CA2106745C - Dial-up switching and transmission of broadband communication channels through a local exchange - Google Patents

Abstract

A telephone exchange provides dial-up switched connections for customers' broadband data terminal equipment (DTE). In response to data receivedover an associated narrowband channel, the exchange establishes a broadband transmission path to a broadband DTE associated with the narrowband channel.
Upon receiving a number for the called party broadband DTE over the narrowband channel, the switch establishes an interoffice broadband channel for communications between the originating and destination DTE.

Description

21~7~

DIAL~UP SVVITCHING AND TRANSMISSION OF BROADBAND
COMMUNICATION CHANNELS THROUGH A LOCAL EXCHANGE

Back~round of the In~..li~,..
This invention relates generally to the ~wilching and trqn~mi~sion of 5 broqdbqnd co"-,..,-niçation channels. The invention is more specifically directed to dial-up swi~ching of such chqnnelc upon end user demand and the trnsmission of such channels through an int~n~rr,ce commnnir~q~tion network.
Trqn~mi~sion of high bandwidth signals b~ e.l dirrclc.lt locations has been typically accomplished ~ltili7ing direct point-to-point brov~lbqn~
10 co"-"..~nic~tionchq-nne.l~. De~licqtP.d(non-swilched)broa~lhqndcon....~ ication channels are used to carry the high bandwidth signals. Examples of such applications include cable television and high speed data trqn~mi~sion between C~ ul~
Point-to-point bro~bqnd co~ niration chqnnpls have several 15 disadvantages. Since each co.-,..~ni~nq~tion station within such a nelw~JlL le~lui~s a de~licqtPd channel, it is eA~n~ e to reconfigure or modify the network especially when a user's te!rminql is relocqted to a site not already linked to the network. Such nelwulL~ suffer from a lack of flexibility and are not able to provide those users with only an occasional need of a bro~db~nd channel with a cost effective solution.
Digital access and cross-connecl ~y~cnb (DCS) provide a known capability for intc,~;onnccling high bandwidth trn~mi~sion fqcilities such as DS 1 and DS3 tr.,ncmi~sion links. In U.S. patent 5,042,062 a plurality of DCS are connected to each other to provide co...n-~ni~ation links ~1~ el broqdbq-n-l service users. In that system, local exchqnges in ~SpOIlSC to a customer request control25 associated DCS to conn~~ cadh~q-ntl tPrminq-l~ over broq~dhq-n-1 channels directly coupling the DCS.
There exists a need for a flexible br~a~h~q-n-l co.. ~ qtion facility which permits dial-up bro~ bqnd chqnnP.lc to be hqndlerl by the public switched telephone network (PSTN).
30 Summary of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to satisfy the need for a flexible broq-db~nd co....--~ni~qtion facility which permits dial-up broadh~qn~l channels to be connected through the PSTN.

