Chapter 5

Digtal subscriber Line (DSL)

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Overview

• xDSL
• Basic concept
• Variants of xDSL
• HDSL-High Data Rate Digital Subscriber Line
• ADSL-Asymmetric DSL
• SDSL-Symmetric DSL
• VDSL-Very high data rate Digital Subscriber Line
Digital Subscriber Line - DSL
• DSL provides broadband services over existing local loop
• Larger rate than voice-grade and ISDN
• DSL utilizes the same cabling used for normal telephones
• DSL modem: Employ special modulation and encoding methods
• FDM is used to share the same line for data & analog traffic
• Data and speech are separated at the local exchange site
• DSL often referred to as xDSL
• Where x can be replaced by A, V, H, or S
• High data rate Digital Subscriber Line (HDSL): the first product
• Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL): follows HDSL
• Very high data rate Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL)
• xDSL includes two main branches
• Symmetric DSL: Identical data rates upstream and downstream
• Asymmetric DSL: Lower rates upstream but higher rates downstream
xDSL Variants
Characteristics of DSL
• High capacity: Up to 50 MBit/s by using VDSL
• Uses the whole spectrum a copper cable can transfer
• Not only the range up to 3.4 kHz!
• DSL works on the unused (high) frequencies of the telephone line

• Data rate depends on distance to the switching center and

the cable quality (signal weakening )
• The greater the distance, the lower the data rate and vice versa
• DSL is a distance-sensitive technology

• Automatic adaptation of data rate in case of distortions

• End users determine which frequencies and which modulation
techniques to use
Characteristics of DSL ….
• DSL transmits data in both directions simultaneously
• E.g., full duplex, at 160kbps over copper wire up to 5.5 km
• Modems at either end break the bandwidth up into two B channels
(64kbps each) and a D channel (16 kbps)

• Uses efficient modulation and line-coding techniques

• E.g., DMT or CAP
• Enable it to carry more bits in a single cycle (that is, Hz) than older
twisted-pair

• DSL is a point-to-point connection, i.e., it is always on

• When a computer is powered up, the connection is on throughout
the day, hence security concerns
• Need firewall and security software to prevent hacker
Characteristics of DSL …
• DSL modem transmits both voice and data simultaneously
and independent of each other
• Combination of usual phone (analog /ISDN) and data services

• DSL modems uses signal splitter

• Filters: Separates voice signals (from 0 up to 4kHz) and DSL
signals
• Hence, allows simultaneous access to the line by the telephone
and the computer

• DSL network uses echo canceller or equalizers to avoid

distortion and cross-talk
• DSL also retains power in the event of a power failure
• If electricity goes out, high-speed data services is lost but not the
voice services
Example: Typical xDSL Setup
• Like ISDN, integrated
use of home premises
equipments
• Digital Subscriber Line
Access Multiplexer
(DSLAM)
• Links many customer
DSL connections to a
single high-speed ATM
line
Necessary Equipments
DSL Access Multiplexer (DSLAM)
• In switching center of service provider, splitters separate
voice call from data
• DSLM splits the voice and data traffic?????
• Splitters shunts traffic to a data network, away from the circuit-
switched network
• Voice call is forwarded into the telephony network
• Data are received by a DSLAM
• In the DSLAM, all DSL lines are coming together
• DSLAM multiplexes DSL lines into one high speed line
• The multiplexed traffic is passed into a WAN, usually SDH
High Data Rate Digital Subscriber Line (HDSL)
• HDSL is the oldest of the DSL techniques
• Goal: Replace old repeater-based T1 or E1 line by a
repeater-less systems
• Commonly used by telcos to provision T-1 or E-1 services
• No repeater up to 4 km on standard 24 gauge (0.5 mm) TP wire
• However, to allow longer distance repeaters can be used
• No repeaters => Less costly

• HDSL: Provisions digital services to business premises

• Supports symmetric data rate and full duplex
• HDSL uses 2 and 3 twisted-pairs for T1 and E1 services, respectively
• The allocation of bandwidth on HDSL
• In the T1 environment, it offers 784Kbps in each direction
• In the E-1 environment, it offers 1.168Mbps in each direction
Traditional T1/E1 vs. HDSL
• HDSL modems use inverse multiplexers
• Each pair carries only half of the data rate
HDSL vs. T1 and E1
• Traditional T1 and E1
• Each pair carries the full data rate
• Repeaters are used: Spaced roughly every 900 to 1,800 meters

• HDSL modems uses inverse multiplexers (IM)

• IM converts a data stream into multiple lower data rate comm. links
• Those bits can ride in the lower range of frequencies
• Thus extending the distance over which they can flow without the
need for a repeater
• Hence cost of provisioning service is reduced
• More customers, who are outside the range of the traditional T-1/E-1,
enjoy this high-bandwidth option
HDSL
• HDSL compensates for copper-based distortion
• This adjustment occurs dynamically all the time

