Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02469329 2004-06-23
A LINE POWERED CODERIDECODER (CODEC)
This is a division of co-pending Canadian Patent Application Serial
No. 2,322,252, filed October 4, 2000.
Field Of The Invention
This invention relates to a line interface for data access arrangements (DAA).
More particularly, it relates to an adaptive line powered codec.
Background Of Related Art
Many portable computer devices utilize modems and other data devices for
communicating over a telephone line. In such devices, battery size and weight
is an
important consideration. A balance must be reached between the size and weight
of
the overall device, which is dictated largely by the choice of battery, and an
acceptable
length of operation between charges.
Unfortunately, although operating an acceptable length of time when running
typical application programs, the modems and other data communication devices
of a
portable computer utilize a large amount of power when communicating over a
telephone line. The battery source which powers both the portable computer
device
and its modem is typically sized for general computing applications, and runs
out of
power quickly when actively communicating over a telephone line through a
modem.
Portable computer devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), hand
held PCs
(HPC), PCMCIA modems, and portable data terminals are designed to operate up
to
several hours on a single battery charge, but operate only fractions of an
hour on a
single battery charge when communicating via modem. Thus, although portable
computer devices operate a sufficient length of time for quick data transfers
over a
CA 02469329 2004-06-23
z
modem powered completely by a battery, they typically require that external AC
power
be applied to allow for longer uses of the modem. It is therefore desirable
for battery
powered computer devices including a modem to draw power, in addition to the
inherent
battery, from a secondary power source.
The DC power inherent in a telephone line provides a convenient source of
power, but there are often limitations and restrictions which limit the
ability of a modem
to derive power from the telephone line. For instance, present regulations in
the
United States are such that significant current may only be drawn from the
telephone
line when the telephone or modem is in an off-hook or active condition. In
order to hold
the telephone line in an off hook condition, current in the approximate range
of
13 milliamps (mA) to 150 mA must be drawn. Thus, the maximum amount of current
drarrvn from the telephone line is limited.
Modems which are designed to be powered entirely from the telephone line are
known, but these designs either suffer from an extremely constrained power
budget, or
are wasteful of the available current. Moreover, modems in general are also
subject to
government constraints, e.g., FCC Part 68 requirements for telephones in the
U.S., and
limitations on effects and noise which may be placed back on the telephone
line, placing
further restrictions on the use of power from the telephone line.
An exemplary line powered modem is described in U.S. Patent No. 6,421,430,
entitled "Line Powered DAA With Single Ended Feedback" by Hollenbach et al.,
issued
July 16, 2002.
A Data Access Arrangement (DAA) provides the physical interface between a
data source such as a modem, and a telephone line. The DAA is responsible for
presenting the proper DC termination and AC modulation characteristics to the
telephone line. For instance, the DAA must draw a minimum amount of DC current
CA 02469329 2004-06-23
3
when in the off hook condition to hold the telephone line in an off-hook
condition, but at
the same time must draw no more than a maximum amount of current while in the
off-hook condition. Thus, the DC termination or load must be within prescribed
limits
corresponding to the pertinent telephone standards of the country in which the
DAA is
being used. Accordingly, the modem must operate with no more than the
prescribed
maximum current available from a telephone line in the particular country in
which the
DAA is being used.
In today's global economy, it is desirable to design and manufacture products
for
use in any of a plurality of different countries, not just for a single
country. However, the
regulations with respect to the minimum and maximum amount of current the
customer
premises equipment must draw (i.e., the DC load) to meet the off-hook
specifications
varies greatly in different countries. Thus, a DAA used in one country must
provide
characteristics to a telephone line which may be and often are entirely
different from the
characteristics presented by a DAA used in another country. Accordingly,
manufacturers conventionally manufacture different DAAs including different
physical
components for each of the varying countries, or manufacture a DAA with
termination
components which are switched in and out based on the requirements of the
particular
country in which the device is used. Manufacture of separate DAAs for separate
countries, and/or the manufacture of DAAs having switchable components for use
in
various countries, increases the overall costs of providing such DAAs in a
global
marketplace. Moreover, the reliability may be degraded due to the higher parts
count.
There is a need for a cost effective and reliable DAA capable of being powered
at
least in part by the available line current presented by the various
countries.
CA 02469329 2004-06-23
4
Summary Of The Invention
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a line powered
codes comprises a line powered analog-to-digital converter, and a line powered
digital-to-analog converter. A DC current measurement module is adapted to
determine
an amount of current available for use from a telephone line ire an off-hook
condition.
The analog-to-digital converter and the digital-to-analog converter are each
adapted to
be maintained in a reset condition when the DC current measurement module
determines that insufficient current is available from the telephone line in
the off-hook
condition.
A method of powering up a line powered codes in accordance with another
aspect of the present invention comprises determining an approximate amount of
available current at a tip of the line powered codes connected to a telephone
line. The
line powered components of the line powered codes are allowed to operate if
the
determined amount of available current is sufficient. Otherwise the line
powered
components of the line powered codes are retained in a reset state.