2 ~ ~ ~ 7 4 5 In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, broadband user equipment such as video terminals are connected via DCS to a local central office exchange. Separate data terminal equipment (DTE) such as anISDN telephone is associated with each broadband terminal and is coupled by a narrowband channel to the local exchange. A database in the local exchange stores the number of each such telephone and the corresponding port address on the DCS
to which the associated broadband terminal is connected. A control channel between the local exchange and the coupled DCS enables the exchange, in responseto a broadband channel request entered over the telephone by a user, to cause the DCS to connect the user's corresponding broadband terminal via broadband lines to the exchange.
A user enters the number of another broadband terminal to which communications is desired using the telephone associated with the user's broadband terminal. Utilizing a predetermined D channel (which carries signaling) of an ISDN PRI circuit, the local exchange generates a data packet cont:~ining the number of the called party's terminal, number of the calling party's terminal, address of another T1 circuit to be utilized to carry the broadband communications, and overhead data associated with the packet. This information is transmitted over the interoffice network to the local exchange to which the called party is connected.
The called party's local exchange utilizes a database associated with the calledparty number to identify the port at the associated DCS to which the called party's broadband terminal is connected. Assuming paths between the calling party's broadband terminal and the called party's broadband terminal are available, a broadband call is established between the calling and called party's exchanges.
Another advantage of the present invention allows T1 users to be connected with integrated services digital network (ISDN) primary rate interface(PRI) users. This interoperability is provided because the normally allocated signaling channel (D) of a conventional ISDN PRI is no longer needed to carry signaling and can be utilized as a conventional B (user traffic) channel therebyproviding sufficient bandwidth to be compatible with a T1 circuit.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a telephone exchange for providing broadband dial-up switched connections for broadband customer data terminal equipment (DTE) comprising: narrowband transmission channels, broadband tr~n~mi~ion channels, and broadband interoffice -2a-trAn.~mi~ion channels; means for accepting over one of said narrowband trAnsmi~ion channels a request for broadband service between a customer's certain DTE and another DTE supported by another exchange; means, responsive to said accepting means receiving said request, for automatically controlling the 5 establishment of a broadband connection between one of said broadband trAn.~mi~ion channels and said certain DTE; means for communicating with an interoffice communications network to establish a broadband channel over one of said broadband interoffice transmission channels to said another exchange which supports said another DTE; means for connecting said one broadband trAn~mi~.~ion10 channel and said one broadband interoffice trAn.~mission channel to establish a broadband connection through the telephone exchange between said certain DTE
and another DTE, thereby permitting broadband communications upon dial-up demand by a customer.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided 15 in a telephone exchange having a plurality of narrowband transmi.~.~ion channels, broadband trAn~mis~ion channels, and broadband interoffice trAn~mis~ion channels, a method for providing broadband dial-up switched connections for broadband customer data terminal equipment (DTE) comprising the steps of: accepting over one of said narrowband trAn~mis~ion channels a request for broadband service 20 between a customer's certain DTE and another DTE supported by another exchange; upon receiving a customer request for broadband service, automaticallycontrolling the establishment of a broadband connection between one of said broadband trAn~mis~ion channels and said certain DTE; communicating with an interoffice communications network to establish a broadband channel over one of 25 said broadband interoffice trAn~mission channels to said another exchange which supports said another DTE; connecting said one broadband trAn~mis~ion channel and said one broadband interoffice trAn.~mi.~.sion channel to establish a broadband connection through the telephone exchange between said certain DTE and another DTE, thereby permitting broadband communications upon dial-up demand by a 3 0 customer.
Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication system which incorporates an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a local exchange as shown in FIG. 1.

21~6-71~

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an ~dminictrative module as shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a table which stores and correlates telephone numbers of users' broa~lb~nd t~rmin~lc and the terrnin~ting DCS port of the co~ pollding terminals.
FIG. 5 illuSIlates the data format of a conventional ISDN PRI circuit.
FIG. 6 illustrates the data format of a conventional Tl circuit.
FIG. 7 illustrates signaling ~ c~ erl over the intul~rrlce n~lwolk in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illu~lla~ing steps utilized for initi~ting a dial-up 10 bro~ib~nd call in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illl-sL~ g steps for processing a received dial-up bro~lband call at another local exchange in accoldal~ce with the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating steps associated with tearing down 15 a previously ect~blichP~l dial-up bç~-qdb~l-d circuit in accur~lce with the present invention.
Detailed Description Referring to FIG. 1, a ~ilching system 10 is coupled to a separate ~wi~hillg system 12 by an i~ o~rice n~,lwol~ including int~.u~rlce switch 14 and~0 direct trunk lines 16. The swilcllillg ~ s are also coupled to other ~wilching s via the public ~wilched telephone network 18.
The switching system 10 includes a local central office exchange 20 which is connected to and ~u~pcll~ broa~ib~tld ~wi~_hing devices 22 and 24 such as digital access and cross-connecl sy~ s (DCS), e luiplll~ nt located at customer 25 locations 26 and 28, and tcle~,holles 30. In the illustrative embodimPnt, each customer location contains a telephone 32 and a broa(lb~nrl co,-"~ tion device 34 such as a video terminal. Telephones 30 and 32 are coupled to local exchange 20 by conventional n~luwband lines 36. Co.~ ..;c~tion lines 38, such asTl lines which are capable of carrying bro~db nd signals, connect broadb~nd 30 e~luipll~nt 34 to DCS 22 and 24 and connect the DCS to the local exchange 20. A
co"-,...-.-ication line 40 which functions as a control co-...--l~-ication channel connects local exchange 20 to DCS 22 and 24. In the illustrative example it is con~ -plated that a plurality of ~;u~lolller locations 26 and 28 will each contain bro~db~n(l e~luiplllent 34 coupled, respectively, to DCS 22 and 24.

