Understanding

DOCSIS 3.0

Dustin Wish
Cisco Team Lead
Mega Hertz
dustinwish@go2mhz.com
Why do we need DOCSIS 3.0?

• Residential Customer Demand

• I-Tunes, IPTV, Netflix, Blockbuster, SIP Video, HD
Youtube, Slingbox, Gaming, HD Video Phone……..
• Competition - FTTx, FiOS, U-verse, Wireless
• Avoid Node Splits
• Business Services
• T1/E1 solutions, HD Video Conferencing, Cost effective business
growth
• The need for additional IPs – IPv6
• Reduce Customer Churn
DOCSIS 3.0 Overview
• Increased Throughput
• Support a minimum of four bonded downstream channels,
each with a throughput of 38Mbps (152Mbps Total)
• Support a minimum of four bonded upstream channels,
each with a throughput of 27Mbps (108Mbps Total)
• Increased upstream bandwidth (5-85MHz)
• Support for Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6)
• DOCSIS 3.0 is backward compatible with existing
DOCSIS products
• DOCSIS 3.0 CMTS qualifications of bronze and silver
phased out. Only full certification will be available.
• DOCSIS 3.0 full modem certification available
• Additional network security
• Support of E1/T1 emulation
What are the Throughput Benefits?

DOCSIS Date Rate (Raw/Nominal)

Version Downstream Upstream

1.x 42.88(38)Mb/s 10.24(9) Mb/s

2.0 42.88(38)Mb/s 30.72(27) Mb/s

3.0
171.52 (152)Mb/s 122.88 (108)Mb/s
(4 Channels)
3.0
343.04 (304)Mb/s 122.88 (108)Mb/s
(8 Channels)
3.0
686.08 (608)Mb/s 122.88 (108)Mb/s
(16 Channels)
How large is the Data Pipe?
DOCSIS 1.x/2.0 - 1 Channel (38Mb/s)

DOCSIS 3.0 - 4 Channels (152Mb/s)

DOCSIS 3.0 - 8 Channels (304Mb/s)

DOCSIS 3.0 - 16 Channels (608Mb/s)

 How does DOCSIS 3.0 achieve
150Mbps +?
Legend :
DOCSIS 3.0 Downstreams

CMTS Downstreams
EQAM

EQAM
Downstreams
with 4 QAMs
GE Between (150Mbps)
the CMTS
and EQAMs 591MHz/597MHz
603MHz/609MHz

DOCSIS 3.0
DOCSIS 1.0 Cable Modem
CMTS Downstream Ports Cable Modem

585MHz

Internet
Laser Node
2 4
x x
1 1
Legacy CMTS
Downstreams with 1 QAM
(38Mbps)
What Preparation is Required
for DOCSIS 3.0?
• RF Bandwidth Availability
• Preventative Maintenance Program
• Headend Equipment Preparation
• Qualify Your Plant
• Overcome Upstream 64-QAM challenges
• Headend Wiring Documentation
• DOCSIS 3.0 Equipment
DOCSIS 3.0 Equipment

• Edge QAM (EQAM)

• DOCSIS 3.0 Capable CMTS
• Timing Source
• DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem
• Additional Combining
 Preparing for DOCSIS 3.0
RF Bandwidth Availability