A method of maintaining a minimum current draw from a telephone in a line
powered codes capable of programmably adjusting an output impedance in
accordance
with yet another aspect of the present invention comprises determining an
approximate
amount of available current at a tip of the Line powered codes connected to a
telephone
line. The line powered components of the line powered codes are allowed to
operate if
the determined amount of available current is sufficient, otherwise a minimum
DC
voltage level is maintained at the tip of the line powered codes from a
processor on a
low power side of the line powered codes.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a
line
powered COderIDECoder (codes), comprising: a fine powered analog-to-digital
converter; a line powered digital-to-analog converter; and a DC current
measurement
module to determine an amount of current available for use from a telephone
line in an
CA 02469329 2004-06-23
4a
off-hook condition; wherein said analog-to-digital converter and said digital-
to-analog
converter are each adapted to be maintained in a reset condition when said DC
current
measurement module determines that insufficient current is available from said
telephone line in said off-hook condition.
Brief Description Of The Drawings
The present invention, taken in conjunction with the invention described in
co-pending Canadian Patent AppPication Serial No. 2,322,252, filed October 4,
2000,
will be described in detail hereinbelow with the aid of the accompanying
drawings, in
which:
Fig. 1 shows a simplified example system topology for a line powered codes
with
extended DC feedback control in accordance with the principles of the present
invention.
Fig. 2 shows the resulting line current after the system of Fig. 1 is placed
off-hook, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
Fig. 3 shows the resulting line voltage after the system of Fig. 1 goes off-
hook, in
accordance with the principles of the present invention.
Fig. 4 shows a block diagram of a line powered codes having a low current
portion and a high current portion of a line powered codes, in accordance with
another
aspect of the present invention.
Fig. 5 shows a timing diagram useful for explaining the operation of the line
powered codes as shown in Fig. 4 during a call bridge or other interruption of
Tip/Ring
current during an off-hook condition.
Fig. 6 shows a timing diagram useful for explaining the low current startup
timing
of the line powered codes, in accordance with the principles of the present
invention.
Fig. 7 shows a block diagram of another modem, in accordance with yet another
aspect of the present invention.
CA 02469329 2004-06-23
Detailed Description Of Illustrative Embodiments
A codec for a data access arrangement (DAA) is disclosed which adaptively
allows proper operation with power supplied from a telephone line as
conditions
warrant, while at the same time satisfying the relevant requirements of many
5 countries.
In particular, a codec is disclosed which is capable of being powered
partially
and adaptively from telephone line current, as conditions warrant.
Conventionally,
several problems associated with line powered codecs have limited or
prevented.the
development of a codec which is partially powered by telephone line current.
For
instance, different regulations in various countries allow the current andlor
voltage to
disappear from the telephone line for short periods of time, interrupting the
source of
power to a line powered codec. Thus, a line powered codec must be capable of
recovering from reset conditions while still maintaining regulations set by
the particular
country. Conventional line powered codecs return to a default condition after
reset.
When a line powered codec is designed to be used in a single country, that
default condition can be set to correspond to that country, ensuring
compliance with
all regulations throughout the reset process. However, if the same codec is
then used
in a different country, the default reset settings of the codec might not
comply with the
local regulations (e.g., AC and/or DC impedance requirements), the codec will
likely
fall out of compliance at least for the brief time after reset, and the codec
reverts to its
default conditions. In most countries this is unacceptable.
Thus, line powered codecs have conventionally been designed to comply with
the regulations of a single country. To market a fine powered codec in more
than onE
country, a manufacturer would have to design and stock a corresponding number
of
models of their line powered codec. Unfortunately, multiple models of a
product
increase costs and cause products utilizing the line powered codecs to be
inflexible
between countries.
The disclosed line powered codecs overcome the issues associated with line
powering a codec capable of configuration for any of a plurality of countries.
CA 02469329 2004-06-23
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In particular, the disclosed line powered codec overcomes at least the -
following issues otherwise problematic with conventional line powered modems:
(a)
Maintaining customized country-specific register settings (e.g., setting AC
itiipedance
values) through a power down of the line powered portion of the line powered
codec.
(b) Retaining an off-hook condition throughout power down cycles of a line
powered
codec by maintaining register contents throughout a call bridge; (c)
Preventing
oscillation in the telephone line caused by repeated shutdown and power-up of
a line
powered codec due to a low current condition insufficient to fully power the
line
powered codec; and (d) Distributing available current draw among the line
powered
components of a codec through on-hook to off-hook transitions, or off-hook to
on-
hook transitions in light of the greatly different amount of available line
current during
on-hook or off-hook conditions.
An exemplary startup procedure for an international fine powered codec is
disclosed using certain register settings, e.g., country-specific register
settings, which
are powered and maintained from the low voltage side (e.g., from the PC or
modem
side) of the line powered codec. By powering appropriate registers from the
low
current draw side (i.e., "low voltage side") of the line powered codec, the
programmed
state of the line powered codec can be maintained even through a call bridge
where
the telephone line looses power for up to 400 milliseconds (mS).
A call bridge is a temporary interruption in the line current from the central
office to the premises telephone, and can last as long as 400 mS. Telephone
regulations specify that the telephone must recover to an aff-hook current
draw within
15 mS of the central office restoring power to the telephone line.
By maintaining power to registers, a default condition is not necessarily
returned to by the line powered codec upon reset due to a power loss in the
telephone line.
