New generation broadband amplifiers - DCT Delta

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New generation broadband amplifiers DCT-Delta present new developments with FOSTRA and DeltaNET

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oday´s cable operators face challenges not only from the big Telco organizations but also from new operators that roll out fiber in partly subsidized environments. These alternative operators benefit from a brand new, homogeneous fiber infrastructure from head-end to the end-user. The advantages of such FTTH or FTTB (fiber to the home/building) technology are high transmission speed as well as a much smaller amount of active components in their network. While the big Telco operators try to upgrade their copper/DSL environment with “vectoring” (mainly a software based method to improve bandwidth), the cable operators see their future in upgrading their existing HFC (Hybrid Fiber

Coax) based infrastructure with the latest active transmission components. In addition, the cable operators see fiber

deployment as an important element in their upgrade scenarios, however the socalled “last mile”, which is the network

Picture 1: NVD trunk amplifier with FOSTRA-F Microreceiver

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part close to the end user, remains largely in traditional coaxial cable technology. Consequently, the network elements (active and passive components) in these “last mile” network areas must be upgraded with the new technology. This was the reason why DCT DELTA developed its latest family of broadband amplifiers according to a very challenging specification of the biggest cable operator in Europe. Together with its RFoG fiber node family, it offers a seamless solution for the complete HFC infrastructure. The new generation: The development team faced though technical requirements, that were on the “wish list” of the cable operator. The ever-increasing amount of channels in the down stream (DS), however even more in the up stream (US) is squeezing the RF characteristics to the absolute limits. Besides the increased channel load, also new modulation schemes, derived from DOCSIS 3.1, and DVB-C2 with OFDM modulation with up to 4096-QAM carriers, had to be considered. Besides the transmission parameters, also network management possibilities from a central Network Operation Center (NOC) also improved dramatically in the new amplifiers. First building blocks were developed already 10 years ago with the so-called HMS protocol, however considerable extra costs for a transponder in each amplifier hindered real market acceptance. As one of the first manufacturers, DCT-DELTA developed a DOCSIS

Picture 3: DeltaNET - Screenshot

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Cable!Vision International 1/2014

Noise Power Ratio (NPR) upstream measurement result for the amplifier NVD 9240R-ED (UPC type 4)

Picture 2: NPR values and measurement

based transponder a few years ago with broad powerful management possibilities; however, they only succeeded in the larger distribution amplifiers or segmentable fiber nodes. Consequently, the development of a commercially attractive and relatively simple FSK-modulation protocol, which is based on the international RFoG standard (IEC 60728-14), now allows a seamless management format amongst all network elements (fiber nodes, broadband trunk and distribution amplifiers and even small amplifiers in the last mile) and the headend. The complete new platform of trunk and distribution amplifiers offers significantly improved transmission capabili-

ties and a number of innovative features that are only offered by DCT-DELTA in the market. The new broadband amplifiers LHD 41 and NVD9240 automatically come with the option to plug in a FOSTRA-F microreceiver module (picture 1) which allows addressing the amplifiers very easy and in seconds. As an example, an “ingress control switch” is implemented, so a command from the central NOC can attenuate the Up stream of the respective amplifier by 6dB, which allows a very fast and simple identification and localisation of the interference source within the network. Each FOSTRA-F module has a uniquely assigned MAC address, which is administrated by the headend controller (HEC 1000) and the HFC management system DeltaNET. The integration of the headend controller via SNMP within the existing and very powerful NOC software of the customer is explicitly possible in order to have ONE seamless Network Management platform for all network elements of the cable operator. More powerful management possibilities are provided through the use of a DOCSIS compatible transponder (FOSTRA-D), which offers a wider range of control parameters in the amplifier. Also in this case, each FOSTRA-D module has a uniquely assigned MAC address, and is addressable via an IP address. Ultimately, it means that all active network components are seamlessly included and controllable via one HFC management system (DeltaNET).

