Method and apparatus for providing packet based and distributed xDSL communications

摘要

A method and apparatus for digital subscriber line (xDSL) communications between one or more digital signal processors (DSPs) and analog front ends (AFEs) each coupled to corresponding subscriber line(s). The apparatus transports channels of data between subscribers and the DSP(s). The apparatus includes a bus for the transport of digital data, a DSP AFE interfaces. The DSP interfaces couples the DSP to the bus. The DSP interface accepts downstream channels of digital data from the DSP and transmits packets each associated with a corresponding one of the downstream channels to the bus. Each of the packets identifies a targeted AFEs coupled to a selected one of the subscriber lines. The AFE interfaces each couple an associated one of the AFEs to the bus. Each of the AFE interfaces transmits selected packets to a selected one of the subscriber lines for the transport to the subscriber.