1. Extending Lifetime of HFC Networks – An EU FP 7 Research Project

2. Slide 2 Introduction to the project The Cable Business Challenge MSOs facing increasing competition –Incumbent telecom operators roll out advanced DSL platforms (e.g. ADSL/ADSL2+, VDSL) for delivery of triple play services –Operators of new technology platforms (e.g. FTTH, WiMAX) emerge –Over the top providers take up expensive cable bandwidth Hybrid Fiber Coax Cable networks –Superior technical broadband infrastructure –Valuable assets of operators –Will need to evolve technically to stay competitive in an increasingly challenging business environment What can be done on the technical side to help MSOs facing these challenges? –Short-to-mid term enhancements –Mid-to-long term evolution

3. Slide 3 Introduction to the project The Objectives Optimise & renew current HFC technologies –Optimise the HFC frequency/power plan –Advance HFC amplifiers and nodes –Support DVB-C2 standards development –Consider DOCSIS technical requirements Develop techniques for the Next Generation HFC network and platform –Improve the cost structure of CAPEX and OPEX –Leverage existing HFC assets as long as possible –Investigate architectures that allow gradual introduction of fiber deeper in the network

4. Slide 4 Introduction to the project s 4 Step Approach 1.Inventory of HFC Structures: Reference Architectures & Requirements for Network Evolution –Input from MSOs required 2.HFC Network Improvements –DVB-C2, all digital, frequency/power plan 3.Next Generation HFC Systems –New technology and architecture approaches 4.Dissemination of Results and Standardisation –DVB, CENELEC, MSO – if appropriate Operators Provide input and direction receive feedback

5. Slide 5 Introduction to the project Opportunities for MSO Participation in Benefit Ability to address specific company needs Possibility to direct the project and to receive results 2 1 Reimbursement Refund of some 70% of the resources provided Travelling and lodging, financially supported Participate in the project directly Join the Operators Forum Option Candidates having indicated their interest in either joining the Forum or participating in project:

6. Slide 6 Introduction to the project Research project supported by the European Commission under the 7th Framework Program (FP7) Partnership between manufacturers, operators & research institutes –TU Braunschweig (D) –Alcatel-Lucent (B) –VECTOR (PL) –TNO (NL) –TV Cabo (P) … –… and the Operators Forum members Budget: 1.8 M; EU funding: ~ 70% –Includes funding of the Operators Forum (travel etc.) Timing: –Run-time:January 2008 – June 2010 –Main MSO contributions required in 1Q2008 The Project

7. Annex 8 additional slides for further information

8. Slide 8 Introduction to the project EC 7 th Framework Program EC stimulates R&D by large scale Framework Programs FP7 2007 – 2012 or longer In 2007 call ICT Networks of the Future 180,000,000.00 –xDSL projects –Optical projects –Wireless broadband projects –Cable projects – ReDeSign only No other ICT Call in FP 7 –Thus no other opportunity for such work

9. Slide 9 Introduction to the project Work Packages WP 1: Project Management WP 2: Inventory of HFC Structures and Definition of Reference Architectures WP 3: Requirement for Network Evolution WP 4: HFC Network Improvements WP 5: Physical Layer Simulations WP 6: Next Generation HFC Systems WP 7: Validation and Demonstration WP 8: Dissemination and Standardisation

10. Slide 10 Introduction to the project WP2 Inventory of HFC Structures and Definition of Reference Architectures Objectives: –Creation of a thorough database of networks deployed in Europe –Definition of a limited number of reference architectures Approach: –A questionnaire is prepared and sent to the community of European MSOs –Based on the response to the questionnaire, an appropriate number of reference architectures are defined. The architectures are specified by a set of appropriate network parameters and their variation Result: –A good knowledge base of the European cable networks –A set of reference architectures and parameters that will be used for the optimisation studies of work packages 4, 5, and 6.

11. Slide 11 Introduction to the project WP3 Requirement for Network Evolution Objective: –Determination of the near-term (2-5 year) and long-term (5+ year) network and service requirements Approach: –European MSOs will be approached to provide input information concerning the foreseen service types and the foreseen demand. An overall service forecast and a specification of the commercial network requirements will be prepared, –The technical network requirements are extracted from the above service forecast and commercial requirements Result: –A specification of the near-term and long-term commercial and technical network requirements

12. Slide 12 Introduction to the project WP4 HFC Network Improvements Objective: –Improvement of the HFC network itself (intrinsic performance) Approach: –Development of improved understanding and models of the noise in HFC networks carrying mixed analogue / digital signals or digital signals only –Improvement of the DS and US cable channel models for reference architectures –Improvement of channel planning methodology & improved specification of HFC components –Development of a new GaN-based RF amplifier with improved performance (linearity, output power, thermal stability,….) –Development of a new cable frequency plan (amongst others frequency split, maximum DS band edge) and frequency and power deployment rules Result: –A substantial increase of the intrinsic US and DS HFC transmission capacity –Improved tools and components to build such an HFC network with minimum costs (replacement of amplifiers and nodes)

13. Slide 13 Introduction to the project WP5 Physical Layer Simulations Objective: –Support of the development of DVB-C2 and longer-term advanced physical layer systems –Support of cable network optimisation investigations –Provision of DVB reference software platform for the DVB-C2 development process Approach: –Development of a software tool for channel coding and modulation for DVB-C2 and next generation cable network –Support of DVB-C2 development by providing a reference software tool –Implementation in software of various cable channel models for flexible performance investigation of the systems under varying channel conditions Result: –Reference software tool for DVB-C2 performance simulation under varying cable network quality conditions –Reference software tool for next generation physical layer simulations under varying cable network quality conditions

14. Slide 14 Introduction to the project WP6 Next Generation HFC Systems Objective: –Design access network that addresses the long-term operator needs and that allows seamless migration from todays HFC architecture and services Approach: –Develop Hybrid HFC – FTTH architecture that allows gradual migration –Investigate advanced coax & fiber transmission technologies, allowing delivery of >100Mbps symmetrical –Out-side plant design that leverages existing HFC assets Result: –Future-proof access network with maximised Mbps/ –Strategy to migrate in a cost-efficient way from todays HFC to the FTTH end- game

15. Slide 15 Introduction to the project Any further information needed? Do not hesitate to contact us: Dirk Jaeger, TU Braunschweig: d.jaeger@tu-bs.de d.jaeger@tu-bs.de Rui Castro, TVCabo: rui.castro@tvcabo.pt rui.castro@tvcabo.pt Jan de Nijs, TNO: jan.denijs@tno.nl jan.denijs@tno.nl Tim Gyselings, Alcatel-Lucent: tim.gyselings@alcatel-lucent.be tim.gyselings@alcatel-lucent.be Maciej Muzalewski, VECTOR: m.muzalewski@vector.com.pl m.muzalewski@vector.com.pl We look forward to speaking to you, thanks, The Coordination Team