210~7~

Local exchange 20 preferably consists of a digital switch such as the AT&T SESS~) switch. Bro~lb~nd switches 22 and 24 may consist of an AT&T
DACS IV digital access and cross-connect system. Broadband tr~n~mission lines 38are capable of ~upp~Ling at leastDSl (1.536 Mbps) tr~n~micsion; n~l~wl,and 5 tr~n~mi~sion lines 36 support standard 64 kilobit channels. As used herein, the term "bro~lh~n-l" refers to a bandwidth capable of ~iU~J~l Ling at least a DS 1 circuit. The telephc,nes 30 and 32 may comprise an ISDN telephone lltili7ing the known ISDN
basic rate interface for s~1bsç~iber lines, or may comprise a standard telephone~UllpOl led by an analog line.
The ~wilching system 12 in this illustrative embodim~nt contains similarly configured elem~nt~ as previously descnbe~l with respect to swiLching system 10; the suffix letter A is added to identify coll~s~nding elem~ntc in system 12 with the coll~ onding elements previously described in system 10.
Interoffice tr~n~mission trunks 16, 42, and 44 each include the ca~)acily to carry a 15 plurality of bro~h~nll ch~nn~ls, n~l~vbdl1d channels, and data çh~nn~l~ utilized for i~t.,~rrice ~ign~ling such as CCIIT signaling system 7.
In accordance with the present invention, a user at location 26 initiates a request utili7ing telephone 32 to establish a dial-up bro~db~nrl comle~,-Lion to a bro~b~n~ device 34A at ~;u~lo..~ r location 28A. A telephone ~-ulllber associated 20 with bro~lh~nd e4uip~,l t 34A is entered by the cu~ at location 26 using telephone 32. Local eYch~nge 20 recognizes the request for a bro~lk~n-1 connection and uses a d~t~h~e stored within the local eYçh~nge to identify the port on DCS 22 to which broa~lb~nd tennin~l 34 is coupled based on the num~. of telephone 32 atlocation 26. A control signal sent from the exchange over line 40 causes the 25 collesl,onding port of DCS 22 to be activated and est~bli~hes a bro~db~ntl tr~n~mi~ion path through DCS 22 and 24 via lines 38 to local switch 20. The local exchange 20 transmits a request for a broadb~n~ connection to local exchange 28 as will be described in more detail below. Local exchange 20A correlates the calledbro~db~n.1 te~nin~l number to a co~ ,onding port on DCS 24A. Using control 30 line 40A, local exchange 20A instructs DCS 22A and 24A to establish a broadband path to bro~lb~nd termin~l 34A at location 28A through DCS 22A and 24A via lines 38A. Thus, a broadb~n-l collln~lnication path is est~hli~hed between the bro~b~nd terminals over the interoffice trunk network. A detailed description ofthis capability is provided below.

