Transmission Technologies

Optical Node Configurations for HFC Networks

David Slim, Senior Staff Applications Engineer
Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.

www.scientificatlanta.com
G1534A

Abstract
The choice of a suitable architecture and appropriate transmission technologies for a Hybrid Fibre-Coax (HFC) network is based not only upon the geographic and demographic characteristics of the Service Area, but also upon the type and volume of traffic that the network is designed to carry. This is particularly true in regard to the location and functionality of the interface between the optical and RF transmission segments (the Optical Node). In recent years, reduced prices of optical transmitters and wavelength-dependent components (for example, DWDM multiplexers), as well as ready availability of integrated circuits (chip sets) for standard electrical and optical transmission rates, have greatly increased the range of options available to the network designer in determining the placement and capabilities of the Optical Nodes. Scientific-Atlanta manufactures several families of optical nodes that take full advantage of the available transmission technologies and cover a wide range of applications. This white paper provides examples of node deployment in different networks, to show how the selection of the right product is made.

Opportunities for HFC Network Operators

Changing economics within a number of European countries particularly Eastern European countries are driving tremendous demand for new entertainment and information options. Especially in urban areas, where the combination of more disposable income, Internet access and exposure to more television programming is creating a huge appetite for more video entertainment channels and higher speed Internet access. Although direct broadcast satellite (DBS) continues to gain traction and market share in these regions, DBS services are not available to everyone (for example , urban consumers who live in north-facing apartments). The opportunities presented by digital video, Internet and interactive video services are extremely attractive for cable operators who are willing to upgrade existing, outdated infrastructures. The question is how to evaluate the available technologies, products and services to make the best decision. In particular, the choice of a suitable technology for the Optical Nodes, and the determination of the optimum size of the serving area associated with these nodes, are influenced by several factors and can involve the operator in much time-consuming research and analysis. This paper reviews many of the optical node choices available to operators and explains the key configuration decisions that operators must make as they determine the best way to serve their customers.
Transmission Technologies

Determination of Node Serving Area

When describing the size or serving area of a node, it is important to distinguish between physical and logical node sizes. A physical node is defined as the number of potential subscribers who receive signals from and transmit signals to an optical node. The physical node is distinguished from a logical node, which is the number of potential subscribers who can be targeted with a unique signal or group of signals (the narrowcast services). As Figure 1 illustrates, if the output of a single optical transmitter at the headend is split and routed to two optical nodes, each associated with 500 potential subscribers, then the physical node serving area is 500, and the logical node serving area is 1,000. As traffic volume grows, the logical node size can be reduced until it is equal to the physical node size. The physical node can be further reduced in size, if necessary, provided that the node itself is segmentable. In other words, the node can be reconfigured with multiple receivers and transmitters so that it becomes, in effect, several nodes in a single housing. During the initial system design, it is essential to ensure that, after all these reductions, the physical node size is small enough to allow sufficient bandwidth for each subscriber to take full advantage of all future one-way and interactive services. This determination must be based on a calculation of future traffic demand, which requires a careful analysis of the potential market for each service.

G1534A

1204

Page 1

Broadcast Signals Targeted Signals

Optical Transmitter

Optical Node Serving Area: 500 Potential Subscribers

Physical Node Size: 500 Logical Node Size: 500

Optical Node Optical Transmitter Optical Node Serving Area: 500 Potential Subscribers Serving Area: 500 Potential Subscribers

Broadcast Signals Targeted Signals

Splitter

Physical Node Size: 500 Logical Node Size: 1,000

Figure 1: Physical Node Size and Logical Node Size

In general, the downstream bandwidth requirements will be determined by considering all types of traffic (analogue and digital, video and data), whereas in the upstream direction the greatest consumer of bandwidth will be interactive data services (for example, Internet access) and broadband telephony.

