Abstract:
A system and method for managing resources in a distributed xDSL modem pool arrangement including a first number of front-end modules and a second number of back-end modules. In a preferred embodiment, when a back-end module identifies that its associated call session has entered idle-mode, idle-mode processing is performed in a manner which reduces processing load and electrical power consumption but does not result in a loss of synchronization or require retraining. A repetitively transmitted single modulated symbol transmitted from a user terminal device coupled to the modem pool indicates idle periods in user data. In the preferred embodiment, the modulated symbol to be transmitted is selected such that its spectral properties match those of user data modulated symbols.