1st Edition

Hybrid Fiber-Optic Coaxial Networks How to Design, Build, and Implement an Enterprise-Wide Broadband HFC Network

By Ernest Tunmann Copyright 1995
    307 Pages
    by CRC Press

    328 Pages
    by CRC Press

    This book covers the planning, design and implementation of hybrid fiber-optic coaxial (HFC) broadband networks in schools, universities, hospitals, factories and offices, whether they are in a single building or multiple campuses. Within the next few yea

    1 Video Network Architectures

    The Enterprise Environment

    Voice Transmission in Enterprise Networks

    Data Transmission in Enterprise Networks

    Video Transmission in Enterprise Networks

    Gateway Considerations

    The Comparison Model

    The Fiber-Optic Delivery System

    Cost Considerations

    Technical Considerations

    Summary

    The Hybrid Fiber-optic Delivery System (HFC)

    Cost Considerations

    Technical Considerations

    Summary

    The Coaxial Delivery System

    Cost Considerations

    Technical Considerations

    Summary

    Recommendations for Single Buildings

    Building Sizes

    Number of Floors

    Number of Outlets

    Number of Outlets per Floor

    Location of the Riser

    Length of Service Drops

    Number of Amplifiers

    Maximum Amplifier Cascade

    Examples of Single Buildings served by Broadband Coaxial Cable

    Recommendations for Multiple Buildings

    Fiber to all Buildings

    Fiber to Buildings with 2 Amplifiers-Coaxial Service to Buildings with 1 Amplifier

    Fiber plus 1 Trunk Spacing to Buildings with 2 Amplifiers and 2 Trunk Spacings to Buildings with 1 Amplifier

    Fiber to Selective Node Locations, 2 Trunk Spacings and 2 Building Amplifiers for Coaxial Cable Service

    Network Design Groundrules

    2 Spectrum Utilization

    The Capacity of a Broadband Coaxial Cable

    The Sub-split System

    Sub-split Spectrum Utilization Considerations

    The 5 to 30 MHz Spectrum

    The 30 to 54 MHz Spectrum

    The 54 to 88 MHz Spectrum

    The 88 to 108 MHz Spectrum

    The 108 to 120 MHz Spectrum

    The 120 to 750 MHz Spectrum

    Two way Transmission

    Conclusions

    The Mid-split System

    Mid-split Spectrum Utilization Considerations

    The 5 to 112 MHz Spectrum

    The 112 to 150 MHz Spectrum

    The 150 to 750 MHz Spectrum

    Two way Transmission

    Conclusions

    The High-split System

    High-Split Spectrum Utilization Considerations

    The 5 to 186 MHz Spectrum

    The 186 to 222 MHz Spectrum

    The 222 to 750 MHz Spectrum

    Two-way Transmission

    Conclusions

    The Dual-Cable System

    Other Spectrum Utilization Approaches

    3 Analog and Digital Video Transmission

    The Video Universe

    Broadcast Television

    Cable Television

    Wireless TV distribution Systems

    Multichannel Mulipoint Distribution Service (MMDS)

    Cellular Television

    Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS)

    Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)

    Instructional Two-way Television

    Video Teleconferencing

    Corporate Teleconferencing

    Distance Learning

    Telemedicine

    Desktop Videoconferencing

    The NTSC Analog Video Transmission Standard

    Disadvantages of NTSC analog Video

    The Interface Potential

    Regional Standardization

    The Many Advantages of Analog Video

    The New Digital Video Standards

    MPEG-2 Broadcast Quality Trelevision

    The MPEG-2 Compression Standard

    The MPEG-2 Transmission Standard

    The Advantages of MPEG-2 Transmission

    The Disadvantages of MPEG-2 Transmission

    Advanced Television (ATV) or High-Definition Television (HDTV)

    The MPEG-1 Standard

    Desktop Video Standards

    Reflections

    Present and Future Public Network Long-Distance Standards

    ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network and Switched 56 Kbit/s

    T-1 Networking

    T-1C Networking

    The Digital Transmission Hierarchy

    US or North American Formals

    International Formats

    Global Standards

    Video Transmission

    HFC Transmission

    The DS-3/T-3 Standard

    SONET and ATM Switching

    Framing

    The Synchoronous Transport Signal (STS)

