xDSL

Alternatives for data services

Fiber, coax, HFC
COST: $10k-$20k / mile
TIME: months to install

T1/E1
COST: >$5k/mile for conditioning
TIME: weeks to install

DSL
COST: 0 (just equipment price)
TIME:  0 (just setup time)
 xDSL
Need higher speed digital connection to subscribers

Not feasible to replace UTP in the last mile

Older voice grade modems assume 4kHz analog line

DSL modems don’t assume anything

Use whatever the physics of the UTP allows

 Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
Interne
t Broadband Access
DSLAM Downstream
(higher data rate)

Central DSL DSL

Office modem modem
Upstream
Voice
LPF LPF
Switch
Customer Premises

Telephone DSLAM - Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer

Network LPF – Lowpass Filter (passes voiceband frequencies)
 Circuit Diagram of A POTS Splitter

DSL
highpass LINE
filter

 Splitter
 Separates the 300 Hz to 3500 Hz voice lowpass
channel from upstream and filter
downstream channels
 Pass voice, dial tone, ringing and on/off
hook signals
TELE
 Consists of a lowpass filter (LPF) for
POTS and a highpass filter (HPF) for
upstream/downstream channels
 Passive device
 Contains lighting protection circuitry
 Maximum reach
To use Shannon's capacity theorem
we need to know how much noise there is

One type of noise that is always present

(above absolute zero temperature) is thermal noise

Maximum reach is the length of cable for reliable communications

ASSUMING ONLY THERMAL NOISE
xDSL - Maximum Reach
DSL MAXIMUM REACH
6

4
Reach[Km]

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Rate[Mbps]
 Other sources of noise

But real systems have other sources of noise,

and thus the SNR will be lower
and thus will have lower reach

There are three other commonly encountered types of noise

 RF ingress
 Near End Cross Talk (NEXT)
 Far End Cross Talk (FEXT)
Sources of Interference

XMTR RCVR
RCVR XMTR
FEXT THERMAL
NEXT NOISE

RCVR XMTR
XMTR RCVR

RF INGRESS
 Bonding (inverse mux)
If we need more BW than attainable by Shannon bounds
we can use more than one UTP pair (although XT may reduce)

This is called bonding or inverse multiplexing

 Muxing, inverse muxing, duplexing
inverse
multiplexing
multiplexing

data streams physical line data stream physical lines

Duplexing = 2 data streams in 2 directions on 1 physical line

Multiplexing = N data streams in 1 direction on 1 physical line
Inverse multiplexing = 1 data stream in 1 direction on N physical lines

duplexing
xDSL types
and
history
 xDSL Variants

:Five main variations of xDSL exist 

􀂄 ADSL-Asymmetrical Digital Sub’s Line 
􀂄 HDSL-High bit/data rate Digital Sub’s Line 
􀂄 SDSL-- Symmetric Digital Sub’s Line 
􀂄 VDSL-Very-high-data-rate Digital Sub’s Line 

RADSL--Rate-Adaptive ADSL 
 More xDSL flavors
modem speed reach main applications

IDSL 160 (144) Kbps 5.5 km POTS

replacement,
videoconferencing,
Internet access
HDSL 2 Mbps (4-6W) 3.6-4.5 km T1/E1 replacement
PBX interconnect,
FR
HDSL2 2 Mbps (2W) 3 km same as HDSL

SHDSL 2.3 Mbps 3 km same as HDSL

SHDSLbis 4.6 Mbps 3 km same as HDSL

 More xDSL flavors (cont.)
modem speed reach main applications

ADSL 6 Mbps DS 3.5-5.5 km residential Internet,

640 Kbps US video-on-demand
ADSL2 8 Mbps DS > ADSL Internet access,
800 Kbps US VoIP
ADSL2+ 16 Mbps DS < 2 km “
800 Kbps US
VDSL <= 52 Mbps 300m - 1 km LAN interconnect,
HDTV,
combined services
VDSL2 200 Mbps up to 1.8 km “
(aggregate)
cable modem 10-30Mbps DS 50 km residential Internet
Not shared
DSL HPNA 1, 10 Mbps home wiring residential
networking
 HDSL - NA improved copy of IDSL

1991: HDSL
 Replaced T1/E1 service, but

– w/o line conditioning / repeaters

 AMI line code replaced with IDSL's 2B1Q line code

 Use 2 UTP pairs

– For T1 784 kbps on each pair
– For E1, 1, 2, 3 and 4 pair modes
 Requires DSP for echo cancellation

 Mature DSL technology, now becoming obsolete

 HDSL2
With the success of HDSL,
customers requested HDSL service that would :
 require only a single UTP HDSL

 attain at least full CSA reach

 be spectrally compatible w/ HDSL, T1, ADSL, etc.

