Hybrid Fiber Coaxial Networks Research Articles

Network management for residential broadband interactive data services

Although coaxial networks and hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) networks have been in use for delivering television programs to the home, their usage as access networks to provide broadband interactive data services (BIDS) to the home is very recent. In this article, the authors highlight the importance of managing the networking infrastructure for BIDS and explore the unique requirements and challenges in managing HFC networks. Considering the operational requirements of BIDS operators, network maintenance, subscriber support, and planning are identified as the three functional areas that a BIDS network management system must address. It is argued that management support built into BIDS equipment (e.g., cable modems, headend cable termination units, subscriber PCs) can provide a cost-effective way of monitoring the status and performance of HFC networks, and some initial experiences of implementing and deploying network monitors in a real-world BIDS system are presented.

A broadband multiple access protocol for STM, ATM, and variable length data services on hybrid fiber-coax networks

This paper presents a broadband multiple access protocol for bidirectional hybrid fiber-coax (HFC) networks. The Adaptive Digital Access Protocol (ADAPt+) supports a full range of subscriber services via HFC networks with tree and branch topologies. The protocol efficiently accommodates different circuit- and packet-based access modes, such as synchronous transfer mode (STM), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), and inherently variable length (VL) native data (for example, the Internet protocol [IP]). ADAPt+ allocates the available bandwidth efficiently and adapts to the changing traffic mix. In addition, the paper describes the medium access control (MAC) protocol for upstream and multiplexing/demultiplexing for downstream communication, its applicability to STM, ATM, and other native data applications, and its performance with respect to throughput, latency, and bandwidth efficiency. While discussed in the context of an HFC network, many aspects of ADAPt+ have relevance to wireless, fiber to the curb (FTTC), and fiber to the home (FTTH).

A broadband multiple access protocol for STM, ATM, and variable length data services on hybrid fiber-coax networks

This paper presents a broadband multiple access protocol for bidirectional hybrid fiber-coax (HFC) networks. The Adaptive Digital Access Protocol (ADAPt+) supports a full range of subscriber services via HFC networks with tree and branch topologies. The protocol efficiently accommodates different circuit- and packet-based access modes, such as synchronous transfer mode (STM), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), and inherently variable length (VL) native data (for example, the Internet protocol [IP]). ADAPt+ allocates the available bandwidth efficiently and adapts to the changing traffic mix. In addition, the paper describes the medium access control (MAC) protocol for upstream and multiplexing/demultiplexing for downstream communication, its applicability to STM, ATM, and other native data applications, and its performance with respect to throughput, latency, and bandwidth efficiency. While discussed in the context of an HFC network, many aspects of ADAPt+ have relevance to wireless, fiber to the curb (FTTC), and fiber to the home (FTTH).

A broadband multiple access protocol for STM, ATM, and variable length data services on hybrid fiber-coax networks

This paper presents a broadband multiple access protocol for bidirectional hybrid fiber-coax (HFC) networks. The Adaptive Digital Access Protocol (ADAPt+) supports a full range of subscriber services via HFC networks with tree and branch topologies. The protocol efficiently accommodates different circuit- and packet-based access modes, such as synchronous transfer mode (STM), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), and inherently variable length (VL) native data (for example, the Internet protocol [IP]). ADAPt+ allocates the available bandwidth efficiently and adapts to the changing traffic mix. In addition, the paper describes the medium access control (MAC) protocol for upstream and multiplexing/demultiplexing for downstream communication, its applicability to STM, ATM, and other native data applications, and its performance with respect to throughput, latency, and bandwidth efficiency. While discussed in the context of an HFC network, many aspects of ADAPt+ have relevance to wireless, fiber to the curb (FTTC), and fiber to the home (FTTH).

Multiservice access network upgrading in Europe: a techno-economic analysis

The article presents a techno-economic evaluation of strategies for developing the traditional access network along a cost effective path toward a future-proof multiservice broadband network. A broad range of appropriate network alternatives have been assessed for each of five representative European upgrade cases. The technological options that have been evaluated range from conventional copper-based networks to emerging new technologies such as hybrid fiber coax networks and ATM-based broadband passive optical networks. The techno-economic assessment was carried out by the Eurescom P306 project "Access network evolution and preparation for implementation", using the methodology and tool developed within the RACE 2087/TITAN project. The scenarios studied include gradual provisioning, from 1995 to 2005, of services like POTS, N-ISDN, asymmetric switched broadband, symmetric switched broadband, and broadcast broadband. The demand forecasts for the selected bearer services are extracted from a European Delphi survey, also carried out within TITAN. The quality of the existing infrastructure, the average subscriber capacity demand, and demography are among the key elements likely to affect the economic viability of access network upgrade strategies.

A broadband multiple access protocol for STM, ATM, and variable length data services on hybrid fiber-coax networks

A broadband multiple access protocol for STM, ATM, and variable length data services on hybrid fiber-coax networks

Hybrid fiber/coax in the public telecommunications infrastructure

The benefits of the hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) architecture for the delivery of interactive broadband services have been widely discussed in the past few years. The cable television industry began deployment of this infrastructure in 1989 to support the broadcast video business. Recently, domestic telephone companies have looked at various degrees of HFC implementation, ranging from the delivery of broadcast video only to full telephony integration. The article looks at the HFC network evolution from a broadcast, non-essential, isolated architecture to a robust, interactive, broadband element within the public telecommunications fabric. Regional networks, interface to the public network and network management systems are a few of the significant issues with respect to the viability of HFC as the access layer to the information superhighway. If the HFC platform proves viable, telephone companies will adapt it to meet their needs in a fully integrated system. >

Toward management systems for emerging hybrid fiber-coax access networks

Advances in networking and hardware are motivating the development of high bandwidth local access networks that connect subscriber communities to the Information Superhighway. Hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) technology is emerging as one of the few economical viable technologies for designing new local access networks. These HFC local access networks are expected to support a variety of services in different spheres in an integrated manner, by drawing upon diverse technologies from the cable, computer, and telecommunications industries: the tree-and-branch network topology is typical of the cable network; intelligence in the end devices is a characteristic of the computer industry; and addressability, global interconnectivity, and quality of service (QoS) are characteristic of the telecommunications industry. It is this combination of diverse services and technologies that poses fundamental challenges in architecting a management system for HFC networks. The design of a management framework for HFC access networks is discussed. >