VDSL2 POTS Splitters and Microfilters

Introduction
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the characteristics of splitters and microfilters for VDSL2 applications. Both CPE configurations are simplified into an equivalent loop representation in order to more easily compare the characteristics that will
most significantly affect VDSL2 performance, specifically impedance changes due to the presence of bridge taps and loading
of the LINE in the DSL frequency band.
Splitters and MicrofiltersOverview

US0

POTS

4 kHz

In typical DSL deployments, Voice and DSL services are provide over the same line of twisted-pair copper wires. The copper
wires carry signals with frequencies up to 30 MHz (VDSL2), enabling customer data rates of more than 100 MBps. The figure
below illustrates an example of a VDSL2 band-plan:

DS1

US1
5.2

3.75
0.025

DS2

US2
8.5

DS3
12

US3
23

30 MHz

Figure 1: VDSL2 Band Plan Distribution (US Upstream, DS Downstream)

0.138

As seen above, the line at the customers premises contains voice signals (POTS- lower frequency range up to 4 kHz) for the
telephone as well as data signals (higher frequency range 25 kHz 30 MHz) for DSL services. Signals intended for DSL service
disrupt the service of the voice calls. More importantly, phone transient events disrupt DSL service making it is essential to
isolate the low frequency POTS signal from DSL signals.
At the Customer Premise, isolation between POTS signals and DSL signals is most commonly achieved by installing either a
single CPE splitter or multiple microfilters (also known as in-line filters).

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VDSL2 POTS Splitters and Microfilters

Microfilters
A microfilter is a Low-Pass Filter (LPF) that isolates the low frequency signals on the line from the high frequency (DSL) signals and
prevents interference between the two. Microfilters have Line and POTS ports and are typically installed in-line with telephones, fax
machines and/or answering machines, and can be easily installed by the customer.
Figure 2 shows a typical household loop configuration with microfilters. The loop is defined by main segment L1 from the central office
to the Line Port at the customer premises, L5 segment from the Line Port at the home to the modem, and additional line segments
(bridge taps) L2, L3, and L4 which connect the line port with 3 in-line filters. (Note: These segments may represent one of three connections: 1) an in-line filter terminated with a telephonic device; 2) an unterminated in line-filter; or, 3) unterminated telephone wiring
in the home.). It should be noted that in-line filters are connected in parallel with the line to the modem; a parallel connection with the
line has a very high possibility of significantly changing the impedance of the line.

To CO

Customer Premise
(Inside Wiring)

Demarcation Point

Typical in-line filter configuration

In-Line Filter

L2

In-Line Filter

In-Line Filter

L3

L4

DSL Modem/Router
L5

L1

Simplified loop of in-line filter configuration

L2

L3

L1
L5
L4

Figure 2: Typical loop configuration with multiple in-line filter installation

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VDSL2 POTS Splitters and Microfilters

CPE Splitter
A CPE splitter has 3 connections: Line, DSL and POTS. It provides low pass filtering between
the Line Port and POTS port and a HPF (high pass filter) or all pass filter between Line and
DSL ports.

To CO

Customer Premise
(Inside Wiring)

Demarcation Point

A typical Loop configuration of CPE splitter installation is shown in Figure 3. In this situation, the loop for DSL signal is defined by main segment L1 between the central office and
the Line Port at the home, and short segment L5 between Line Port and modem. It should
be noted that segments L2, L3, L4 do not represent bridge taps to L1 and L5 because they
are isolated by the CPE splitter.