The result, based on high order PAM, was called

 HDSL2 (ANSI)

 SDSL Symmetric DSL (ETSI)

and is now called

 SHDSL Single pair HDSL (ITU)
 SHDSL
Uses Trellis Coded 16-PAM with various shaping options
Does not co-exist with POTS service on UTP
Can use regenerators for extended reach
single-pair operation
 192 kbps to 2.312 Mbps in steps of 8 kbps
 2.3 Mbps should be achieved for reaches up to 3.5 km

dual-pair operation (4-wire mode)

 384 kbps to 4.608 Mbps in steps of 16 kbps
 line rate is the same on both pairs

Latest standard (G.shdsl.bis - G.991.2 2003 version)

 bonding up to 4 pairs
 rates up to 5696 kbps
 optional 32-PAM (instead of 16-PAM)
 dynamic rate repartitioning
 ADSL
Asymmetric - high rate DS, lower rate US
Originally designed for video on demand

New modulation type - Discrete MultiTone

FDD and ECH modes

Almost retired due to lack of interest

…but then came the Internet

Studies - DS:US for both applications can be about 10:1

Some say ADSL could mean

All Data Subscribers Living
 Why asymmetry?

NEXT is the worst interferer stops HDSL from achieving higher rates
FEXT much less (attenuated by line)

FDD eliminates NEXT

All modems must transmit in the SAME direction

A reversal would bring all ADSL modems down

Upstream(US) at lower frequencies and power density

Downstream (DS) at high frequencies and power
 ADSL standard

ITU (G.dmt) G.992.1, ANSI T1.413i2 standard

DS - 6.144 Mbps (minimum)
US- 640 kbps

First ADSL data implementations were CAP (QAM)

ITU/ANSI/ETSI standards are DMT with spacing of 4.3125 kHz

 DMT allows approaching water pouring capacity

 DMT is robust

 DMT requires more complex processing

 DMT may require more power

 Splitterless ADSL
Splitterless ADSL, UAWG, G.lite, G.992.2, G.992.4
Splitterless operation
 power management to eliminate clipping
 initialization includes probing telephone sets for power level
 microfilters
 modems usually store environment parameters

G.992.2 - cost reduction features

 G.992.1 compatible DMT compatible using only 128 tones

 512 Kbps US / 1.5 Mbps DS

 features removed for simplicity

 simpler implementation
 ADSL2
ADSL uses BW from 20 kHz to 1.1 MHz
ADSL2 Increases rate/reach of ADSL by using 20 kHz - 4.4 MHz

Also numerous efficiency improvements

 better modulation
 reduced framing overhead
 more flexible format
 stronger FEC
 reduced power mode
 misc. algorithmic improvements

for given rate, reach improved by 200 m

3 user data types - STM, ATM and packet (Ethernet)

ADSL2+ dramatically increased rate at short distances

 RADSL
􀂄 
 VDSL

Optical network expanding (getting closer to subscriber)

Optical Network Unit ONU at curb or basement cabinet

FTTC (curb), FTTB (building)

These scenarios usually dictates low power

Rates can be very high since required reach is minimal!

Proposed standard has multiple rates and reaches

 VDSL - rate goals
Symmetric rates
6.5 4.5Kft (1.4 Km)
13 3 Kft (900 m)
26 1 Kft (300 m)

Asymmetric rates (US/DS)

0.8/ 6.5 6 Kft (1.8 Km)
1.6/13 4.5 Kft (1.4Km)
3.2/26 3 Kft (900 m)
6.4/52 1 Kft (300 m)
 VDSL2
DMT line code (same 4.3125 kHz spacing as ADSL)
VDSL uses BW of 1.1 MHz - 12 MHz (spectrally compatible with ADSL)
VDSL2 can use 20 kHz - 30 MHz
 new band-plans (up to 12 MHz, and 12-30 MHz)
 increased DS transmit power
 various algorithmic improvements
 borrowed improvements from ADSL2
 3 user data types - STM, ATM and PTM
 ADSL Modulation (continued)

CAP - Carrierless Amplitude and Phase 

closely related to QAM –

bits-per-baud 4 –
signal points: 12 phases, 2 amplitudes 16 •
bits-per-baud 8 –
signal points 256 •
suppressed carrier –
differential phase keying –
CAP/QAM Constellation
0111 0001
0111 0001
0110 0010
0110 0010
0101 0011
0101 0011
0100 0000
0100 0000 reference phase
reference phase
(last 4 bits)
1100 1000 (last 4 bits)
1100 1000
1111 0001
1111 0001

1110 1010
1110 1010
1101 1011
1101 1011
DMT vs QAM
 ADSL Deployment Today

Home/Office Curb Central Office

ADSL
CPE
ADSL up to 5Km Data switch
Splitter 2 wire
POTS
SHDSL (PAM16) up to 5Km DSLAM
2 wire
SHDSL
P LI T TERS
S

Voice Switch

39
 Broadband Components
Customer Premises Equipment(CPE) 
Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) 

LAN Switches: for aggregating DSLAM 

Broadband Remote Access Server (BRAS) 
RADIUS and LDAP (SSSC) 
Provisioning System 