    SONET Payloads and Overheads

    ATM Switching

    The SONET Ring Architecture

    MPEG-2 on ATM

    Reflections

    4 The Gateway and Operations Center

    The Control Center for Intra-Enterprise Traffic

    The Functions of the Control Center

    Off-air Satellite Reception

    Automation

    Recording of Programs

    Storage of Video Programs

    Channel Assignment

    Editing and Authoring

    Program Origination and Scheduled Programming

    Video Retrieval and Video-on-Demand

    The Interactive Classroom

    Voice and Data Traffic

    Desktop Videoconferencing

    Network Management

    The Gateway to the Outside World

    The Functions of the Gateway

    Distributed Distance Learning

    Distributed Telemedicine

    Desktop Videoconferencing

    Telephony and Data

    Personal Communications Service (PCS)

    5 The HFC Broadband Network Components and Performance

    HFC Network Architectures

    The Fiber Star and Coaxial Tree-and-Branch

    The Fiber Ring and Coaxial Tree-and-Branch

    Similarities of Fiber-optic and Coaxial Cables

    The Spectrum Capacity

    Amplitude RD Modulation

    Analog and Digital Transmission

    The Differences between Fiber-optic and Coaxial Cables

    The Attenuation Difference

    The Distribution Differences

    The Power-Carrying Capacity Difference

    Optimizing the HFC Network

    Optimizing the Reliability

    The Reliability of the Enterprise HFC Network

    Optimizing the Quality of Performance

    Outlet Levels

    The Carrier-to-Noise Ratio

    The FO Transmitter C/N

    The Fiber Cable C/N

    The FO Receiver C/N

    The Broadband Amplifier C/N

    The System C/N

    The Composite Triple Beat

    The Fiber-Optic Segment

    The Coaxial Segment

    Conclusions

    6 Planning the HFC Network

    Inside-Plant Considerations

    The Operations Center

    Finding the Location

    Equipment, Power and Space Considerations

    Inside-Plant Dara Collection

    Building-Entry Locations

    MDF Mounting Considerations

    IDF Mounting Considerations

    Locating the Broadband Outlets

    The 150 ft. Service Drop

    Riser Cable Considerations

    Outside-Plant Data Collection

    Aerial Plant Data

    Make-Ready Considerations

    UG Conduit Data Collection

    Manhole Locations and Sizes

    Conduit Availability and Space Requirements

    Cable Construction in Steam Tunnels

    New Conduit Construction

    7 The Design Information Checklist

    In-Building Information

    Buildings, Floors, Rooms and Outlets

    Supplementary Building Data

    Outside-Plant Information

    Aerial Pole Line Data

    New Conduit Construction

    Existing Conduit Data

    The HFC Criteria

    HFC Alternatives

    Fiber to all Buildings

    The Optimized HFC System

    8 The HFC Network Components

    Fiber-optic Cable and Equipment

    Single-mode Fiber-optic Cables

    Common Specifications

    The Loose Tube Cable

    The Tight Buffer Cable

    The Breakout Cable

    Fiber-optic Termination Equipment

    Distribution and Storage Panels

    Single-mode Patch Cords

    Single-mode Fiber Connectors and Access

    Fiber-optic Transmission Equipment

    Single-channel Transmitters

    Multichannel Transmitters

    Multichannel Receivers

    Fault Alarm and Telemetry

    Coaxial Cable and Equipment

    Coaxial Cables

    Outside-Plant Cables

    Standard Dielectric Cables

    Special Dielectric Cables

    Inside-Plant Cables

    Riser-rated Distribution Cables

    Plenum-rated Distribution Cables

    Service Drop Cables

    Broadband Amplifiers

    Trunk Amplifiers

    Distribution Amplifiers

    Passive Components

    Splitters, Directional Couplers

    Power Inserter Specifications

    Multitaps

    4-port Multitaps

    8-port Multitaps

    Coaxial-Cable Connectors

    Housing Connectors

    Housing-to-Housing Connectors

    Housing Terminators

    Service Drop Connectors

    F-Terminations

    Power Supplies for Coaxial Cables

    HFC Access Equipment

    RF Modulators

    RF Demodulators

    Matrix Switching Equipment

    9 The HFC Broadband Network Design Process – Inside-Plant Design

    Inside-Plant Design – From Service Drop to Building-Entry Locations

    Designing the Service Drop

    Outlet Levels

    Cable Selection

    The Shielding Properties

    The Attenuation Properties

    The Handling Properties and Costs

    The 150 ft. Limitation

    Forward Level Calculations

    Forward Calculation Summary

    Return Level Calculations

    Return Level Summary

    Designing the Riser Distribution Network

    The Building-Entry Location or the Single-Building Headend

    Cable Selection

