www.aurora.com | 408.235.7000

Aurora has eradicated the need for a typical 20,000 customer hub facility by developing a fully operational hub in a standard node housing.

� Creates broadcast/narrowcast feeds for 8 to 24 downstream nodes � Provides redundancy and route diversity � Can be monitored and controlled � Field hardened for -40 to +85̊ C operation

A whole new light, growing brighter!

P.O. Box 266007, Highlands Ranch, CO 80163-6007© CED magazine, November 2006www.cedmagazine.com • 303-470-4800 • 303-470-4890CED® is a registered trademark of Advantage Business Media.CED® is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this chart.All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

Headend Fiber node Bridger

Fiber cable Secondary hub Line extender

Coax cable Trunk or Splitter distribution amp

Legend

Please note that some of the topologies have customized these symbols. These are labeled on the specific architectures.

1 GHz transmittersService overlays

Topologies

MultipleLcWDM

broadcast/narrowcast

1310 nm DFBbroadcast/narrowcast

Downstream64 Gbps of

Fast Ethernet

Upstream64 Gbps of

Fast Ethernet

Digital Return(non-Ethernet,e.g., DOCSIS,VoIP, VOD...)

40-channelDWDM

narrowcast

Conventional HFCOptical node plusRF amp cascade

Fiber Deep–HFCOptical node and

zero RF amps

Fiber-to-the-home100% fiber with NIU

Digital Return10-ch. CWDM or 40-ch.

DWDM, best ingressmargins, immune to tempchanges, 100 km reach

without amplification

Fiber on DemandHFC with dedicated

fiber for Ethernet andother digital services

Fast EthernetUp to 160 subs per fiber pairUp to 20 km run to customer

Wireless backhaulBridging, hotzone,

metro mesh

Broadcast

Internet

Increasingdistance

Centralizedheadend/hub

Increasedcustomization

Reducedcost

Services

Headend/hub

Hub orVirtual Hub

Service area options

Easily adding services on an existing network

Wi-Figateway

Evolutionof cableservices

Node

Node

Node

Node

Node

1310 nm/1550 nm/CWDM/DWDM/100% Digital Return

A VH4000 Virtual Hubsupports up to 24 optical

nodes with as few as2 fibers, serving up to

20,000 homes andremoving the need for

real estate and facilities.

Up to 100 km

Up to 100 km Amplify, demux,combine, distribute,monitor and control

Up to 200 kmUp to 200 km

Up to 45 km

Up to 30 km

Split broadcast for otherservice areas

Flexible topologyService areas can be initially

deployed with a daisy-chain topology, and the

same hardware laterreconfigured to further

segment the same servicearea with a new topology

(e.g., point-to-pointor ring/star).

Node

Businessservices

node

Aurora supplies transport equipment with the greatest flexibility to design a “best fit” solution. Using the latest technical advancements (Fiber Deep, Fiber on Demand, Digital Return, LcWDM), Aurora leads the way with high-performance, low-risk and cost-effective initial deployments (low CapEx and OpEx). Aurora’s proven solutions include comprehen-sive “pay-as-you-grow” plans for incremental builds (such as the unique Fiber on Demand capability) and Aurora’s all-digital return for resolving upstream fiber starvation. Complete optical product lines allow “one-stop-shopping” for advanced solutions. As service requirements expand and protocols continue to evolve, Aurora’s “future-proof” reconfigurable solutions can easily parallel these advances due to the company’s dedicated Layer 1 transport.

Hub

LE-427access distributor

LE-327access concentrator

100 Mb servicesmedium

businesses

Multiple 100 Mbservices

small MTU

1,000 and 100 Mbservices–medium

and largebusinesses

1,000 and 100 Mbservices

large MTU

Multiple 1,000 and100 Mb serviceslarge businesses

LE-46

LE-42

LE-310

LE-311

LE-42H

LE-46H

Splice case Customer premise

End-to-end management

LE-327access concentrator

1310 nm downstreamand return path

Any topology supported LE-311v

1310 nm toHFC node

GbE connections forhub-to-headend

transport

CWDM - 10λ CWDM - 10λ

Harmonic’s scalable WDM architecture

Masterheadend

Secondaryheadend

PWRLink1310 nm

Hub

Hub

Scalable PWRBlazernodesMAXLink Plus

1550 nm redundantheadend interconnect

METROLink DWDM

WDM analog returnor WDM 48/65 MHz

digital return

Celltowers

FLXLink commercialservices solution

100 Mbps, 1 Gbps, T-1Harmonic’s advanced FTTP architecture

MAXLink 1550 nm broadcast

GIGALight GbE narrowcast

ONT

ONTVideoserver

PON OLT orEthernet switch

Data/video-over-IP

Video-over-RF

CAT5

Coax

RF/IP STB

MAXLinkvideo OLT

Video overlaypassive optical

network

Broadcast video(analog and/or

digital)

