Fiber Deep Glossary of Terms

Transcription

1 Fiber Deep Glossary of Terms Reference Guide Active Devices: Any electrically powered device that boosts signals via amplification or filtering. Analog Return: The upstream return path to the headend or hub using analog optical fiber nodes. AR (Augmented Reality): Computer-generated composite view of the physical environment with virtual enhancements. AVOD (Advertising VOD): Free-to-all ad-based VOD, meaning users pay with their eyes and not a credit or debit card. Bonded Channels: Logical channel arranging multiple physical communications links arranged into a single logical channel for use by cable modems in the upstream and downstream path. Broadband Digital Return (BDR): Also referred to as DR, the upstream (or return path) to the headend or hub facility from digital optical fiber nodes. Broadcast Digital Service: Use of digital signals versus analog to broadcast services over RF bands. CAA (Centralized Access Architecture): Centralizes equipment in the headend or primary hub and supports both legacy analog and digital fiber nodes. RF is supported for CMTS, broadband digital return, and all CCAP equipment (CCAP Gen1, CCAP Gen 2). CableLabs: Non-profit organization founded by cable operators to provide innovation and research and development for the cable MSO industry. Cable Modem: A data modem used in a cable MSO network, currently using DOCSIS technology. Cable Operator: Provider of cable services, including voice, video, and data, and sometimes mobile as an MVNO. Cable System: A system for delivering video and data, using RF technology transmitted through coaxial cable. Community Antenna TV (CATV): The original name for cable TV, where an antenna at the highest community location transmits broadcast TV by connecting cables to homes. CCAP (Converged Cable Access Platform): CableLabs effort combining QAM and CMTS functions, as well as enabling IP video. CCAP Core: In an R-PHY system, CCAP Core provides the CMTS Core for DOCSIS and EQAM Core for video, using MHAv2. CDN (Content Delivery Network): Network of distributed servers for IP-based video and cached Web content. CESAR (Converged Edge Services Access Router): Developed by Time Warner Cable (TWC) to merge RF and IP services; was then merged with Comcast s CMAP by CableLabs to become CCAP. CIN (Converged Interconnect Network): Packet-based network used to connect an RPD. CM (Cable Modem): Allows a computing device to communicate to the Internet over an HFC cable connection. CMAP (Converged Multiservice Access Platform): Comcast-led effort to combine functions for CMTS and EQAM for all Narrowcast and broadcast digital services; eventually merged with CESAR by CableLabs to become CCAP.

2 CMC (Coaxial Media Converter): Extents the life of CCAP by converting data between the coaxial cable network and PON or metro ethernet network; system control, classification, and MAC remain in the CMTS core. CMTS (Cable Modem Termination System): System that delivers data service from a customer DOCSIS modem to the headend via upstream and downstream channels, converting the signals to IP for routing to the Internet. CNR (Carrier-to-Noise-Ratio): Used to characterize network impairments by measuring the raw power in the RF transport path only coaxial cable network. Coaxial Amplifier: Amplifies downstream and upstream RF signals in a coaxial cable network. Coaxial Amplifier Cascade: When four nodes or fewer are cascaded together on any single access or distribution cable, with a maximum distribution limit of fifty-three amplifiers for the entire distribution system. Coaxial Cable: A single copper-based center conductor insulated with a foam dielectric and then a shield bonded to ground transmission medium used between the HFC node and customer. Coaxial Connector: Connects coaxial cable to cable devices, or other cables Coherent Optical Technology: Optical modem technology invented by Ciena, enabling high-speed connections with the use of Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) over fiber optical cable. CPE (Customer Premises Equipment): Equipment at the customer location, typically provided by the network provider, but in some cases owned by the customer. CWDM (Coarse Wave Division Multiplexing): Low-cost WDM optics typically limited to sixteen channels under 40km. C-DOCSIS: DOCSIS 3.0 Asia-specific DAA specification to enable only high-speed data, not DVB. DAA (Distributed Access Architecture): Distributes MAC and PHY layer functions of CMTS, EQAM, or CCAP to a node, cabinet or MDU location; the two popular DAA approaches are R-PHY and R-MAC/PHY. db (Decibel): A mathematical expression for the ratio of two power levels to measure intensity by comparing to a logarithmic scale. dbmv (Decibel-Millivolt): RF power measurement relative to 1 millivolt over an impedance of seventy-five ohms measured at RF frequencies. Densification: Pushing fiber closer to the customer with more digital fiber nodes, reducing number of homes per node, to allow more capacity for each customer by packing as much capacity as possible over limited fiber resources. DEPI (DOCSIS External Downstream Interface) Introduced with UEPI in 2007 by cable modems ASIC developers for CMTS MAC-PHY, commonly referred to as DOCSIS Remote PHY when used in combination with UEPI as MHAv2. Digital Fiber Node: 10GbE digital optical fiber to coax device, used as a RPD. Digital Return (DR): Also referred to as BDR, the upstream or the return path to the headend or hub facility from digital optic fiber nodes. Directional Coupler: Passive RF device used to direct or couple RF signals on coaxial distribution cable. DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification): CableLabs specification used to provide Internet service using a cable modem. DS (Downstream): The path for all services from the equipment in the headend or hub toward the customer equipment, including CMTS to CM, CCAP Core to RPD, RF from RPD to CM, and RF spectrum from the headend. DTI (DOCSIS Timing Interface): DTI protocol that reduces complexity and cost of DTI client clocks and per-port shared server costs while supporting S-CMDA and TDMA requirements; as part of MHA, DTI enables IP communication between the root and slave, and includes timestamp and time of day. DVB (Digital Video Broadcast): Set of digital video standards used by satellite, cable, and terrestrial infrastructure to deliver video for digital television. DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing): Ciena introduced DWDM in 1996, combining different wavelengths 2

3 of light into a single fiber, multiplying the capacity of a fiber by the number of channels carried EPON (Ethernet Passive Optical Network): Version of PON, fully compatible with Ethernet, supporting 1GbE and 10GbE signals up to 20km. EQAM (Edge Quadrature Amplitude Modulation): Upgraded version of QAM, converting IP-based services to digital QAM signaling, enabling both VOD and SDV where only one carrier is used, not two like QAM, saving bandwidth, equipment, and space. ERMI (Edge Resource Management Interface): Enables EQAM device configuration and control for sharing resources with VOD. Fiber deep: Referred to as node + 0, or no active devices except the Digital Fiber Node, fiber deep pushes fiber closer to the customer, increasing the number of nodes while reducing the number of homes per node. FTTB (Fiber-To-The-Building): Used to deliver fiber access to a building, and from there to the coaxial cable or some medium other than fiber. FTTH (Fiber-To-The-Home): Also called FTTP, connects fiber directly to individual residences, apartments, or MDUs. FTTP (Fiber To The Premises): Also called FTTH, connects fiber directly to individual residences, apartments, or MDUs. F-Connector: An inexpensive connector used to connect 75-ohm cable from the drop to the home and inside the home for termination of cable modems. GCP (General Control Plane): Is used to start, run, and configure CMC. GPON (Gigabit Passive Network): Supports Ethernet, TDM, and ATM traffic using OLT, ONU, and a splitter to divide the signal where needed, reaching up to 20km, and supporting up to 1.2G upstream and 2.4G downstream using WDM and user allocated time slots. grpc (grpc Remote Procedure Call): An open source remote procedure call framework, enabling client and server apps to communicate transparently. Headend: Cable facility where communication signals and equipment provide broadcast, narrowcast, and Internet connectivity. HERD (Headends Re-architected as Data Center): Data center architecture that uses technologies like virtualization, caching, and Software Defined Networking (SDN) for streaming services. HFC (Hybrid Fiber Coax): Combines fiber and coax as a broadband network to deliver cable operator services. Hub: Cable facility used to distribute communication signals from the headend, to either a secondary Hub or HFC network. IPTV (Internet Protocol TV): Also known as Internet television, delivers video content using IP protocols. Integrated-CCAP: CAA headend or primary hub solution that has its PHYs internal to CMTS. I-CMTS (Integrated-CMTS): All-in-one solution combing RF and IP components in a single device in the headend. Linear Broadcast: Rigid delivery of content where viewers cannot fast forward or watch at a later time. L2TPv3 (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol version 3): Tunneling protocol that encapsulates multiprotocol Layer 2 traffic over IP networks. Master Headend: The master facility for receiving communication signals for processing and distribution. MDU (Multi Dwelling Unit): Refers to apartments or condominiums, typically served with one or more HFC nodes depending on the size. MHA (Modular Headend Architecture): CableLabs MHA differs from I-CMTS by having PHYs external to CMTS; includes DEPI, DTI, OSSI, MHAv2, L2TPv3, video, and GCP. MHAv2 (Modular Headend Architecture version 2): The second version of MHA, or evolution to remote PHY technology from I-CCAP MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group): Working group in charge of international compression, decompression, processing, and coding standards for moving pictures and audio. 3

