FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present subject matter relates to a communication network and,
particularly but not exclusively, to vectoring process initialization in the
communication network5 .
BACKGROUND
[0002] Digital subscriber line (DSL) is a well known technology used for
delivery of high bandwidth data over network cables, such as copper access links.
Asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) and very-high-bit-rate digital subscriber
10 line (VDSL) are two most widely used DSL based technologies. A communication
network implementing the DSL technology typically includes an access node, such as
a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) for connecting one or more
user devices to a network exchange present in the communication network. Further,
the access node typically includes one or more line termination units for connecting
15 the access node to the user devices using the network cables. The access node further
includes one or more network termination units for connecting the access node to the
network exchange using the network cables. The line termination units and the
network units are further interconnected for exchanging data between the user
devices and the network exchange.
20 SUMMARY
[0003] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to vectoring
process initialization in a communication network. This summary is not intended to
identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in
determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
25 [0004] In one implementation, an access node for multiplexing signals
received over a plurality of network cables is described herein. The access node
3
comprises a system level vectoring processing (SLVP) module coupled to one or
more line termination units of the access node, where the SLVP module is to perform
vectoring for the plurality of network cables connected to the one or more line
termination units if a vectoring processing (VP) link exists between the SLVP module
and the line termination unit. Further, the access node comprises at least one boar5 d
level vectoring processing (BLVP) modules, where the at least one BLVP module is
housed in a corresponding line termination unit from among the one or more line
termination units. Further, the at least one BLVP module is to perform vectoring for
one or more network cables connected to the corresponding line termination unit in
10 the absence of the VP link between the SLVP module and the corresponding line
termination unit, where the one or more network cables are selected from among the
plurality of network cables.
[0005] In another implementation, a method for vectoring process
initialization is described. The method comprises detecting whether a vectoring
15 processing (VP) link exists between a system level vectoring processing (SLVP)
module and one or more line termination units, where each of the one or more line
termination units includes a board level vectoring processing (BLVP) module. The
method further comprises determining, by the SLVP module, whether to initiate the
vectoring processing to perform vectoring for network cables connected to the one or
20 more line termination units based on the detecting. Further, the method comprises
ascertaining, by the BLVP module for each of the one or more line termination units,
whether to initiate the vectoring processing based on the determining.
[0006] In yet another implementation, a board level vectoring processing
(BLVP) module is described. The BLVP module is to be housed in a line termination
25 unit for performing vectoring for network cables connected to the line termination
unit. The BLVP module is to detect whether a vectoring processing (VP) link exists
between a system level vectoring processing (SLVP) module and the line termination
4
unit. The BLVP module further is to initiate a vectoring process to perform the
vectoring in the absence of VP link between the SLVP module and the line
termination unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0007] The detailed description is described with reference to th5 e
accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number
identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers
are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some
embodiments of system and/or methods in accordance with embodiments of the
10 present subject matter are now described, by way of example only, and with reference
to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0008] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of an access node implementing
vectoring processing modules for vectoring processing, according to an embodiment
of the present subject matter; and
15 [0009] Figure 2 illustrates a method for vectoring process initialization,
according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0010] In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean
"serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or
implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not
20 necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
[0011] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block
diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative systems embodying the
principles of the present subject matter. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow
charts, flow diagrams, state transition diagrams, pseudo code, and the like represent
25 various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable
5
medium and so executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer
or processor is explicitly shown.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0012] The present subject matter relates to vectoring process initialization in
a communication network, such as a digital subscriber line (DSL) base5 d
communication network. As will be understood, a DSL based communication
network involves delivery of high bandwidth data over network cables, such as
copper cables and optical fibers. Typically, an access node, such as a digital
subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) is implemented in the DSL based
10 communication network for connecting one or more user devices to a network
exchange of the communication network. Further, the access node typically includes
one or more line termination units and one or more network termination units for
connecting the access node to the user devices and the network exchange,
respectively, using the network cables. A single line termination unit typically has the
15 capability of supporting around 48 to 72 user devices. A single access node having
around 8-10 line termination units can thus typically cater to around 384 to 768 user
devices. Further, for each connection a corresponding network cable is connected to
the access node on both the user device’s and the network exchange side.
[0013] Owing to space constraints, the network cables may be bound together
20 in a cable binder or a bundle. As a result, a number of network cables may be in close
proximity with each other. Such close proximity between the network cables may,
however, result in crosstalk being induced in the one or more of the network cables.
