Cable TV Access Networks

Broadband cable TV networks are undergoing a massive transformation, from simply broadcasting analog TV channels to providing sophisticated, two-way interactive services such as high-speed Internet access and video-on-demand. Now, one of the field's leading experts reviews the technologies, protocols, and applications associated with the CATV revolution, and previews the migration path from today's two-way hybrid fiber/coax networks to the awesome capacities of tomorrow's DWDM fiber networks. Coverage includes:

• HFC cable networks vs. the competition: DSL, FTTL, DBS, and MMDS
• Key fiber-optics transmission technologies: directly and externally modulated laser transmitters, optical receivers, and Erbium-doped optical fiber amplifiers (EDFAs)
• Architecture of DWDM access networks
• Hardware architecture and operation of digital set-top boxes and cable modems
• Software architecture and applications for digital set-top boxes

Ovadia offers in-depth analyses of single-and multiple-wavelength fiber-optics transmission impairments over HFC and DWDM networks, and presents the emerging two-way DWDM network architecture. Finally, he discusses the DOCSIS cable modem protocol, as well as key set-top box applications such as electronic program guides (EPGs), video-on-demand (VOD), Internet-based applications such as e-mail, and e-commerce.

Whether you're an engineer, scientist, cable professional, manager, or investor, if you want to understand where cable is headed you need Broadband Cable TV Access Networks: From Technologies to Applications.

Contents

• Preface
• 1 Broadband Hybrid Fiber/Coax Access Networks Overview 1
• 2 Basic Cable TV Background: Modulation, Signal Formats and Coaxial Cable Systems 21
• 3 Directly Modulated Cable TV Lightwave Laser Transmitters 63
• 4 Externally Modulated Cable TV Lightwave Laser Transmitters 99
• 5 Lightwave Receivers for Cable TV Networks 123
• 6 Optical Fiber Amplifiers for Cable TV Networks 147
• 7 RF Digital QAM Modems 183
• 8 Subscriber Home Terminals 231
• 9 Transmission Impairments in Multichannel AM/QAM Lightwave Systems 279
• 10 EDFA-Based WDM Multichannel AM/QAM Video Lightwave Access Network 331
• 11 Data-Over-Cable Interface Specifications (DOCSIS) Protocol 359
• 12 Digital Set-Top Box Software Architecture and Applications 395
• App. A Comparison of DAVIC and DOCSIS Specifications 419
• App. B International Cable TV Frequency Plans 423
• App. C Satellite Transponder Parameters for Cable TV Networks 429
• Acronyms 431
• Index 437
• Biography