Estimation and detection of transmission line characteristics in the copper access network

The copper access-network operators face the challenge of developing and maintaining cost-effective digital subscriber line (DSL) services that are competitive to other broadband access technologies. The way forward is dictated by the demand of ever increasing data rates on the twisted-pair copper lines. To meet this demand, a relocation of the DSL transceivers in cabinets closer to the customers are often necessary combined with a joint expansion of the accompanying optical-fiber backhaul network. The equipment of the next generation copper network are therefore becoming more scattered and geographically distributed, which increases the requirements of automated line qualification with fault detection and localization. This scenario is addressed in the first five papers of this dissertation where the focus is on estimation and detection of transmission line characteristics in the copper access network. The developed methods apply model-based optimization with an emphasis on using low-order modeling and a priori information of the given problem. More specifically, in Paper I a low-order and causal cable model is derived based on the Hilbert transform. This model is successfully applied in three contributions of this dissertation. In Paper II, a class of low-complexity unbiased estimators for the frequency-dependent characteristic impedance is presented that uses one-port measurements only. The so obtained characteristic impedance paves the way for enhanced time domain reflectometry (a.k.a. TDR) on twisted-pair lines. In Paper III, the problem of estimating a nonhomogeneous and dispersive transmission line is investigated and a space-frequency optimization approach is developed for the DSL application. The accompanying analysis shows which parameters are of interest to estimate and further suggests the introduction of the concept capacitive length that overcomes the necessity of a priori knowledge of the physical line length. In Paper IV, two methods are developed for detection and localization of load coils present in so-called loaded lines. In Paper V, line topology identification is addressed with varying degree of a priori information. In doing so, a model-based optimization approach is employed that utilizes multi-objective evolutionary computation based on one/two-port measurements. A complement to transceiver relocation that potentially enhances the total data throughput in the copper access network is dynamic spectrum management (DSM). This promising multi-user transmission technique aims at maximizing the transmission rates, and/or minimizing the power consumption, by mitigating or cancelling the dominating crosstalk interference between twisted-pair lines in the same cable binder. Hence the spectral utilization is improved by optimizing the transmit signals in order to minimize the crosstalk interference. However, such techniques rely on accurate information of the (usually) unknown crosstalk channels. This issue is the main focus of Paper VI and VII of this dissertation in which Paper VI deals with estimation of the crosstalk channels between twisted-pair lines. More specifically, an unbiased estimator for the square-magnitude of the crosstalk channels is derived from which a practical procedure is developed that can be implemented with standardized DSL modems already installed in the copper access network. In Paper VII the impact such a non-ideal estimator has on the performance of DSM is analyzed and simulated. Finally, in Paper VIII a novel echo cancellation algorithm for DMT-based DSL modems is presented

