Abstract:
A method for synchronizing orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) transmission symbols includes: an OFDM transmission module receives a synchronization signal, and adjusts the OFDM symbols sent by all lines to synchronous symbols according to the synchronization signal and send the symbols out. The present invention also provides a system for synchronizing OFDM transmission symbols. In the present invention, the weaknesses of the prior art are overcome; a synchronization signal generator generates a synchronization signal and sends it to the OFDM transmission equipment; and the OFDM transmission equipment adjusts the OFDM symbols sent by all lines to synchronous symbols according to the synchronization signal and send the symbols out, thus accomplishing synchronization between OFDM symbols and optimizing the performance of the dynamic spectrum management (DSM).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2007/070192, filed Jun. 27, 2007, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 200610061476.1, filed Jun. 30, 2006, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of the Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) field, and in particular, to an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) technology, more particularly, to a method and system for synchronizing OFDM transmission symbols. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The DSL technology is a high-speed data transmission technology implemented through Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP), including Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL), Very-high-bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL), Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)-based Digital Subscriber Line (IDSL), and Single-pair High-bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line (SHDSL). 
         [0004]    Among various DSL technologies (xDSL), except the xDSL based on baseband transmission (for example, IDSL and SHDSL), the xDSL technologies based on passband transmission coexist with the Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) on a twisted pair by means of the frequency division multiplexing technology, in which the xDSL occupies the high band and the POTS occupies the baseband part below 4 KHz; and the POTS signals are separated from the xDSL signals through a splitter, or combined with the xDSL signals through a combiner. 
         [0005]    The xDSL based on passband transmission uses the Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT) modulation technology for modulation and demodulation. The system that provides multiple channels of DSL access is called “DSL Access Multiplexer (DSLAM).” The connection relations of a DSLAM system are shown in  FIG. 1 : The DSLAM  120  includes a customer premises transceiver unit  121  and a splitter/combiner  122 . In the uplink direction, the customer premises transceiver unit  121  receives DSL signals from the computer  110 , amplifies the received signals, and sends the amplified DSL signals to the splitter/combiner  122 ; the splitter/combiner  122  combines the DSL signals from the customer premises transceiver unit  121  and the POTS signals from the telephone terminal  130 ; the combined signals are transmitted through multiple Unshielded Twisted Pairs (UTPs)  140 , and the splitter/combiner  151  of the peer DSLAM  150  receives the signals; the splitter/combiner  151  splits the received signals, sends the POTS signals to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)  160 , and sends the DSL signals to the central office transceiver unit  152  of the DSLAM  150 ; and the central office transceiver unit  152  amplifies the received signals, and sends them to the Network Management System (NMS)  170 . In the downlink direction, the signals are transmitted reversely. 
         [0006]    As the band applied to the xDSL technology is higher and higher, crosstalk becomes a nuisance, especially in a high band.  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  show the Near End Cross Talk (NEXT) and the Far End Cross Talk (FEXT) in the xDSL. As shown in  FIG. 2A , port  1  and port  2  in the DSLAM  210  are connected with the Remote Terminal Unit (RTU)  211  through cables. The uplink and downlink channels of the xDSL are based on the frequency division multiplexing technology, so the NEXT causes little harm to the system performance. As shown in  FIG. 2B , port  1  and port  2  of DSLAM  220  are connected with the RTU  221  respectively through cables. The uplink and downlink channels of the xDSL are based on the frequency division multiplexing technology, so the FEXT deteriorates the line transmission performance drastically. For example, when xDSL services are activated for multiple users in a bundle of cables, some lines may suffer from low transmission rate and instability or even xDSL services fail to be activated because of FEXT, leading to a low activation rate of the DSLAM. 
         [0007]    In order to achieve higher rates or greater service radiuses, the prior art uses the binding technology. The binding technology is characterized by using multiple pairs of subscriber lines concurrently as physical transmission media. At the lower band (with lower FEXT), the comprehensive performance of the binding technology is roughly the linear sum of the performance of all subscriber lines. At the higher band (with higher FEXT), the comprehensive performance of the binding technology is far less than the linear sum of the performance of all subscriber lines as affected by FEXT. Technically, the binding process simply treats the crosstalk as noise, and cannot make the most of the information transferred in the crosstalk. 
         [0008]    In order to solve the FEXT problem in the previous binding solution, a Dynamic Spectrum Management (DSM) technology emerges recently. The DSM technology solves the FEXT problem through Multi-Input and Multi-Output (MIMO) and vectored DSL technologies on the signal plane. 
