Operational Challenges of 85MHz Depolyment

Changing an HFC network from a 42MHz split to an 85MHz split, or an even higher frequency split such as 200MHz, presents significant operational challenges in the home and local access networks. These challenges result from the dramatic change in level experienced in the home and local access network as the frequencies shift from downstream usage to upstream usage as well as long-held assumptions about the frequencies used for downstream transmission. As well as long-held assumptions about the frequencies used for downstream transmission.

This paper will discuss upfront considerations for set-top box out-of-band (OOB) communication frequencies as well as the results of the higher power levels in the home and in the local network. Finally, some coping strategies will be presented to allow the network upgrade to proceed without requiring a wholesale upgrade of in-home equipment.