210~7 i~

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an illustrative local exchange 20 which, in the çlcemrl~ry embodimçnt, comprises an AT&T SESS switch. An a~1mini~trative module 46, which will be described in more detail with respect to FIG. 3, provides control over co..~ catiQn rn~lllçs 48 and 50 which are coupled to service S modules 52 and 54, lespG~ rely. In the illustrative embodiment, each service module SUp~llS a plurality of r,~lowband ch~nn~l~ 36 and bro~dbancl channels 38.The time-space-time switch configuration served by the service and col~Jll,ul-ication modules is well known. A storage device 56 conldins operational program instructions utilized by the ~lministrative module 46 in controlling the local 10 exchange. An interfare 58 is utilized to provide a colllln.-nication interf~ce between ~rlmini~trative module 46 pc"..;ll;ng data co,...~ icatiQns on line 40 such as utilizing the known X.25 co..~ -ications protocol.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary ~rlmini~tration module 46 which includes a microprocessing unit (MPU) 60, read-only-memory 15 (ROM) 62, random access ,~lelllol~ (RAM) 64, program storage unit 56, and a plurality of input/output (VO) devices 66, 68, and 70. Programs stored in device 56, ROM 62 and RAM 64, enables MPU 60 to exercise control of the CO~ n.-iCatiOn m~lllcs via UO devices 66 and 68. The VO device 70 allows MPU 60 to establish digital co....-~u.-;~ations utili7in~ X.25 interface 58 with the DCS coupled to 20 cc .~-.-.--l ;c ltion line 40.
FIG. 4 is a table illustrating inrulll,ation stored in local exchanges 20 and 20A. Each row of the table contains a telephone number associated with a bro~lb~nd te~min~l and the coll~,;,~>nding address of the DCS port to which the coll~sponding broadb~nrl te~min~l is connected. This information is utilized by the 25 local exchange to establish a br~n~lband channel from the local exchange to the coll~,;,pondillg DCS port address of the broadband terminal associated with a requested telephone number. In the swilchhlg system which origin~tes a request for a dial-up bro~db~n~l channel, the number of the nallowl,~1d line coupled to the telephone associated with the origin~ting party's broadb~nd terrnin~l identifies the 30 ori in~ting broadband terminal. In the ~wi~chh~g system receiving a request from another switching system to est~blish a dial-up bro~lbanll path to a local broadband t~rmin~l, the telephone nulll~l of the called party received as data by the destination eYch~nge identifies the c~ ponding DCS port in accordance with the table of FIG. 4 to which the bro~db~nrl co....~..nication path is to be established. The 35 inro~ t;on in this table is preferably stored prior to activation of a customer loc~tion nee~ling bro~1h~nd service.

210G74~

FIG. S is a diagram illu~dling a frame of a conventional ISDN PRI
circuit which consists of 24 channels each of 64 kilobit capacity comprising 23 B
channels and one ~ n~ling ch~nnel FIG. 6 illus~.~tes the diagram of a Tl circuit inllicating that it consists S of 24 B channels each of 64 kilobits. It will be al,p~nl that the ISDN PRI circuit differs in that one of the 64 kilobit ch~nnel~ is utilized as a ~ ling channel. In acc~l lance with the present invention, a D channel on one ISDN PRI circuit is utilized to provide control infollllation for other ISDN PRI circuits per~rutting such ISDN PRI circuits to udlize the normal D channel as another B channel thereby, 10 making such ISDN PRI circuits compatible with the Tl format. Thus"ltili~ing the D channel of one ISDN PRI circuit to provide needed control il~. . .~.~l ;on to establish broadb~nd channels through the int~ffice n~lwc.lk also provides the enhanced c~p~bility of providing cc.. ~ ications b.,l~.~n a user of a Tl circuit and a user of an ISDN PRI circuit.
FIG. 7 shows an exemplary format for infc,.~ ion carried by the D
channel of an ISDN PRI circuit utilized in accol.lance with the present invention to establish dial-up bro~db~nd int~lurfice com~e.;lions. The illu~ ted packet ;ll~1 over the D channel includes the called party broa~lb~nd telephone numb~r, the calling party bro~lban~l telephone numb~, and ~soci~t~d data overhead 20 for the tr~n~mitted packet. The called party nulll~l, as mal)~ by the table of FIG. 4, identifies which DS 1 circuit will be utilized to carry user broadk~nd traffic over 24 B ch~nn~ . C~ n users. It will be ~pal~nt that a plurality of such packets may be carried by a D ch~nnel thereby, providing i,lr(,. .. ~l;on for a plurality of DS 1 circuits utilized for bro~d~nd tran~mis~iom in accor~ce with the present 25 invention.
FIG. 8 il1u~1~ t~-S exemplary steps in accol.l&l~ce with an embo.liment of the present invention for l)riginqting a request for a broa~lh~nd tr~n~mi~ion path.
~c~;i,-ning with START 80, a ~ l.,wl,dnd linc is ar,cess~d in step 82 by a telephone 32 ~soci~teA with a brondb~nd terminal 34. Telephone 32 may comprise 30 an ISDN basic rate tel~hone which ncco~ tes data tr~n~mi~ion to the local hqnge 20. ~lt~rn~hvely, tclepho,le 32 may comprise a convenhon~l analog telephone in which access to a coll~i.,~nding line is inih~ted by coming off-hook. In step 84 a call criginqte access code is entered identifying the l~uest~ service as a dial-up bro~db~ml circuit request. This access code may comprise a predet~,....;ne~l 35 set of digit entries such as from a touch-tone pad if an analog telephone is utilized or a digital word sent by dt;~ ,ssing a pl~ rlne~1 button on an ISDN phone. In step 86 21~7~1~

