Performance. Broadband. Innovation Rob Crowe Field Applications Engineer Antronix RobCrowe@antronix.com (347) 596-9847

Signal Conditioning at the Tap Drop Levels Optimization Performance. Broadband. Innovation Signal Conditioning at the Tap Drop Levels Optimization

Performance. Broadband. Innovation Let’s Quickly Review Older Design and Explain Loud and Low Talking Modem and Then Conditioning Will Make More Sense…Hopefully!

System Node Example (Return ∆ on Plant Side) - Before Conditioning Performance. Broadband. Innovation System Node Example (Return ∆ on Plant Side) - Before Conditioning *Levels- (860M/55M) with 18/10 dBmV min @tap, 2dB min tilt, 17dBmV Ret In Each span = 100 foot of .500 cable Modem Upstream Level 41 39 37 36 30 Cable Loss 2.34 / .50 2.34 / .50 2.34 / .50 2.34 / .50 Tap Insert Loss 1.6 / .5 1.6 / .6 2.1 / .7 3.2 / 1.3 Upstream Bell Graph ∆ High Tap to Low Tap =16dB ∆ Modem Upstream High-Low Tap 11dB ∆ +/- 2dB Amplifier Levels = 13dB ∆ +/- 1dB Temperature Change = 14dB Source-Antronix -Rob Crowe, Rich Gregory

So This Design Showed Us Performance. Broadband. Innovation So This Design Showed Us Potential Forward Reverse Issues in Some Homes @ End of Line A Wide Delta on Modem Upstream Level Impact of Wide Upstream Delta Contains Loud and Low Talkers Impedes MSOs from altering Return Path Level to achieve BOTH Optimal Return Level AND keeping all Modem Transmit Levels in a Tight Range

What are Loud and Low Talkers? Performance. Broadband. Innovation What are Loud and Low Talkers? Originally, the upstream modem TX window was 40-58dBmV As Modulation Rates Increased and more Return Spectrum was utilized, the Max Transmit dropped to 53dBmV Most consider >53dBmV “Loud Talker and <40dBmV “Low Talker * Modem Allowable Upstream Δ 13dB

What is Altering Return Path Level ? Performance. Broadband. Innovation What is Altering Return Path Level ? Many systems have designed their return lash ups in the hub to net a certain signal loss This forces the modems to transmit at a level that will hit the 1st return active at the Optimal Level Pad adjustments in this lash up will alter the Modem Transmit Levels Impact of Wide Upstream Delta on Padding ? Let’s review the Bell Curve to show why adjustments become difficult

CM Count Distribution Upstream TX Power Performance. Broadband. Innovation CM Count Distribution Upstream TX Power Low Talkers Loud Talkers

So What Can Be Done Differently? Performance. Broadband. Innovation

Comparison of Standard vs. Conditioned Tap Performance. Broadband. Innovation Comparison of Standard vs. Conditioned Tap Standard Multitap Signal Conditioned Multitap Plug-In 10

Types of Conditioners Lower Value Taps Diplex – Return Only Performance. Broadband. Innovation Types of Conditioners Lower Value Taps Higher Value Taps Diplex – Return Only Diplex – Fwd Only Diplex – Block Return By-Pass

Plug-Ins / Packaging Sleeve with Labels Performance. Broadband. Innovation Plug-Ins / Packaging Sleeve with Labels

Plug in Cable Simulators and Equalizers are Most Commonly Used Performance. Broadband. Innovation Plug in Cable Simulators and Equalizers are Most Commonly Used This is due to the fact that they are ‘NOT DIPLEXED’ which means if an MSO starts at 42M return then goes to 85M and even 200M these plug ins don’t care Quick Simplified Look at each….

Performance. Broadband. Innovation High Tap Value

High Tap Value – Selection & Signal Conditioning Considerations Performance. Broadband. Innovation High Tap Value – Selection & Signal Conditioning Considerations There are 3 main factors to consider: Forward Output Levels ( Node/Amp & Tap Ports) Forward Tilt (Highest Ch level – Lowest Ch level) Return Signal Path Loss (maximum, allowable) Because taps are located in close proximity to the node/amp, high values are needed to achieve proper signal levels at the subscriber tap ports. These tap output levels are dictated by the system’s design. The Highest tap value used MUST satisfy forward level design BUT must also insure modems do not become ‘loud talkers’ AND maintain OPTIMAL PLANT RETURN LEVEL. Working backwards * Max modem transmit – house loss – Optimal Return Level = Max Tap Value. Example: (53dBmV – 9dBmV – 17dBmV = 28) What if my design calls for HIGH Amplifier Outputs & the Tap Value I would require for proper forward tap levels causes Loud Talker?