4 MSO (Multiple System Operator): MSOs operate numerous cable companies or cable franchises. MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator): A wireless carrier provider that does not own the wireless network over which it provides the service. MVPD (Multichannel Video Programming Distributor): Operators that deliver and distribute multiple channels, sometimes called premium, or linear video programming; MVPDs can be cable, satellite, or wireline operators. M-CMTS (Modular-CMTS): Modular architecture, where the CMTS is separated into two parts first, downstream PHY and second, IP networking and DOCSIS MAC functions (M-CMTS Core); used to connect cable modems to the core using an EQAM interface. Narrowcast Digital Service: Target marketed services to a narrow audience using digital signals versus analog to narrow services, like SDV, over RF bands. NG-PON2 (Next Gen PON2): Provides higher bandwidth than GPON, supporting 10G down/10g up, and 10G down/2.5g up; also, wavelength migration and channel bonding to increase capacity within the same PON. Node Split: commonly used to increase services by reducing the number of homes passed, enabling higher bandwidth possibilities. Optical Cable: Transmission medium used between the headend to the fiber node or customer. ODN (Optical Distribution Network): As part of a PON system, ODN contains OLT, ONU, optical fiber, and passive optical splitters or couplers. OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing): New PHY layer for DOCSIS 3.1 used to reduce signal crosstalk by using FDM modulation to transmit digital data over RF and greatly improve bandwidth by channel bonding. OLT (Optical Line Terminal): Provides optical cable terminations in a PON system, gateway routing for data traffic. ONT (Optical Network Terminal): Sometimes referred as ONU, the optical modem at the customer site in a PON system; ONT is a term used by IEEE. ONU (Optical Network Unit): Sometimes referred as ONT, the optical modem at the customer site in a PON system; ONU is a term used by ITU-T. OSI (Open Systems Interconnection): A seven-layer computing model used for telecommunications and computing systems, for data protocols. OSSI (Operational Support System Interface): Defines the configuration, monitoring, and performance interface requirements for M-CMTS, DOCSIS EQAMs, and DTI M-CMTS servers. OTT (Over-The-Top): An IP-streamed service for audio, video, and other media content over the Internet, without having to subscribe to a traditional cable, satellite, and wireline pay-tv service. Passive Devices: Taps, power inserters, splitters, directional couplers used in the coaxial or fiber network. Pay-TV (Pay-Television): Subscription-based service, where customers pay for a channel or bundle of channels. PHY (Physical): As part of the OSI, physical layer PHY provides media, signal, and binary transmission from the medium to the Data Link layer. PON (Passive Optical Network): Fiber optic point-to-multipoint broadband network using only passive optical devices. Power Inserter: Used to provide power for the active coaxial cable equipment. QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation): Method of transmission using two out-of-phase carriers (called quadrature components) used by all digital cable services use QAM modulation for video, data, and voice from headends to homes; when supporting VOD, multiple channels are used, one for Web channel navigation and the second one for video. RF (Radio Frequency): Used in analog-based cable networks to distribute video and broadband channels. RFI (Radio Frequency Interface): Downstream and upstream radio frequency interfaces. RFoG (Radio Frequency over Glass) Replaces the HFC coax portion with a single-fiber PON network. RPD (Remote PHY Device): Remote device providing the DOCSIS R-PHY function. 4

5 R-MAC/PHY (Remote-MAC/PHY): Remote device providing both MAC and PHY functions. R-PHY (Remote-PHY): Also referred to as MHAv2, R-PHY enables I-CCAP to be separated into two components, the CCAP Core and RPD; pseudo wires are used between the two. SCTE (Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers): CableLabs owned and operated society enabling members access to technical solutions, certifications, and training. SDV (Switched Digital Video): Consumes less bandwidth then VOD, provides multiple formats, and uses less headend space with EQAMs used in digital video applications DOCSIS/M- CMTS; EQAMs used in M-CMTS and DOCSIS applications, including video over DOCSIS. Service Group Size: Number of customers passed or served on an HFC node. Splitters: Splits or couples signal power. SVOD (Subscription Video On Demand): All-you-can-eat video subscription model, based on a monthly charge, for example: Netflix, Hulu, and others. S-CDMA (Synchronous-Code Division Multiple Access): A digital technique known as spread spectrum; DOCSIS 3.1 OFDMA channels can span more spectrum than S-CDMA. Taps: Passive coaxial device used to tap or provide downstream and upstream signals to the customer drop cable for the coaxial access cable. TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access): Enables many sequential users to share a single RF channel by allocating time slots to each user; DOCSIS 3.1 OFDMA channels can span more spectrum then TDMA. TVOD (Transactional VOD): Users only pay for content they watch, like movies, top TV series, and sporting events by a sell through or download to rent model. UEPI (Upstream External PHY Interface): Introduced with DEPI in 2007 by cable modems ASIC developers for CMTS MAC-PHY; commonly referred to as DOCSIS Remote PHY when used in combination with DEPI as MHAv2. UHD (Ultra-High-Definition): Also known as 4K, the latest resolution offered for consumer content, over twenty-three times the resolution of standard definition display or TV. UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply): Can be used, like generators, to limit service outage, typically up to two hours. Upstream: The path for all services from the customer to the headend or hub. vccap (virtualized CCAP): Centralizes control for virtual access by separating the control plane and forwarding plane for remote nodes; once abstracted, CCAP functions can be virtualized using data center technology in the headend or hub. v-mvpd (virtual-mvpd): Virtual MVPDs do not own any network infrastructure but offer premium video content like any MSO or video service provider over the Internet. VOD (Video On Demand): Allows users to select content like movies, concerts, and sporting events on demand with OTT players; VOD has evolved to include SVOD, TVOD, and AVOD. VR (Virtual Reality): Computer-generated world that substitutes the physical world around us. WDM (Wave Division Multiplexing): Technology using different wavelengths (colors) of light to allow for the copropagation of different channels within an optical fiber for greatly increased spectral efficiency. Connect with Ciena now Ciena may make changes at any time to the products or specifications contained herein without notice. Ciena and the Ciena Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Ciena Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. A complete list of Ciena s trademarks is available at Third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners and do not imply a partnership between Ciena and any other company. Copyright 2018 Ciena Corporation. All rights reserved. PS