PON orswitched Ethernet

network

MotorolaAXS2200 optical

line terminal

Motorolasingle family ONT

Motorolasingle familyindoor ONT

GPON

Motorolamulti-dwelling

ONTVoIP/SIP,

HSIGR-303,TR-08

MotorolaAXSvision EMS

VDSL/Ethernet

MotorolaDSL gateway

5E, DMS,EWSD

IPDSLAM

MotorolaDSL gateway

GigE

Motorolasmall business ONT

Connectedhome

Data

NMS, OSS

Connectedbusiness

Connectedhome

Connectedhome

Connectedhome

Voice

Switchrouter

VODserver

D9032encoder

DNCS

D9900DCM*

1GHz

AnalogCWDM

Tx

1 GHzGainMaker

revsegmentable

nodePrisma II1310HDTx

Prisma IIbdrRx

D9500SDV

server

1 GHz Prisma IIHD rev Rx

Prisma IPE-Series

Prisma IPE-Series

Prisma IPE-Series

PSTN

Internet

Videosources

VODcontent

DWDM

DWDM

PrismaIP

DWDM

SME

FiberLinXmedia

converter

FiberLinXmedia

converterCPE

BroadLAN

BroadLANCPE

Cellularbackhaul

Wireless

1 GHzGS7000

node

Surge Gap1 GHz

tap

4:1 bdr

1 GHzGainMaker

Prisma IPE-Series

Prisma IPE-Series

Prisma IPE-Series

Switchrouter

Customerpremise

DWDM

DWDM

Drop andcontinueVOD

DWDM

DWDM

PrismaIP

DWDM

QPSKDS

QPSKUS

CMTS

Switchrouter

RF

signal

manager

D9010decoder

Combiner

Continuummodulator

1 GHz Prisma IIoptical Tx

1 GHz Prisma IIoptical Rx

VODcacheserver

Adserver

Adserver

Switchrouter

Master headend Digital hub Optical hub HFC

xDQA 24QAM/GQAM

xDQA 24QAM/GQAM

D9900DCM

Video server

Videoinputs

ToInternet

Voicenetwork

Voice switch

Router

OLT

SplitterWDM coupler

1550 nm

1490 nm +1550 nm

1490 nm

Feederplant

GR-303+ DS-1

1310 nm

ONT

ONT

ONT

ONT

1000 nm

Central office

Upstream Downstream

1310 nm 1490 nm 1550 nm

Voice and data@ 155 to 622 Mbps

VoiceVoice and data@ 622 Mbps

Analog HDTDigital

42 MHz 550 MHz 860 MHzService assignments

Comcast’sDual RingStar/Bus

The network isbest described as ascalable architecturethat is configured asa dual ring, star/bus.The primary ring (A)deploys DWDM trans-port to carry GigE,SONET and propri-etary digital transporttechnology. It feeds asecondary route-diverse triple (broadcast + narrowcast + upstream) ring using DWDM tech-nology (B). The fiber-to-the-node network (C) feeds either scalable optical nodes for fiber-to-the-serving area (FSA; approximately 1,000 homes/node), non-scalable nodes (approx. 250homes/node), or fiber-deep, where fiber is extended to mini-nodes, the last active devices.The routes with fibers feeding the nodes are selected so that a fiber cable cut cannot affectmore than 4,000 homes. FSAs scalable nodes feed RF buses that are limited to 300 homespassed, with each bus configured so that it can be activated as an individual node. Themini-nodes feed, on average, an area of 70 to 100 homes, and are physically linked in logi-cal groups of no more than 600 homes.

Cox Communications’“ring-in-ring” fiber architecture includesfiber route diversity and opticalelectronic redundancy to eachnode serving area providinguninterrupted video, voice, dataand commercial services. ManyMSOs have diversely routed fiberto critical commercial customers;Cox’s success in the commercialmarketplace led to the decisionto provide commercial-grade reli-ability to all customers. As aresult, the company has virtuallyeliminated large fiber outages.

Cox’s “ring-in-ring” design iscreated by routing a fiber cablesheath into the communitythrough a number of node serv-ing areas and returning to thepoint of origin to close the path.This process is repeated until allnode serving areas are ringed,taking advantage of previousroutes to minimize constructioncosts. Each ringed sheath con-tains fibers dedicated to eachnode serving area, fibers for

future nodes and a number of commercial threaded fibers based upon the business potential along thering path. Commercial threaded fibers sometimes called “metro fibers” are used to deliver fiber-basedservices to schools and businesses along the ring using the most cost-effective transport. Commitmentto ringed fiber routes requires good capacity planning as a community grows and creative techniquesfor controlling construction costs, but the results are well worth the effort.

