CEL-TR-HFC-HANDBOOK-V4_3-091001 Technical Report Cable Network Handbook; Overview of Architecture, Technical Features and Services of Integrated Broadband and Cable TV Networks CEL-TR-HFC-HANDBOOK-V4_3-091001 2 Cable Network Handbook Keywords Cable Network, HFC Network, Television, Broadband Services Cable Europe Labs Cable House Avenue des Arts 41 B – 1040 Brussels BELGIUM Tel.: +32 2 521 17 63 Fax: +32 2 521 79 76 Important notice This technical report is the result of a cooperative effort undertaken at the direction of Cable Europe Labs for the benefit of the cable industry and its customers. This document may contain references to other documents not owned or controlled by Cable Europe Labs. Use and understanding of this document may require access to such other documents. 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All rights reserved. © Cable Europe Cable Network Handbook 3 CEL-TR-HFC-HANDBOOK-V4_3-091001 Contents 1 Scope........................................................................................................................................................4 2 References................................................................................................................................................4 2.1 Reference acquisition......................................................................................................................................... 4 3 Definitions, symbols and abbreviations ...................................................................................................5 3.1 Abbreviations..................................................................................................................................................... 5 4 Network of the Cable Operator ................................................................................................................7 4.1 History of the CATV Network .......................................................................................................................... 7 4.2 HFC Network..................................................................................................................................................... 8 4.2.1 Architecture.................................................................................................................................................. 8 4.2.2 Components ................................................................................................................................................. 9 4.2.3 Network Topology ....................................................................................................................................... 9 4.2.3.1 Tree-and-branch topology.................................................................................................................... 10 4.2.3.2 Star topology ........................................................................................................................................ 10 4.3 Backbone Network .......................................................................................................................................... 12 4.4 Home Network................................................................................................................................................. 13 4.4.1 Network Interface Unit .............................................................................................................................. 13 4.4.2 Distribution of Video Signals..................................................................................................................... 13 4.4.3 Distribution of Data Signals....................................................................................................................... 14 4.4.4 Examples of Poor In-home Installations .................................................................................................... 14 5 Physical Layer........................................................................................................................................14 5.1 Radiofrequency Carrier and Spectrum............................................................................................................. 14 5.1.1 Downstream Frequencies ........................................................................................................................... 15 5.1.2 Upstream Frequencies................................................................................................................................ 15 5.2 Analogue Transmission ................................................................................................................................... 15 5.2.1 Amplitude Modulation............................................................................................................................... 15 5.2.2 Frequency Modulation ............................................................................................................................... 15 5.3 Digital Transmission based on QAM .............................................................................................................. 16 5.4 Noise and Interference..................................................................................................................................... 16 5.4.1 Upstream Noise and Interference............................................................................................................... 16 5.4.2 Downstream Noise and Interference .......................................................................................................... 17 6 Services ..................................................................................................................................................18 6.1 Data Services ................................................................................................................................................... 18 6.1.1 EuroDOCSIS Protocol ............................................................................................................................... 18 6.2 Telephony Services.......................................................................................................................................... 18 6.2.1 Telephony over Cable ................................................................................................................................ 18 6.2.2 Voice over IP based on EuroPacketCable.................................................................................................. 19 6.3 Audio and Video Services ............................................................................................................................... 20 6.3.1 Compression............................................................................................................................................... 20 6.3.2 FM Radio................................................................................................................................................... 21 6.3.3 Broadcast TV ............................................................................................................................................. 22 6.3.3.1 Cable Television Headend.................................................................................................................... 22 6.3.3.2 Analogue TV........................................................................................................................................ 23 6.3.3.3 Digital TV based on DVB-C ................................................................................................................ 24 6.3.4 IPTV........................................................................................................................................................... 25 6.3.5 Interactive TV ............................................................................................................................................ 25 6.3.6 Video