DOWNSTREAM 54 TO 750 MHz

88
54 to
to
88 108 108 to 750MHz
MHz MHz

KEY:
Local Analog Channels DOCSIS 2.0 HSD

Local Digital Channels VOD

Satellite Analog Unusable 2 RF Channels

Available
Satellite Digital
Preparing for DOCSIS 3.0
Obtaining the Required Bandwidth
As an example in launching DOCSIS 3.0 services we might use 4
downstream channels. These channels may be obtained using
the following methods:
• Use Switched Digital Video to reclaim bandwidth
• Launch Digital Simulcast and migrate selected analog
channels to reclaim bandwidth
• Launch digital only systems
• Expand the plant to 860MHz or 1GHz
• Use previously unusable channels such as old analog
broadcast channels
• Move test carriers to alternate frequencies
• Finding adjacent channels could be a challenge
• At a minimum, a cable modem must be able to receive at least
four downstream channels, located independently within a
60MHz window.
Preparing for DOCSIS 3.0
Headend Preparation
• Additional Powering
• Edge QAM modulators, CMTS, Timing server, Switches and
Network Infrastructure will increase power consumption
• Increase Backbone Capacity
• Allows for the increased date rate used by DOCSIS 3.0
• Flexible Combining System
• Enables any node to be combined with any other node on the
upstream or downstream.
• Laser Per Node
• This allows for flexibility deployment and combing of nodes and
services.
• Headend Wiring
• It is essential to keep track of all wiring in the headend with a
Node Combining Plan, wiring schematic and label all cables.
• Additional Rack Space
Preparing for DOCSIS 3.0
Headend Wiring – Node Combining Plan
Node Information DATA INFORMATION
Optical DS US EQAM DS Freq
DOCSIS CMTS Card Center Center
NODE DS US EQAM DS Mod US Mod DS1 DS2 DS3 DS4
TX RX Modem ID # Freq Freq
ID* Port Port Port (MHz) (MHz) (MHz) (MHz)
Types (Mhz) (MHz)

SF01A 1 01A 3.0 1 50 0 0 1 585.0 23.0 256QAM 64QAM 591.0 597.0 603.0 609.0
SF01B 1 01B 3.0 1 50 0 1 1 585.0 23.0 256QAM 64QAM 591.0 597.0 603.0 609.0
SF01C 1 01C 3.0 1 50 0 2 1 585.0 23.0 256QAM 64QAM 591.0 597.0 603.0 609.0
SF01D 1 01D 3.0 1 50 0 3 1 585.0 23.0 256QAM 64QAM 591.0 597.0 603.0 609.0
SF02A 2 02A 2.0+ 1 50 1 4 2 585.0 23.0 256QAM 64QAM 591.0 597.0 603.0 609.0
SF02B 2 02B 2.0+ 1 50 1 5 2 585.0 23.0 256QAM 64QAM 591.0 597.0 603.0 609.0
SF02C 2 02C 2.0+ 1 50 1 6 2 585.0 23.0 256QAM 64QAM 591.0 597.0 603.0 609.0
SF02D 2 02D 2.0+ 1 50 1 7 2 585.0 23.0 256QAM 64QAM 591.0 597.0 603.0 609.0
SF03A 3 03A 1.0+ 1 50 2 8 3 585.0 23.0 256QAM 16QAM 591.0 597.0 603.0 609.0
SF03B 3 03A 1.0+ 1 50 2 8 3 585.0 23.0 256QAM 16QAM 591.0 597.0 603.0 609.0
SF03C 3 03B 1.0+ 1 50 2 9 3 585.0 23.0 256QAM 16QAM 591.0 597.0 603.0 609.0
SF03D 3 03B 1.0+ 1 50 2 9 3 585.0 23.0 256QAM 16QAM 591.0 597.0 603.0 609.0
SF04A 4 04A 1.0+ 1 50 2 10 3 585.0 23.0 256QAM 16QAM 591.0 597.0 603.0 609.0
SF04B 4 04A 1.0+ 1 50 2 10 3 585.0 23.0 256QAM 16QAM 591.0 597.0 603.0 609.0
SF04C 4 04B 1.0+ 1 50 2 11 3 585.0 23.0 256QAM 16QAM 591.0 597.0 603.0 609.0
SF04D 4 04B 1.0+ 1 50 2 11 3 585.0 23.0 256QAM 16QAM 591.0 597.0 603.0 609.0
SF05A 5 05A 1.0+ 1 50 3 12 N/A 585.0 23.0 256QAM 16QAM N/A N/A N/A N/A
SF05B 5 05A 1.0+ 1 50 3 12 N/A 585.0 23.0 256QAM 16QAM N/A N/A N/A N/A
SF05C 5 05A 1.0+ 1 50 3 12 N/A 585.0 23.0 256QAM 16QAM N/A N/A N/A N/A
SF05D 5 05A 1.0+ 1 50 3 12 N/A 585.0 23.0 256QAM 16QAM N/A N/A N/A N/A
Preparing for DOCSIS 3.0
Headend Preparation - Wiring Methods

The follow slides show the principle methods of combining

the EQAM and CMTS RF. As indicated, the preferred method
is to combine the EQAM at the first point after it leaves the
CMTS. Why?