Aurora Networks’ Fiber Deep Architectures

World Wide Packets’ MSO Active EthernetCommercial Services Access Network

World Wide Packets is a leading provider of carrier Ethernet solutions that enable a new levelof speed and agility in the deployment of revenue-generating Ethernet services. With World WidePackets’ LightningEdge product family, which significantly increases the speed and deploymentof Ethernet services, carriers can address the demands of their growing subscriber base by fullyleveraging the power, flexibility and low cost of Ethernet technology, while dramatically reducingthe CapEx and OpEx of existing legacy networks. World Wide Packets offers the QoS, scalability,reliability and manageability necessary to making carrier Ethernet services such as IPTV, VoIPand mission-critical data a reality.

The World Wide Packets LightningEdge solution, with or without the CWDM capabilities, con-sists of LightningEdge access portals, access concentrators and access distributors, all managedand controlled by the LightningEdge Network Supervisor (LENS). Any LightningEdge product canbe deployed with any other product in the line, or any other Ethernet service element, to enableintegrated, flexible and cost-effective delivery of services to residential or business subscribers.

Motorola’s FTTP Solution: Optical Access ArchitectureOptical access via Gigabit Passive Optical Networking (2.4 GB upstream and 1.2 GB downstream per GPON)

provides the foundation for the delivery of advanced Ultra-Broadband services today and in the future. An end-to-end optical access architecture hosts the optical line terminal (OLT) and various types of optical network ter-minals (ONT) that support service delivery and provide connectivity to the subscriber end point. The OLT is thesystem hub that aggregates services both to/from the network and to/from the access network and subscriber.The OLT can act as an Ethernet aggregation point for access side Ethernet-based IP traffic and also supportIPDSLAM or DSL-based service distribution via direct Ethernet links serving area remote terminals (RT) in FTTNapplications. ONTs are intelligent devices supporting embedded services such as SIP/H.248 clients, IGMP multi-casting and direct software upgrades, and are designed to connect single family, small business and multi-dwelling living units to multi-services. The optical access architecture also includes interfaces providing North-bound linkage to quality TDM or IP voice services via integrated voice gateways, broadcast and on-demand IPvideo and very high-throughput data services. Scalable and reliable system software with advanced access tobusiness and operational support systems (such as XML interfaces) and a robust EMS are the most importantfeatures of any end-to-end optical access system. Of importance here will be the ability to rapidly provision ser-vices, manage problems and drive down operational costs by incorporating easily managed business tools.

Alloptic’sHybridRF PON

The Hybrid RFPON architectureuses Alloptic’sMicronode 150series product.Residing at thehome, theMicronode pro-vides bi-directionaltransport of theexisting cablemodem and set-top box servicesfrom the home tothe hub over apassive fiber opticoutside plant infra-structure.

When thedemand for bandwidth surpasses the capacity of the existing cable modems and video systems, the MSOcan then deploy a PON-based access system. Because the Micronode RF Video PON operates at 1550 nmin the forward path and 1590 nm in the return, it doesn’t interfere with the PON access system that oper-ates at 1490 nm in the forward path and 1310 nm in the return path, allowing the MSO to upgrade individ-ual subscribers on the network without impacting services, CPE, or operations for the other subscriberson that same fiber. Because the optical power budget of the PON access system exceeds that of the RFVideo PON, there are no outside plant upgrades necessary. More importantly, the deployment of the PONaccess system’s ONTs does not require the video service operations to be changed. Interactive RF ser-vices can continue to be offered at the upgraded location, from the same fiber strand, minimizing customerdisruption. Upgrades are made on a per subscriber basis rather than on a per PON basis.

Additionally, the MSO can use the same single fiber infrastructure to offer new business and wirelessservices via Alloptic’s GEPON solution. Because the GEPON wavelengths don’t interfere with the RF PONwavelengths, the FTTB ONUs are deployed independently of the Micronode product on a per customerbasis.

The Hybrid PON architecture allows the MSO to use a single fiber infrastructure to offer existing resi-dential services, migrate to a higher bandwidth fiber-to-the-home solution and offer new business andwireless backhaul services.

RBOC RFP BPON*The specific PON (passive optical network) in the RFP is an

ITU G.983, the BPON. The diagram describes this PON. In theoptical domain, the PON uses 1310 nm and 1490 nm wavelengths(upstream and downstream, respectively) to carry voice andvideo signals. In the electrical domain, these use an ATM signalas the bearer protocol, but are capable of a variety of voice anddata TDM signals. The downstream ATM signal is at 622 Mbps,and the upstream signal can be from 155 Mbps up to 622 Mbps.