the user enters the telephont number associated with the ~lestinqtion broadband terminal to be called. In step 88 the local exchqnge 20 identifies the DCS port address of the originqting party's broadhq-n-l temlinql based upon the associated telephone number of telephone 32 in acccndance with the table of FIG. 4. In step 90 S a determinqtion is made if a route ~I~.een the originqting broadh~qlntl terrninql 34 and the local switch 20 is available. If NO, a mess,qge is sent to the ~riginqtor of the call in-lir"qting a call failure as in-licate~ in step 92. The messqlge can be displayed if an c ri ~inating ISDN telephone 32 is used or may comprise audible tones in~i~qting a failure if a conventional analog phone is utili7rA Following step 92, the origination 10 t~rrninqtes at END 94.
Following a YES d~teln~ qtion by step 90, intlicqnting a route is available ~I~.een the origin~ting broa~ibqnfl terminql 34 and the local switch 20, the local switch issues a DCS conne~,lion command as in-lirat~ in step 96. This col~ and tr-qn~mitte~l on line 40 identifies the DCS port to which the (~riginqting 15 l~l~a~lkqnrl terminql is con~-~te~ and a path through any other col~ecled DCS and a final bro~b~n-l ch~nnrl 38 coi~nr~l~d to local exch~nge 20. In step 98 the localexch~n~ initi~tes an ih~t~)frlce call request. In step 100 a d~te ...;n~l;nn is made if a call coml~letion is acknowledged by the in~el~.frlce nelwolL A NO ~t~.n;n~l;onin-lirat~s the call cannot be completed and leads to steps 92 and 94 as previously 20 eYpl~ine~i A YES d~,t~ .nin~l;on by step 100 which inllic~t~s call comrletion~
causes a message to be displayed to the originator of the call incliratinF call completion as jn-lica~l in step 102. This ~ssumçs that the ~rigin~ting party utilized an ISDN tel~hol G, if an analog ~ phc-ne is utili7~, a~plv~)liate analog tone signals are utilized to providc the in-lic~hrJn. In step 104 the bro~db~nd data link is 25 est~blish.~A ~h.~n the ~ nsting party's l~lerdb~n~1 termin~l in the called party's broadband t~min~sl These steps conclude at END 94 with the dial-up bro~1b~n-1 call in plO~S~, tc~do .. l. of the call is explained in FIG. 10.
It will be appd~e.ll to those skilled in the art that a plurality of addidonal steps could be udlized in ~~ holl to those shown in FIG. 8 depcnding upon the 30 pardcular nC,IWGlkS and ~t~.llS uhli7ed For eAa~ lc, a validation check of the calling party's rlumb~,r could be made before ~Illliuing the call to be further processed.
FIG. 9 illu~ c,s a flow diagram in accoldance with an e.llbodi~ nt of the present inventdon for a de~ ;on ~witching system les~ondillg to a request to35 establi~h a broallband circuit. l~eginning with START 110, local exchange 20Areceives a dial-up bro~db~ntl call request from the i~ orrlce nctwo.L In this 213G7~