Crosstalk, as would be understood, refers to unwanted leakage of signals sent over a
network cable, also referred to as a disturbing network cable, into another network
25 cable, also referred to as a victim communication line. Such crosstalk represents noise
in the victim communication line that reduces the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) and
consequently also affects the bit rate of the victim communication line.
6
[0014] Typically, a vectoring process is performed to coordinate the signals
transmitted on different lines using a crosstalk canceller. The crosstalk canceller
typically adds signal components to each original signal in such a way that the
crosstalk between the different lines is substantially cancelled out. A conventional
technique used for vectoring processing involves performing the vectoring for eac5 h
line termination unit separately. Such a line termination unit specific vectoring
processing, also known as a board level vectoring processing, involves installing a
vector processing unit in each of the line termination units. Each vector processing
unit performs vectoring processing for the network cables connected to the
10 corresponding line termination unit. The board level vectoring processing facilitates
in achieving high bandwidth using noise cancellation between network cables in a
single line termination unit. Such a vectoring processing is, however, limited to
crosstalk correction between a small number of network cables based on the
capability of the line termination unit. This may, however, affect bandwidth of the
15 network cables as crosstalk between network cables connected to different line
termination units is not correction even though some crosstalk might exist between
network cables connected to different line termination units.
[0015] Another conventional technique used for vectoring processing
involves using a single vector processing unit for the several line termination units.
20 Such a vectoring processing technique, also known as a system level vectoring
processing, involves coupling each line termination unit to the vector processing unit.
The vector processing unit thus performs vectoring processing for the network cables
connected to each line termination unit. The system level vectoring processing
facilitates in reducing crosstalk between network cables connected to an access node,
25 irrespective of whether they are connected to the same line termination units or not.
However, since the vector processing unit and the line termination units are
externally connected, instances of connection failures may be experienced thus
affecting the vectoring processing. The connection failures may happen for various
7
reasons, for example, owing to malfunctioning of Quad Small Form-Factor Pluggable
(QSFP) cables connecting the vector processing unit and the line termination units.
Owing to the connection failures, the vector processing unit may not be able to
perform vectoring processing for network cables connected to the line termination
affected by the connection failure. Additionally, the connection failure may als5 o
happen due to hardware failure of the vector processing unit, owing to which no
vectoring may be performed for the line termination units. Failure in performing
vectoring processing may in turn affect network bandwidth of the network cables
owing to the crosstalk.
10 [0016] According to an implementation of the present subject matter, methods
and systems for vectoring process initialization are described. The present subject
matter allows an access node to provide both the board level processing and the
system level processing for the network cables coupled to the access node. The access
node maybe, for example, a DSLAM implemented in a DSL based communication
15 network for connecting one or more user devices to a network exchange of the
communication network.
[0017] In one embodiment, the access node includes a system level vectoring
processing (SLVP) module for performing vectoring for a plurality of network cables
connected to one or more line termination units provided in the access node. The
20 access node further includes one or more board level vectoring processing (BLVP)
modules, such that a BLVP module is provided in each line termination unit. Each
BLVP module is provided for performing vectoring for one or more network cables
connected to the corresponding line termination unit. In said embodiment, a BLVP
module may perform the vectoring processing whenever the SLVP module is not
25 performing the vectoring processing for the line termination unit to which the BLVP
module belongs. For instance, in case of a link failure between a vectoring processing
(VP) link existing between the SLVP module and a line termination unit, the
corresponding may perform the vectoring processing for the line termination unit.
8
[0018] In operation, initially, for example, when the access node is connected
in the network or is refreshed during its operation, both the SLVP module and the
BLVP modules detect whether VP link exists between the SLVP module and the line
termination units corresponding to the BLVP module. The SLVP module may
subsequently determine based on the detecting whether to initiate the vectorin5 g
processing to perform vectoring for network cables connected to the one or more line
termination units. For instance, upon detecting that the VP link has been successfully
established between the SLVP module and the one or more line termination units, the
SLVP module may initiate the vectoring processing. In case, no VP link is detected
10 by the SLVP module and the line termination units, the SLVP module may determine
that no vectoring processing can be initiated. In such a case, the BLVP modules may
initiate the vectoring processing for the corresponding line termination units. Further,
in case the VP link exists between few line termination units and the SLVP module,
the SLVP module may perform the vectoring processing for those line termination
15 units, while the vectoring processing for the other line termination units may be
performed by the corresponding vectoring processing units.
