Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about TripleStream Line Conditioners. Please feel free to contact us with additional questions.
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Q. What is a TripleStream xDSL Line Conditioner (TLC)?
Q. What are the performance benefits?
Q. How does the TLC work?
Q. How are TLCs packaged?
Q. How are TLCs powered?
Q. What "before" and "after" performance should customers expect on 800 ohm loops?
Q. What "before" and "after" performance should customers expect on loops longer than 1500 ohms?
Q. Can I still provide all of my POTS services? (dial-up, fax, Caller ID)?
Q. Are TLCs reliable?
Q. What protection is available for lightning or power arc protection?
Q. Is TripleStream a repeater?
Q. Where should the TLC be placed?
Q. Do I have to change the TLC location in the network (change placement) when I change the type of xDSL service?
Q. Are there any xDSL systems being sold today that are not compatible with TLC?
Q. What type of line qualification should be done to prepare for DSL deployment?
Q. What disturbers have the worst impact on DSL performance?
Q. What is the impact of Bridged Tap on a Line Conditioned loop?
Q. How does the product handle RFI?
Q. Does the product work in wet PIC cable?
Q. Is this an active device?
Q. How do I denote this device in my plant records?
Q. Where can I purchase products including TripleStream technology?
Q. What is a TripleStream xDSL Line Conditioner (TLC)?
A. Phylogy’s TripleStream Line Conditioner is an outside plant product focused on improving DSL performance which:
- Increases DSL data rate along conventional copper telephone lines;
- Extends effective reach of DSL, solving the so-called "last mile" challenge; and
- Improves data integrity (refinement) through unique patented conditioning techniques that reduce common mode noise.
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Q. What are the performance benefits?
A. The TLC conditions the DSL to improve signal strength and improve signal to noise ratio. Typical increases in actual field trials results in rate increases of 50% or more, commonly allowing another video stream for IPTV applications. On longer loops, data rate improvements of 100% or more are not unusual. For extended reach applications, 1.5 Mbps service can be provided beyond 20 kfeet.
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Q. How does the TLC work?
A. The TripleStream Line Conditioner is an intelligent line conditioner. TLC filters unwanted electrical noise, and
conditions the available DSL signals to increase overall bandwidth. TLC improves DSL signals by rejecting common mode
noise affecting both cable conductors equally.
One such example is crosstalk from other signals in the same telco
cable. Performance is increased, while
minimizing disturbance on other signals in the same cable. TLC
has been designed to limit the signal power being transmitted. TLC’s internal circuits perform
post-compensation and pre-compensation to the DSL signal for each loop
independently. This compensates for
frequency-dependent signal degradation due to the effects of wire resistance
and environmental noise. Telcos may be
concerned the TLC is a disturber itself… Each wire pair is handled individually
thus allowing for binder group deployment.
TLC is able to expand the range or distance which high frequencies
travel, enhances low frequencies, resulting in improved data rate, improved SNR
performance, and longer reach..
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Q. How are TLCs packaged?
A. Phylogy TLCs are sold by various partners around the world, each providing their own enclosure to meet the needs of different geographies. Our manufacturing partners provide single-line units and multi-line units in fully filled and hardened enclosures. All enclosures are designed to minimize cost and assure optimum performance and reliability.
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Q. How are TLCs powered?
A. Two power options are available. 1) Line powering uses normal -48 VDC POTS power over the DSL signal pair. 2) Express powering is typically for extended reach applications, utilizing a separate copper pair to deliver -48 VDC. TLCs consume only 250 mW per line. A 20-line enclosure with all lines active consumes only 5W.
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Q. What "before" and "after" performance should customers expect on 800 ohm loops?
A. 800 ohms is about 10 kfeet of 26 AWG / 0.4 mm. Normally, data rates of 5 to 6 Mbps are achievable. With TripleStream on properly qualified plant, data rates in excess of 12 Mbps are possible. If the 18 kfoot loop is comprised of thicker gauges, data rates can be significantly higher.
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Q. What "before" and "after" performance should customers expect on loops longer than 1500 ohms?
A. It may not be possible to achieve any DSL service at 1500 ohms (18 kfeet of 26 AWG) without TripleStream. With TripleStream on properly qualified plant, data rates in excess of 3 Mbps are possible.
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Q. Can I still provide all of my POTS services? (dial-up, fax, Caller ID?)?