• Slow-rate data links are obtained by using multiples of 64

kbs channels inside the T1/E1 frame
• This is usually known as channelized T1/E1 service
• The line rate is still the full T1/E1 rate, but the customer only gets
the limited (64 multiple) data rate

• HDSL did not allow POTS at baseband (unlike ADSL)

• Applications of HDSL include:
• Replacement of local repeater T-1/E-1 trunks
• Use as a local Frame Relay option
• Use in PBX interconnection
• Campus based networks
HDSL-2
• Second generation of HDSL
• Offers the same data rate over a single pair of copper
• Offers longer reach
• Can work over copper of lower gauge or quality
ISDN Digital Subscriber Line (IDSL)
• IDSL: Transmits data digitally across existing ISDN lines
• I.e. DSL over ISDN lines

• IDSL’s improvement over ISDN are:

• IDSL offers always-on connections
• Transmits data via a data network rather than the phone company’s
voice network
• Avoids per-call fees by being billed at a flat-rate
• In many areas ADSL is not available but ISDN is and sometimes
IDSL can be purchased after the ISDN line is installed
IDSL
• IDSL is a full-duplex and symmetrical service
• It offers 128Kbps in each direction
• Unlike traditional ISDN, it cannot be channelized
• I.e., it does not permit voice traffic, the entire line is dedicated to
data.
• It uses 2B1Q line coding as in BRI ISDN
• Hence, it is compatible with existing loop carriers
• The distance limitation on IDSL is 5.5 kilometers
• Less data rate HDSL, there's little interest in it
Symmetric DSL (SDSL)
• In the wider sense
• SDSL is a DSL technologies that offer symmetric rate in upstream
and downstream and also full-duplex services
• In the narrow sense
• SDSL is a variant of HDSL that supports data only on a single
pair of copper wire with a maximum range of 5.5. km

• SDSL supports multiple data rates (next slide M/SDSL)

• Offer speeds ranging from 192 kbit/s to 2.3 Mbit/s
• So you can subscribe to varying bandwidths

• Application: Video conferencing

• SDSL, unlike ADSL, can't co-exist with a conventional
voice service on the same pair
• I.e., it takes over the entire bandwidth
Multirate SDSL (M/SDSL)
• M/SDSL: A descendent of SDSL that supports varying rates
• It trades rate with operating distance of the transceiver
• Offers eight variable line rates, ranging from 64Kbps to 2Mbps

• Like SDSL, it provides symmetrical, full-duplex service

• It involves a single twisted copper pair, which can be run up
to 8.9 kms.
• At 8.9 kms., the data rate supported is 64Kbps or 128Kbps
• 2Mbps can be enjoyed at distances of 4.5 kms.

• M/SDSL is designed to provide an auto-rate plug-and-play

configuration
• I.e., it automatically adjusts to operating distance and line conditions
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
• ADSL: Developed in 1989 by Bellcore Labs
• Was intended to permit the local exchange carriers to compete with
the cable television companies
• Driver: The much-anticipated deployment of video-on-demand
• Provide up to 8 Mbps connectivity

• ADSL higher downstream data rate than upstream rate

• Hence asymmetric
• E.g., File downloads requires greater downstream BW than upstream
• ADSL-Distance vs. Speed
• ADSL requires a maximum cable distance of 5.5 Km
• Typical rates are T1 or E1 downstream and 176 Kbit/s upstream
• Range and bit rate depend on each other (also the gauge of a wire)
• Without repeaters downstream bit rates of 2Mbit/s can be transmitted
over 4km, 4Mbit/s over 3km and 6Mbit/s over 2km
 ADSL Connection

• ADSL reserves the bottom 4KHz of spectrum for voice traffic

• Simultaneous voice and data tx., using same twisted-pair, is possible

• Splitter: Separates ADSL signals from voice signals

• Lower frequencies : Sent to local exchange to switch the voice traffic
• Higher frequencies: Sent to the ADSL modems to connect to packet-
switched backbone to ISP
ADSL Principles
• Uses unused frequencies on copper telephone wire
• ADSL operates by using higher frequencies than those traditionally
used in telephone operations, i.e., 300 Hz to 4 KHz
• Copper wire handles higher frequency signals but the signal
strength degrades rapidly with distance
• ADSL modem uses FDM to break bandwidth into multiple channels
• These channels are combined into a small upstream band, usually at
the lower frequencies, and a large downstream band, usually at the
higher frequencies