The video (downstream broadcast) is carried via an overlay at1550 nm. This wavelength can carry a full complement of analog,digital and digital HDTV signals. The BPON uses the ATM proto-col to assign bandwidth to users as needed. It is capable of pro-viding a range of services, including analog video (standardcable frequencies), digital video, voice telephony, xDSL, 10/100Mbps Ethernet, etc.

The ATM protocol has a “built-in” set of OAM (operation,administration and maintenance) features. These include bit errorrate monitoring, alarms, automatic discovery and various securi-ty features.

*Originally filed in 2003. Source: B&C Consulting Service and IGIConsulting Inc.

Harmonic’s Network Solutions for Advanced ServicesHarmonic’s flexible fiber architecture uses the latest in WDM (wave division multiplexing) technology to lever-

age the existing outside plant, minimize operating expenses, and deliver a full range of residential and commercialservices. Harmonic’s MAXLink Plus 1550 nm transport system enables headend consolidation over distances of300 km or more, reducing the operating costs of secondary or remote headends while allowing operators to getthe most out of their capital equipment budgets. The complete lineup of broadcast television is transmitted overthe video backbone to each hub using Harmonic’s MAXLink 1550 nm solution. Data, VoIP and VOD content are car-ried on DWDM wavelengths from the headend to hubs using Harmonic’s GIGALight gigabit Ethernet transportsolution. In the last mile, Harmonic’s PWRLink 1310 nm and METROLink DWDM transmitters efficiently deliver thefull range of content and services to scalable PWRBlazer optical nodes. As demand increases, nodes can be seg-mented to support up to four service areas using Harmonic’s full range of dedicated analog and digital return pathtransmitters that are based on CWDM and DWDM technology, including a 65 MHz digital solution. In addition,Harmonic’s FLXLink Commercial Services Solution is ideal for providing high-speed network access and managedservices to commercial entities for a variety of applications, including cell tower backhaul.

Use of an RF video overlay is a cost-effective way for operators to significantly increase fiber capacity, and deliv-er video over a passive optical network (PON) or a switched Ethernet fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network.The opera-tor can provision the RF overlay for analog-only subscribers or send hundreds of simultaneous HD streams intoeach home. Bandwidth and switching requirements of the IP network are also significantly reduced as broadcasttelevision services do not consume bandwidth allocated for data and voice services. A hybrid RF/IP set-top box canbe used to give viewers a seamless experience of digital and/or analog broadcast video-over-RF as well as interac-tive video-over-IP.

Scientific Atlanta’s Network ArchitectureThis architectural approach optimizes both transport and access networks to support digital

simulcast, ad and program insertion, switched digital broadcast, video-on-demand (VOD), high-speed data (HSD), voice (VoIP), wireless mesh and commercial services applications to deliver thehighest network performance and future scalability.Today’s network engineers are challenged toconstruct systems that can offer new services, compete in non-traditional and yet-to-be-definedmarkets, and increase value for MSO shareholders. *DCM=Digital content manager

NodeA

NodeB

Rx RxDLC DLC

Hea

dend

Node A - dedicated

Node B - dedicated

Broadcast backup - loop through

Digital - loop through

2 node ring-ring schematic

Hub interconnect

Ring A

Ring B

4 fibers per node (i.e., 2 fibers each dedicated to routing signals from both directions to each node for route diversity), plus 12 fibers threaded through all nodes.

CED®

Cox’s Ring-in-Ring (Only one ring cluster shown)

PH

PH

PH

Route diverse

DWDM

Primaryring

60,000-100,000

homes passed

10,000-20,000homespassed

= Primary hub= Secondary hub

Primary ring

A

SecondaryringB

Fiberdistribution

C

Coax network

D

SH

PH

SH

SH

Central office

Traditional cable headend

1550 nm lasertransmitter EDFA

Return path receiver

RF PONarchitecture

Passive WDMsplitter/combiner

Edge2000 OLT

GE-PON business, wirelessbackhaul & residence

services

OptionalGE-PON overlay

1490 nm PON downstream1310 nm PON

upstream1550 nm RF downstream1590 nm RF

upstream

Optical splitter

1

32

FTTH

FTTMDU

FTTH

FTTB

FTTB

Customer premise

MicroNode

MicroNode

Home4000 ONT

BizGear 200 ONT

Xgen1000 ONT

Residence

Residence

Multi-tenant

Corporate offices/business parks

Small business

Voice,high-speedInternet,RF video

Voice,high-speedInternet,RF video

Voice,high-speedInternet, home automation,security,RF video, IPTV

Voice,privateline DS-1,Ethernet

Voice,privateline DS-1,Ethernet