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August 2008
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Architecture
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Changing Modulation Schemes
Service Calls
Increasing the modulation scheme will carry more data in the
same bandwidth
QPSK to 16 QAM to 32 QAM
64 QAM to 256 QAM and beyond.
Increasing the modulation scheme demands improved
performance in the system to obtain similar results
From QPSK to 16QAM theoretically demands an additional 4-6dB noise
improvement
Signal levels can be adjusted to overcome the CNR but this may have
significant negative effects on the distortion parameters.
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Why does performance need to improve?
Increasing subscriber penetration for 2 way digital services decreases C/N and
increases MER
Less BW per subscriber requires advanced modulation techniques to deliver
more
Network requires better performance to deliver the same quality
BER
50%
40%
30%
20%
CNR
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Increasing the modulation scheme requires
additional headroom above the threshold.
Strong / Good
Good Video (forward path)
BAD High Speed Data
NO VoIP Functional
Operating Level
Service Threshold with 16 QAM
Carrier to Noise
BER
Intermittent
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Why it may be a challenge
Strong / Good
Operating Level
Intermittent
Service Threshold
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Plant RF Impairments
Micro-Reflections; Ingress
Noise;Group delay; CPD
Strong / Good Good Video
Slower High Speed Data
Functioning VoIP
Functional
Operating Level
VoIP / HSD
Carrier
VoIP / HSD
Carrier Intermittent
Service Threshold
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Plant Issues
Water Migration, Poor Installation
Practice,
Connection Issues
Strong / Good
Corrected
Functional
VoIP / HSD
Good Video Possible
Carrier
Intermittent
Slow or No High Speed Data
No VoIP
Service Threshold
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Ingress degrades quality lowering threshold.
Ingress
Significantly effects forward error correction which results in packet
loss and loss of connection for VoIP (high speed data as well)
It is caused by
Craft errors
Damaged cable / connectors
Strong / Good Un-terminated ports
Poor RF shielding on components
Moisture penetration
Functional
Operating Level
Service Threshold
Service Threshold
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Ways to improve performance.
1. Segment the node by adding additional forward and return optics.
Improves Noise and Distortion
Increases BW per sub
2. CMTS and DOCSIS technology that lower the threshold
3. Use Line Conditioning Tools
Step Attenuators
Filters
4. Clean up (or harden) the plant
5. Add additional Return Bandwidth beyond 42 MHz and / or increase upper limit to 1GHz.
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* Step 1
Low value Tap, a step attenuator has been
installed lowering the entire return band. Noise
/ Ingress and Data Carrier(s)1
Strong / Good
Hub or Head end
Network Docsis
CMTS
Modem Functional
Fwd Receiver
and Return
Data Carrier
Service Threshold
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* Step 2
The CMTS Auto Level will turn up the Data
Carrier to the original level no longer impaired by
the ingress.
Line Conditioning Step Attenuators
Strong / Good
Network Docsis
CMTS
Modem Functional
Fwd Receiver
and Return
Data Carrier
Operating
Level Example:
12 dB Step Attn
Carrier to Intermittent
Noise
BER
Service Threshold
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Customer Experience
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Operating Condition
Snug It Up
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Impedance
Impedance is d - Conductor
determine by the Diameter
center conductor, core
diameter and E E
material constant. Constant
Material
Impedance Formula
138 D
Zo = ---- (Log10---) D - Core
Diameter
E d
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Impedance Discontinuities
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Signal reflections occur throughout the cable plant and are called micro-reflections.
They are caused by the individual slight errors in impedance match.
The severity of the mismatch is measured by the magnitude of the return-loss ratio.
The larger the return loss, the better, perfection is infinite.
Mismatches may include connectors, mis-installed products, poor construction and damaged cable.
For example - If a lousy splice block is installed approximately 150 feet past an amplifier.
The splice, which may only have a 12 dB return loss, reflects signals back upstream that has been attenuated by 13.5 dB (1.5 dB in cable attenuation plus the return loss of the
splice).
The reflected signals then arrive back at the output of the amplifier attenuated by a total of 15 dB (1.5 dB additional cable loss for the upstream trip plus the previous 13.5 dB).
The signals are now reflected by the amplifiers output mismatch, A return loss of 16 dB is common.
At this point, the reflected signal has an amplitude that is 31 dB below the primary signal and delayed by the round-trip propagation through 300 feet of cable, which takes
about 350 ns.
The signal is horizontally delayed approximately 1/7 inch on a 27-inch television set.
This is not enough to become a visible ghost or second image.
However, depending on the relative phases of the RF carriers of the primary and reflected signal,
the visual effect may be enough to cause a softening of a previously well-defined luminance
level transition.
With repeated mismatches, the crispness of the pictures may be noticeably
reduced.
This softening effect is easily seen on displays of character-generated text pages.
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CPD Common Path Distortion, also
known as PIM: Passive InterModulation
Only occurs where downstream and
upstream share the same path
Amplifier, Tap, and Passive ports
It is a diode effect that creates intermod
products usually at 6 MHz intervals
Accentuated with higher signals
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What causes CPD?
- Contact problems cause
non-linear effects:
Oxidized contact surfaces
Contaminated contact surfaces
Too low contact pressure
Loose components
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Ref. Level
500 kHz
15 MHz 25 MHz
12/05/2004
Plant Trouble Calls
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Hardline
Cable is defined
Connector to equipment interface is defined
Connector to cable interface defined
www.scte.org/standards
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Hardline Cable Prep
A Center Conductor
B Core Depth
X and Y No Burrs or Rough Edges
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Typical Hardline Connector Retention Forces
Center Conductor Outer Conductor Combined Force
Cable Size Force (lbs) Force (lbs) (lbs)
.412 - .440 100 250 400
.500 - .540 150 350 500
.565 175 400 575
.625 200 400 600
.700 225 425 650
.715 225 425 650
.750 250 450 700
.840 275 475 750
.860 315 480 795
.875 300 500 800
1.000 1.125 350 600 950
1.160 375 650 1025
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Drop
The cable is defined
The connector male and female is defined
Established test procedures for electrical, mechanical and
environmental performance.
www.scte.org/standards
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Hardening
Cable
Damage
Modem
Off Air
Fwd
signal
and Ret
s
Levels Cordless
Phone
Old TV
Fan Motor
Noise
AC Unit
Video
Games
Appliance
Noise
Ground block
to code
Architecture DC Motor
In-House Florescent Noise
Lights
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Summary
Improving the Network
Tighten the plant
Line Conditioning
Reducing Node Sizes
CMTS / DOCSIS advancements
The Drop Plant may very well still be the weakest
link.
Connections (Moisture and Loose
connectors) cost $$
F-Connectors, F-81s, Terminators
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Thanks
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