Interface codecs are used in digital data access arrangements (DAAs) to
provide, among other things, digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital
conversion
between the analog signals on a telephone line and the digital components such
as a
processor (e.g., digital signal processor (DSP)) in a modem or other
application device
utilizing the DAA.
CA 02469329 2004-06-23
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In order to meet international standards, terminal equipment (modem) must
seize the line and set the appropriate current according to the country
specific
voltage/current (VI) loadline. This must be accomplished within 20
milliseconds (mS)
to satisfy the requirements of most countries. To set the current this fast
the gyrator
which sets the DC current and voltage must be pre-charged. This is typically
accomplished with several external components which form various pre-charge
filters
and an electronic inductor.
In addition the line powered codec should not be turned on if the line current
is
too low to support operation.
Conventional modem codecs address such problems by using external
components which can be switched in and out based on the requirements of the
specific country. Unfortunately, the external components needed for this
method of
hardware programmability increases costs tremendously.
In contrast, the present invention provides a codec in a digital data access
arrangement (DAA) which is capable of retaining programmed settings even
through a
reset condition, without the need to change or switch external components in
or out.
Fig. 1 shows a simplified example system topology for a line powered codec
with extended DC feedback control in accordance with the principles of the
present
invention. Details such as a full-wave rectifier (i.e., polarity guard),
lightning protection
circuits, and other details are not shown in Fig. 1 for simplicity of
explanation.
In particular, in Fig. 1, a line powered codec 100 in accordance with the
principles of the present invention provides the basis for a DAA between a
digital
signal processor'(DSP) 102 of, e.g., a modem and a telephone line from a
central
office 140.
In the disclosed embodiment there are two circuits in parallel with one
another
on the line side of the adaptive line powered codec 100, across the Tip and
Ring
connections to the telephone line from the central office 140. The central
office 140
provides an amount of fine current through a characteristic impedance on the
telephone line as depicted by the series connection of a voltage source 132
(e.g., 50
volts) and a resistor (e.g., 600 ohms).
CA 02469329 2004-06-23
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The first parallel circuit on the fine side of the line powered codec 100
comprises a series connection of a current source 120, a shunt resistor 122, a
transistor 124, and a resistor 126. The current source 120, shunt resistor i
22, and
transistor 124 provide a programmable impedance technique. The impedance of
the
customer premises equipment including the line powered codec 100 is controlled
by
the line powered codec 100 in accordance with the values of appropriate
registers sei
by the DSP 102. The resistor 126 allows a current in this first parallel
circuit to be
measured.
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a second parallel
circuit on the line side of the line powered codec 100 includes a reference
capacitor
130 (Cref) in series with a reference resistor 128 (Rref). Cref and Rref set a
reference
impedance level.
The (ine powered codec 100 includes an analog-to-digital (AID) converter 106
in a receive path, and a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter 110 in a transmit
path. In
addition, a default current level control module 108 is added to a transmit
path at
summation point to depict control of the level of current being drawn from the
telephone line. The default current level may be, e.g., 10 mA.
A DC current module 114 sets the level of DC current generated on the
telephone line by the current source 120.
A shunt control module 116 generates a voltage sufficient to operate the
codec.
A DC current measurement module 118 allows measurement of the current
and voltage of the available pawer on the telephone fine.
A current good module 112 determines if the amount of current measured by
the DC current measurement module 118 is sufficient to allo;~~ line powered
operation
of the line powered components of the codec 100.
Fig. 2 shows the resulting line current after the system of Fig. 1 is placed
off-hook. In Fig. 2, the x-axis shows time (in milliseconds {ms)) and the y-
axis shows
the tip current in milliamps (mA).
CA 02469329 2004-06-23
9
Fig. 3 shows the resulting line voltage after the system of Fig. 1 goes off-
hook.
In Fig. 3, the x-axis shows time (ms) while the y-axis shows tip voltage
(volts).
The startup procedure of the line powered codes 100 is best described with
respect to its operation through four states after the line powered codes 100
goes into
an off-hook condition and seizes the telephone line. The four states are
arbitrarily
referred to herein as State A, State B, State C, and State D, and are shown in
each of
Figs. 1, 2 and 3.
The first state (e.g., State A) relates to the initial moment after the
telephone
fine goes off-hook and during which the line powered codes remains in a reset
condition. The second state (e.g., State B) relates to the time of instability
of certain
line powered components in the codes 100 and during which a capacitor draws an
initial surge of current. The third state (e.g., State C) relates to the point
at which the
line powered components of the line powered codes 100 become stable and the
rechargeable element provides current back to the line powered components of
the
line powered codes 100. The line powered codes 100 becomes stable after the
third
state (State C) is completed (e.g., forming what may be referred to as a
fourth State
D). State D refers to the final state indicating the end of the startup
procedure.
The operation of States A to C are now discussed in more detail, with
reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3.
State A: (e.c~., 0 to 1 ms)
initially, the modem (including the DSP 102) causes the line powered codes
100 to go off-hook and start drawing nearly short circuit line current. In
this condition
(i.e., in State A), the majority of the components of the codes 102, i.e., the
line
powered components of the codes, will be in reset. This is pictorially
depicted by a
figurative switch to ground in element 147. Switch 147 is across the current
source
120. Of course, element 147 is for explanation purposes only, and does not
necessarily constitute an actual switch to ground. The intent of switch 147 is
to
temporarily short the current source 120 to get a large value of IT flowing at
the
beginning of the off-hook startup procedure.