Narrowcast services that originate in the hub might be television transmissions from local stations, premium digital signals from video file servers in the hub, or data traffic originating in CMTS equipment. These signals may be combined optically with the broadcast traffic from the headend, using either 1310nm or 1550nm (ITU) overlay transmitters. Alternatively, if the headend signals are received and then re-transmitted, they may be combined at the RF level. In the upstream signal path, signals from several nodes may be received at the hub (most commonly at a wavelength of 1310nm), combined at the RF level, and then forwarded to the headend using either 1310nm or 1550nm (ITU) transmitters. The degree to which downstream signals may be split and upstream signals may be combined will define the logical node size, as described above. If, however, the Nodes are equipped with ITU transmitters, then the upstream signals may be combined at the optical level.

Overall Architecture
A node may be in direct contact with the headend, or it may transmit and receive via an intermediate (hub) site. The choice of architecture will be decided by the overall size of the network, the distribution of subscribers, and the availability of suitable locations for the hubs. In general, however, each node will receive a mixture of broadcast and narrowcast traffic, and will be required to transmit signals back to the headend or Hub. Figure 2 shows a simple node in direct communication with the headend and Figure 3 shows a node connected to a Hub site.

Transmission Technologies

G1534A

1204

Page 2

Headend Broadcast Traffic Narrowcast Traffic Other Nodes

Receivers

Figure 2: Direct Transmission to Nodes

Headend Broadcast Traffic Narrowcast Traffic Data Transport

Hub Site

Optical Nodes

Local Narrowcast Sources Local Receivers

Other Nodes

Receivers

Figure 3: Indirect Transmission to Nodes

Simple Nodes
A simple and inexpensive node without segmentation capabilities can often be used when the physical node size is structured at the outset to accommodate all expected increases in bandwidth demand. Alternatively, the node may be deployed to serve a large number of subscribers whose demand for additional bandwidth is expected to be slight. Such a node can be equipped with one receiver and one Fabry-Perot transmitter. In some circumstances, however, it may be necessary to select a node that can accommodate an additional receiver and transmitter in order to provide redundancy and automatic protection switching (A.P.S.). Figures 4(a) and 4(b) are simplified schematic diagrams of these configurations. Figure 4(a) shows an unprotected device; 4(b) shows a fully protected version. Duplication of the receivers and transmitters, as shown in 4(b), may be necessary if premium video-on-demand services or broadband telephony are offered. Note that the simplest node, shown in 4(a), is also suited to fibredeep applications, in which the physical node size may be less than 100 potential subscribers. In general, these simple nodes will be equipped with low-cost FabryPerot upstream transmitters.

Transmission Technologies

G1534A

1204

Page 3

Receivers

Receiver

Forward Amplifier A.P.S. Diplex Filter Transmitters Reverse Amplifier

Transmitter

Reverse Amplifier

4(a) Figure 4: Simple Nodes

4(b)

Segmentable Nodes
If the growth in bandwidth demand is expected to be high, then an upgradeable, segmentable node may be installed to initially serve a large physical node size. As demand increases, the node then may be re-configured to effectively increase the bandwidth available to each subscriber. In an alternative scenario, a fully segmented node may replace an existing node that currently serves a large area. In both cases, it must be possible to split the serving area into smaller pockets, which means that there must be at least two coaxial cables radiating from the node. An ideal scenario would make full use of a fourway segmentable node so that the existing serving area could be split into four roughly equal pockets, as shown in Figure 5.

A B

D C

Figure 5: Segmentable Serving Area

Transmission Technologies

G1534A

Diplex Filter

Forward Amplifier

1204

Page 4

A four-way, fully segmented node, as illustrated in Figure 6, could serve this area. It is assumed that each segment is served by two fibres (one downstream and one upstream), which, of course, must be already available for the upgrade to succeed. If a two-way, rather than four-way segmentation is sufficient, then the node in Figure 6 could be configured for both downstream and upstream redundancy, as shown in Figure 7. If the number of fibres is restricted so that it is not possible to assign one to each receiver and transmitter, several alternative strategies are available: a) Use upstream transmitters at ITU-grid wavelengths and combine on a single fibre b) Frequency-shift the four upstream bands so that they can be combined in a single transmitter (frequency stacking, or block conversion)
Receivers Forward Amplifiers Diplex Filters