Measurement And Modeling Of Short Copper Cables For Ultra-wideband Communication

High-speed communication using the copper network, originally installed for telephony, is one of the dominant Internet access techniques. Several variants of a technology referred to as digital subscriber line (DSL) have been developed, standardized and installed during the last two decades. Essentially, DSL achieves high rates by exploiting wide bands of the copper cable channel. The shorter the cable, the wider the band that can be used efficiently for communication. Current DSL standards foresee the use of bands up to 30MHz. Cable properties have been studied by means of measurements, characterization and modeling up to frequencies of 30MHz. Recent investigations have shown that it is feasible both from technical and from economical point of view to exploit very short cables (up to 200m) even further and use bands above 30MHz. A prerequisite for further evaluation and the design of such ultra-wideband copper (UWBC) systems is the extension of existing cable models to higher frequencies. This paper presents wideband measurement results of insertion loss and crosstalk coupling in a 10-pair cable of various length values for frequencies up to 200MHz. We compare the results with extrapolations of cable models that are established in the 30MHz-range.6390Chen, W.Y., (1998) DSL: Simulation Techniques and Standards Development for Digital Subscriber Line Systems, , Macmillan Technical Publishing, ISBN 1-57870-017-5G.selt: Updated issues list for G.selt (2004) ITU-T Temporary Document SS U09, , ITU-TAsymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) transceivers (1999) ITU Recommendation G.992.1, , ITU-T, JuneAsymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) transceivers (1999) ITU Recommendation G.992.2, , ITU-T, JuneAsymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) extended bandwidth (ADSL2+) (2005) ITU Recommendation G.992.5, , ITU-TStarr, T., Cioffi, J.M., Silverman, P., (1998) Understanding Digital Subscriber Line Technology, , Prentice Hall, Englewood CliffsDedieu, H., The copper channel - Loop charactersitics and models (2005) Fundamentals of DSL Technology, , ch. ISBN 0849319137, AUERBACHVan Der Brink, R.F.M., (1998) Cable Reference Models for Simulating Metallic Access Networks, , Permanent Document TM6(97), ETSI STC TM6, Luleå, Sweden, JunePaul, C.R., (1994) Analysis of Multiconductor Transmission Lines, , Wiley, ISBN 0-471-02080-XCook, J.W., (1996) Parametric Modelling of Twisted Pair Cables for VDSL, , Temporary Document TD22, ETSI STC TM6, Vienna, Austria, MarVan Der Brink, R.F.M., (1997) Measurements and Models on Dutch Cables, , Temporary Document TD15, ETSI STC TM6, Tel Aviv, Israel, MarPollakowski, M., (1996) DTAG Cables Transmission Characteristics, , Temporary Document TD40, ETSI STC TM6, Vienna, Austria, MarPythoud, F., (1998) Model of Swiss Access Network Cables, , Temporary Document TD48, ETSI STC TM6, Madrid, Spain, JanHeylen, L., Musson, J., (1999) Cable Models Predict Physically Impossible Behavior in Time Domain, , Temporary Document TD08, ETSI STC TM6, Amsterdam, Netherlands, NovMusson, J., (1998) Maximum Likelihood Estimation of the Primary Parameters of Twisted Pair Cables, , Temporary Document TD06, ETSI STC TM6, Madrid, Spain, SeptBoets, P., Zekri, M., Van Biesen, L., Bostoen, T., Pollet, T., On the identification of cables for metallic access networks (2001) 18th IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference IMTC2001, 2, pp. 1348-1353. , Budapest, Hungary, MayBostoen, T., Boets, P., Zekri, M., Van Biesen, L., Pollet, T., Rabijns, D., Estimation of the transfer function of the access network by means of one-port scattering parameter measurements at the central office (2002) IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communication, 20, pp. 936-948. , JuneVery-high-bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL) metallic interface part 1: Functional requirement and common specification (2001) T1E1.4/2000-009R3, , ANSI T1E1.4, FebVan Der Brink, R.F.M., (2001) Laboratory Performance Tests for XDSL Systems, , Permanent Document TM6(98)10, ETSI STC TM6, Sophia Antipolis, France, FebValenti, C., NEXT and FEXT models for twisted-pair North American loop plant (2002) IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communication, 20, pp. 893-900. , JuneNedev, N.H., McLaughlin, S., Cook, J.W., Wideband UTP cable measurements and modelling for MIMO systems (2004) Proc. European Signal Processing Conf. EUSIPCO 2004, , (Vienna, Austria), SeptMagesacher, T., Henkel, W., Tauböck, G., Nordström, T., Cable measurements supporting xDSL technologies (2002) Journal E&i Elektrotechnik und Informationstechnik, 199, pp. 37-43. , FebMagesacher, T., Ödling, P., Börjesson, P.O., Henkel, W., Nordström, T., Zukunft, R., Haar, S., On the capacity of the copper cable channel using the common mode (2002) Proc. IEEE Global Telecommun. Conf. GLOBECOM 2002, , (Taipei, Taiwan), NovTomita, N., Ohmura, M., Low-frequency crosstalk loss characteristics of balanced cables (1989) Electron. Commun. Japan, Part 1, 72 (3), pp. 95-105Goedbloed, J.J., Aspects of EMC at the equipment level (1997) Proc. 12th Intl. Symp. Electromagn. Compat., pp. 23-38. , (Zurich, Switzerland), FebWerner, J.J., The HDSL environment (1991) IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communication, 9, pp. 785-800. , AugConte, R.A., A crosstalk model for balanced digital transmission in multipair cables (1986) AT&T Tech. J., 65, pp. 41-59. , May-JunSchutt-Aine, J.E., High-frequency characterization of twisted-pair cables (2001) IEEE Trans. on Commun., 49, pp. 598-601. , AprGresh, P.A., Physical and transmission characteristics of customer loop plant (1969) The Bell System Technical Journal, 48, pp. 3337-3385. , DecManhire, L.M., Physical and transmission characteristics of customer loop plant (1978) The Bell System Technical Journal, 57, pp. 35-39. , JanPierce, S.B., Crosstalk in twisted pair circuits (1986) Proc. Intl. Wire and Cable Symp., pp. 349-354Fung, A., Lee, L.S., Falconer, D.D., A facility for near end crosstalk measurements on ISDN subscriber loops (1989) Proc. IEEE Global Telecommun. Conf, , paper 54.

