the p-channel MOSFET off when the first optocoupler is turned on, the first voltage control circuit configured to turn the p-channel MOSFET on when the first optocoupler is turned off Finally, the circuit includes a second voltage control circuit coupled to the gate node of the n-channel MOSFET, the second voltage control circuit configured to turn the n-channel MOSFET off when the second optocoupler is turned on, the second voltage control circuit configured to turn the n-channel MOSFET on when the second optocoupler is turned off. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a system is provided for controllably applying power to a line driver. The system includes a line driver circuit at a central office having a first and second output signal configured to transmit a differential transmission signal to a customer premises over a local loop. The system also includes an impedance matching circuit disposed at an output of the line driver circuit and configured to maintain a low impedance of conductors within the local loop. The system further includes a start-up control circuit coupled to the local loop and configured to sense signal activity over the local loop. Finally, the system includes a power application control circuit coupled to the line driver circuit and configured to control the application of power signals to the line driver circuit, in response to the start-up control circuit. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for controlling the application of power to a line driver. The method includes the steps of sensing a request from a customer premises for a transmission exchange across a local loop and applying power to a line driver circuit, in response to the request for transmission. In addition, the method includes the steps of determining when the transmission exchange has terminated, and terminating the application of power to the line driver circuit. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system shown a central office and customer premises inter-communication link, across a twisted pair; 
     FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a line driver portion of a line card, located at a central office, constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the principal components of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an impedance matching circuit that may be provided at the output of a line driver; 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating functional steps within the operation of a system constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Having summarized the invention above, reference will now be made in detail to the description of the invention as illustrated in the drawings. While the invention will be described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit the invention to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed therein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     Turning now to the drawings, reference is made to FIG. 1, which is a block diagram illustrating communication between a central office  20  and a customer premises  22  by way of local loop  24 , as is known in the prior art. While the customer premises  22  may be a single dwelling residence, a small business, or other entity, it is generally characterized as having POTS equipment, such as a telephone  26 , PSTN modem  27 , fax machine (not shown), etc. The customer premise  22  may also include a xDSL communication device, such as a xDSL modem  28 . When an xDSL service is provided, a POTS filter  30  is interposed between the POTS equipment  26  and the local loop  24 . As is known, the POTS filter  30  includes a low-pass filter having a cut-off frequency of approximately 4 kilohertz to 10 kilohertz, in order to filter high frequency transmissions from the xDSL communication device  28  and protect the POTS equipment. 
     At the central office  20 , additional circuitry is provided. Generally, a line card  40  containing line interface circuitry is provided for electrical connection to the local loop  24 . In fact, multiple line cards  40 ,  42  are typically provided to serve a plurality of local loops. In the same way, additional circuit cards are typically provided at the central office  20  to handle different types of services. For example, an ISDN interface card  44 , a digital loop carrier line card  46 , and other circuits cards, for supporting similar and other communication services, may be provided. 
     Having illustrated an exemplary environment for the present invention, reference is now made to FIG. 2, which is a block diagram  100  illustrating certain components within a central office line card, constructed in accordance with the present invention. As is well known, a line card includes a line driver circuit  102 , which typically includes a pair of differential amplifiers  103   a  and  103   b  that are disposed to drive a differential signal over the local loop  24 . Typically, the line driver  102  is coupled to the local loop  24  by way of a transformer  120 . Block  104  is generically designated as a “Signal Control Circuit.” It should be appreciated that this circuit, and/or logic, generates the electrical signals that will drive the line driver  102  in accordance with whatever signal or information is desired to be transmitted over the local loop  24 . The signal control circuitry and/or logic  104  may be implemented in a manner that is known in the art, and therefore need not be described in further detail herein. Suffice it to say that the signal control circuit  104  will typically comprise not only discrete circuit components, but also logic sections, such as a CPU executing programmed instructions, to effectuate the signal controls desired. 
     As is known, the line driver circuit  102  is powered by a balanced positive and negative supply voltage, designated in the drawing as +V and −V. Typically, the positive voltage is +15 volts and the negative supply is −15 volts. However, systems are known that provide alternative supply of voltages, such as +8 volts and −8 volts, or some other (typically balanced) supply of voltage. At times when the line driver circuit  102  is not transmitting information across the local loop  24  it dissipates power in accordance with a relative constant draw of quiescent current. This quiescent current, or power dissipation, varies from line driver to line driver, but values of 30 mAmps are common. It will be appreciated that for many customer premises, and therefore many local loops  24 , the vast majority of the time the line drive  102  is not transmitting, as the customer premises is not utilizing its xDSL connection to the central office. Furthermore, in a central office having many line cards to support a large number of customer premises, a significant amount of total power is lost and dissipated within the various line driver circuits  102 . 