Line Port
L1

In-Line Filter

L2

In-Line Filter

L3

In-Line Filter

L4

DSL Modem/Router

Phone Port
DSL Modem Port

L5

AFL ADSL2/VDSL2 Splitter

Figure 3: Typical loop configuration in a CPE splitter installation

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CPE Splitter vs. In-Line Filters
Comparing the installation configurations of a CPE Splitter (Figure 3) and multiple in-line filters (Figure 2), two main differences are noticed:
1. A multiple In-Line filter installation has an equivalent loop with bridge taps, whereas a CPE Splitter installation has an equivalent
straight line loop that eliminates bridge taps within the home.
2. Multiple In-Line filters are connected in parallel with line, while only one CPE splitter is connected to the line; therefore the resultant
loading effect on the line is greater with in-line filters than with a CPE splitter.
Bridge (Bridged) Tap
A bridge tap is an unterminated branch in a cable, or any branch on a pair that is not a direct connection between the Line and the subscriber.
For the purpose of this paper, we will refer to any T connection in the copper pairs as a bridge tap, be it unterminated or terminated (with
microfilter and/or telephone equipment).
Any signal transmitted on the main copper pair will also travel down the bridge tap. Open end of the bridge tap (or high impedance when
filter is installed) will result of the signal being reflected back towards the main copper pair. In the voice band this reflection will result in echo;
in the DSL band it will lower attainable data rates.
In the case of longer bridge taps (20- 40 ft) very drastic changes in data rates will occur due to significant changes in insertion loss and impedance. Impedance comparison for the two installation options is shown in Figure 4. Ideal input impedance to the modem is 100 Ohms.

1400

Impedance [Ohms ]

1200
1000
800
600
400
200

Modulus of impedance seen by modem for configuration H.1

Modulus of impedance seen by modem for configuration A and B

Figure 4: Difference of impedance to the modem for loops with in-line filters
with in line filters vs CPE splitter with configuration found in Appendix C

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4

00 0
2 7,

00 0
2 4,

00 0
2 1,

00 0
1 8,

00 0
1 5,

00 0
1 2,

00
9 ,0

00
6 ,0

00
3 ,0

fre q
ue n
c

y [k
H z]

Fiber Inside Plant

VDSL2 POTS Splitters and Microfilters

Calculations show that with an in-line filter configuration, bride tap segments of just 3 ft in length can change the impedance seen by the
modem more than 50%. This change in impedance will result in high reflection and a smaller amount of power transferred to the modem;
results will be significantly decreased VDSL2 data rates. Data rates will not be similarly affected with a CPE splitter due to the fact that the
CPE splitter eliminates bridge taps, separating DSL and POTS at the input of home network.

Customer Premise
(Inside Wiring)

In-Line Filter

In-Line Filter

40 feet

Demarcation Point

In a configuration using in-line filters such as shown in the diagram below. A bridge tap of 40 ft would create notches (highest loss of the
signal) around 4 MHz, 12 MHz, 20 MHz and 29 MHz. This would lead to downstream and/or upstream degradation depending upon what
bands are impacted by the notches.

DSL Modem/Router

To Telco
1000 feet

Insertion Loss [dB]

-20

-40

-60
0

5106

1107

1.5107

2107

2.5107

3107

Frequency [Hz]
Figure 5: Insertion loss notches corresponding with a 40 foot bridge tap

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Data Rate Comparison between Configurations using CPE Splitter vs. In-Line Microfilter
Using a 2000 foot loop from the Telco Office to the Customer Premise:

Customer Premise
(Inside Wiring)

In-Line Filter

In-Line Filter

3 feet

Demarcation Point

In-line filter configuration with a 3 foot bridge TAP between modem and phone line in-line filter as shown below.
Measured 25% degradation in downstream data rate compared to configuration using a CPE Splitter.

DSL Modem/Router

To Telco
2000 feet

Customer Premise
(Inside Wiring)

In-Line Filter

In-Line Filter

20 feet

Demarcation Point

In-line filter configuration with a 20 foot bridge TAP between modem and phone line in-line filter as shown below.
Measured 45% degradation in downstream data rate compared to configuration using a CPE Splitter.

DSL Modem/Router

To Telco
2000 feet

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VDSL2 POTS Splitters and Microfilters

Measured Data Rates using Typical Home Wiring Configurations
The following tables compare measured VDSL2 training rates (17a profile) with CPE splitters and various in-line filter configurations. Refer to
Appendices A, B and C for diagrams of the in-line filter installations.

