This document summarizes an invited speech on cable broadband access networks given by Xiaolin Lu at Multimedia 1999. It provides historical context on how cable networks evolved from broadcast video to support two-way broadband access. It also outlines the technology challenges cable networks face in providing sufficient bandwidth and reliability. Finally, it proposes a hybrid fiber-coaxial network architecture using wavelength division multiplexing to deeper fiber as a solution.
2. What is this?
An invited speech on Multimedia 1999
A historical review of the cable
technology evolution, and why it is
what it is today
XL 9/15/99
3. ACCESS ENVIRONMENT
LEC Wire line Cable
Voice Video
Communication Entertainment
Narrowband Broadband
Circuit Switch Broadcast
DBS/LMDS
Cellular Wireless /MMDS
XL 9/15/99
4. IN THE PAST ...
Voice = Communication Video = Entertainment
LEC Cable
Twist Pair Star Coax Tree-and-Branch
Feature rich POTS Broadcast video
$84B “toll collection” $24B “$1 buffet”
Monopoly
Voice-oriented
DLC, ISDN
FTTH
XL 9/15/99
13. COAX TO HFC
FN
FN
HE
FN
Increase transport capability
Improve quality and reliability
XL 9/15/99
14. CHALLENGES
HE FN
HE FN
HE
FN
Analog Emerging
TV Services
5 50 500 750 1G
Bandwidth Capacity: 5-40MHz/1000s HHP upstream
Transport Integrity: Ingress noise, dynamic range
103-to-1 Architecture: Upstream MAC
to-
XL 9/15/99
15. SOLUTIONS
Bandwidth FiberNode
Capacity Network Segmentation
DWDM Trunk
New Platform
Transport
Integrity DOCSIS
High level
Modem modulation
Centrally-
Centrally-
103-to-1 mediated MAC
Simple Protocol
Architecture
XL 9/15/99
16. HFC IN THE MAKING
SH
FN
Primary
SH
Hub
FN
SH
Segmentation FSS
DWDM Node Splitting DWDM
SONET
Ring-In-Ring dbr
DOCSIS Modem
XL 9/15/99
17. MORE CHALLENGES
Bandwidth Demands
Take rate and multiple lines
New services (streaming)
User behavior (always-on, SOHO)
Operation Savings Network
Sweep Evolution
Maintenance
Powering
Performance
Reliability
QoS
XL 9/15/99
18. FIBER OPTICS ?
Node 2,000+HP 1,200HP 600HP 200HP 100HP
Size
HOW Deep ?
HOW To ?
XL 9/15/99
20. TM
LightWire
HUB MuxNode
mFN
mFN
Existing/reduced New fiber along coax branch
Passive coax between mFN and subscribers
Reduced actives, power consumption, and maintenance
MuxNode to reduce cost of deep fiber penetration
Multi-dimension Multiplexing/demultiplexing
XL 9/15/99
21. TM
LightWire
HUB MuxNode
DiPr
RF
SCM
Distributed DiPr DiPr
Processing
Analog & TSD
Digital TV Today
10 50 550 750 1G
Increased bandwidth and flexibility for current services
Simultaneously support current and future systems
XL 9/15/99
22. ADVANTAGES
Operation Savings
61% reduction in active components
Reduced power consumption
Simplification of maintenance
Improved Performance
Reduced ingress noise funneling (10-48MHz operation)
Increased RF bandwidth
Improved reliability
Future Proof
Flexibility between current track and future opportunities
Improved QoS and further cost reduction
XL 9/15/99
24. OPERATION SAVINGS
61% reduction in active components
21+% improvement in reliability
XL 9/15/99
25. FIELD TRIAL
Objective:
Support planned upgrade: bandwidth expansion
Test technology, verify cost & operation saving
Trial Scope:
520 miles (66,619 HHP) in Salt Lake Metro
Phased development and implementation
Schedule:
Service launching: October, 1999
Data collection: January, 2000
XL 9/15/99
26. INTEGRATED SERVICE DELIVERY
Entertainment & Communications
Communications Subscribers
Subscribers
TV
Broadband Advanced Digital
Communications
Interface
HFC Set-Top Box
Packet
Headend Network
Video Router / Proxy PSTN
26
Sources Server
XL 9/15/99
27. EVOLUTION
Broadband Full Service Platform
DOCSIS Open Cable Packet Cable
High speed Universal set End-to-
End-to-end IP
cable modem top box platform
UPGRADE
DWDM Capacity
RF Quality
DSP Reliability
XL 9/15/99