CA 02469329 2004-06-23
The line powered components of the codec 102 are pre-selected such that
their power draw during on-hook conditions will be less current than the
maximum
allowed from the telephone line in any country of use, e.g., less than 200
rriicroamps
(uA) of current from the telephone line.
5 During State A, the voltage at the Tip will be maintained at a minimum
level,
e.g., 5V, while presenting nearly a short circuit to the central office 140.
In the given
example, the Tip current (IT) of the codec will be, e.g., 80 mA.
In accordance with this aspect of the present invention, the DC current
measurement module 118 of the codec 100 measures the Tip current {IT) to
10 determine if the available amount of current is high enough to support
operation of the
line powered components of the codec 100. The current good module 112 depicts
a
comparator circuit or similar circuit or digital process to determine if
sufficient current
is being drawn from the telephone line.
If the current good module 112 determines that there is not sufficient current
available, the line powered codec 100 will remain in reset, i.e., in State A.
However, if
the current good module 112 determines that the amount of available current
being
drawn from the telephone line after a given amount of time is sufficient
enough to
support operation of the line powered components of the codec 100, the next
state
(e.g., State B) is entered. In the given embodiment, sufficient current drawn
from the
telephone line to support line powered operation of the codec is an amount of
at least
10 mA after 1 ms of measurement.
State B: (e.g:. 1 ms to 6 ms)
After State A successfully determines that there is sufficient current in the
telephone line to power the line powered codec 100; the codec 100 enters the
second
state, e.g., State B.
In Slate B, the initial reset state (State A) is de-asserted and normal
operation
of the line powered components of the codec 100 begins. This includes opening
switch 147. At this point, the line current (i.e., the Tip current) is set to
a suitable
default value, e.g., to 10 mA as depicted by the 10 mA control module 108.
CA 02469329 2004-06-23
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In accordance with the principles of the present invention, an impedance 128
and 130 is charged during State B, as particularly shown in Fig. 2 In the
disclosed
embodiment, the impedance 128, 130 is comprised of a series connection of a
reference capacitor 130 (Cref7 and a reference resistor 128 {Rref).
Because of the initial drain of charging the impedance 128, 130, the default
current (e.g., 10 mA set by control module 108) will not be reached for a
certain
period of time. Thus, State B will continue for an amount of time sufficient
to allow
stabilization of the charge to the impedance 128, 130. The charge to the
impedance
128, 130 may be considered stabilized when it reaches, e.g., 90% of its
ultimate level,
as depicted in Fig. 2.
For example, as shown in Fig. 2, an exemplary amount of time sufficient to
allow the disclosed impedance 128, 130 to charge is 5 milliseconds (ms). This
stabilization time (e.g., 5 ms) also allows the analog circuits and filters
(e.g., digital
signal processor (DSP) filters) in the DAA time to stabilize.
After the DAA components have been allowed to stabilize (e.g., after the 1 ms
of State A and the 5 ms of State B), State C is entered.
State C: f 6 mS to 20 ms)
In State C, extended DC feedback in a suitable processor supporting the
codec (e.g., digital signal processor (DSP)) begins to operate. In accordance
with the
extended DC feedback feature of the present invention, the supporting
processor
(e.g., DSP 102) models a variable resistor.
To perform as a variable resistor, the DSP 102 measures the Tip voltage using
the AID converter 106. Based on the value of the Tip voltage, the DSP 102 will
set
the value of the Tip current by adjusting the output voltage of the digital-to-
analog
(DIA) converter. Thus, the DSP 102 provides extended or additional DC feedback
to .
the telephone line ensuring that any of a variety of country's VII loadline
will be met
within the desired amount of time, e.g., within 20 ms.
Thus, using the support of extended DC feedback, the Tip current (IT) of the
telephone line will converge to a value greater than the minimum acceptable
line
CA 02469329 2004-06-23
12
current for the specific country. Ideally, this convergence will happen as
fast as possible
without causing instabilities.
Although a minimum of 20 ms is described as satisfying the regulations of most
countries of current interest, the specific line current and convergence time
are
preferably programmably controlled by software parameters in the DSP, allowing
use of
the line powered codec 100 in many countries.
State D: t20 ms to call duration)
After State C, (i.e., during a subsequent State D), the parameters of the
system
will have been met. Preferably, the DC loadline will be protected from
disturbances by
AC signals. To this end, the DSP is capable of adjusting the DC feedback so
that the
system appears to the telephone line as a large inductor.
In other words the feedback transfer function of the line powered codec 100 of
the DAA functions as a low pass filter having a cutoff frequency as close to
DC as
possible. This is because fast changes in the DC value are no longer
necessary. A
suitable description of how a digital signal processor (DSP) can be operated
to emulate
a large inductor is provided in U.S. Patent No. 6,665,403, issued December 16,
2003,
entitled "Digital Gyrator"; by J. Fischer, D. Laturell, and L. Smith.