• ADSL and ISDN or POTS over the same telephone line

Example: ADSL Configuration Business
Environment

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DSLAM
• Is a termination point of DSL lines coming from residential
and business premises
• DSLAM splits the voice and data traffic and sends the
• Voice traffic through traditional local exchanges onto the PSTN and
• Data traffic through packet-switched backbones onto the appropriate
ISP or corporate network
• DSLAMs also convert the DSL traffic into ATM cells, to pass
over a backbone that has ATM deployed in the core
• DSLAMs are designed to concentrate hundreds of DSL
access lines onto ATM or IP trunks and then route them to
the ISP
Advantages vs. Disadvantages
• Advantages
• Doesn’t need new wiring
• Connection open and still use the phone line for voice calls
• Regular modem(1.5 Mbps vs. 56 Kbps)
• Disadvantages
• Better connection if closer to the provider’s
• Faster receiving than sending data
• Not available everywhere
• Modulations Used in ADSL
1. Discrete Multitone Technology (DMT)
2. Carrierless Amplitude Modulation (CAP)
 Discrete Multitone Modulation (DMT)
• DMT separates a DSL signal into 256 individual channels
each 4.3125 kHz wide
• Each channel is M-QAM modulated
• The default value of M is 32, i.e., bit packing of 5 bits per hertz
• By varying the number of bits per symbol within a channel, the
modem can be rate-adaptive
• I.e., modulation methods depends on the signal quality
• Provides robustness
• DMT uses Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) for modulation and
demodulation
• Channels in high frequency range are usually of lower quality
• Signal weakening depends on distance and frequency
• Uses up to 1 MHz, higher frequencies are prone to distortions
DMT
• Total of 256 carriers of 4kHz BW
• Variable numbers of bits are put on each carrier
• The portions of the frequency band that suffer interference from
other devices don't have any bits put onto them

• Reading assignment: Working principle of CAP.

ADSL Lite and ADSL Heavy
• ADSL variants: ADSL Lite and ADSL Heavy
• ADSL Lite: Often called splitter-less ADSL
• Is designed to work without a customer site splitter
• Are lower-speed, lower-cost consumer version of ADSL
• Also called G.Lite

• Typical downstream rates of up to 1.5Mbps and upstream

rates up to 512Kbps
• ADSL lite, depending on the quality of the copper wire, can
be deployed over distances up to 7.5 kms.
• Envisaged benefit of ADSL Lite
• No "truck rolls“, i.e., physical visits to the home, which cost about
US$200 per dispatch, are required to install the splitters
ADSL Heavy
• ADSL Heavy is
• A full-rate splitterless system
• Can support 8Mbps downstream and up to 1Mbps upstream
• ADSL Heavy platforms are either available or in development from
Alcatel, 3Com, 3Wire, Orckit Communications, and Westell
Technologies, and systems are being tested or deployed by
Belgacom, Bell South, SBC Communications, Verizon, and
Telecom Italia
Applications of ADSL
• The main applications of ADSL are
• To support Internet access and remote LAN access
• Voice over DSL (VoDSL) presents potential opportunities
• Video-on demand
Rate Adaptive Digital Subscriber Line (RADSL)
• RADSL is very similar to ADSL
• The major difference is that RDSL
• Adapts data rates dynamically, based on changes in line
conditions i.e., to compensate for line noise, long distances, and
poor splices
• Automatically configures the modem at startup to adjust its rate
according to the quality of the phone line
• It operates over a wide range of loop lengths (up to 7km)
and conditions
• Allows people just beyond the ADSL distance limitations to get
reasonable Internet speeds and reliability
• It operates either symmetrically or asymmetrically
• Downstream rates range from 600Kbps to 7Mbps, and the
upstream rates range from 128Kbps to 1Mbps
• Most RADSL devices rely on DMT encoding
Very High Bit-Rate Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL)
• VDSL: Delivers very high-speed data over a single twisted
copper pair
• However, it operates over extremely short distances
• The loop length range from 300 to 1,500 meters
• VDSL is everyone's dream medium
• At longer distance, VDSL provides 13Mbps downstream
and maybe 1.5Mbps upstream
• At lower distance, it might be capable of providing up to
52Mbps downstream and around 6 Mbps upstream (see
the table in the next slide)
VDSL
• As VDSL’s performance degrades rapidly over distances, it
is used with fiber-to-the-curb
• Used for the very short distance from the curb to the home
• Can be used as a bridge to transport both ATM and SDH
carriers in the access network
• The key applications for VDSL are
• Next generation of TV (high-definition TV (HDTV), digital TV
(DTV)) and forms of interactive multimedia Internet access
Reach in m Downstream data rate Upstream data rate
300 52 Mbit/s 6.4 Mbit/s
300 m (S) 26 Mbit/s 26 Mbit/s
1.000 m 26 Mbit/s 3.2 Mbit/s
1.000 m (s) 13 Mbit/s 13 Mbit/s
1.500 m 13 Mbit/s 1.6 Mbit/s

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Conclusion
• DSL is better option to solve the last mile problem
• Uses existing copper wire
• Is a repeater-less option and improves distance
• Has many variants
• HDSL, IDSL, SDSL, ADSL, RDSL, VDSL
• Provides symmetrical and asymmetrical rates
• Choice depends on our requirement, e.g., downloading vs. video
conferencing