         [0009]    With respect to the modulation mode, the MIMO technology is OFDM. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the conception of the OFDM is to divide a band into multiple tones of narrower frequencies, with each tone bearing a certain quantity of bits. The frequency of each tone is narrow. Therefore, the transmission function of a channel in this band is approximately regarded as a constant which verges on distortion-free transmission and facilitates processing at the receiver side. Moreover, each tone is completely orthogonal, and the tones do not affect each other. 
         [0010]    Both the optimization of the DSM technology and the crosstalk cancellation of the MIMO technology are based on the orthogonal feature mentioned above. Generally, the receiver of each previous xDSL modem treats the interference from other modems onto this modem as noise. Therefore, the data rate accomplishable on number k tone of number n user (b k   n ) can be calculated through a Shannon channel capacity formula: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
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         [0011]    In the above formula, h k   n,n  is the transmission function of number n line on number k tone; h k   n,m , is the crosstalk function of number m line on number k tone against number n line; σ k   n  is the noise power of number n line on number k tone; and s k   n  is the transmitted power of number n line on number k tone. 
         [0012]    The above formula shows that the whole DSM rate calculation is based on each tone due to the orthogonal feature of tones. If the orthogonal feature of each tone is damaged, all DSM algorithms will change, and the algorithms enumerated above will not be applicable. 
         [0013]    When the symbol (frame) is not synchronous between all lines, the orthogonal feature of the tone will be damaged. As shown in  FIG. 4 , line  1  is affected by the interference from line  2 , and the symbols are not synchronous between line  1  and line  2 . When line  1  performs OFDM demodulation, line  1  will handle some signals of symbol  1  and symbol  2  in line  2 , which is equivalent to adding window  2  and window  3  on line  2  respectively. Evidently, window  2  and window  3  are shorter than the normal OFDM signals (as shown in window  1 ). Consequently, the spectrum width differs between window  2  and window  3 , which damages the orthogonal feature of frequency. That is, the signals of different frequencies generate interference to each other. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0014]    The present invention provides a method and system for synchronizing OFDM transmission symbols in order to synchronize the OFDM symbols and prevent damage to the orthogonal feature of the OFDM tones. 
         [0015]    A method for synchronizing OFDM transmission symbols in an embodiment of the present invention includes: receiving, by an OFDM transmission module, synchronization signals; and adjusting the OFDM symbols sent by all lines to synchronous symbols according to the synchronization signals, and sending the symbols out. 
         [0016]    In another embodiment of the present invention, a system for synchronizing OFDM transmission symbols includes: a synchronization signal generator, adapted to generate a synchronization signal and send it out; and an OFDM transmission module, adapted to receive the synchronization signal sent by the synchronization signal generator, and adjust the OFDM symbols sent by all lines to synchronous symbols according to the synchronization signal and send the symbols out. 
         [0017]    In the present invention, a synchronization signal generator generates a synchronization signal and sends it to the OFDM transmission module; the OFDM transmission module adjusts the OFDM symbols sent by all lines to synchronous symbols according to the synchronization signal and send the symbols out, thus implementing synchronization between OFDM symbols and optimizing the performance of the DSM. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0018]    In order to describe the technical solutions under the present invention and the prior art more clearly, the drawings for illustrating the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art are introduced briefly below. Evidently, the accompanying drawings are for exemplary purpose only, and those skilled in the art can derive other drawings from such accompanying drawings without making any creative effort. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a xDSL system model; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  show the crosstalk in the xDSL; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  shows the OFDM tones; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  shows a circumstance that the orthogonal feature of the tone is damaged due to asynchronous OFDM symbols; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  shows the time sequence of synchronization signals in an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a circuit diagram of the synchronization signal generator in an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a circuit diagram of the synchronization signal transmitter interface in an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a circuit diagram of the synchronization signal receiver interface in an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  shows the first mode of using the synchronization signal in an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  shows the clock board corresponding to the first mode of using the synchronization signal in an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  shows the second mode of using the synchronization signal in an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  shows the clock board corresponding to the second mode of using the synchronization signal in an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  shows transmission of synchronization signals when a remote DSLAM exists in an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0032]    The technical solution under the present invention is elaborated below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Evidently, the embodiments described below are for exemplary purpose only, without covering all embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make no creative effort to derive all other embodiments from the embodiments described below, without departing from the protection scope of the present invention. 
         [0033]    In the present invention, a synchronization signal generator generates a synchronization signal and sends it to the OFDM transmission module; the OFDM transmission module adjusts the OFDM symbols sent by all lines to synchronous symbols according to the synchronization signal and send the symbols out, thus preventing damage to the orthogonal feature of the OFDM tones caused by asynchronous OFDM symbols. 
