Executive Summary
The purpose of this document is to identify common characteristics of hardline amplifiers to be used in 1.8 GHz broadband hybrid fiber coax (HFC) networks.
Scope
This document recommends mechanical, environmental, and electrical standards for broadband radio frequency (RF) amplifiers that support DOCSIS® 4.0 frequency division duplex (FDD) capabilities, with downstream operation at frequencies up to 1794 MHz and upstream operation at frequencies up to 684 MHz.
Products covered by this document include the high gain single and multiport amplifiers required to support drop-in upgrades at legacy amplifier locations, as well as the lower gain booster amplifiers that may be required between amplifier locations with very long spacings. The devices are intended for an outdoor rated environment.
This document does not cover amplifiers with echo cancellation (required to support full duplex (FDX)), amplifiers used in nodes (commonly referred to as launch amplifiers), or other variations of low gain amplifiers that may be required for a full distributed gain amplifier (DGA) architecture.
Benefits
Broadband RF amplifiers are an integral part of an HFC network and enable signals to be carried greater distances along coax with minimal degradation in signal integrity. Identifying key characteristics of the amplifiers required to support DOCSIS 4.0 FDD will assist manufacturers by defining their requirements, which will benefit the industry by increasing the capacity and extending the useful life of the HFC network.
Intended Audience
Cable, fiber and telecommunications designers, operators, and engineers