In addition to the issues surrounding the proper power-up of a line powered
codec as described herein above, a line powered codec is disclosed which is
capable of
retaining an off-hook condition during a call bridge even through an
unexpected
power-down of the line powered codec due to a low current or low voltage
condition on
the supplying telephone line. These and other aspects of the present invention
allow a
line powered codec to operate and pass homologation testing on low current
telephone
lines.
Many countries around the warld specify that the TipIRing voltage can collapse
to
0 volts during an active call, and that the collapsed voltage level can remain
at 0 volts
for up to 400 ms. Thereafter, when the otherwise normal TipIRing voltage level
is
restored, the current on the telephone line must rise to greater than a
certain level, e.g.,
15 mA within a prescribed amount of time, e.g., within 15 ms, to continue the
CA 02469329 2004-06-23
13
previously established telephone call. Of course, while these values relate to
a worst
case scenario for many countries, these values are only exemplary as each
particular
country may have a different specification as to how long the voltage can
remain at 0
volts, how fast the device (e.g., modem) must respond when the voltage is
returned,
etc.
To set up a telephone call, a conventional codes typicaldy includes severa~
programmable registers which are programmed to set gain, control startup
timers and
go off-hook. However, this presents a problem for a line powered codes which
is
placed in the high voltage section (i.e., the line side) of a modem.
For instance, when the voltage of the line (i.e., at TipIRing) collapses,
e..g., to
substantially 0 volts, a line powered codes will be caused to reset.
Thereafter, when
power is reapplied to the telephone line from the central office, the line
powered
codes will again power-up and enter its default state, i.e., an on-hook state.
This leads to a difficult synchroni2ation problem for the controller of the
modem (e.g., for the DSP) because the conventional controller has no knowledge
of
when the voltage of the line (i.e., Tip/Ring voltage) has been restored, and
therefore
may be unable to re-establish the fine powered codes bacfc into its previously
off-hook
state quickly enough fo meet the requirements of the particular country, e.g.,
to 15 mA
within 15 ms.
In accordance with this aspect of the present invention, a calf bridge (i.e.,
TIPIRING voltage collapses to 0 VDC) can be maintained in a way which meets
the
requirements of many countries without the need for additional country-
specific
components to be switched in and out.
Fig. 4 shows a block diagram of a fine powered codes having a low current
portion and a high current portion of a line powered codes, in accordance with
another aspect of the present invention.
In particular, in Fig. 4, the line powered codes includes both a low current
portion 402 and a high current portion 404. The low current portion 402 and
the high
current portion 404 are powered separately. The high current portion 404 is
powered
entirely from the power derived from the telephone line. However, importantly,
the low
CA 02469329 2004-06-23
14
current portion 402 obtains power from the low voltage side of the line
powered codes
400 (i.e., from the modem side). Appropriate isolation may be used for signals
passed between the low current portion 402 and the high current portion 404.
The high current portion 404 contains most of the circuitry of the line
powered
codes 400, with the exception of those registers and timers 420 which should
be
maintained through a reset condition of the line powered codes 400 caused
during a
line power-down. For simplicity, only the circuits relevant to the current
disclosure are
shown in the line powered codes 400 of Fig. 4. Relevant to the current
discussion is a
voltage and current detection circuit 422.
The registers and timers 420 are always powered from the low voltage side
(i.e., the left side of Fig. 4) of the line powered codes 400, e.g., from a
charge storage
device 171 such as a charged capacitor and not from the telephone line. On the
other hand, the components deriving power from the high current portion 404 on
the
high voltage side (i.e., the right side of Fig. 4) of the line powered codes
400 are
always powered from the telephone line from the central office 140.
The voltage and current detection circuit 422 senses the current and voltage
level in the telephone line during a reset condition of the line powered codes
400. If
sufficient current and voltage are detected by the voltage and current
detection circuit
422, then an activation signal is provided to the appropriate state machine
logic (or
appropriate processor) to allow power-up of the high current portion 404 of
the line
powered codes 400.
The charge storage device 171 (e.g., a charged capacitor) is charged from an
appropriate source on the low voltage side of the line powered codes 400. In
the
disclosed embodiment, the clock out (e.g., a differential clock out signal) is
used with
appropriate diodes to form a charge pump to charge the charge storage 171
device
when the clock signal is active.
In operation, the line powered codes 400 is placed in an off-hook condition,
e.g., when the modem controller 102. writes a particular off-hook control bit
to an
appropriate register 420 in the fow current portion 402 of the line powered
codes 400.
CA 02469329 2004-06-23
At this point an external switch hook (in 410) is closed and current flows
into the line
powered codes from the telephone line.
The voltagelcurrent detection module 422 inside the high current portion 404
of
the line powered codes 400 monitors the voltage and current of the line (i.e.,
the
5 TiplRing voltage and current). If both voltage and current are high enough
for the
components in the high current portion 404 of the line powered codes 400 to
operate,
an appropriate signal is sent to the low current portion 402 of the line
powered
codes 400 causing an activation of a startup timer sequence based on the
timers 420 in
the low current portion 402.
10 After the line powered codes 400 is up and running, various country
regulations
allow for the voltage and/or current on the telephone line from the central
office 140 to
be interrupted. In this case, if the voltage and/or current from the central
office 140 are
interrupted, the voltage and current detect circuit 422 will trip and activate
the startup
sequencer based on the timers 420 in the low current portion 402, which in
turn will
15 activate the analog and other circuitry in the high current portion 404.