         [0034]    The present invention is hereinafter described in detail with reference to embodiments and accompanying drawings. 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , this embodiment provides a square-wave signal whose period is double of the length of the OFDM symbol. Nevertheless, the period of the square-wave signal may be N-fold or 1/N-fold of the length of the OFDM symbol, where N is a natural number greater than 2. To put it briefly, we hereinafter suppose that the period of the square-wave signal is double of the length of the OFDM symbol. The square-wave signal may be generated by a stand-alone device located in the equipment room of the central office, or by a DSLAM of the central office. The circuit of generating a square-wave signal is shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0036]    A synchronization signal generating circuit  609  includes two modules: a clock source or high-precision crystal oscillator  601 ; and a digital logic circuit  608 . The clock source or high-precision crystal oscillator  601  generates a clock signal and sends it to a counter  602  for counting. The length of the OFDM symbol is stored in a register  603 . In the case that the count of the counter  602  is equal to the length of the OFDM symbol stored in the register  603 , a comparer  604  generates pulse. The pulse is divided into two pulses: one for generating synchronization signals for a T trigger  605 ; and the other for resetting the counter  602 . The counter  602  contains a resetting interface, adapted to connect the power-on reset signal so that the digital logic circuit  608  can be reset after being powered on. 
         [0037]    The clock source or high-precision crystal oscillator  601  (for example, constant-temperature crystal oscillator) requires a high precision. 
         [0038]    The value in the register  603  depends on the clock frequency of the clock source or high-precision crystal oscillator  601  as well as the period of the OFDM symbol. For example, if the clock frequency of the clock source or high-precision crystal oscillator  601  is 35.328 MHz and the period of the OFDM symbol is 250 ms, the value in the register  603  will be: 35.328×10 6 ×250×10 −3 =8832000. 
         [0039]    If the synchronization signal generating circuit is located in a stand-alone device in the equipment room of the central office, an analog circuit interface is required for transmitting the synchronization signal to the DSLAM. The interface circuit at the transmitter side is shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0040]    The synchronization signal generated by the synchronization signal generating circuit  609  passes through a co-phase amplifier  701  and an inverse-phase amplifier  702 , and is sent to the input side of a dual-end driver  703 . The signal driven by the dual-end driver  703  passes through a matching resistor  706  and is sent to a coupler  704 , and finally coupled to a twisted pair  705 . Proper protection components should be connected to the output side of the coupler  704 , depending on the environment of the twisted pair. 
         [0041]    The interface circuit of the receiver is shown in  FIG. 8 . The signal is transmitted by the twisted pair  705 , and is sent to a dual-end amplifier  801  through a coupler  804 . A matching resistor  806  should be connected at the receiver to prevent signal deterioration caused by signal reflection. The signal output by the dual-end amplifier  801  is synchronous after passing through a hysteresis comparer  802  with dual-end input. Likewise, proper protection components should be connected to the input side of the line, depending on the environment of the twisted pair. 
         [0042]    In the practical application, the synchronization signal generated above can be used in the following two ways: 
         [0043]    (i) As shown in  FIG. 9 , a synchronization signal generator  901  generates multiple drive signals, and drives more than one DSLAM  902  directly through a twisted pair. The synchronization signal generator  901  consists of a function circuit shown in  FIG. 7  and other servo circuits such as power supply. The DSLAM  902  may contain the function circuit (receiving circuit) shown in  FIG. 8  and the corresponding servo circuit. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the receiving circuit may be a stand-alone board of the DSLAM  902  (hereinafter referred to as “clock board”). The clock board includes a synchronization signal physical interface  9021  for connecting the twisted pair which transmits synchronization signals; the receiving circuit may also be integrated onto a function circuit on the DSLAM mainboard. 
         [0044]    (ii) The second mode of using the synchronization signals is shown in  FIG. 11 . The synchronization signal generator  901  outputs only one signal, but the DSLAM  902  is capable of concatenation. The synchronization signal generator  901  includes a function circuit shown in  FIG. 7  and other servo circuits such as power supply. The DSLAM  902  contains not only the receiving circuit shown in  FIG. 8 , but also the transmitting circuit shown in  FIG. 7  and other server circuits such as power supply. 