• Future CMTS combining changes will be much simpler

• It leaves additional combining ports open on the laser for
narrow cast services such as VOD, LO’s, etc
• It simplifies things especially when narrow cast lasers are
deployed
Preparing for DOCSIS 3.0
DOCSIS 3.0 Wiring Schematic - This will work
Edge
QAM 591MHz / 597MHz
603MHz / 609MHz Broadcast Video TX1
4
DS Port 1
x
1
VOD
TX2
DS Port 2 4
x
1
TX3
DS Port 3 1 4
x x
4 1
TX4
4
x
1
CMTS TX5
4
585Mhz x
DS Port 0 1
585Mhz
DS Port 1
1
585Mhz
DS Port 2 x
4
585Mhz
DS Port 3
585Mhz
DS Port 4
Preparing for DOCSIS 3.0
DOCSIS 3.0 Wiring Schematic - This is preferred

Edge
QAM 591MHz / 597MHz
603MHz / 609MHz Broadcast Video TX1
DS Port 1 2 4
x x
1 1
VOD
TX2
DS Port 2 2 4
x x
1 1
TX3
DS Port 3 2 1 4
x x x
1 4 1
TX4
4
x
1
CMTS TX5
2 4
585Mhz x x
DS Port 0 1 1
585Mhz
DS Port 1
585Mhz
DS Port 2
585Mhz
DS Port 3
585Mhz
DS Port 4
Preparing for DOCSIS 3.0
DOCSIS 3.0 is be Flexible
The following slide shows the flexibility of DOCSIS 3.0

DOCSIS 3.0 allows for customized designs to suite variable

applications. The following example assumes the forward RF
spectrum is fully loaded and an LO requires an additional
frequency. DOCSIS 3.0 can mute one channel allowing the
4th to be used for the LO. DOCSIS 3.0 modems are not
required to use all 4 channels.

This example also reinforces the preferred CMTS/EQAM

combining method. The open port allows for the LO to be
easily narrowcast.
This also shows that not all nodes need to be DOCSIS 3.0
Preparing for DOCSIS 3.0
DOCSIS 3.0 Wiring should be flexible
Edge 591MHz / 597MHz
QAM 603MHz / 609MHz
4 - QAMs Broadcast Video TX1
DS Port 1 2 4
x x
1 1
VOD
TX2
DS Port 2 2 4
x x
1 1
Broadcast Video TX3
DS Port 3 2 4
591MHz x x
LO
1 1
597MHz VOD
603MHz 4th Combing port used
3 - QAMs for the LO channel
CMTS
585Mhz
DS Port 0 Not all nodes
585Mhz
DS Port 1 need to be
585Mhz TX4 DOCSIS 3.0
DS Port 2 4
585Mhz x
DS Port 3 1
585Mhz TX5
4
DS Port 4
x
1
Preparing for DOCSIS 3.0
Balancing Bandwidth and Headend
Costs
The following slide shows how most MSO’s will deploy
DOCSIS 3.0 in the headend
• This design allows for a balance between headend costs,
bandwidth use and customer growth.
• Hardware costs are significantly less using this type of
deployment.
• When applying such a design the Isolation between the
CMTS downstreams needs to be closely watched. By
installing attenuators in the correct location or by using an
isolation amp this problem can be over come very easily.
Preparing for DOCSIS 3.0
DOCSIS 3.0 Wiring Schematic - This will work
Edge 591MHz / 597MHz
QAM 603MHz / 609MHz
Broadcast Video TX1
2 4
DS Port 1 1
x x
x
1 1
4 VOD
TX2
2 4
DS Port 2
x x
1 1
TX3
DS Port 3 2 1 4
x x x
1 4 1
TX4
4
x
1
CMTS TX5
2 4
585Mhz x x
DS Port 0 1 1
585Mhz
DS Port 1
585Mhz
DS Port 2 By Installing an isolation
585Mhz amplifier or attenuator it can
DS Port 3
585Mhz
help over come isolation
DS Port 4 issues
Preparing for DOCSIS 3.0
Test Equipment

