VDSL Bonding Vectoring white paper

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VDSL Bonding Vectoring white paper
The Promise of 100 Mbps and Vectored Services Raises Bar on Network Quality
The next generation of VDSL2 technology call Table of contents
Bonding & Vectoring promises performances
upwards of 100Mbs on your existing copper VDSL Bonding Technology
network (FTTN). This allows you to economically VDSL Vectoring Technology
deliver significant performance boost to your FEXT Noise and NEXT Noise
Speed and Bandwidth
customers without costly fiber investment. But
Preparing Copper Cable for 100MBs
can your copper plant handle the demands of
bonding & vectoring ?

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VDSL Bonding Vectoring white paper
You Cant Fake Fast
The Promise of 100 Mbps and Vectored Services Raises Bar on Network Quality

As a provider of VDSL2 based residential services (IPTV, High Speed Internet, etc.) you have already made a
significant investment in your copper network. But will it be fast enough to support customer demands over the next
several years? Given that cable companies are already offering network speeds upwards of 100 Mbps, what are the
challenges facing your network to provide a similar performance and beyond? How will you meet those challenges?
The good news is that you dont have to make that huge investment in a fiber-to-the home network. Once
again, next generation copper based technologies are coming to the rescue. By using a combination of new VDSL2
based copper bonding and vectoring technologies, you will be able to deliver fiber-like speeds (upwards of 100
Mbps) that rival those of the competition.
These are serious speed increases that will require a network free of impairments to reliably support these
ultra-fast speeds. Now, more than ever is the time to truly condition your network to deliver this performance. You
cant ignore impairments or marginal network conditions. Simply put, you cant fake fast.
What is the best way to prepare the copper network to deliver on the promise of 100Mbs services to
customers? Read on to get answers to these questions and more as we take a deep dive into what it takes to get the
copper network ready for 100 Mbps speeds.

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VDSL Bonding Vectoring white paper
VDSL Bonding Technology

VDSL bonding technologies address the need for higher speeds by dealing with the DSL signal itself two or
more DSL signals are better than one. Pair bonding is the process of combining the capacity of one or more pairs in
such a way that the bonded pairs act like one BIG capacity pair (see Figure 1 VDSL2 2 Pair Bonding).
The data carrying ability of each pair remains the same, but bonding two equally capable pairs together
effectively doubles the total data carrying capacity. It is kind of like a super highway more lanes mean a BIGGER capacity
to carry traffic.

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VDSL Bonding Vectoring white paper
VDSL Vectoring Technology

DSL vectoring technologies address the need for higher speeds by dealing with speed killing noise. DSL
receivers deliver high speeds when noise levels are low. Therefore, it makes sense to mitigate noise at the receiver to
keep speeds high. The total noise present at a DSL receiver is best thought of as a group of individual noise
components that add together to create a total noise problem.
Among those noise components that contribute significantly to total noise would be Near End Crosstalk
noise (NEXT) and Far End Crosstalk (FEXT) noise. DSL Vectoring is a complex microprocessor intensive method of
mitigating a specific kind of noise - FEXT noise (see Figure 2 FEXT Noise). Today, several DSLAM vendors are
providing VDSL2 vectoring solutions.

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VDSL Bonding Vectoring white paper
NEXT Noise

In the early days of DSL planning, it became clear that the best way to mitigate NEXT noise was to keep the
Downstream and Upstream transmission bands separate from one another. Such an approach would not add
significantly to the cost of silicon.

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VDSL Bonding Vectoring white paper
FEXT Noise

Dealing with FEXT noise is more challenging. In those early days of DSL planning the computing power
required to cancel FEXT noise at the silicon level would not have been cost effective. However, today vendors are
shipping DSLAMs with cost effective VDSL2 vectoring FNEXT noise mitigation capabilities.

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VDSL Bonding Vectoring white paper
Speed Possibilities

DSL speeds are measured in bits-per-second (bps). The 100 Mbps speed objective bandied about today
came from the ITU-T G.993.2 VDSL2 standard which defines a VDSL2 17a profile with a minimum bi-directional net
data rate capability of 100 Mbps (the Shannon-Hartley theoretical limit of a 17 MHz bandwidth is closer to 246
Mbps). The standard also defines a VDSL2 30a profile with a minimum capability of 217 Mbps (the Shannon-Hartley
theoretical limit of a 30 MHz bandwidth is closer to 417 Mbps).
When pair bonding is used in conjunction with DSL technology, there is a significant jump in total speed.
Two bonded pairs as used in VDSL2 deployments also introduce the possibility of a third phantom channel to
further increase speed - 300 Mbps or higher may be possible.