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As a standard, all DCT-DELTA amplifiers in this market segment are electronically configurable, which means they have all components aboard to be shipped into the field. Via the LED display and 3 keys all parameters are configured and stored, any change in down stream as well as up stream happens interruption free. The power consumption has been reduced, despite the much higher performance, and is typically 15% lower than in comparable products. In parallel the remote power supply option has been extended, which now offers a very flexible range between 28-90 V AC. As in real life, the important facts of the new amplifiers however are hidden inside. The new design from scratch makes it possible to plugin different diplexers for the split between US and DS from 65, 85, 105 MHz and in future even 200 MHz. This provides the cable operator with a high degree of flexibility for the usage and evolution of his network especially in the up stream (US). Very active discussions in several European

countries about the changes, limitation or even total elimination of the FM band (up to 108 MHz) can be realized via this concept. The return path covers a range of up to 200 MHz, while offering isolation between DS and US of more than 70 dB!. Another requirement of the cable operators is a further improved NPR value (Noise Power Ratio), which is displayed in the diagram below. A high value of NPR allows the load of up to 8 DOCSIS channels in the US in combination with cascaded amplifiers. The future usage of the upstream spectrum up to 200MHz will put a special focus on NPR. In combination with the available AGC (Automatic Gain Control) module, the output level of the amplifier remains constant even if the channel load changes. This represents a very useful feature especially in long cascades of amplifiers up to 1 GHz. The DeltaNET network management system operates with a standard SQL database, in which all relevant system data of the used DOCSIS Cable modems at the subscriber site and the installed DOCSIS broadband amplifier information are stored in continuous steps. Besides the RF- and performance param-

eters, the exact location of each device is linked to this information and can be accessed any time the software needs to monitor and evaluate the behaviour of the data transmission and potential ingress. Figure 4 shows the web interface operating on a standard internet browser. In order to perform the comparison of the different measured values of cable modems and broadband amplifiers, the system needs to access the stored address data (town, street, number). With these data the software understands the structure of the network and can calculate in case of ingress the location of the faulty (ingress causing) link in the network. During the installation of the Delta broadband amplifier the installer adds the address data for the related amplifier either via the web interface or by using the central headend access: Ready to use for the ingress detection system. The software automatically performs a correlation between the different network cluster with the measured devices (cable modems in the field). In case of a deviation from adjustable parameters (like MER, BER) the system issues an alarm message. This alarm message could be sent for example via SNMP to an Umbrella network management system. If some cable modems (at different subscriber sites) measure significant lower values for BER (Bit Error Rate), the system could recalculate in most of the cases (due to the intelligent software code) the real source for the ingress or at least showing the location of the problem. The next step could be the automatic switch off or addition of further attenuation of 6 dB to the linked broadband amplifier. This would be performed automatically or depending on the configuration manually. Only in quite difficult situations, when the system is not able to detect the source for the ingress via the cable modem parameter must use of a separate measurement device like Path Track or similar be accomplished. In a typical implementation (new RFoG network) all of the installed Micro Nodes can be identified and addressed by their own MAC address. The control of the Micro Node according to the specific requirements of the Cable-TV operator is realized by using a selectable RF frequency (e.g. 868 MHz). A very robust and small bandwidth consuming FSK modulation allows the direct access and transmits commands like deactiva-

tion of of the downstream or upstream path (or adding additional attenuation 6 dB). Features like switching between constant laser mode and burst mode of the upstream laser for testing purposes are also implemented. In the central headend only one RU controller chassis is needed to access even high numbers of Micro Nodes, as the used bandwidth is simply very small. Low power consumption of the FOSTRAF module operating in “stand-by” is only increasing in case of the “wake-up” call from the Headend Controller via the FSKcarrier. Due to this low power concept, the FOSTRA-F module could be used in most of the optical nodes and broadband amplifier without changing or affecting the entire power supply concept, which is a major difference to other standards like HMS- or DOCSIS-modems. Installation: To realize an easy and efficient installation procedure Delta will be offering for most of its broadband amplifier and optical fiber nodes a new mobile application (App) for Android and iphone based devices. During the installation process the technician will use his Smartphone (assuming a reasonably high penetration of these devices) together with the new Delta app. The app leads the technician through the necessary steps of the installation procedure which starts by scanning the barcode mounted to the Node or amplifier to be installed. All important data and parameter are now visible depending on the type of device and the intuitive GUI leads the technician stepby-step through the app-menu. As the GEO-data of the location is automatically stored (together with the address data provided locally) the system knows the exact position of the device in the network structure. In addition a short test routine for the management module can be accomplished checking the ingress detection system for proper function, where a LED on top of the FOSTRA-F module indicating the correct operation. After finalizing the routine all data and important information are synchronized with the DeltaNET database located in the central headend, requiring an internet connection of the smartphone. Cable!Vision International 1/2014

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