     Accordingly, the present invention provides a mechanism for controllably applying, and removing, power to a line driver circuit  102  in direct response to the demand for signal transmission over the local loop  24 . In this regard, the present invention is largely provided through a power control circuit  200 , which generates the power supply signals (+V and −V) that power the line driver circuit  102 . Consistent with the functionality of the power control circuit  200 , a shut down control circuit  110  and a start up control circuit  112  are also illustrated. In the preferred embodiment, the start up control circuit  112  is a circuit the monitors signals received over the local loop  24 . The start up control circuit  112  identifies a start up poll signal that is transmitted from the customer premises when establishing a xDSL communication link. Upon receiving this start up poll signal, the start up control circuit  112  signals the power control circuit  200  to apply power to the line driver  102 . In similar fashion, a shutdown control circuit  110  may be provided to inform the power control circuit  200  as to when to remove power (+V and −V) to the line driver circuit  102 . 
     In one embodiment, the shutdown control circuit  110  may operate may by sensing a period of time in which no DSL activity has taken place over the loop  24 . Upon an extended time out period, the shutdown control circuit  110  may signal the power control circuit  200  to disconnect power (+V and −V) to the line driver circuit  102 . Alternatively, it will be appreciated that more sophisticated methods of implementing the start up control circuit  112  and the shutdown control circuit  110  may be implemented, consistent with the concepts and teachings of the present invention. For example, part of the signal control circuit  104  may signal the shut down control circuit  110  when, for example, some sort of disconnect or log out sequence has been undertaken (with regard to the DSL connection) between the customer premises and the central office. Thus, the signal control circuitry  104  may provide more intelligent signaling options for signaling the power control circuit  200  to either apply or remove power from the line driver circuit  102 . 
     Finally, an impedance matching circuit  106  may be provided across the differential lines that drive the transformer  120  and local loop  24 . Specifically, the line driver circuit, when operational, is typically designed to have a certain impedance level to match the impedance that is coupled from the local loop  24 . When, however, the power is removed form the line driver circuit  102 , its output impedance then changes. Accordingly, the impedance matching circuit  106  may be provided to provide line impedance when the line driver circuit  102  is powered down. 
     The shut down control circuit  110  and the power up control circuit  112  collectively determine the state of the control signal  115 . In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 the shutdown control circuit  110  and the power up control circuit  112  may direct their outputs to an additional control circuit  113 , which generates the single control circuit  115  that is applied to the power control circuit  200 . It will be appreciated that there are a variety of ways to implement the shutdown control circuit  110 , startup control circuit  112 , and control circuit  113  (collectively), consistent with the concepts and teachings of the present invention. In this regard, and with respect to the inventive aspect of the power control circuit  200 , what is relevant for purpose of the present invention is that a control signal  115  is provided to the control circuit  200 , which, in response to the control signal  115 , generates power supply signals +V and −V that are applied to the line driver circuit  102 . 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a power control circuit  200  is provided. To more particularly illustrate the principal components of the power control circuit  200 , reference is now made to FIG.  3 . As shown, FIG. 3 is block diagram illustrating principal components of the power control circuit  200 . As previously mentioned, the power control circuit  200  operates to generate power signals +V and −V in response to a control signal  115 . 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the power control circuit  200  a first voltage control circuit  210 , and isolation circuit  220 , a second voltage control circuit  230  and a power application circuit  240 . As the name implies, the isolation circuit  220  electrically isolates the control signal  115  from interim electrical signals  252  and  254 , which are applied to the power application circuit  240 . In a matter that will be described in more detail below, the first voltage circuit  210  operates to control the voltage on interim signal line  252 . Likewise, the second voltage control circuit  230  operates to control the voltage level on interim signal line  254 . Finally, the power application circuit  240  is designed to be responsive to the voltage levels on signal lines  252  and  254  to generate and apply supply voltages +V and −V to the line driver circuit  102 . Details on the preferred embodiment of the power control circuit  200  will be described in connection with FIG.  5 . 
     First, reference is made briefly to FIG. 4, which is a schematic diagram illustrating the impedance matching circuit  106 , shown in FIG.  2 . As shown, in the preferred embodiment, the impedance matching circuit  106  includes two signal lines  121  and  122  that are interconnected to the differential lines output from the line driver circuit  102 . Each of these signal lines  121  and  122  are grounded through resistors  107  and  108 . In the preferred embodiment, the resistors  107  and  108  are of substantially equal value. More specifically, resistors  107  and  108  are approximately five kohms, in the preferred implementation. 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which illustrates the circuit of the power control circuit, as implemented in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. By way of orientation, each of the circuit blocks including the first voltage control circuit  210 , the isolation circuit  220 , the second voltage control circuit  230 , and the power application circuit  240  are illustrated in dashed line FIG.  5 . In this regard, the isolation circuit  220  is illustrated as comprising a pair of optocouplers. Specifically, a first optocoupler comprises a first LED  222  and companion photo transistor  224 . Likewise, a second optocoupler includes a second LED  226  and companion photo transistor  228 . In the preferred implementation of the circuit of FIG. 5, the isolation circuit  220  is implemented using a high isolation voltage SOP (small outline package) multi-optocoupler. Specifically, part no. PS2701-2, manufactured by NEC is a dual optocoupler, that is used to implement this feature. The NEC PS2701-2, and data sheets describing its operation, are publicly available, and therefore need not be described herein. 