[0019] The present subject matter thus facilitates a service provider to provide
high level of Quality-of-service (QoS) for its customers as the SLVP module
performs vectoring processing for all the network cables, thus facilitating in delivery
20 of high bandwidth. Further, in case of any failure in the VP link between the SLVP
module and a line termination unit, the corresponding BLVP module performs the
vectoring processing. The access node thus facilitates in performance of vectoring
processing for all network cables at all times, thus facilitating in delivery of high
bandwidth around the clock. Further, when the VP link is re-established between the
25 SLVP module and the line termination unit, the BLVP module stops the vectoring
processing and the SLVP module starts the vectoring processing for the line
termination unit.
9
[0020] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the
principles of the present subject matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled
in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly
described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and
are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein ar5 e
principally intended expressly to be for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in
understanding the principles of the present subject matter and the concepts
contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being
without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all
10 statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present subject
matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents
thereof.
[0021] It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the words
during, while, and when as used herein are not exact terms that mean an action takes
15 place instantly upon an initiating action but that there may be some small but
reasonable delay, such as a propagation delay, between the initial action and the
reaction that is initiated by the initial action. Additionally, the words “connected” and
“coupled” are used throughout for clarity of the description and can include either a
direct connection or an indirect connection.
20 [0022] The manner in which the systems and the methods of the present
subject matter may be implemented has been explained in details with respect to the
Figures 1 and 2. While aspects of described system(s) and method(s) of the present
subject matter can be implemented in any number of different computing systems,
environments, and/or configurations, the embodiments are described in the context of
25 the following system(s).
[0023] Figures 1 illustrates a block diagram of an access node 102
implementing vectoring processing modules for vectoring processing, according to an
10
embodiment of the present subject matter. The access node 102 maybe a DSL access
node, such as a DSLAM implemented in a DSL based communication network for
connecting a plurality of user devices (not shown in the figure) to a network exchange
(not shown in the figure) of the communication network. In one embodiment, the
access node 102 includes one or more line termination units 104-1, 104-2, 104-3, ….5 ,
104-n and network termination units 106-1 and 106-2 for connecting to the user
devices and the network exchange, respectively, over a plurality of network cables
(not shown in the figure). The one or more line termination units 104-1, 104-2, 104-3,
…., 104-n are hereinafter collectively referred to as line termination units 104 and
10 individually referred to as line termination unit 104. The network termination units
106-1 and 106-2 are hereinafter collectively referred to as network termination units
106 and individually referred to as network termination unit 106.
[0024] As will be understood, each line termination unit 104 is connected to
one or more network cables from among the plurality of network cables. Each of the
15 one or more network cables is in turn connected to a user device form among the
plurality of user devices. Each line termination unit 104 thus couples the access node
102 to one or more user devices over the one or more network cables. Further, each
network termination unit 106 is connected to the plurality of network cables, with
each plurality of network cables being connected to the network exchange. Each
20 network termination unit 106 thus couples the access node 102 to the network
exchange over the network cables. The line termination units 104 and the network
units 106 are further interconnected for exchanging data between the user devices and
the network exchange. In one implementation, all the network cables and all the line
termination units 104 may be connected to the both the network termination units,
25 with one network termination unit functioning as a default or an active network
termination unit. Further, the other network termination unit may act as a standby
network termination unit and may function in case of any malfunctioning of the
active network termination unit. For instance, the line termination units 104 may be
11
connected to the network termination unit 106-1, functioning as the active network
termination unit. While the network termination unit 106-2 may act as the standby
network unit that may switch over and take over connection to line termination units
104 and the network cables in case of malfunctioning of the active network
termination unit 106-5 1.
[0025] The access node 102 further includes a power module 108, a fan tray
110, one or more uplink units 112-1, 112-2, 112-3, …., 112-n, and a system level
vectoring processing (SLVP) module 114. The power module 108 is electrically
coupled to all components, i.e., the line termination units 104, the network units 106,
10 the fan tray 110, the uplink units 112-1, 112-2, 112-3, …., 112-n, and the SLVP
module 114 for providing electric supply. The fan tray 110 is provided in the access
node 102 for cooling the above listed components. The one or more uplink units 112-
1, 112-2, 112-3, …., 112-n are hereinafter collectively referred to as uplink units 112
and individually referred to as uplink unit 112. In one implementation, the uplink
15 units 112 are provided to connect the line termination units 104 and the network units
106 to facilitate traffic flow between the line termination units 104 and the network
units 106. For instance, the uplink unit 112-1 may connect the line termination unit
104-1 and the network units 106, the uplink unit 112-2 may connect the line
termination unit 104-2 and the network units 106, and so on. The uplink units 112
20 may further manage data traffic flow between the line termination units 104 and the
network units 106.