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VDSL Bonding Vectoring white paper
Bandwidth

Anytime there is an increase in bandwidth, there will be a need to re-visit existing copper network
qualification methods. Bandwidth is the available spectrum for transmission. POTS service only uses 4 KHz of
bandwidth. Qualifying copper pairs for POTS is relatively easy. But then along came analog modems and fax
machines that used frequencies within that 4 KHz bandwidth that had not been qualified. Do you remember all those
new trouble tickets? Now imagine what happens when you upgrade from an 8 MHz bandwidth network (VDSL2
Profile 8d) to a 17 MHz network (VDSL2 Profile 17a). Sure, you have qualified the network for 8 MHz, but what about
that part of the bandwidth from 8 to 17 MHz that wasnt qualified? How do you know it will be free of frequency
dependent trouble?
Over the years there has been a steady increase in the bandwidth requirements of DSL technologies:

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VDSL Bonding Vectoring white paper
Bandwidth
The 17Mhz and 30Mhz are the new VDSl2 profiles being adopted to support bonding & vectoring to
achieve 100Mbs speeds. The 17Mhz profile is expected to be the most widely adopted profile for bonding &
vectoring due to an attractive combination of rate (supports up to 100Mbs with bonding& vectoring) and reach
(loop length up to 2kft or 600m).
Bandwidth Spectrum Requirement xDSL Technology Typical Speeds
1.1 MHz ADSL Up to 8 Mbps
2.2 MHz ADSL2+ Up to 20 Mbps
8 MHz VDSL2 Profiles 8a, 8b, 8c, & 8d Up to 30 Mbps
12 MHz VDSL2 Profiles 12a & 12b Up to 40 Mbps (when bonding is used)

Up to 100 Mbps (when bonding & vectoring are

used) at up to 2Kft (600m) This bandwidth
spectrum profile is expected to be the most widely
adopted due to excellent balance of rate (speed)
17 MHz VDSL2 Profile 17a and reach (loop length)

Up to 217 Mbps (or even higher when bonding &

vectoring are used). Note: this requires very short
30 MHz VDSL2 Profile 30a loops, typically less than 500ft (61m).
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VDSL Bonding Vectoring white paper
Preparing the Copper Cable for 100 Mbps or Higher Speed Services
Now that you have an understanding of the technologies, standards and speed possibilities, lets focus on
preparing the copper network for 100 Mbps or even higher speed services. The addition of bonding and vectoring
technologies to existing VDSL2 deployments will require accurate records and additional qualification tests.

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VDSL Bonding Vectoring white paper
Records Accuracy
Records verification is a process unto itself. Telephone companies maintain database records (cable, pair,
binding post, status, etc.) about copper pairs. These records are changing to keep pace with advancing DSL
technologies. They need to be periodically refreshed to reflect the current state of pairs in the field. When a
customer calls in to request high speed DSL service it is important that customer agents quickly respond with
accurate information as to whether or not that service can be provided. Here are some of the new challenges in a
VDSL2 bonded and vectored network related to records accuracy:
There will be an increase of bonded pairs in the new network that will require a better understanding of total pair
capacity. How many pairs do you have to work with?
Pair selection for bonding will require a better understanding of the utilization of available pairs. How many pairs
are going to each customer? How long are the pairs? Are there spare pairs in the serving terminal?
VDSL2 vectoring can be done at the board or system level. Since vectored noise mitigation only works for common
VDSL2 based services, how will you manage these vector groups?
The DSLAM vectoring engine can only mitigate so much FNEXT noise. How will you manage its resources?

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VDSL Bonding Vectoring white paper
Pair Qualification Testing
A pair that is free of trouble will deliver the highest speeds. Here are some of the new qualification testing
challenges for a VDSL2 bonded and vectored network that makes use of bandwidths out to 17 MHz or 30 MHz:
The total speed of bonded pairs will be limited by pair quality. Pairs that are free of trouble and with the best
longitudinal balance will deliver the highest speeds.
Noise is a speed killer. Is there noise in the new bandwidth?
Noise on one pair can crosstalk onto adjacent pairs. Is the total crosstalk noise at a DSLAM limiting the speeds
for all? Will the high level of FNEXT noise overwhelm the DSLAM vectoring engine that is attempting to mitigate
this noise?
Signal attenuation is a speed killer. Is there frequency dependent trouble in the new bandwidth that will
attenuate the signal?
Bridged-Tap can reduce speeds. The new network will have to deal with the effects of even shorter bridge-tap
lengths.
Clearly it is still important to perform the same core physical layer testing required for VDSL2 qualification
- tests that identify foreign voltage, insulation resistance breakdown, opens (capacitance), noise and bridged-tap.
But the new network will need some additional tests that identify any frequency dependent trouble in the new
untested bandwidth.