A. Yes, TLC provides complete POTS pass-through. In some cases, unbalanced lines are improved, resulting in better voice quality.
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Q. Are TLCs reliable?
A. TLCs are designed and manufactured to exacting standards and comply with industrial temp standards (-40 to +85C) at a minimum. TLCs consume only 250mW per line, thus we expect very little accelerated aging due to generated heat.
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Q. What protection is available for lightning or power arc protection?
A. Surge and overvoltage protection is provided by gas tubes, fuses, and Sidactor solid state transient voltage protectors. TLCs comply with GR-1089-CORE, Level 1 and 2 Lightning Surge Tests and AC Power Fault, Level 1 and 2 as a minimum.
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Q. Is TripleStream a repeater?
A. No. Phylogy's TripleStream Line Conditioner is used to enhance DSL services, which is bi-directional analog. Repeaters are most often used to enhance uni-directional digital transmissions such as T1 or E1, and are daisy chained every 3000 feet to continue replicating the digital signal. Repeaters are very unfriendly to DSL services, while TripleStream is extremely benign.
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Q. Where should the TLC be placed?
A. Ideal placement is midway between the DSLAM and the subscriber. Refer to each product's engineering practice for exact placement guidelines. A handy configurator (Excel) is available which provides ideal placement location based on a description of your loop (gauge and length).
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Q. Do I have to change the TLC location in the network (change placement) when I change the type of xDSL service?
A. Typically not. Placement location will depend more your goal for the loop, be it for extended reach or improved data rate. We are glad to work with your particular case and develop optimum guidelines.
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Q. Are there any xDSL systems being sold today that are not compatible with TLC?
A. TLCs are compatible with standardized ADSL, ADSL2, and ADSL2+ according to ITU G.992 standards. TLCs also will be compatible with major VDSL2 options following Band Plan 998 will be compatible with certain common options in the ITU G.993 standard. Other standards will have to be tested for compatibility. TLCs are not compatible with VDSL G.992.1 at this time.
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Q. What type of line qualification should be done to prepare for DSL deployment?
A. This is one of the most important areas for telcos to understand. DSL lines should be properly qualified prior to deploying DSL service.
- Remove load coils and inductors or replace with SmartCoils.
- The cable pair must be free of DC type faults. All shorts, grounds, cross, battery-crosses, and open cable pairs must be identified and repaired.
- The cable pair must show good longitudinal balance.
- To minimize the effects of crosstalk, keep all "like" services in the same binder group. Any disturbers such as T1/E1 or HDSL must be placed in binder groups separated from ADSL.
- Proper bonding and grounding must be done to reduce impulse noise and the effect of RF interference. Ensure the cable shield is continuous throughout the loop.
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Q. What disturbers have the worst impact on DSL performance?
A. T1/E1, HDSL, and SDSL are severe disturbers to ADSL downstream signals, reducing downstream data rate up to 80%. Adding TLCs will significantly improve data rate on ADSL lines with adjacent T1/E1s, HDSLs, or SDSLs. In order to achieve optimum performance, disturbers such as T1/E1 services should be moved to another binder group.
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Q. What is the impact of Bridged Tap on a Line Conditioned loop?
A. TripleStream Line Conditioners will significantly improve data rate on a circuit with Bridged Tap.
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Q. How does the product handle RFI?
A. While the product does improve signal to noise ratio in the presence of radio frequency interference, the DSLAM and outside cable plant should be bonded and grounded in accordance with standard telco specs to achieve optimum performance.
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Q. Does the product work in wet PIC cable?
A. While it will work with some wet PIC cable as does ADSL and ADSL2+ today, deteriorated cable should be repaired or replaced as normal guidelines suggest. The TLC can only offset some of the cable's current performance impacts and does not reduce the impacts of continued deterioration due to water in the cable sheath.
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Q. Is this an active device?
A. While it is an active device, it is treated like a passive unit. The device is placed similar to a load coil and is completely self calibrating for optimum performance. Maintenance is treated via MLT or normal DSL testing procedures. There is no diagnostic TLC testing.
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Q. How do I denote this device in my plant records?
A. A symbol like a load coil should be developed for your Company along with a FID (Field Identifier code) for your assignment records. We will be glad to work with your OSP Engineering and Assignment staffs to develop unique codes for your company.
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Q. Where can I purchase products including TripleStream technology?
A. Phylogy is engaging with reputable companies around the world to represent and sell TripleStream products. Please see our Sales Partners page for more information.
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