example, local exchange 20A includes the bro~sdb-s-n-l t~minAl associated with the called party number. In step 114 local eYchs~nge 20A i~lentifies the DCS port address of the bros~lbAnd terminAl associated with the called number l1tili~ing the table as described in FIG. 4. In step 116 a ~tel"lindlion is made if a route is available from S local exchange 20A to the bros~db-s-n.l terrnin-s-l 34A associated with the called number. A NO detel.~ AI;on results in a negative acknowled~nt being sent to the originAting exchange over the intelorrlce si nQling n~,tw~"~ as in~ ate l bystep 118. Next, the steps finish at END 120.
Upon a YES dete~ ati~n by step 116 which jntlic~s~tes that a route from 10 local eYchs-nge 20A to the bro~s~lh~n~l terminsl 34A is available, local exchange 20A
issues a com~eclion request to the DCS over co.. ~ l line 40A. This co.l~-d causes the tetTnin-s-ting DCS and any intervening DCS to establish a path between a design~ted brosdbsnd line 38A co-mect~ to local eYch-s-nge 20A and the final te~nin~ting DCS port to which the desired l)~ hsn(1 terminal is connected. In 15 step 124 a br~adbsnd call is established b~een the local exchange 20A and the Tl line conn~;!;ng the bro~Adhsn~ terminAl to the DCS port. In step 126 a call completion acknowledgem~nt is sent to the ~riginsting local eYchAnge 20 over theil t~.~f~ce si nsling n ~,tWC,l~. In step 128 local eY~hsngc 20A accepts the incoming l,r~ b.u~d (DS 1) call fTom local exch-s-nge 20 as carried by the int~,~rLce 20 trn~mi~sion n e~w~ . This completes the call ~ )ce~ g steps at the destin-stiQn eYch-s-nge as in-lic,s~ted by END 130.
FIG. 10 is a flow rlis,gr~s,m illu~llaling the termin-s-tion of an established bros~A. b~s~n-l call in accordance with the present invendon. neginnil~g at START 140, the originsting user of the Ixo~h~nA. colm~cLion obtains access to a line utili~ing~5 lele~holle 32 which c~ ,i~nds to the user's broaAbqn-l te~nin-sl with the ongoing snd co~ n;cation chsnnpl It will be noted that following the bros~lbqn~1 call origin~s~tiQn initiste~A. by utili7ing telephone 32, the n&"owl.and line coupling the tPlepho-~ 32 to local eYchsnge 20 need not be m-s-intsined after the compledon of the n~1 conn~;l-on. Thus, to inidate anotha request regarding the co,.es~nding 30 broatlhsnd tP-~mins~l, the user must reaccess the line associated with telephone 32. In step 144 the user enters a preA~ te- ...ined access code col,~ onding to an instruction to the local eYGh~nge to te~min~qte the co"~s~nding bro3~bq-nd path bcl~..e.,n the origin~tin~ user's broadbq-n-1 t~minvl and the called party's broq-dbqnd tçrminq-l In step 148 local exch~q,nge 20 tlans~ s a col~,.lalion mess~ge to the telephone 3235 associated with the ori~in~qting broadb~qnd tçrminql COI~ ~illg the request for bro~lhqnd call termin~tion. This message may comprise a displayed message if 21Q~7~1~