Physical Layer Techniques for High Frequency Wireline Broadband Systems

This thesis collects contributions to wireline and wireless communication systems with an emphasis on multiuser and multicarrier physical layer technology. To deliver increased capacity, modern wireline access systems such as G.fast extend the signal bandwidth up from tens to hundreds of MHz. This ambitious development revealed a number of unforeseen hurdles such as the impact of impedance changes in various forms. Impedance changes have a strong effect on the performance of multi-user crosstalk mitigation techniques such as vectoring. The first part of the thesis presents papers covering the identification of one of these problems, a model describing why it occurs and a method to mitigate its effects, improving line stability for G.fast systems.A second part of the thesis deals with the effects of temperature changes on wireline channels. When a vectored (MIMO) wireline system is initialized, channel estimates need to be obtained. This thesis presents contributions on the feasibility of re-using channel coefficients to speed up the vectoring startup procedures, even after the correct coefficients have changed, e.g., due to temperature changes. We also present extensive measurement results showing the effects of temperature changes on copper channels using a temperature chamber and British cables. The last part of the thesis presents three papers on the convergence of physical layer technologies, more specifically the deployment of OFDM-based radio systems using twisted pairs in different ways. In one proposed scenario, the idea of using the access copper lines to deploy small cells inside users' homes is explored. The feasibility of the concept, the design of radio-heads and a practical scheme for crosstalk mitigation are presented in three contributions

Quantum Metropolitan Optical Network based on Wavelength Division Multiplexing

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is maturing quickly. However, the current approaches to its application in optical networks make it an expensive technology. QKD networks deployed to date are designed as a collection of point-to-point, dedicated QKD links where non-neighboring nodes communicate using the trusted repeater paradigm. We propose a novel optical network model in which QKD systems share the communication infrastructure by wavelength multiplexing their quantum and classical signals. The routing is done using optical components within a metropolitan area which allows for a dynamically any-to-any communication scheme. Moreover, it resembles a commercial telecom network, takes advantage of existing infrastructure and utilizes commercial components, allowing for an easy, cost-effective and reliable deployment.Comment: 23 pages, 8 figure

Dynamic performance evaluation of full time domain EMI measurement systems

© 2018 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes,creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other worksThis paper presents the evaluation of the performance of Full Time Domain Electromagnetic Interference measurement systems in terms of the noise figure, the linearity, the dynamic range, the voltage standing wave ratio and the crosstalk. The abovementioned parameters allow a broader characterization of the oscilloscope-based implementations of CISPR 16-1-1 measuring receivers, providing relevant specifications that are beyond the standardized baseline requirements. Such metrics are assessed using the actual settings and operating conditions required for compliant time-domain EMI measurements. For the specific oscilloscope used in the experiments, the noise figure is measured for all the different vertical ranges between 5 mV/div and 1 V/div. Likewise, the linearity and the dynamic range, in terms of the effective number of bits, was measured for sine wave input signals with an rms voltage swept between 20 mV and 1 V. This experiment was repeated for CISPR bands A, Band C/D using 10 kHz, 1 MHz, and 100 MHz sinusoids, respectively. The results allow a more comprehensive comparison between Full-TDEMI measurement systems and the more conventional superheterodyne architecture receivers that are completely specified in the frequency domain. © 2018 IEEE.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Cable analysis for electromagnetic compatibility issues

