1 Cable modems Cable modems BASIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS

2 A cable modem is a type of network bridge and modem that provides bi-directional data communication via radio frequency channels on a hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) infrastructure Cable modems are primarily used to deliver broadband Internet access in the form of cable Internet, providing voice, data and TV services A cable modem is a type of network bridge and modem that provides bi-directional data communication via radio frequency channels on a hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) infrastructure Cable modems are primarily used to deliver broadband Internet access in the form of cable Internet, providing voice, data and TV services BASIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS

3 The cable TV infrastructure is known as CATV (community antenna TV) and is addressed in article 820 of the NEC In the home the cable modems connect to existing coax cables which are typically RG-6 or series 6 cable The cable TV infrastructure is known as CATV (community antenna TV) and is addressed in article 820 of the NEC In the home the cable modems connect to existing coax cables which are typically RG-6 or series 6 cable BASIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS

4 A wireless router is usually connected into the cable modem to build out the home network and provide wireless connectivity The home or enterprise network design is similar to that of a DSL solution with one exception, a frequency filter is not required DSL offers a standard POTS line with internet connectivity, naked DSL is not normally available (you have to have a POTS line to have DSL internet) A wireless router is usually connected into the cable modem to build out the home network and provide wireless connectivity The home or enterprise network design is similar to that of a DSL solution with one exception, a frequency filter is not required DSL offers a standard POTS line with internet connectivity, naked DSL is not normally available (you have to have a POTS line to have DSL internet) BASIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS

5 Is the voice service offered by the cable ISP a land line or a VoIP line? Does the cable ISP’s equipment work during a power failure? Will your cable modem continue to work during a power failure? Do POTS lines work during a power failure? Is the voice service offered by the cable ISP a land line or a VoIP line? Does the cable ISP’s equipment work during a power failure? Will your cable modem continue to work during a power failure? Do POTS lines work during a power failure? BASIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS

6 The cable ISP’s voice solution is VoIP and if there is a power failure you will not have service, however your cable modem does have a rechargeable battery pack built into the modem but it only provides power for a very short period of time This is why many people still like traditional POTS lines that continue to work during power failures, short of a pole down incident The cable ISP’s voice solution is VoIP and if there is a power failure you will not have service, however your cable modem does have a rechargeable battery pack built into the modem but it only provides power for a very short period of time This is why many people still like traditional POTS lines that continue to work during power failures, short of a pole down incident BASIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS

7 Broadband internet service now offers internet speeds to the residential customers up to 100Mbps for an additional cost of course The upstream and downstream speeds are in many cases asymmetrical just like DSL, most people download much more than they upload You can verify your connection speeds by doing a simple speed test (speakeasy speed test) that can be accessed on line Broadband internet service now offers internet speeds to the residential customers up to 100Mbps for an additional cost of course The upstream and downstream speeds are in many cases asymmetrical just like DSL, most people download much more than they upload You can verify your connection speeds by doing a simple speed test (speakeasy speed test) that can be accessed on line BASIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS

8 When working in a residential or enterprise environment you will have to be able to terminate RG-6 or RG ohm coax cable These networks will also require the use of coax splitters and EOL (end of line) terminators (75 ohm) When working in a residential or enterprise environment you will have to be able to terminate RG-6 or RG ohm coax cable These networks will also require the use of coax splitters and EOL (end of line) terminators (75 ohm) BASIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS

9 RG-11 coax cable is a larger cable for longer distances and higher bandwidth requirements especially for HD (high definition) cable service Both RG-6 and RG-11 cable are terminated with compression style F connectors RG-11 coax cable is a larger cable for longer distances and higher bandwidth requirements especially for HD (high definition) cable service Both RG-6 and RG-11 cable are terminated with compression style F connectors BASIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS Old school crimp style Newer style compression F connectors

10 Article The outer conductive shield of the coaxial cable shall be grounded at the building premises as close to the point of cable entrance or attachment as practicable. To ground the outer shield of a coax cable a grounding block is used with minimum of 14awg ground wire Article The outer conductive shield of the coaxial cable shall be grounded at the building premises as close to the point of cable entrance or attachment as practicable. To ground the outer shield of a coax cable a grounding block is used with minimum of 14awg ground wire BASIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS

11 Here we see the different parts of a coax cable when grounding we ground both the braid and the shield Here we see the different parts of a coax cable when grounding we ground both the braid and the shield BASIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS

12 Preparing coax cable for termination; Preparing coax cable for termination; BASIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS

13 Unused ports on a splitter should be capped off with a 75 ohm terminator to prevent signal leakage and enhance the performance of the network Unused coax cables should also be capped off with the 75 ohm terminator, this requires the use of a barrel connector Unused ports on a splitter should be capped off with a 75 ohm terminator to prevent signal leakage and enhance the performance of the network Unused coax cables should also be capped off with the 75 ohm terminator, this requires the use of a barrel connector BASIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS

14 To test a coax cable the technician can use a DMM (digital multi-meter) or a tone generator which also has a continuity tester built into it This simple test will verify that there are no shorts or opens on the cable To test a coax cable the technician can use a DMM (digital multi-meter) or a tone generator which also has a continuity tester built into it This simple test will verify that there are no shorts or opens on the cable BASIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS

15 Performing a simple continuity test on a coax cable: Performing a simple continuity test on a coax cable: BASIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS