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Defining the Evolutio

Digital HFC ArchitectureUnleashing Network Capacity


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Moving to an All-IP Transport Network

Benefits of Digital HFC

Drastically expand

capacity per subscriber.

Reduce headend power

costs and space require-

ments.

Choose the access tech-

nology that makes sense

for the local demographics.

Centrally manage and

monitor network ele-

ments.

Eliminate degradation

and loss resulting from

analog transmission to

the node.

Leverage economies of

scale for baseband optics

to reduce optical trans-

port costs.

Digital HFC: Moving to an All-IP Transport Network

For more than a decade, Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC) has been the foundation for servicegrowth in the cable industry. HFC networks have provided bandwidth capacity, signal quality,

reliability and operational simplicity, while keeping costs down and meeting subscriber needs.

And IP in the headend has allowed providers to use the power of the Internet and data com-

munications to cut costs and innovate as video, data and voice converge.

But operators who are hungry for more diverse, bandwidth-intensive content and premium

services will inevitably hit traditional HFC bottlenecks. An evolution is on the wayone that

will break down the barriers of network transport and enable more capacity, better service

flexibility and economies of scale.

Its called Digital HFC architecture.

The Optimal Solution for Cable Operators

Digital HFC preserves existing infrastructure investments while paving the way for innovation

By migrating the digital-to-RF interface from the headend to the node, a digital HFC archi-

tecture carries digital content to the node using baseband, data-grade optics, and distributes

QAM modulation to the nodes.

Evolving to a Digital HFC architecture expands capacity per subscriber dramatically. Node

QAM takes advantage of the robustness of digital transport to further reduce operating

expenses by moving conversion from IP to RF to where it is needed. Early estimates predict

over 70% reduction in power consumption and over 90% reduction in headend rack spacerequired.

Digital HFC allows operators to choose, on a node-by-node basis, the last-mile transport

technology that makes sense for its local demographics, while at the same time preserving

the ability to centrally manage and monitor network elements. And it simplifies the cost and

complexity of designing and maintaining the HFC network.

Digital HFC allows cable operators to maximize the ROI of their existing HFC network.

When combined with a Fiber Deep architecture, no other solution is better in terms of saving

money and solving the ever-increasing bandwidth challenge.


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Versatile, Innovative, Effective

Set it and Forget it

Aurora Networks Digital HFC architecture extends the digital headend domain out to thefiber optic node, moving you toward a distributed digital HFC network, and making the

migration from todays network to Digital HFC completely seamless.

Shifting the digital-to-RF interface from the headend to the node, the solution carries digital

content to the node using baseband, data-grade optics, and locates the QAM modulator in

the nodes. As a result, you benefit from higher performance, simpler channel realignments

and the inherently lower operating costs. By adding Node QAM modules, as-needed to

expand to meet the demands, node service area by node service area, you can gradually

migrate to a logical headend, where the RF domain is distributed between some or all of the

nodes. Control and configuration remains at the headend.

This approach leverages the investment in the IP network, and carries everything digitally

to the node before generating the QAM signals. At the node, operators have the choice of

continuing with traditional analog forward technology, or phasing in node-generated QAMs,

as necessary. Once the Node QAM modules are installed, all operational control and

software upgrades are controlled and executed centrally.

What doesntneed to change?

Broadcast and existing

narrowcast services

Coax plant and RF

amplifiers

All CPE devices at the

home or business


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www.aurora

5400 Betsy Ros

Santa Clara, CA

Voice: +1-408-23

Fax: +1-408-84

2012 Aurora Networks. In an effort to continue improving product reliability and features, Aurora Networks reserves the right to change specifications without notice.

Please contact Aurora Networks for the most current product information.

Seamless Migration

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Universal Services Node QAM Technology

Continuing its evolution of the node, Aurora Networks has developed a new accessmodule for the NC4000 node that helps cable operators; with the RQ4000 series

Remote QAM modules Aurora helps push IP closer to the edge, enabling yet

another step toward the Digital HFC network.

The Remote QAM modules create up to 158 QAM-RF channels from an IP stream in

the node. Operators have the option of generating a full gigahertz of QAM-RF output

in the node, or combining node-generated channels with legacy headend-generated

channels carried to the node via the traditional HFC/Fiber Deep network.

When developing the module, Aurora Networks was cognizant of the goals of the

Converged Cable Access Platform (CCAP) initiative underway within the cable

industry and have aligned our Remote QAM to the goals of CCAP. In conjunction

with Auroras headend-based Universal Services Multiplexer, Remote QAM modules

can deliver any mix of servicesbroadcast, narrowcast, cable IPTV, and DOCSIS, all

in the same QAM channel. This versatility enables operators to tailor service migration

and growth to local needs and specifications.

Universal Digital Return Technology

With more digital return links deployed than any other vendor, Aurora Networks has

leveraged its experience and economies of scale to make significant improvements

to its Universal Digital Return Platform. The new backward-compatible platform sup-

ports the 5 MHz to 85 MHz digital return split an industry first. It is upgradeable

another industry first, and now sports a cost equivalent to or cheaper than the bestanalog return with higher performance, supporting up to 1024-QAM.

In keeping with its philosophy of designing future-proof solutions, Aurora Networks

has taken a modular approach to digital return. Both its node-based Universal Digital

Transceivers and its headend-based Digital Receivers use a common platform for all

band-splits. Via a simple software upgrade, the modules can then be modified to

support a new band-split as well as other features such as 1-fer versus 2-fer

versus dual, data transmission speed and operational modes. This personalization

means cable operators get a cost-effective digital return solution tailored to their

specific network requirements.

Join the Evolution.Aurora Networks is leading the evolution of optical transport and the access net-

work with solutions that guide you on an evolutionary path toward the technologies

of tomorrow while helping you migrate seamlessly, cost-effectively, and intelligently

toward an all-fiber infrastructure.

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