~uring this
interruption of power, data transmitted to the modem controller 102 will enter
a reset
condition, e.g., become all zeroes.
In this reset condition, the digital circuitry in the low current portion 402
of the line
powered codes 400 will draw very minimal current. In accordance with this
aspect of
the present invention, current necessary to maintain the registers in the low
current
portion 402 of the line powered codes 400 will be supplied from the low
voltage side of
the line powered codes 400 for the necessary amount of time, e.g., for up to
400 ms.
The modem controller 102 supplies the necessary power using, e.g., charge
pumping from, e.g., a clock signal or other oscillating signal and an external
capacitor.
The charge pump allows a much smaller and more practical charge storage
capacitor 171 to be used to power the low current side 402 during the call
bridge.
CA 02469329 2004-06-23
16
At this point, all registers 420 in the low current portion 402 of the line
powered
codec 400 retain their previously maintained values which they were programmed
to
from their default values, including, e.g., a bit or bits setting an off-hook
~ condition
which established a call bridge at the time that line powered was interrupted.
After the line power interruption and the central office voltage returns
within an
allowed amount of time, e.g., within 400 ms, the voltage and current detect
circuit 422
will output an appropriate activation signal, e.g., from low to high, to the
state machine
logic, and the original startup sequence will repeat based on the maintained
timers
and registers 420 but with the recognition that although the high current
drawing
circuitry will be in reset due to the power loss, the activation of the
startup sequence
does not reset the devices powered off the low voltage side of the line
powered codec
100, e.g., the register or timer values in the registers and timers 420 on the
low
current portion 102 of the line powered codec. By leaving the registers in
place
without being reset during a power cycle of the high voltage side of the line
powered
codec 100, call status (e.g., an off-hook condition) can be maintained.
After TIPIRlNG power has been restored, the line powered codec 400 can
immediately again draw at least the minimum amount of current, e.g., at least
15 mA
within, e.g., 15 ms without requiring interaction from the modem controller
102. If
interaction were to be required from the modem controller 102, the required
speed to
re-establishment of the current draw (i.e., the 15 mA) would be seriously
jeopardized.
Fig. 5 shows a timing diagram useful for explaining the operation of the line
powered codec as shown in I=ig. 4 during a call bridge or other interruption
of
TIP/RING current during an off-hook condition.
In particular, in the example of Fig. 5, the voltage from the central office
140
collapses for a period of less than 400 mS, as shown in waveform (a). Waveform
(b)
shows the activation signal output from the voltage and current detect circuit
422.
Waveform (c) and (d) show that a call had been established before the voltage
interruption in portion 502, and shows that the components powered in the high
current portion 404 of the line powered codec 400 will enter a low power off-
hook idle
state 504 wherein the high current components will be held in a reset
condition. At
this point, the voltagelcurrent detect circuit 422 will snoop the telephone
line to detect
CA 02469329 2004-06-23
17
either an incoming ring signal and/or when sufficient voltage is returned to
the
telephone line.
After the voltage level returns from the centra) office 140, a startup
sequence
506 is initiated in response to the activation signal as shown in waveform (b)
based on
the timer values and register values maintained in the registersltimers 420 in
the low
current portion 402 of the line powered codec 400. Then, very quickly before
the
maximum allotted time, e.g., 16 mS, the off-hook condition of the components
in the
high current portion 404 of the line powered codec 400 again draw the required
current from the telephone tine and continue operation as if the interruption
hadn't
occurred as shown in waveform (d) of Fig. 5.
The line powered codec 400 will of course power up and begin operation when
there is sufficient current on the telephone line allowing the fine powered
codec 100 to
do so. However, the line powered codec 100 must not power up during low
current
conditions to avoid power draw oscillations on the telephone line otherwise
caused by
a repeated power-up and power-down of a conventional line powered codec due to
an insufficient amount of power available on the telephone fine from the
central office
140. in accordance with the principles of an aspect of the present invention,
the
disclosed line powered codec 100 determines before if draws full current
(e.g.; 7 mA)
from the telephone fine whether or not there is enough current available to do
so.
Many countries around the world specify that the TipIRing current can be
anywhere from 300 uA to 5 ma during an off-hook condition. This current is
generally
too low to support a modem call using current modem circuitry.
For instance, shows the relationship of the central office current in waveform
(e) with respect to the off-hook signal in waveform (a), the voltage detection
signal in
waveform (b), the current detection signal in waveform (c), and the on-
hookloff-hook
status of the line powered codec 100. The codec current detect remains low
indicating there is insufficient line current for proper modem operation, and
the codec
high current section 404 is kept in reset.
The relevant governing body specifies regulations that the impedance looking
into the modem must be low enough to appear as a short circuit during these
low
CA 02469329 2004-06-23
18
current connections for several hundred ms. The regulations also require that
the
voltage at the line (i.e., the Tip/Ring voltage) does not oscillate.
Conventional line
powered codecs may oscillate if powered from the telephone line, in violation
of such
regulations.
