New Technology for Loops - A Plan for the '80's

This paper describes an evolutionary plan for loop electronics to realize their full economic and service potential, and describes issues of Telco operations, cost, and technical capabilities which must be resolved in the process. Initially, conventional feeder engineering will lead to isolated applications of range extension and pair gain. Some customer premises pair gain terminals will be deployed for special services and data as well. System application rules and procedures will be designed for minimum impact on Telco forces. Lightguide will initially be deployed primarily in special cases. With time, the complementary characteristics of range extension and pair gain will lead to their coordinated use. Both new services, VF special services, and data will be supported and enhanced by intelligent terminals. New testing and upkeep operations based on these terminals will emerge. Finally, with the deployment of integrated digital pair gain and switches, wire centers will emerge in which electronics on lightguide will be the dominant medium for loop provisioning. Engineering, upkeep, and rearrangements operations will be reduced, and a wide variety of services will be available without special engineering or installation.