Cable Simulator – Used in Beginning Tap(s) Performance. Broadband. Innovation Cable Simulator – Used in Beginning Tap(s) System Example #1 – Before Conditioning Excess positive tilt at the tap ports. ‘Loud Talker’ modems from these locations.

Cable Simulator – Used in Beginning Tap(s) Performance. Broadband. Innovation Cable Simulator – Used in Beginning Tap(s) System Example #1 - After Conditioning (CS-09) Tap Forward Tilt Comp Return Final Results 23 23 + CS-09 = 32dB 9dB 23dB 32dB FWD/23dB RTN

Low Tap Value - Signal Conditioners Performance. Broadband. Innovation Low Tap Value - Signal Conditioners

1. Cable Equalizer (CE) Plug-In Performance. Broadband. Innovation 1. Cable Equalizer (CE) Plug-In CE (Cable Equalizer) The cable equalizer is used to equalize the entire bandwidth from 5 to 1.2GHz. It equalizes the forward bandwidth to produce a positive tilt at the Tap. This results in flatter signals at the subscriber’s POE. At the same time, the CE adds attenuation to the return path allowing cable modems to operate at higher output levels. Net result is improved forward system levels & improved C/I (carrier to interference) in the return path.

System Example #1 – Before Conditioning Performance. Broadband. Innovation System Example #1 – Before Conditioning FWD REVERSE TILT LOW MODEM UPSTREAM = 30dBmV@Tap High negative tilt at the tap ports. Low Talking Modem. Noise/ingress coming from these tap locations. As noise is “Funnel Effect”, these locations will bring down the SNR levels for the entire node.

System Example #1 – After Conditioning (CE-09) Performance. Broadband. Innovation System Example #1 – After Conditioning (CE-09) POSITIVE FWD TILT GOOD MODEM UPSTREAM = 39dBmV@Tap Tap Forward Tilt Comp Return Final Results 8 8dB 9dB 8dB + CE-09 = 17dB 8dB FWD/17dB RTN

How Will Conditioners Discussed Improve SNR? On the High Tap side, the use of a C.S. or H.T. will allow a tap selection that maintains Optimal Return Plant Level. If a particular System’s Return Amplifiers were optimal with say 20dBmV in and that system had to lower by 3dBmV to ‘cure’ loud talkers…they have sacrificed 3dB SNR. On the Low Tap side, the use of CE or RA will raise the level of those end of line (EOL) modems, increasing their individual (C/N) carrier to noise (cures low talkers). Also, there will be additional attenuation in the return path at these low value taps helping to dampen unwanted noise/ingress. As Return Noise is a ‘Funnel Effect’, if all ‘Low Talkers’ in a given node are cured then an SNR improvement will be obtained. By insuring both High Tap and Low Tap are fairly symmetrical (both forward and return), the Upstream Delta will be tighter allowing systems to move the whole modem universe as close to ‘Optimal Level’ as Modem Transmit Requirements Will Allow. Optimal Return Level produces best SNR for that node. Return plant conditioning is also included under recommended practices within DOCSIS3.0/3.1.

Let’s Go Back to Original Design Performance. Broadband. Innovation Let’s Go Back to Original Design Cure ‘Low Talkers’ Provide Better Tilt at Tap Increase SNR Performance

System Node Example (Return ∆ on Plant Side) - Before Conditioning Performance. Broadband. Innovation System Node Example (Return ∆ on Plant Side) - Before Conditioning *Levels- (860M/55M) with 18/10 dBmV min @tap, 2dB min tilt, 17dBmV Ret In Each span = 100 foot of .500 cable Modem Upstream Level 41 39 37 36 30 Ret Cable Loss .50 .50 .50 .50 (2.0dB) Ret Tap Insert Loss .5 .6 .7 1.3 (3.1dB) Upstream Bell Graph ∆ High Tap to Low Tap =16dB ∆ Modem Upstream High-Low Tap 11dB ∆ +/- 2dB Amplifier Levels = 13dB ∆ +/- 1dB Temperature Change = 14dB Source-Antronix -Rob Crowe, Rich Gregory