For instance, since the active circuitry on a typical modem will draw more
than
5 ma, simply turning the modem ON will cause the line voltage at the Tip to
collapse,
causing the active circuitry of the modem to turn OFF. Once the active
circuitry turns
off, the voltage will rise again. Then, when the line voltage again becomes
high
enough to turn the modem circuitry back ON, this start process would repeat
and
appear as an oscillation, violating the governing regulations.
A conventional solution to the oscillation problem is to place all circuits
which
draw significant current on the low voltage side of the modem (i.e., on the PC
powered side). Unfortunately, this conventional solution requires additional
components and additional high voltage to low voltage isolation devices which
would
otherwise not be required if the components could be powered from the line.
These
additional components and isolation devices result in a more expensive and
potentially less reliable device than if the device were powered from the
line.
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, as shown in Fig.
7,
individual components or circuits inside the line powered codes 100 may be set
to
draw power either from a power bus drawing power from the telephone line on
the
high current portion 804, or to a power bus drawing power from the low voltage
side,
e.g., from the modem controller 102.
In particular, as shown in Fig. 7, a line powered codes 100 includes circuits
which always draw power from the low voltage side of the line powered codes
100,
e.g., the registers and timers 420, and circuits which always draw power from
the high
voltage side (i.e., the telephone tine side) of the fine powered codes 100,
e.g., the
voltagelcurrent detection circuit 422. Other circuits 832 which are otherwise
powered
by the telephone line are switched between being powered from the telephone
line
(e.g., using a 2.7 volt power rail derived from the telephone line) or from
the modem
controller 102 (e.g., using a 5 volt power rail supplied from the modem
controller 102).
This switching is depicted in the switch 834 shown in Fig. 7. As shown in Fig.
7 (and
CA 02469329 2004-06-23
19
in Fig. 4), a Zener diode 189 may be used across the charge storage device 171
to
limit the voltage level of the charge storage device 171.
At the beginning of the off-hook startup procedure, the line powered codec
100 causes the external components 410 to draw as much current as possible
from
the central office (i.e., resulting in as close a short circuit as possible),
while at the
same time powering only those devices on the power rail in the high current
portion
804 of the line powered codec 100. For instance, the voltage/current detect
circuit
422 remains powered from the telephone line. Preferably, at this time, only
modules
which draw low current are turned on in the line powered codec 100, allowing
the
majority of the available current to bypass the line powered codec 100 and be
measured by the voltage/current detect circuit 422.
The current which bypasses the line powered codec 100 is monitored by the
current detect portion of the voltage/current detect circuitry 422. If the
monitored
current is too low to turn on and operate the line powered codec 100, the
output of the
current detect circuit 422 will remain inactive (low) and the device will
remain in this
low line impedance state until instructed by controller 102 to terminate the
call attempt
and go back on-hook. However, if there is sufficient current and voltage
detected to
allow operation of the line powered codec 100 from the line, then the output
of the
voltage/current detect circuit 422 will activate, e.g., will go from 0 to 1
indicating that
there is enough voltage to operate the line powered codec 100. The startup
procedure discussed with reference to Figs. 2 and 3 is then followed to
establish the
modem connection.
This sequence of sensing the telephone line current capacity allows a line
powered codec which draws more than 5 milliamps (mA) current during normal
operation to pass the relevant low line current stability tests.
Not only is distribution of the current draw from the telephone line important
during low current conditions as just described, distribution of the current
draw from
the telephone. line is also important during transitions from on-hook to off-
hook and
from off-hook to on-hook.
CA 02469329 2004-06-23
In operation, before going off-hook, the modem controller 102 writes
particular
control values to one or more registers 420 in the line powered codec 100 to
set up a
telephone call. This may include, e.g., setting up system gains, startup
tinier values,
andlor initiating an off-hook sequencer based on the timers 420 in the low
current
5 portion 802 of the line powered codec 100.
To accomplish this, many circuits must be turned ON inside the fine powered
codec 100. For instance, a serial inputloutput (SIO) device, a data and clock
receiver,
a data transmitter, timers, etc. must be turned ON to set up a -modem
connection.
When these circuits are turned ON, the total current draw of the combined
modules
10 may be several hundred microamps.
This may not be a problem when the modem is still in an on-hook condition
because most countries allow at least 500 uA to be drawn from the central
office
during signaling conditions. Thus, sufficient current can be drawn by
switching in,
e.g., a 100K resistor across the Tip/Ring when needed. . The TiplRing voltage
is
15 typically greater than 50 volts while in an on-hook condition. Therefore,
ample
current, e.g., 500 uA will be available for use in powering the codec.
However, when the codec goes into an off-hook condition, the TipIRing
voltage may fall, e.g., to 6 volts_ This would leave less than, e.g., 60 uA
for use by the
digital circuitry. Moreover, ring detect is pertormed white in an on-hook
condition. Ali
20 of the previously mentioned digital circuits are needed in the line powered
codec 100,
in addition to a bandgap, reference circuit, bias circuit and/or analog-to-
digital (AID)
digital-to-analog (DIA) converters. Much of this circuitry is also needed when
the
modem goes into an off-hook condition.