[0026] The SLVP module 114 is coupled to each of the line termination units
104 in order to perform system level vectoring for the network cables coupled to the
access node 102. As will be understood, the system level vectoring may be performed
25 in order to reduce or negate crosstalk between the network cables. In one
implementation, the SLVP module 114 is coupled to each of the line termination
units 104 using interconnect cables 116-1, 116-2, 116-3, …, 116-n, such as Quad
12
Small Form-Factor Pluggable (QSFP) cables. The interconnect cables 116-1, 116-2,
116-3, …, 116-n, hereinafter collectively referred to as interconnect cables 116 and
individually referred to as interconnect cable 116, facilitate in establishment of a
vectoring processing (VP) link between the SLVP module 114 and the corresponding
line termination unit 104. As will be understood, the VP link facilitates the SLV5 P
module 114 in performing the vectoring for the line termination units 104.
[0027] The access node 102 further includes one or more board level
vectoring processing (BLVP) modules 118-1, 118-2, 118-3, …, 118-n such that a
BLVP module is provided in each line termination unit 104. For instance, the line
10 termination unit 104-1 may include the BLVP module 118-1, the line termination unit
104-2 may include the BLVP module 118-2, the line termination unit 104-3 may
include the BLVP module 118-3, and the line termination unit 104-n may include the
BLVP module 118-n. Each BLVP module 118 is provided for performing vectoring
for the network cables connected to the corresponding line termination unit 104.
15 [0028] In accordance to an embodiment of the present subject matter, the
BLVP module 118 may perform the vectoring processing in case the SLVP module
114 is not able perform the vectoring processing for the line termination unit 104 to
which the BLVP module 118 belongs. For instance, in case no VP link exists between
the SLVP module 114 and the line termination unit 104 or an existing VP link
20 between the SLVP module 114 and the line termination unit 104 terminates, the
BLVP module 118 automatically initiates the vectoring processing for performing the
vectoring processing for the line termination unit 118. The BLVP module 118 in such
a case may continue performing the vectoring till the time the VP link between the
SLVP module 114 and the line termination unit 104 is established. Further, any know
25 process of vectoring may be performed by the SLVP module 114 and the BLVP
module 118 as will be understood by a person skilled in the art.
13
[0029] In operation, the SLVP module 114 and each BLVP module 118
initially detect whether the VP link exists between the SLVP module 114 and the line
termination units 104 corresponding to the BLVP module 118. For instance, the
SLVP module 114 and each BLVP module 118 may perform the detection when the
access node 102 is connected in the network or powered ON or is refreshed during it5 s
operation. In one implementation, the SLVP module 114 and the BLVP modules 118
may detect an existing VP link based on predetermined parameters, such as
interconnect cable status. In case the interconnect cable status, for example, QSFP
status in case of interconnect cable being QSFP cable, is detected to be operational
10 and valid, the SLVP module 114 and the BLVP modules 118 may determine the VP
link to be existing between the SLVP module 114 and the corresponding line
termination units 104. In case the interconnect status does not indicate an operational
and valid connection, the SLVP module 114 and the BLVP modules 118 may
determine that no VP link exists between the SLVP module 114 and the
15 corresponding line termination units 104.
[0030] Upon detecting the presence or absence of the VP link with the line
termination units 104, the SLVP module 114 may determine whether to initiate the
vectoring processing to perform vectoring for network cables connected to the
termination units 104. For instance, in case the SLVP module 114 detects that the VP
20 link exists between the SLVP module 114 and the line termination units 104, the
SLVP module 114 may determine that vectoring can be performed for the line
termination units 104. The SLVP module 114 may subsequently initiate the vectoring
processing for the line termination units 104. In case, no VP link is detected by the
SLVP module 114 and the line termination units 104, the SLVP module 104 may
25 determine that no vectoring processing can be initiated for the line termination units
104 with which no VP link exists. Further, in case where the VP link is detected to
exist between the SLVP module 114 and a few line termination units 104, while no
VP link exists between the SLVP module 114 and other line termination units 104,
14
the SLVP module 114 may initiate the vectoring processing for the few line
termination units 104 having the VP link.