A B C D
Reverse Transmitters Amplifier

Figure 6: Four-Way Segmented Node

c) Digitize each upstream band, multiplex the streams, and use a single transmitter (1310nm or ITU-grid) Different manufacturers offer some or all of these options. Regardless of the level of segmentation that may be required initially or in the future, if the supply of fibres is severely limited, some form of electronic or optical signal multiplexing will be necessary. In particular, it may not be possible to dedicate one fibre to each node for upstream traffic. Furthermore, an intermediate site (even a small street-side cabinet) may not be available as a location for the multiplexing equipment. If the nodes are arranged on a fibre-optic ring, however, CWDM transmitters can be used to provide upstream transmission on a single fibre, as shown in Figure 8.
Reverse Amplifiers Transmitters Receivers A.P.S. Forward Amplifiers

Figure 7: Two-Way Segmented Node with Redundant Transmitters and Receivers

Transmission Technologies

G1534A

1204

Diplex Filter

Diplex Filter

Page 5

Cd1

Downstream Traffic

Cd2

Cd3

Cu1

Upstream Traffic

Cu2

Cu3

Node 1

Node 2

Node 3

Figure 8: Minimum-fiber Ring using CWDM Upstream Transmitters

The downstream signals are received at each node via simple optical couplers, whose coupling ratio decreases as distance from the source (Headend or Hub) increases. In the upstream path, signals are coupled into a single fibre using either simple couplers, or add/drop multiplexers. The choice of coupling device will be based on distance from the Headend or Hub. For example: if Node 1 in Figure 8 is assumed to be close to the Headend/Hub, so that the fibre attenuation is low, then a high-ratio coupler can be used at Cu1. This device will have a low insertion loss. At Node 2, the total upstream loss must be calculated, and a suitable coupler selected: Cu2 will clearly have a lower loss ratio, and therefore a higher insertion loss than Cu1. When Node 3 is considered, it may be found that the total upstream optical loss is larger than the available budget, in which case it would be necessary to reexamine Node 2 and replace Cu2 with an add/drop multiplexer, which has a much lower insertion loss than a simple coupler. In a scenario like this, it should be remembered that it may not be possible to optically amplify the upstream CWDM signals: the most common CWDM channels, 1 to 8, occupy a range of wavelengths from 1610 to 1470 nm, whereas the typical bandwidth of an EDFA is 1565 to 1530 nm.

Availiable Technologies for Optical Node Applications

While a variety of manufacturers may offer products for certain common scenarios, operators can benefit greatly from a technology partner whose products are designed to cover a full range of possible applications. ScientificAtlanta manufactures a range of optical Nodes to cover each of the applications described in this whitepaper. For example, the Compact Node Model 90075 has two RF outputs, and can be equipped with two receivers and two transmitters; both 1310nm and CWDM transmitters are available. The Compact Node Models 90090 and 90093 are intended for fibre deeper applications and have just one receiver and one transmitter. The Compact Nodes are designed for installation indoors or in cabinets. GainMaker Nodes are rugged, general-purpose dual output units (a third output can be created using an internal coupler), which can be equipped with two receivers and one transmitter. The model 6940-series Nodes are rugged and provide four RF ports. They can be fully segmented into four partitions and equipped with a digital upstream transmission system, as described above. CWDM transmitters for both the GainMaker and the 6940-series Nodes are available. Detailed specifications and configuration information are available at Scientific-Atlantas web site: www.scentificatlanta.com/customers/prod_catalog_tran smission.htm

Transmission Technologies

G1534A

1204

Page 6

Simple Nodes
Clearly, optical node configuration need not be an imposing task for operators who understand the demands expected to be placed on the network, both immediately and in the future. Issues such as the number of subscribers that must be served by each node, the physical condition of existing architecture components, and the location of existing architectures must be considered in advance. Needless to say, a single paper cannot address all of the issues that drive technology and architecture choices in sufficient depth to support an operators decisionmaking process. The right technology provider will bring a full understanding of all considerations to help operators calculate the bandwidth necessary for services both in terms of what the services themselves and any potential growth spurts will require. Moreover, operators who work with such a partner can be well positioned to make swift, sure decisions, rapidly implement and configure new architectures, launch new services, stave off competition and realise expanded profitability.

2004 Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. All rights reserved. Scientific-Atlanta, the Scientific-Atlanta logo and GainMaker are registered trademarks of Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

G1534A