Defining the Evolution

Digital HFC Architecture

Unleashing Network Capacity

Moving to an All-IP Transport Network

Digital HFC: Moving to an All-IP Transport Network

For more than a decade, Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC) has been the foundation for service growth 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 communications 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 architecture 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 space required.

Benefits of Digital HFC

Drastically expand capacity per subscriber. Reduce headend power costs and space requirements. Choose the access technology that makes sense for the local demographics. Centrally manage and monitor network elements. Eliminate degradation and loss resulting from analog transmission to the node. Leverage economies of scale for baseband optics to reduce optical transport costs.

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.

Versatile, Innovative, Effective

Set it and Forget it

Aurora Networks Digital HFC architecture extends the digital headend domain out to the fiber 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 doesnt need to change?

Broadcast and existing narrowcast services Coax plant and RF amplifiers All CPE devices at the home or business

Seamless Migration

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Universal Services Node QAM Technology

Continuing its evolution of the node, Aurora Networks has developed a new access module 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 supports 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 best analog 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 network 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.

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.
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