This dissertation consists of three papers. In the first paper, a high-sensitivity resonant electric field probe was designed, consisting of an LC resonator loaded by quarter-wave transformers. At the resonant frequency of 1.577 GHz, the measured |S21| from a matched trace to the resonant probe was approximately 6.6 dB higher than that of an equivalently sized broadband probe. In the second paper, a method for creating a simple SPICE model is proposed such that the SPICE model allows prediction of radiated emissions in component level tests. The radiation from the ground connections between the cables and return plane dominates over the radiation from the horizontal cables. In the third paper, a methodology for measuring coupling parameters and modeling crosstalk within aircraft cable connectors at low frequencies (\u3c 400 MHz) was developed. The accuracy of the model was evaluated through comparison of simulated and measured results. Additionally, a closed-form solution was developed to estimate the worst-case envelope of the differential crosstalk --Abstract, page iv

RF and Microwave Measurements

open1noBasic theory and techniques are concentrated mostly in the first four chapters, where definitions, formulas and references are collected aiming at giving a thorough overview of the most relevant topics: circuit theory, material properties, transmission lines, signal analysis and spectral analysis, including random processes, probability and statistics. The central chapters 5, 6 and 7 deals with three important elements of setups and experiments: cables, printed circuit boards and connectors. The influence on the overall measurement, their modeling and characterization are discussed, keeping an eye on applicable standards. The last four chapters cover advanced aspects of scattering parameters, differential lines and mixed modes, and the use and performance of spectrum analyzer and vector network analyzer.openA. MariscottiMariscotti, A

The Impact of Higher Order Pulse Amplitude Modulation and Transmission Performance over Twisted Pair Cable

The digital age makes it possible to be globally networked at any time. Digital communication is therefore an important aspect of today’s world. Hence, the further development and expansion of this is becoming increasingly important. Even within a wireless system, copper channels are important as part of the overall network. Given the need to keep pushing at the current limitations, careful design of the cables in connection with an adapted coding of the bits is essential to transmit more and more data. One of the most popular and widespread cabling technologies is symmetrical copper cabling [1, pp. 8-15]. It is also known as Twisted Pair and it is of immense importance for the cabling of communication networks. At the time of writing this thesis, data rates of up to 10 GBit/s over a transmission distance of 100 m and 40 GBit/s over a transmission distance of 30 m are standardized for symmetrical copper cabling [2]. Other lengths are not standardized. Short lengths in particular are of great interest for copper cables, because copper cables are usually used for short distances, such as between computers and the campus network or within data centres. This work has focused on the transmission of higher order Pulse Amplitude Modulation and the associated transmission performance. The central research question is:“how well can we optimize the transmission technique in order to be able to maximise the data bandwidth over Ethernet cable and, given that remote powering is also a significant application of these cables, how much will the resulting heating affect this transmission and what can be done to mitigate that?” To answer this question, the cable parameters are first examined. A series of spectral measurements, such as Insertion Loss, Return Loss, Near End Crosstalk and Far End Crosstalk, provide information about the electromagnetic interference and the influence of the ohmic resistance on the signal. Based on these findings, the first theoretical statements and calculations can be made. In the next step, data transmissions over different transmission lengths are realized. The examination of the eye diagrams of the different transmission approaches ultimately provides information about the signal quality of the transmissions. An overview of the maximum transmission rate depending on the transmission distance shows the potential for different applications. Furthermore, the simultaneous transmission of energy and data is a significant advantage of copper. However, the resulting heat development has an influence on the data transmission. Therefore, the influence of the ambient temperature of cables is investigated in the last part and changes in the signal quality are clarified.The research project at Reutlingen University was funded by the Federal Republic of Germany (funding code: 03TNG008A