To make the circuitry work, the circuitry would conventionally need to be
duplicated and adjusted for operation in either an on-hook condition or an off-
hook
condition. Unfortunately, duplication of the circuitry that is needed while in
on-hook
and off-hook conditions would require a significant amount of area in the
silicon of an
integrated circuit, resulting in inefficiency. Another conventional solution
would be to
place as much of the circuitry as possible on the low power (e.g., PC or non-
line-
powered) side of the Tip/Ring interface. However, such a solution would
require
additional and duplicated components to work properly with the circuits on the
high
CA 02469329 2004-06-23
21
current telephone line powered side, significantly increasing the total cost
of the
system.
If at any time the voltage and/or current from the central office 140 drops
(which could occur during a call bridge where the TipIRing voltage falls to 0
volts for
up to 400 ms), the circuitry which is, used to communicate with the modem
controller
102 is switched using the switching mechanism 834 to draw power from a current
supply from the low power side (e.g., to a 5 volt low current supply) provided
by the
charge storage device 171.
Thereafter, when the current from the central office 140 returns to a suitable
level, the startup process is repeated: The startup process is activated by an
activation signal provided by the voltagelcurrent detect circuit 422 to the
timer
sequencer logic on the low current portion 802 of the line pawered codes 100.
In operation, the line powered codes 100 is placed in an off-hook condition
when the modem controller 102 writes an appropriate control value to an
appropriate
register bit or bits in the codes. At this point, an external switch hook is
closed and
current flows into the tine powered codes 100 from the telephone line.
Relevant analog circuits (e.g., bandgap andlor bias circuits) are then
switched
to a power supply rail supplied by the telephone line, e.g., to a 2.7 volt
power supply
rail. However, at that time, preferably higher current drawing circuits, e.g.,
circuits
which receive clock and data and transmit data, are not yet switched to be
powered
from the 2.7 volt power supply rail.
This is done because the current from the central office 140 may not be high
enough to support the higher current drawing circuits, e.g., the analog
circuits which
are needed to maintain communication with the modem controller 102. Instead,
the
voltagelcurrent detect circuit 422 inside the line powered codes 100 monitors
the level
of the voltage and the level of the available current of the line at the
Tip/Ring: If both
voltage and current are detected as being sufficient to power operation of the
line
powered codes 100, an activation signal is output from the voltagelcurrent
detect
circuit 422 to the low current portion 802 of the line powered codes 100 to
allow
activation of the startup timer sequence. At this time, the power rails of
blocks 832
CA 02469329 2004-06-23
zz
and 836 are switched by 834 to be powered from the telephone line using the
2.7 volt
power bus inside the codes 100.
In a particular given example, the line powered codes: 100 may include four or
more power rails.
Permanent power rails may be established for each of the low voltage side
and high voltage side of the line powered codes 100_
For instance, a first power rail (e.g., VDDA) may be associated with high
current drawing devices only necessary for operation once full power is
provided by
the telephone line, e.g., with an AID converter, a D/A converter, and other
high current
analog and/or digital circuits. The voltage/current detect circuit 422 may
also be tied
to the first power rail VDDA so that it may perform its snooping operations
during low
power conditions from the telephone line. The first power rail VDDA may be
constantly connected to draw power from the telephone line when the modem is
aff-
hook. As an example, the first power rail VDDA may be adjusted to 2.7 volts,
') 5 although other voltage levels may be implemented.
A second power rail (e.g., VDDM) may be associated with the registers and
timers 420 necessary to maintain a given state of the line powered codes
through a
power down reset condition. The second power rail VDDM may be constantly
connected to draw power from the low voltage side of the line powered codes
100,
e.g., from the charge storage device 171. The second power rail VDDM may be
adjusted to 5.0 volts {e.g., using a Zener diode 189), although other voltage
levels
may be implemented.
In addition to the permanent power rails, one or more switchable power rails
may be implemented in the line powered codes 100 to allow powering of
associated
devices from either the low voltage side or the high voltage side of the line
powered
codes 100. For instance, a tr iird power rail (e.g., VDDBG) may be switchably
arranged to draw operating power either from the first power rail VDDA or from
the
second power rail VDDM, depending upon the available current from the
telephone
line. Example devices in the line powered codes 100 which may be powered from
the
CA 02469329 2004-06-23
23
third power rail VDDBG include, e.g., bandgap reference circuits, voltage
reference
circuits in general, and other relatively low current drawing devices.
Similarly, a fourth power rail (e.g., VDDAM) may be switchably arranged to
draw operating power either from the first power rail VDDA or from the second
power
rail VDDM. The fourth power rail VDDAM may be associated with, e.g., circuits
interfacing to the modem controller 102 andlor other high current devices.
In an on-hook condition, both the third power rail VDDBG and the fourth power
rail VDDAM are switched or connected to the second power rail VDDM. In
response
to the detection of an off-hook condition, the third power rail VDDBG is
switched to
the first power rail VDDA. At this point, the fourth power rat! VDDAM remains
connected to the second power rail VDDM because the line powered codec 100
does
not know at that point whether or not sufficient current and voltage can be
drawn from
the telephone fine to sufficiently power the devices connected to the fourth
power rail
VDDAM. Thereafter, once the current and voltage on the telephone line are
determined to fully power the line powered codec 100, the fourth power rail
VDDAM is
switched to the first power rail VDDA.
While the invention has been described with reference to the exemplary
preferred embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will be able to make
various
modifications to the described embodiments of the invention without departing
from
the true spirit and scope of the invention.