System Node Example (Return ∆ on Plant Side)- After Conditioning Performance. Broadband. Innovation System Node Example (Return ∆ on Plant Side)- After Conditioning *Levels- (860M/55M) with 18/10 dBmV min @tap, 2dB min tilt, 17dBmV Ret In Each span = 100 foot of .500 cable Modem Upstream Level 41 39 37 39 39 Ret Cable loss .50 .50 .50 .50 (2.0dB) Ret Tap Insert Loss .5 .6 .7 1.3 (3.1dB) PLUG IN ( 3 EQ ) ( 9 EQ ) Upstream Bell Graph ∆ High Tap to Low Tap =16dB ∆ Modem Upstream High-Low Tap 4dB ∆ +/- 2dB Amplifier Levels = 6dB ∆ +/- 1dB Temperature Change = 7dB Source-Antronix -Rob Crowe, Rich Gregory

Let’s Use (Node + 0) Design to: Performance. Broadband. Innovation Let’s Use (Node + 0) Design to: Understand High and Low Value Tap Management Cure Loud and Low Talker Maintain Tight Forward Level Maintain Consistent Upstream Level Provide Positive Tilt at Every Tap Maximize Tap Cascade Increasing Active Efficiency Reducing Capex Improve SNR by Adding Return Path Attenuation at E.O.L Taps and Allowing for ‘Optimal Return’ being set by Limiting High Tap Selection.

System Node Example w Conditioning (Return ∆ on Plant Side) Performance. Broadband. Innovation System Node Example w Conditioning (Return ∆ on Plant Side) *Levels- (860M/55M) with 18/11 dBmV min @tap, 4dB min tilt, 13dBmV Ret In, 43dBmV Max Modem Upstream Level at Tap Node Output 57/42 ∆ High Tap to Low Tap =25 ∆ Modem Upstream = 15 ∆ +/- 2dB Amplifier Levels = 17 ∆ +/- 1dB Temperature Change = 18 Source-Antronix -Rob Crowe, Rich Gregory 27

System Node Example w Conditioning (Return ∆ on Plant Side) Performance. Broadband. Innovation System Node Example w Conditioning (Return ∆ on Plant Side) *Levels- (860M/55M) with 18/11 dBmV min @tap, 4dB min tilt, 13dBmV Ret In, 43dBmV Max at Tap Node Output 57/42 Tap Level 20/15 20/14 19.5/12.5 22/14 21/16 19/14 18/13 19/15 E-Option CS-09 CS-06 CS-03 JMP JMP CE-02 CE-06 CE-09 Modem Return 40 41 42.5 41 40 40 42 41 ∆ High Tap to Low Tap =19dB ∆ Modem Upstream = 2.5dB ∆ +/- 2dB Amplifier Levels = 4.5dB ∆ +/- 1dB Temperature Change = 5.5dB Source-Antronix -Rob Crowe, Rich Gregory 28

Typical Print Notation Performance. Broadband. Innovation Identification Typical Print Notation Typical Tap Notation CSG-09

Conclusions on Design: Performance. Broadband. Innovation Conclusions on Design:

Considerations for Network Design Changes Performance. Broadband. Innovation Considerations for Network Design Changes Fwd / Return Spectrum Node / Amp Output Levels Hardline Loss Minimum Tap Levels Minimum Tilt Min / Max Modem Tx Level Conditioning Offers Greater Flexibility Increasing Design Efficiencies and Reducing Tap Value Skews

Performance. Broadband. Innovation Remember: A good design starting point is to consider average Installation within footprint. From this you can obtain adequate tap levels that still allow you to push Nodes / Amps as far as they can go. Better symmetry tap to tap for both Fwd/Ret level can result in tighter whole house check specs; reducing repeat TC’s driving Efficiencies and NPS.

Quick Side Note on Moca for 1.2G Performance. Broadband. Innovation Quick Side Note on Moca for 1.2G

Performance. Broadband. Innovation Will MoCa Still Work? Yes, but Operator will Have to Use Moca Ch’s above 1218 MHz

Performance. Broadband. Innovation Thanks for Your Time….

Performance. Broadband. Innovation

Performance. Broadband. Innovation

Performance. Broadband. Innovation

Performance. Broadband. Innovation