VDSL2 Data Rates

(AFL Splitter versus various In-Line Filter Daisy Chain Configurations)
100
90

DS

DS

DS

80
70

Mbits

60
50

DS

DS
DS

40

US

US

US

US

30

US

US

20
10
0
Baseline

AFL ADSL2/VDSL2 Splitter

Microfilter Config A

Microfilter Config B

Microfilter Config C

AFL ADSL2/VDSL2 SPLITTER

ADSL2/VDSL2 splitter placed at beginning of chain. Chain extends from POTS

port of ADSL2/VDSL2. DSL Modem is home run from DSL port.

CONFIG A

Daisy chain in-line filters 20 ft apart. Last jack has wall mount DSL filter with
modem.

CONFIG B

Daisy chain in-line filters 20 ft apart. First jack of chain has wall mount DSL filter
with modem.

CONFIG C

Daisy chain of POTS jacks 20 ft apart. First jack of chain has wall mount DSL
filter with modem.

CONFIG D

Daisy chain in-line filters 20 ft apart. Fourth jack of chain has wall mount DSL filter
with modem.
* See Appendix A Daisy Chain Configuration for details on Configurations

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Microfilter Config D

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VDSL2 POTS Splitters and Microfilters

100

VDSL2 Data Rates

(AFL Splitter versus In-Line Star configuration of various lengths with length to Filter of 20 ft)
VDSL2 Data Rates
(AFL Splitter versus In-Line Star configuration of various lengths with length to Filter of 20 ft)

90
100

DS

80
90

DS

DS
DS

70
80

MbitsMbits

60
70
50
60
40
50

US

30
40

US

US

US

DS
DS

20
30

DS

DS
US

US
DS

DS
US

US

US
US

10
20
100
Baseline

AFL ADSL2/VDSL2 Splitter

Microfilter Config F.1

Microfilter Config F.2

Microfilter Config F.3

Baseline

AFL ADSL2/VDSL2 Splitter

Microfilter Config F.1

Microfilter Config F.2

Microfilter Config F.3

AFL ADSL2/VDSL2 SPLITTER

NID-01V splitter placed at beginning of star TAP home run configuration. TAPs
extend from POTS port of NID-01V. DSL modem is home run from DSL port.

CONFIG F

5 TAP home run configuration with in-line filters on each end. 20 ft length taps.
* See Appendix B Star20 foot phone lines for details on Configurations

VDSL2 Data Rates

(AFL Splitter versus In-Line Star configuration of various lengths with length to Filter of 40 ft)
VDSL2 Data Rates
(AFL Splitter versus In-Line Star configuration of various lengths with length to Filter of 40 ft)

100
100
90

DS

90
80

DS

DS
DS

80
70

Mbits Mbits

70
60
60
50
50
40
40
30

DS
US

US

US

DS

DS

DS
DS

US

30
20
20
10

US

US

US

US

DS

US
US

100
Baseline

AFL ADSL2/VDSL2 Splitter

Microfilter Config H.1

Microfilter Config H.2

Microfilter Config H.3

Baseline

AFL ADSL2/VDSL2 Splitter

Microfilter Config H.1

Microfilter Config H.2

Microfilter Config H.3

AFL ADSL2/VDSL2 SPLITTER

ADSL2/VDSL2 splitter placed at beginning of star TAP home run configuration.

TAPs extend from POTS port of NID-01V. DSL modem is home run from DSL port.

CONFIG H

5 TAP home run configuration with in-line filters on each end. 40 ft length taps.
* See Appendix C Star40 foot phone lines for details on Configurations

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Appendix ADaisy Chain Configuration

To CO

3 ft

Customer Premise
(Inside Wiring)

To CO

Demarcation Point

AFL Splitter

Customer Premise
(Inside Wiring)

Demarcation Point

Baseline

Phone Port
20 ft

2000 ft

2000 ft

AFL NID

AFL NID

Customer Premise
(Inside Wiring)

Demarcation Point
In-Line Filter

To CO

Wall Mount
DSL Filter

Wall Mount
DSL Filter

In-Line Filter

2000 ft

2000 ft

20 ft

20 ft

20 ft

20 ft

In-Line Filter

20 ft

Wall Mount
DSL Filter

Customer Premise
(Inside Wiring)