[0031] Further, in cases where no VP link is detected between the SLVP
module 114 and the line termination unit 104, the BLVP module 118 corresponding
to the line termination unit 104 may ascertain that it may initiate the vectorin5 g
processing for the one or more network cables connected to the line termination unit
104. The BLVP module 118 may subsequently initiate and perform vectoring
processing for the network cables connected to the line termination unit 104. Further,
as previously described, the BLVP module 118 may continue performing the
10 vectoring till the time the VP link between the SLVP module 114 and the line
termination unit 104 is established
[0032] In one implementation, when a VP link established between the SLVP
module 114 and a line termination unit, say, the line termination unit 104-1
terminates owing to a connection failure, interchangeably referred to as link failure,
15 the SLVP module 114 ceases to perform vectoring for the line termination unit 104-1.
The connection failures may happen for various reasons, for example, owing to
malfunctioning or removal of the QSFP cable connecting the SLVP module 114 and
the line termination unit 104-1 or hardware failure of the SLVP module 114. Further,
upon detecting a link failure between the SLVP module 114 and the line termination
20 unit 104-1, the BLVP module 118-1 may initiate the vectoring processing for the
network cables connected to the line termination unit 104-1. In one implementation,
the SLVP module 114 and the BLVP module 118 may detect the link failure based on
the interconnect cable status. In case the interconnect cable status, for example, the
QSFP status in case of the QSFP cable, indicates status of the VP link as not25
connected, not-operational, and not-present, the SLVP module 114 and the BLVP
module 118 may determine that the VP link has terminated. In one implementation,
the SLVP module 114 and the BLVP module 118 may detect the link failure based on
15
an alarm, say, a link fail alarm indicating link failure between the SLVP module 114
and the line termination unit 104.
[0033] Further, as and when the BLVP module 118 and the SLVP module
114 detect that the VP link has been re-established between the SLVP module 114
and the line termination unit 104, the BLVP module 118 stops the vectorin5 g
processing. Subsequently, the SLVP module 114 starts the vectoring process for the
network cables of the line termination unit 104 for which the VP link has been reestablished.
[0034] Figure 2 illustrates a method 200 for vectoring process initialization,
10 according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. The order in which the
method is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of
the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method
200 or any alternative method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from
the method without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter
15 described herein. Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any suitable
hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.
[0035] The method may be described in the general context of computer
executable instructions. Generally, computer executable instructions can include
routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, modules,
20 functions, etc., that perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data
types. The method may also be practiced in a distributed computing environment
where functions are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a
communications network. In a distributed computing environment, computer
executable instructions may be located in both local and remote computer storage
25 media, including memory storage devices.
[0036] A person skilled in the art will readily recognize that steps of the
method 200 can be performed by programmed computers. Herein, some
16
embodiments are also intended to cover program storage devices, for example, digital
data storage media, which are machine or computer readable and encode machineexecutable
or computer-executable programs of instructions, where said instructions
perform some or all of the steps of the described method. The program storage
devices may be, for example, digital memories, magnetic storage media, such as 5 a
magnetic disks and magnetic tapes, hard drives, or optically readable digital data
storage media. The embodiments are also intended to cover both communication
network and communication devices configured to perform said steps of the
exemplary method.
10 [0037] At block 202, a determination is made to detect whether a vectoring
processing (VP) link exists between a system level vectoring processing (SLVP)
module and a line termination unit. For example, it may be detected whether a VP
link exists between the SLVP module 114 and the line termination unit 104. If a VP
link is detected between the SLVP module and the line termination unit, (‘Yes’ path
15 from block 202), a board level vectoring processing (BLVP) module corresponding to
the line termination unit determines not to initiate vectoring processing for the line
termination unit (block 204). From block 204, the method moves to the block 206,
where the SLVP module initiates the vectoring processing for the line termination
unit. In one example, the SLVP module 114 may initiate the vectoring processing for
20 the line termination units 104 with which the VP link has been established.
[0038] If in case, it is determined at block 202 that no VP link exists between
the SLVP module and the line termination unit (‘No’ path from block 202), the BLVP
module initiates the vectoring processing for the line termination unit at block 208.
[0039] From block 208, the method moves to the block 210. At block 210, it
25 is determined whether the VP link has been established between the SLVP module
and the line termination unit. For example, if the BLVP module 118 determines that
no VP link has been established between the SLVP module 114 and the line
17
termination unit 104, (‘No’ path from block 210), the BLVP module 118 continues to
perform the vectoring process (block 212). If in case it is determined that the VP link
has been established between the SLVP module 114 and the line termination unit 104
(‘Yes’ path from block 210), the BLVP module terminates the vectoring processing
for the line termination unit (block 214)5 .