         [0045]    In the DSLAM  902 , the previous circuits can be located on a stand-alone board, or integrated onto the mainboard. The location in a stand-alone board is shown in  FIG. 12 , in which the clock board contains two physical interfaces: one is a physical interface for inputting synchronization signals  1201  and the other is a physical interface for outputting synchronization signals  1202 . The physical interface for outputting synchronization signals  1202  is adapted to connect the physical interface for inputting synchronization signals of another DSLAM. 
         [0046]    The received synchronization signals may be distributed to different boards through the backplane wires, and further distributed to different chips on the board. The distribution through a backplane comes in two types: busbar mode and distribution mode. 
         [0047]    If the signal received by the receiving circuit in the DSLAM is of low quality, especially when the previous busbar mode applies, the signal quality may be low due to impedance intermittence. This problem can be solved by a phase-locked loop circuit. The phase-locked loop circuit restores high-quality synchronization signals, and generates a synchronous working clock. In this way, the DSL line of the DSLAM can use the clock and further improve the orthogonal feature of the line. 
         [0048]    After the DSLAM receives the synchronization signal, the synchronization information can be obtained by detecting the cross-zero point of the synchronization signal. The OFDM symbol can be synchronized only if the start time of the OFDM symbol corresponds to the cross-zero point of the synchronization signal. The word “correspond” here does not mean strict corresponding relationship between the start time of the OFDM symbol and the cross-zero point of the synchronization signal, and a certain delay is allowed only if the OFDM symbol can be synchronized. The synchronization information can be obtained by detecting other points of the synchronization signal rather than detecting the correspondence to the cross-zero point, so long as the OFDM symbol can be synchronized. 
         [0049]    If a far-end DSLAM exists, as shown in  FIG. 13 , the synchronization signal generator  901  generates synchronization signals. Due to transmission delay, although a central office DSLAM  1302  and a far-end DSLAM  1303  use the same synchronization signal, the synchronization signal received by the far-end DSLAM  1303  is later than the synchronization signal received by the central office DSLAM  1302  because the former is transmitted for an extra length  1 . However, the OFDM symbol sent by the central office DSLAM  1302  may be exactly synchronous with the OFDM symbol sent by the far-end DSLAM  1303  when arriving at the location of the far-end DSLAM  1303  after a delay of length  2 . That depends on the duration of length  1  and length  2 , the transmission media of the two lengths, and the delay of the DSLAM in processing the synchronization signals. Therefore, an extra time sequence adjusting unit can be added into the synchronization signal generator  901  to adjust the synchronization signals of the far-end DSLAM  1303  and ensure that the OFDM symbol sent by the central office DSLAM  1302  is exactly synchronous with the OFDM symbol sent by the far-end DSLAM  1303  when arriving at the location of the far-end DSLAM  1303 . 
         [0050]    It should be noted that the “central office DSLAM,” or “central office DSLAM and far-end DSLAM” mentioned in the previous embodiment is the OFDM transmission module. 
         [0051]    The present invention may adopt not only the square-wave signal mentioned above, but also other signals such as sine wave signal, triangle wave signal and pulse signal which carry period information, so long as the period of such periodical signal is greater than or equal to the period of the OFDM symbol and is an integer multiple of the period of the OFDM symbol. 
         [0052]    Taking a sine wave signal as an example, after a sine wave synchronization signal is generated, it is amplified, filtered and driven, and is transmitted to the DSLAM or other devices with the DSLAM functions through a transmission line. At the receiver, the sine wave signal is converted into a square-wave signal, whereupon the operations are the same as those of a square-wave signal described above. The conversion from a sine-wave synchronization signal to a square-wave signal is a well-known technology, and is not repeated here any further. 
         [0053]    In the present invention, a synchronization signal generator generates a synchronization signal and sends it to the OFDM transmission module; the OFDM transmission module adjusts the OFDM symbols sent by all lines to synchronous symbols according to the synchronization signal and send the symbols out, thus implementing synchronization between OFDM symbols and optimizing the performance of the DSM. 
         [0054]    The technical solution under the present invention is applicable not only to DSLAM, but also to other OFDM transmission equipment such as WiMax base stations and the equipment that transmits OFDM on a coax cable or power cable. 
         [0055]    Ordinary technical personnel in this field may understand that all or part of the steps in the preceding embodiments can be completed through a program which instructs related hardware. The program may be stored in a readable storage medium, for example, ROM/RAM, disk, and CD in a computer. 
         [0056]    It is understandable that although the invention has been described through some exemplary embodiments, the invention is not limited to such embodiments. Those skilled in the art can make no creative effort to derive all other embodiments from the embodiments herein through modification and equivalent substitutions, without departing from the protection scope of the present invention.