telephone 32 is an ISDN telephone or ~r det~lnfined audible tones if telephone 32 is a conventional analog telephone. In step 150 local exchange 20 sends path release co....~.~nds to the DCS(s) through which the origin~ting broadban~l terminal is connected. This causes the local path controlled by exchange 20 to be rele~eA InS step 152 local exch~nge 20 sends a path release cc-...~.And lltili7ing the intelorrlce switch netwoll~ to local eYch~nge 20A in~licating that the col~;",ol1ding DSl broAdb3n-1 path should be rel~~ce.1 Upon receiving the path release co..~ n~, local exchange 20A will release the previously est~blished br~tlb~nd connection through the DCS(s) a~soci~ted with the called party nulll~l. The path release steps 10 termin~tes at END 154.
A similar bro~db~nd call temnin~tion process can be initi~te~l by the colle~nding tel~,phone 32A of the called party bl~ ~b~n-i terminal 34A.
Recm~e 24 B ch~nn~ls can be utilized for user co.~ ,-ications over an ISDN PRI circuit in accoldance with the present invention, co.... n~ tions bel~e15 T1 users and ISDN PRI users are possible. This adds flexibility with regard to co.. ~ ti~nsbeh.~l suchusers.
The present invention also elimin~tes the need for direct point-to-point co.. ~ ati~" paths in order to utilize bro3db~n-1 co.. ~ tion~ The ability to utilize real-time dial-up l~n~?~n~ circuits m~Yimi7~s co....n~ ;c~tion c~pabilities 20 ~l~n bro~b~n~1 users will~oul requiring deAi~?t~A, high cost, fixed co....n~ tiQn paths.
Although an elllbo~;...f nl of the present invention has been described and illustrated in the drawings, the scope of the invention is defined by the claims which follow.

Claims (20)

1. A telephone exchange for providing broadband dial-up switched connections for broadband customer data terminal equipment (DTE) comprising:
narrowband transmission channels, broadband transmission channels, and broadband interoffice transmission channels;
means for accepting over one of said narrowband transmission channels a request for broadband service between a customer's certain DTE and another DTE supported by another exchange;
means, responsive to said accepting means receiving said request, for automatically controlling the establishment of a broadband connection between one of said broadband transmission channels and said certain DTE;
means for communicating with an interoffice communications network to establish a broadband channel over one of said broadband interoffice transmission channels to said another exchange which supports said another DTE;
means for connecting said one broadband transmission channel and said one broadband interoffice transmission channel to establish a broadband connection through the telephone exchange between said certain DTE and another DTE, thereby permitting broadband communications upon dial-up demand by a customer.

2. The exchange according to claim 1 wherein said accepting means accepts data signals sent over a narrowband dial-up channel, said data signals including a telephone number of the another DTE.

3. The exchange according to claim 1 wherein said controlling means comprises means for sending command signals to multiplexing equipment coupled to said broadband transmission channels and said certain DTE, said command signals controlling which DTE coupled to the multiplexing equipment are connected to the broadband transmission channels.

4. The exchange according to claim 3 further comprising means for storing a line location address of the multiplexing equipment of each supported DTE and a corresponding telephone number.

5. The exchange according to claim 1 wherein said communicating means comprises means for sending call establishment data via a channel in a first frame over said interoffice communications network to said another exchange, said sending means sending communications from said certain DTE to said another DTE
over a second frame.

6. The exchange according to claim 5 wherein all channels in said second frame are utilized for carrying communications between said certain DTE
and said another DTE.

7. In a telephone exchange having a plurality of narrowband transmission channels, broadband transmission channels, and broadband interoffice transmission channels, a method for providing broadband dial-up switched connections for broadband customer data terminal equipment (DTE) comprising the steps of:
accepting over one of said narrowband transmission channels a request for broadband service between a customer's certain DTE and another DTE
supported by another exchange;
upon receiving a customer request for broadband service, automatically controlling the establishment of a broadband connection between one of said broadband transmission channels and said certain DTE;
communicating with an interoffice communications network to establish a broadband channel over one of said broadband interoffice transmission channels to said another exchange which supports said another DTE;
connecting said one broadband transmission channel and said one broadband interoffice transmission channel to establish a broadband connection through the telephone exchange between said certain DTE and another DTE, thereby permitting broadband communications upon dial-up demand by a customer.