• DOCSIS 3.0 test meter

• 64-QAM signal source
• Digital spectrum analyzer
• Meter or analyzer capable of measuring group delay
and adaptive equalization
Preparing for DOCSIS 3.0
Qualifying your plant
 Downstream 256-QAM Testing & Qualification
• Sweep, frequency response, amplifier levels aligned, MER,
CNR, group delay, constellation, pre/post errors
 Upstream 64-QAM Testing & Qualification
• Transmit 64QAM test signal from end of lines and test for
sufficient level, in-channel frequency response , MER, CNR,
group delay, constellation and the adaptive equalizer
• Check the upstream spectrum for ingress, noise, CPD and
laser clipping
 Avoid downstream or upstream frequencies near the roll off or
band edges.
 Avoid downstream or upstream frequencies that may be
susceptible to ingress or interference.
 Headend RF alignment
 Beta testing all elements of your plant and DOCSIS 3.0
components is essential
Preparing for DOCSIS 3.0
Upstream 64QAM challenges

• FP analog lasers (where possible use digital or DFB lasers)

• Amplifier roll off
• Ingress, noise, CPD and laser clipping
• Modem and EMTA firmware supports TDMA & S-CDMA
• High value taps may cause modems to transmit beyond
DOCSIS 3.0 specifications (54dBmV total channel
power)
• Drops should be tri-shield or quad-shield
• Test equipment requirements
Preparing for DOCSIS 3.0
Preventative Maintenance
To ensure optimum performance of DOCSIS 3.0
services a preventative maintenance program
should be in place.

The following tests should be performed:

• Sweep amplifiers every 12-18 months
• End of line digital testing (MER, BER, Constellation, etc)
• Power Supply testing
• Leakage < 5µV/m (If you find a leak, fix it!)
• Return Path Monitoring
• Daily Installation Reports: Modem installs outside of
specification are identified and fixed promptly
Strategic Launch of DOCSIS 3.0 Services
Initial deployment of DOCSIS 3.0 services should target
the following locations

• Where bandwidth capacity is initiating node splits

• Customers demand higher speeds such as colleges,
Business Parks, Malls, MDUs, etc
• Systems where you need to stay competitive
• New Nodes and customers on micro nodes where very little
prep work is necessary and the RF bandwidth is already
available
• Where there are excessive customers on higher tiers of
service
DOCSIS 3.0 Check List

 Available RF Bandwidth
 Headend Preparation
 Headend Wiring diagrams and documentation
 Headend Node Combining Plan
 Test Equipment
 Qualify your plant
 64-QAM challenges
 Preventative Maintenance Program
 Lab Test DOCSIS 3.0 Equipment
 Target areas for initial roll out
 Troubleshooting

• In home wireless networks may limit the benefits of

DOCSIS 3.0
• Routers, Switches, Hubs and Ethernet cards can limit
bandwidth to 100Mbps or 10Mbps
• PC performance can effect throughput
• Hardware settings can effect bandwidth e.g. MTU
size
• Speed test servers can skew throughput results
Speed test serves should be located as close as possible to
the EQAM and offer large enough test files.
 Cont….

• Troubleshooting multiple DOCIS QAMs could be a

challenge
• Data traps might cause problems
 Things to Consider
• Total EQAM throughput may exceed that of the
CMTS GE ports
E.g. 5 CMTS GE ports = 5Gbps. 4 Bonded channels across
40 downstreams = 6.6Gbps (Maximum).
• If the CMTS to EQAM bandwidth is an issue might
want to look at using multiple CMTS downstreams for
each EQAM downstream port.
• If the RF bandwidth is a problem consider using 3
QAM channels.
• The CMTS downstream channel can not bond to
EQAM channels. The EQAM channels can only bond
with each other.
Cont……

• Choose premium spectrum for all DOCSIS channels.

• Don’t forget a timing source
• Ensure that the CMTS processor can handle the
required bandwidth
• Look at other non DOCSIS 3.0 benefits such as
downstream load balancing of legacy modem.
• DOCSIS 3.0 channels do not need to be adjacent, but
most EQAMs on the market today will only generate
adjacent channels.
Lastly………

• DOCSIS 3.0 is very flexible!!

Questions?