40
 Brief Functions of DSL Components
DSL CPEs: At customer premises. On one end it 
connects telephone cable coming from exchange
via splitter. At the other end, it connects to PC
.through Ethernet / USB Port
DSLAM: called as DSL Access Multiplexer. It has a 
built in splitter which splits voice and data. While
voice follows the normal conventional path through
exchange, data is aggregated and up linked through
Ethernet Port (Gigabit Ethernet for 480 port and
Fast Ethernet for lower DSLAM)
LAN Switch: For aggregating multiple DSLAM and 
providing a common uplink to the core

41
 Brief Functions of DSL
.Components….contd
BRAS: called as Broadband Remote Access
Server. First intelligent device in the whole chain. It
terminates the customer session, authenticates,
allots IP addresses and keeps track of user session
for billing along with RADIUS
SSSS: Called as Subscriber Service Selection
System. When customer logs in he will be
welcomed with this customized screen from where
he can select various range of service. This
provides on demand service without manual
intervention

42
.Brief Functions of DSL Components…contd
RADIUS: This in conjunction with BRAS
authenticates customer, upload customer profile in
the SSSS and keeps track of billing
LDAP: It stores customer database viz username,
password and the default services that it can
subscribe to.
Provisioning: This is the most critical components
for ensuring quick delivery of service. It ensures
end-to-end provisioning of service right from DSL
CPEs to DSLAM to Switch to BRAS to LDAP

43
 BRAS

.Supports termination of DSL customers 

Allottment of IP address to customer 
Bandwidth control using rate limiting 
Act as an edge router for terminating VPN 
.traffic
Protocols: OSPF, BGP, MP-BGP and LDP 
Supports Lawful interception and monitoring 

44
 CPE Installation

CPE(ADSL MODEM) can be utilized in two 

different ways
Transparent Bridge – In this mode we need to .1 –
configure PPPoE in the customer’s PC and
modem simply passes ethernet frames from one
side to other side in transparent fashion.
Customer’s PC authenticates itself with BRAS
Router Mode- In this mode PPPoE is configured .2 –
in modem. Modem authenticates itself to BRAS
and gets IP address. Modem provides different
address from its DHCP server to PC. Modem also
.performs the NAT function in this mode

45
 CPE Installation
IP Address is allocated Bridge Mode
to PC By BRAS

CPE DSLAM
T2 Switch
T1 Switch BRAS
PPPoE Session

IP Address is Router Mode

allocated to CPE
By BRAS

CPE DSLAM
NAT
IP Address is
T2 Switch
T1 Switch BRAS
allocated
to PC By CPE PPPoE Session

46
47
Device Requirements

48
49
50
51
 CVoDSL

Physical Layer of OSI Model 

kbps channels upstream and downstream for each voice 64 
line, supports up to 4 lines
Reduces available bandwidth 
Dynamically allocated 
Cost savings 

52
CVoDSL Spectral Use

53
DIGITAL LOOP CARRIER (DLC)

54
 Definitions

Digital Loop Carriers (DLCs) consolidate the 

voice traffic of remotely located customers
.onto a few lines running to a CO
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) 
will transport large amounts of data traffic at
high speeds over existing copper twisted
pairs while simultaneously supporting Plain
Old Telephone Service (POTS)

55
 The Problem

Suburban and rural areas are experiencing 

.rapid residential and business growth
.Demand for ADSL in these areas is growing 
Delivering ADSL to DLC customers is difficult 
.for a number of technical reasons
Solutions are being developed – each has its 
advantages and disadvantages, depending on
.the individual situations

56
 The Challenge, Part I

Legacy DLC systems were built to provide 

.high-quality voice service
They can’t support the amount of bandwidth 
required by ADSL
Newer DLC systems can support the 
bandwidth, but at the cost of seriously
.constraining the capacity for phone service
Plus, newer DLC systems are not engineered 
.for data transmission, anyway

57
 The Challenge, Part II

The incidence of legacy DLC systems (pre- 

.1990) outnumbers new DLC systems 4:1
Legacy DLCs can supply only 64 kbps per 
.subscriber line because of their sample rate
Plus, the basic structure does not allow the 
entire DLC to support more bandwidth than a
.single T1 line

58
 The Challenge, Part III

ADSL is designed to use existing copper 

.pairs to deliver both ADSL and POTS
But legacy DLC systems will not support the 
.data-intensive bandwidth
The solution has been the installation of a 
completely separate system – the Digital
Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM)
.– no connection to the DLC

59
 Solution Options

There are three primary solutions to ADSL/DLC 

:problem
Remote DSLAM solutions 
Highly scalable but very costly –
ADSL line-card solutions 
Cost-effective but causes technical problems –
Remote-Access Multiplexer (RAM) solutions 
Combines the strengths of the first two and minimizes the –
drawbacks

60