[0040] From block 214, the method moves to the block 206, where the SLVP
module initiates the vectoring processing for the line termination unit.
[0041] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been
described in a language specific to structural features or method(s), it is to be
10 understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the specific features or
method(s) described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as
embodiments for the present subject matter.
18
I/We claim:
1. An access node (102) for multiplexing signals received over a plurality of network
cables, the access node (102) comprising:
a system level vectoring processing (SLVP) module (114) coupled to one or
more line termination units (104) of the access node (102), wherein the SLVP modul5 e
(114) is to perform vectoring for the plurality of network cables connected to the one
or more line termination units (104) if a vectoring processing (VP) link exists
between the SLVP module (114) and the line termination unit (104); and
at least one board level vectoring processing (BLVP) modules (118), wherein
10 the at least one BLVP module (118) is housed in a corresponding line termination
unit (104) from among the one or more line termination units (104), and wherein the
at least one BLVP module (118) is to perform vectoring for one or more network
cables connected to the corresponding line termination unit (104) in the absence of
VP link between the SLVP module (114) and the corresponding line termination unit
15 (104), and wherein the one or more network cables are selected from among the
plurality of network cables.
2. The access node (102) as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:
the one or more line termination units (104) coupled to the plurality of
20 network cables, wherein each of the one or more line termination units (104) is
coupled to at least one network cable from among the plurality of network cables, and
wherein each of the one or more line termination units (104) comprises a BLVP
module (118).
25 3. The access node (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the SLVP module (114) is
coupled to each of the one or more line termination units (104) using a Quad Small
Form-Factor Pluggable (QSFP) cable (116), and wherein the VP link between the
19
SLVP module (114) and each of the one or more line termination units (104) is
formed over the corresponding QSFP cable (116).
4. The access node (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one BLVP
module (118) is to5 :
detect whether the VP link exists between the SLVP module (114) and the
corresponding line termination unit (104); and
determine not to initiate the vectoring processing if the VP link exists between
the SLVP module (114) and the corresponding line termination unit (104).
10
5. The access node (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one BLVP
module (118) is to terminate the vectoring processing for the corresponding line
termination unit (104) upon detecting establishment of the VP link between the SLVP
module (114) and the corresponding line termination unit (104).
15
6. A method for vectoring process initialization, the method comprising:
detecting whether a vectoring processing (VP) link exists between a system
level vectoring processing (SLVP) module (114) and one or more line termination
units (104), wherein each of the one or more line termination units (104) includes a
20 board level vectoring processing (BLVP) module (118);
determining, by the SLVP module (114), whether to initiate the vectoring
processing to perform vectoring for network cables connected to the one or more line
termination units (104) based on the detecting; and
ascertaining, by the BLVP module (118) for each of the one or more line
25 termination units (104), whether to initiate the vectoring processing based on the
determining.
7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the method further comprises:
20
initiating, by the BLVP module (118) for each of the one or more line
termination units (104), the vectoring processing for a corresponding line termination
unit (104) in the absence of VP link between the SLVP module (114) and the
corresponding line termination unit (104).
5
8. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the method further comprises:
terminating, by the BLVP module (118), the vectoring processing for the
corresponding line termination unit (104) upon detecting establishment of the VP link
between the SLVP module (114) and the corresponding line termination unit (104);
10 and
initiating, by the SLVP module (114), the vectoring processing for the line
termination unit (104).
9. A board level vectoring processing (BLVP) module (118) to be housed in a line
15 termination unit (104) for performing vectoring for network cables connected to the
line termination unit (104), wherein the BLVP module (118) is to:
detect whether a vectoring processing (VP) link exists between a system level
vectoring processing (SLVP) module (114) and the line termination unit (104); and
initiate a vectoring process to perform the vectoring in the absence of VP link
20 between the SLVP module (114) and the line termination unit (104).
10. The BLVP module (118) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the BLVP modules (118)
is to terminate the vectoring processing for the line termination unit (104) upon
detecting establishment of the VP link between the SLVP module (114) and the line
25 termination unit (104).
21
11. The BLVP module (118) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the BLVP modules (118)
is to determine not to initiate the vectoring processing in the absence of VP link
between the SLVP module (114) and the line termination unit (104).