June 23, 2008

Hitachi Telecom Intros RFoG Solution

Hitachi Telecom announced a new capability of the company’s AMN1220 GPON product solution aimed at helping cable TV operators future-proof their networks – and their revenue positions. The Hitachi solution, which is compatible with the emerging RFOG (RF Over Glass) initiative, provides a fiber optic connection from the headend to the subscriber. The Node+Zero solution leverages existing headend equipment, minimizes active components in the outside plant and supports targeted bandwidth increases and provides opportunities for immediate revenue from subscribers in the target locations.

The Hitachi Node+Zero solution delivers the well-understood advantages of passive optical networks, including the minimizing of amplifiers in the field. Node+Zero modules can be deployed as standalone network interface devices at the subscribers’ premises, or in combination with a GPON ONT to provide full GPON bandwidth and a bi-directional RF path between the headend and the subscribers’ premises. Initial models include:

*Node+Zero H-103: Designed for deployment with a GPON ONT. Passes RF services (DOCSIS, RF Forward and Return) to the GPON ONT, which supports enhanced bandwidth for higher data rates and IP video services and voice services.
 

*Node+Zero H-112: A standalone subscriber premises device that passes RF services (DOCSIS, RF Forward and Return) bi-directionally and transparently between the headend and the subscriber. Subsequent connection to GPON ONT is optional.
 

Highlights
*The Hitachi Node+Zero solution provides the flexibility to extend fiber to the subscriber’s premises using the Node+Zero RFOG module alone, followed with a Hitachi GPON implementation as bandwidth and services needs warrant.

*The Hitachi Node+Zero RFOG module supports standard GPON wavelengths, allowing a seamless connection to the Hitachi GPON ONT.
 

*An upstream RF return path, using a 1590nm wavelength, carries return data between any manufacturer’s RF Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) and the headend. The 1590nm wavelength is multiplexed with the 1310nm GPON channel in the upstream direction when deployed with a GPON ONT. The 1590nm return path is terminates at a return path receiver equipment at the video headend.
 

*The Hitachi AMN1220 FTTP solution is a proven full-rate GPON system providing bandwidth of 2.4Gbps downstream/1.2Gbps upstream. The system supports RF and IP video, voice, and high speed data. For business customers, the AMN1220 supports multiple services including 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet and TDM services for connection of T1 devices. GPON has already gained acceptance as providing the demanding QoS/SLA, reliability and redundancy attributes necessary to serve business customers, which can be a source of additional revenue for cable operators. In addition, for high bandwidth data services delivery, GPON provides 2.5 times the data bandwidth of 1 Gbps Ethernet-based solutions, and because of its very efficient packet handling characteristics, GPON provides 3X the bandwidth efficiency of competing Ethernet solutions.

According to Rick Schiavinato, Hitachi Telecom vice president, sales and marketing, “The Hitachi Node+Zero solution allows cable TV operators to enjoy immediate opex benefits by bringing fiber from the headend to the premises without intervening active electronics. An advantage of the Node+Zero solution is that the infrastructure is transparent to existing DOCSIS and CMTS protocols and management systems, accommodating RF headend and CPE combinations from virtually any manufacturer.”

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