A comparison of evolutionary paths: tapped fiber vs. fiber-reinforced coaxial CATV systems

The use of fiber-optic links to reinforce the coaxial network by reducing the average number of series-connected repeater amplifiers is compared with an evolutionary tapped-fiber approach based on a tree-and-branch network structure. This latter strategy utilizes fiber transmission all the way to the curb in a shared architecture that yields a high degree of granularity and then uses the resultant segmentation to provide greater effective bandwidth through selective switching. The advantages and limitations of both approaches are examined. A representative tapped-fiber topology and ultrawideband fiber-reinforced systems are considered, and their advantages and limitations are discussed. Hybrid broadcast/switched tapped-fiber and a hybrid broadcast/controlled access/switched system are also examined. Some options for service expansion are briefly described.>