Config D

Demarcation Point

Customer Premise
(Inside Wiring)

Demarcation Point

Config C

In-Line Filter

To CO
20 ft

AFL NID

20 ft

In-Line Filter

DSL Modem/Router

AFL NID

DSL Modem/Router

2000 ft

20 ft

In-Line Filter

20 ft

AFL NID

To CO

20 ft

Config B

Customer Premise
(Inside Wiring)

Demarcation Point

To CO

In-Line Filter

20 ft

DSL Modem/Router

Config A

In-Line Filter

20 ft

3 ft

DSL Modem/Router

In-Line Filter

20 ft

DSL Modem Port

20 ft

20 ft

20 ft

AFL NID

DSL Modem/Router

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In-Line Filter

In-Line Filter

Wall Mount
DSL Filter
20 ft

2000 ft

20 ft

In-Line Filter

20 ft

20 ft

DSL Modem/Router

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VDSL2 POTS Splitters and Microfilters

Appendix B Star20-foot Phone Lines
AFL Splitter

3 ft

2000 ft
AFL NID

Customer Premise
(Inside Wiring)

To CO

Demarcation Point

Customer Premise
(Inside Wiring)

Demarcation Point

Baseline

To CO

In-Line
Filter

20 ft

In-Line
Filter

20 ft

In-Line
Filter

20 ft

In-Line
Filter

Wall Mount
DSL Filter

Phone Port

2000 ft

DSL Modem/Router

20 ft

DSL Modem Port

3 ft

DSL Modem/Router
AFL NID

In-Line
Filter

20 ft

In-Line
Filter

20 ft

In-Line
Filter

20 ft

In-Line
Filter

Wall Mount
DSL Filter

To CO
3 ft

2000 ft

Wall Mount
DSL Filter

To CO

DSL Modem/Router
20 ft

In-Line
Filter

20 ft

In-Line
Filter

AFLNID

20 ft

2000 ft

Customer Premise
(Inside Wiring)

20 ft

Config F.2

Demarcation Point

Customer Premise
(Inside Wiring)

Demarcation Point

Config F.1

DSL Modem/Router
AFL NID

20 ft

In-Line
Filter

20 ft

In-Line
Filter

Customer Premise
(Inside Wiring)

Demarcation Point

Config F.3
20 ft

20 ft

Wall Mount
DSL Filter

To CO
3 ft

2000 ft

DSL Modem/Router

AFLNID
20 ft

20 ft

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Appendix C Star40-foot Phone Lines
AFL Splitter

3 ft

2000 ft
AFL NID

Customer Premise
(Inside Wiring)

To CO

Demarcation Point

Customer Premise
(Inside Wiring)

Demarcation Point

Baseline

To CO

In-Line
Filter

40 ft

In-Line
Filter

40 ft

In-Line
Filter

40 ft

In-Line
Filter

Wall Mount
DSL Filter

Phone Port

2000 ft

DSL Modem/Router

40 ft

DSL Modem Port

3 ft

DSL Modem/Router
AFL NID

In-Line
Filter

40 ft

In-Line
Filter

40 ft

In-Line
Filter

40 ft

In-Line
Filter

Wall Mount
DSL Filter

To CO
3 ft

2000 ft

Wall Mount
DSL Filter

To CO

DSL Modem/Router
AFL NID

40 ft

2000 ft

Customer Premise
(Inside Wiring)

40 ft

Config H.2

Demarcation Point

Customer Premise
(Inside Wiring)

Demarcation Point

Config H.1

40 ft

In-Line
Filter

40 ft

In-Line
Filter

DSL Modem/Router
AFL NID

40 ft

In-Line
Filter

40 ft

In-Line
Filter

Customer Premise
(Inside Wiring)

Demarcation Point

Config H.3
40 ft

40 ft

Wall Mount
DSL Filter

To CO
3 ft

2000 ft
AFL NID

DSL Modem/Router
40 ft

40 ft

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