Rohde & Schwarz Demonstrated a First-Gen DOCSIS 3.1 Test Solution

Fresh Tech – SCTE Cable-Tec EXPO 2013

Rohde and Schwarz had a popular demo at this years SCTE EXPO and not only was it popular it was innovative since it was the only DOCSIS 3.1 demo on the show floor.  Using off-the-shelf equipment R&S demonstrated a first-gen DOCSIS 3.1 test solution.  This is a precursor to their eventual delivery of real-time equipment.  The demonstration consisted of a signal generator (AFQ100B + SMBV) and signal analyzers (FSW wide-band vector signal analyzer and RTO real-time digital oscilloscope).  In addition, it showed the FS-K96 OFDM post-capture analysis firmware.  

R & S DOCSIS 3.1 TS

 

So what’s cool about a DOCSIS 3.1 test solution?  A lot of equipment vendors as well as MSO labs need to begin early qualification testing now that the DOCSIS 3.1 specification is released.  There is a steep learning curve between existing QAM test equipment and that which is required by DOCSIS 3.1.

Some Key Points on DOCSIS 3.1

  • DOCSIS 3.1 is more sophisticated than previous versions

    • OFDM
    • Channel bandwidths as wide as 192 MHz
    • Modulations up to 4096 QAM (possibly 16,384 QAM one day)
    • Use of new forward error correction scheme (LDPC) vs. Reed Solomon

  • Why DOCSIS 3.1?

    • Up to 10 Gb/s from the cable headend to the consumer (downstream)
    • Up to 2 Gb/s from the consumer back to the headend (upstream)
    • Narrows competition with telecom
    • Increases data density on HFC plantBrady Volpe with DOCSIS 3.1 test solution at Cable-Tec Expo

I did have an early alpha demo with Rohde & Schwarz’s DOCSIS 3.1 test solution in my lab.  It was great to see the first equipment transmitting and receiving 192 MHz wide 4096-QAM OFDM signals simulating a DOCSIS 3.1 system.  While the product needed some fine tuning it was well on its way to being a great piece of test equipment.  At the show, R&S was demonstrating a much more polished demo than I saw several months ago.  This company seems to really be ahead of the curve on DOCSIS 3.1 which is fantastic for our industry.

For more information on Rohde & Schwarz’s DOCSIS 3.1 test solution, check out their website at www.rohde-schwarz.us.