21285 - SCTE Broadband Dec2021 COMPLETE v1

59 Vol. 43 No. 4 - November 2021 Issue spotlight on Tell me about the technical stuff. Modifying an existing coaxial network is not an easy job. From distribution network to high-speed communication network, no longer carrying analogue signals. These are now, mainly, coded IP streams requiring (amongst others) advanced specifications for the forward and return bandpass, another way of looking at cross modulation and interference issues. There are many implementation consequences of DOCSIS 3.1 and beyond. Sounds pretty good. What’s so great about fibre then? New developments in equipment, like coax/fibre converters, head end optics, optical amplifiers but also passive components like connectors, splice trays and wall boxes. A fibre network, similar to coax, also faces limitations, like optical stream loss, the impact of multiple data streams on the MER (Modulation Error Rate), special care for splicing and connectors. Again the same general rule as for coax is applicable; the higher the data speeds, the more critical the specifications become. It’s all so complicated. Must be quite a supply chain. With all this going on there is an impact on the technicians on the ground as you might imagine. Network designers must work with equipment specifications, network requirements and system calculations. Field engineers have to install various selected components. Then network technicians need to QC the overall specifications of the signals. And that’s just coax. This is all very well- established though, has been for years. And for fibre? For the fibre technology typical engineering skills are required and the parameters are a little different from coax and still being worked out as the increased capacity and requirements of the networks become established. So what’s next? There’s so much going on. For coax- networks there’s the upgrades of forward/return bandwidth (DOCSIS3.1 and soon DOCSIS 4) and IP traffic management (which is possible in combination with a fibre network). In fibre networks new techniques are constantly under investigation to transport as much data as possible, requiring solid knowledge of design options and advanced splicing and installation techniques. Important developments which need to be communicated to the people involved. All so I don’t experience slow broadband. Fantastic. Where do I find out more? The SCTE offers highly acclaimed training courses on all of the above, at substantially subsidised rates and the courses lead to professional accreditation. It’s all here: https://thescte.eu/professional-development