    The Attenuation Properties

    The Selection of Amplifiers

    The Selection of Passives and Multitaps

    The Mechanical Properties

    The Electrical Properties

    The Riser Design Process for Transmission in the Forward Direction

    The Design of the Building No. 158 Riser Network

    Redesign of the Building No. 158 Riser Network

    The Design of a High-Rise Building

    The Trial Design

    Service to other Floors

    The Symmetrical Riser Design

    The Forward Transmission Design of a Large Horizontal Building

    The Riser Design Process for Transmissions in the Return Direction

    Return Transmission in Building #158

    Building #158 – Return Transmission Summary

    Return Transmission in the High-Rise Building

    Return Transmission in the Large Horizontal Building

    The Design Documentation

    10 The HFC Broadband Network Design Process-Outside-Plant Design

    The Hypothetical Campus Layout

    Optimizing the HFC System

    Optimizing the Hypothetical Campus HFC System

    Summary of Trade-Off Considerations

    The Broadband Coaxial Outside-Plant Segments

    The Forward Transmission Design

    Cable Selection

    Amplifier Selection

    Forward Level Calculations (Area 1)

    Forward Level Calculations (Area 2)

    Forward Level Calculations (Area 3)

    The Return Transmission Design
    Return Level Calculations (Area 1)

    Return Level Calculations (Area 2)

    Return Level Calculations (Area 3)

    Outside-Plant Design Documentation

    The Fiber-optic Outside-Plant Segments

    The Fiber-Optic Transmission Considerations

    Directivity

    Measurement Units

    Modulation Methods and RF Transmission

    Analog vs. Digital Transmission

    Baseband Transmission

    Wavelength and Attenuation

    Star Tree and Ring

    The Forward Transmission Equipment

    The Transmitter

    The Link Budget

    Optical Couplers

    Receivers

    Forward Transmission Calculations

    The Trial Design

    Final Design

    The Return Transmission Design

    Transmission Equipment

    Return Transmission Calculations

    Alternative Return Transmission Architectures and Cost Budgets

    Alternative 1 – The Fiber-optic Return in a Star Topology

    Alternative 2 – The Coaxial Return in a Tree-and-Branch Topology

    Alternative 3 – The Fiber-optic Return in a bi-directional Ring Topology

    Conclusions

    11 HFC Installation Considerations

    Planning for the Installation

    Existing Plant Inventory

    The Universal Wiring Plan

    Installation Standards of the HFC Network

    New UG Duct Installation

    Installation in Steam Tunnels and Buildings

    Cable Installation in UG Ducts

    Equipment Mounting and Cable Splicing

    Installation in Risers

    The Installation of Service Drops

    Installation using Wire Trays

    Over-the-Ceiling Installation

    Installation in Molding

    Service Drop Termonations at the IDF

    Universal Outlets

    Cable Marking

    Finalizing the Installation Plan

    Outside-Plant Routing

    Inside-Plant Routing

    12 Acceptance-Testing and Documentation

    Admission Tests

    Cable Reel Testing

    Fiber-optic Cable OTDR Admission Test

    Coaxial Cable TDR Admission Test

    Passive Equipment

    Amplifier Burn-in

    Fiber-Optic Transceivers

    Functional Testing

    Fiber-optic Cable OTDR Testing

    Coaxial Cable TDR Testing

    Physical Inspection

    Activation and Sweep-Testing in the Forward Direction

    Activation and Sweep-Testing in the Return Direction

    Outlet Level Testing

    Cumulative Leakage Index (CLI) Testing

    Acceptance-Testing

    Carrier-to-Noise Ratio (C/N)

    The Hum Component

    Loop Testing

    Operational Tests

    Documentation

    Installation Documentation

    Test Documentation

    Miscellaneous Documentation

    Contract Data Delivery

    13 The HFC Proposal Specifications

    Qualifying the Bidder

    Scope of Work

    System Description

    Responsibilities of the Contractor

    The Project Timetable

    Bid Response Requirements

    Owner-Provided Activities

    Provision for 110 Vac Power

    Storage and Office Space

    Access

    Project Management Requirements

    Technical Specifications

    Hardware and Equipment

    Software

    Installation Specifications

    Acceptance-Test Specifications

    Documentation Requirements

    Thoughts in Closing

    Biography

    Ernest Tunmann is president and founder of TE Consulting, Inc. He specializes in the planning, design and cost-effective implementation of hybrid fiber/coaxial broadband transmission systems for voice, high speed data and video with ATM and SONET connectivity.