1st Edition
Hybrid Fiber-Optic Coaxial Networks How to Design, Build, and Implement an Enterprise-Wide Broadband HFC Network
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.