     The power application circuit  240  is implementing using a pair of MOSFETs. Specifically, a P-Channel MOSFET  242  and N-Channel MOSFET  244  are utilized to implement the function of the power application circuit  240 . As illustrated, interim signal line  252  is connected to the gate node of the P-Channel MOSFET  242 . The source node of the MOSFET  242  is directly connected to a +15 volt power supply, whereas the drain node of MOSFET  242  supplies the +V voltage that is applied to the line driver circuit  102 . Diode  243  represents the body-source junction of the MOSFET  242 . Similarly, the interim signal line  254  may be connected to the gate node of the N-Channel  244 . A −15 volt power supply may be connected to the source node of the MOSFET  244 , while the drain node of MOSFET  244  directly supplies the −V voltage that is applied to the line driver circuit  102 . Diode  245  represents the body-source junction of the MOSFET  244 . 
     In the preferred implementation, a commercially available part, part no. Si9958DY, manufactured by Temic Semiconductors is,utilized to implement the power application circuit  240 . The component, as well as data sheets specifically describing the component in detail are publicly available, and therefore need not be described further herein. Indeed, published data sheets of each of the components described herein (i.e., the PS2701-2 and Si9958DY) are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     Finally, the first voltage control circuit  210  and the second voltage control circuit  230  are preferably implemented using resistors. More specifically, the first voltage control circuit  210  utilizes a pair of resistors  212  and  214  that are series connected between +15 volts and ground. Likewise, the second voltage control circuit is implemented with a pair of resistors  232  and  234  that are series connected between −15 volts and ground. As shown, the first photo transistor  224  of the isolation circuitry  220  is connected between +15 volts and interim signal line  252 . The intermediate node between resistors  212  and  214  is also directly connected to this interim signal line  252 . Likewise, the photo transistor  228  is electrically connected between the interim signal line  254  and −15 volts. Further, the interim node between resistors  232  and  234  is directly connected to the interim signal line  254 . Finally, the two LEDs of the isolation circuitry  220  are series connected between the input control signal  115  and ground. Therefore, when the input control signal  115  is a logic high state (turned on) both the light emitting diode  222  and  226  will emit, and turn on their respected detectors  224  and  228 . By appropriately choosing resistor values for the voltage control circuits (resistors  212 ,  214 ,  232 , and  234 ), the operation of his circuitry may be controlled so that the interim signal lines  252  and  254  can controllably turn on and off MOSFETs  242  and  244 . Specifically, using a +15 and −15 supplies, the ratio between resistor  212  and  214  is two to one. Likewise, the ratio between resistors  232  and  324  is two to one. In the preferred embodiment, resistors  212  and  232  are both selected to be approximately 100 kohms, while resistors  214  and  234  are selected to be approximately 50 kohms. 
     Using these values, when photo transistors  224  and  228  are turned off, the voltage at the interim node between resistors  212  and  214  is approximately 5 volts. That is, due to the series connection between the +15 volts and ground through resistors  212  and  214 . Approximately ten volts are dropped across resistor  212 , while five volts are dropped across resistor  214 . Therefore, the voltage on the interim node is approximately five volts. In similar fashion, the voltage at the interim node between resistors  232  and  234  is approximately −5 volts. With the values of +5 volts applied to the gate node of MOSFET  242  and −5 volts applied to the gate node of MOSFET  244 , both of these MOSFETs  242  and  244  turn on to supply +15 volts and −15 volts respectively, to the +V and −V supply inputs to the line driver circuit  102 . When the control signal  115  turns on, it causes LEDs  222  and  226  to emit and therefore turn on photo transistors  224  and  228 . When these turn on, the +15 volts and −15 volts, respectively, are applied to interim signal lines  252  and  254 . When +15 volts and −15 volts are so applied to the gate nodes of MOSFETs  242  and  244 , respectively, the MOSFETs turn off, consequently removing the power previously supplied to the +V and −V inputs to the line driver circuit  102 . 
     Finally, and as illustrated in FIG. 5, an input resistor  262  is also provided and series connected with the input control signal  115 . In the preferred embodiment, this is a 174 ohm resistor that is provided merely to limit the current that is applied to the LEDs  222  and  226 . 
     Reference is now made briefly to FIG. 6, which is a flow chart that illustrates the top-level functional operation of a system constructed in accordance with the present invention. In accordance with this top-level operation, the system (at step  302 ) operates to monitor transmissions received from the customer premises to detect a start-up poll signal. Once this signal is detected, the system then applies power to the line driver circuit (step  304 ). The system then (at step  306 ) continually monitors the transmissions to and from the central office and the customer premises. Specifically, a timer may be reset each time a transmission takes place. If no transmissions occur for a period of time (i.e., a time-out period), then the system may remove the power applied to the line driver circuit (step  308 ). In this way, the power dissipation that results from applying power to the line driver circuits, which are not in use, is minimized. 
     The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment or embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly and legally entitled.