8. The method according to claim 7 wherein said accepting step accepts data signals sent over a dial-up narrowband channel, said data signals including a telephone number of the another DTE.

9. The method according to claim 7 further comprising the step of storing a line location address of each supported DTE and a corresponding telephone number.

10. The method according to claim 7 wherein said controlling step comprises sending command signals to muliplexing equipment coupled to said broadband transmission channels and said certain DTE, said command signals controlling which DTE coupled to the multiplexing equipment are connected to thebroadband transmission channels.

11. The method according to claim 7 wherein said communicating step comprises the steps of utilizing a channel in a first multichannel frame for sending call establishment data via said interoffice communications network to said another exchange, and establishing a second multichannel frame for carrying communications between said certain DTE and said another DTE.

12. The method according to claim 11 wherein all channels in said second multichannel frame can be utilized for carrying communications between said certain DTE and said another DTE.

13. A switching system that provides dial-up broadband connections for customer data terminal equipment (DTE) comprising:
a telephone exchange;
a plurality of broadband communication channels coupled to said exchange;
broadband switch coupled to said broadband communication channels and customer DTE's;
means utilized by customers for sending data over a dial-up line to said telephone exchange requesting a broadband connection from a certain DTE to another broadband DTE in another switching system;
control channel coupling said telephone exchange and broadband switch;
means responsive to said sending means for transmitting command signals over said control channel from said telephone exchange to said broadband switch, said command signals establishing a connection between one of said broadband communication channels and a certain customer DTE;
means of said exchange for communicating with an interoffice communications network to establish an interoffice broadband channel over another of said broadband communication channels to said another system which supports said another DTE;
means for connecting said one broadband transmission channel and said another broadband communication channel to establish a broadband connectionthrough the telephone exchange between said certain DTE and another DTE, thereby permitting broadband communications upon dial-up demand by a customer.

14. The system according to claim 13 wherein said dial-up line comprises a narrowband channel.

15. The system according to claim 13 further comprising means associated with the exchange for storing an address location and telephone number for each broadband DTE, said address location corresponding to the port on the switch that the associated DTE is connected.

16. The system according to claim 13 wherein said communicating means comprises means for sending call establishment data via a channel in a first frame over said interoffice network to said another system, said sending means sending communications from said certain DTE to said another DTE over a second frame.

17. In a switching system that provides dial-up broadband connections for customer data terminal equipment (DTE), said system including a telephone exchange, a plurality of broadband communication channels coupled to said exchange, and a broadband switch coupling said channels and customer DTE's, said method comprising the steps of:
sending data from a customer to said exchange requesting a broadband connection between a certain DTE and another broadband DTE in another switching system;

responsive to said data being sent, transmitting command signals from said exchange to said broadband switch, said command signals establishing aconnection between one of said broadband transmission channels and said certain customer DTE;
communicating with an interoffice communications network to establish an interoffice broadband channel from said telephone exchange to said another system which supports said another DTE;
connecting said one broadband transmission channel and said interoffice broadband channel to establish a broadband connection through the telephone exchange between said certain DTE and another DTE, thereby permitting broadband communications upon dial-up demand by a customer.

18. The method according to claim 17 wherein said sending step comprises sending said data over narrowband dial-up channel to said exchange.

19. The method according to claim 17 further comprising the step of storing an address location and telephone number for each broadband DTE, saidaddress location corresponding to a port on the switch to which the associated DTE
is connected.

20. The method according to claim 17 wherein said communicating step comprises the steps of utilizing a channel in a first frame for sending call establishment data via said interoffice network to said another system, and establishing a second frame over said interoffice network for carrying communications between said certain DTE and said another DTE.