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VDSL Bonding Vectoring white paper
Pair Qualification Testing
The following describes the comprehensive set of qualification tests we recommend for VDSL2 bonding &
vectoring to support 100Mbs service.
First, the following core tests help find some common line faults :
1. Foreign AC and DC Voltage
The only DC voltages allowed on a copper pair are those that have been designed to be there.
Unfortunately, DC voltages from other pairs may appear if the cable has been compromised water, broken
insulation, etc.
The only AC voltages allowed on a copper pair are those that have been designed to be there.
Unfortunately, AC voltages couple onto copper pairs from all those power lines that run parallel with telephone
cables.
2. Insulation Resistance
There should be high insulation resistance between copper pairs (Tip-to-Ring, Tip-to-Ground, Ring-to-
Ground). Unfortunately, over time cables begin to deteriorate resulting in a lower insulation resistance.
3. Capacitance
Copper cable is designed to have the same mutual capacitance between the wires that make up a pair (Tip
and Ring). However, it is possible for this capacitance to change over time due to bad splices, water, bridged-tap,
etc. Also, the Tip-to-Ground capacitance should be very close to the Ring-to-Ground capacitance.
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VDSL Bonding Vectoring white paper
Pair Qualification Testing
4. Bridge Tap Detection
The International Engineering Consortium describes a bridge tap as any unterminated portion of a loop
not in the direct talking path between the CO or DLC and the customers premise equipment (telephone or
modem). When a signal is reflected from the unterminated portion, the reflection can interfere with the original
signal. Bridge taps, particularly short taps, are much more of a problem in VDSL than in ADSL due to the higher
frequency of VDSL. Bridge taps cause what is referred to as a notch effect, which can adversely affect the carriers
at these frequencies. In general, the length of bridge tap will determine the severity of the notch.
Finding and removing bridge taps is more critical than ever before when it comes to providing reliable
100Mbs performance at 17Mhz and 30Mhz profiles.
But as we now know, bonding and vectoring performance requires additional tests that you may not have
been performing. These additional tests are important especially out to 17Mhz and 30Mhz to find faults that could
impact performance at these higher frequencies.

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VDSL Bonding Vectoring white paper
Pair Qualification Testing
5. Bandwidth Noise (out to 30 MHz)
Noise is a speed killer. Noise should be analyzed across the entire bandwidth being used. The noise on a
tested pair must be broken down into its component parts such that proper mitigation techniques can be
applied. VDSL2 Vectoring technology deals specifically with the cancelation of FEXT component noise it will
not be able to deal with RF or impulse noise. Along with loss, this test provides key information related to bit
rate estimations. The noise level at a receiver will limit transmission.
6. Wideband Longitudinal Balance (out to 30 MHz)
When you hear the term longitudinal, think Tip-to-Ground or Ring-to-Ground. When you hear the term
balance, think equality between Tip-to-Ground and Ring-to-Ground. When you hear the term impedance, think
frequency dependent resistance.
A pair is longitudinally balanced IF the Tip-to-Ground impedance and Ring-to-Ground impedance is equal
for each frequency in the transmission bandwidth.
Why is it important for pairs to have good longitudinal balance?
Todays telephony transmission methods use differential mode transmitters to send signals across twisted
pairs to differential mode receivers capable of rejecting common mode noise. Since most noise is common mode,
the receiver can effectively reject it. However, when a pair is unbalanced at a particular frequency, any noise at
that frequency will appear as differential mode noise to the receiver, and the receiver will not be able to reject it:
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Pair Qualification Testing
Since reducing noise is a critical aspect for vectored
services, it is important that the line is longitudinally balance.
In addition, since VDSL2 utilizes distinct sub-carriers are
4.3125Khz spacing (or bins) it is important that the
longitudinal balance test be performed at each of this
frequency across the entire 17Mhz or 30Mhz operating
spectrum.
Eliminating a longitudinal balance problem has a
double benefit a properly balanced pair will generate less
disturber noise and will have greater immunity to disturber
noise generated by adjacent pairs. Of course the ability to
perform this Wideband Longitudinal test single-end (without
requiring a far end device) would be best to reduce test and
troubleshooting time.

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VDSL Bonding Vectoring white paper
Pair Qualification Testing
7. Bandwidth Loss Measurement (out to 30 MHz)
Having the ability to measure the loss of each frequency within a useable bandwidth (the attenuation curve)
reveals important information about the overall transmission ability across a pair. Utilizing a single-ended technique
to make this measurement eliminates the requirement to have a test set on the opposite end of the pair. Along with
noise, this test provides key information related to bit rate estimations. The attenuation curve accurately represents
the signal level at the receiver along with any loss due to physical faults (bridged-tap, bad splices, etc.).

8. Bandwidth Bit Rate Estimations

Accurate DownStream and UpStream bit rate estimations provide key insight into the ability of a pair to
deliver on the 100 Mbps performance target. A properly designed bit rate estimation algorithm knows how to utilize
all sources of information (physical tests AND database inquiries) pertaining to the tested pair to provide an accurate
estimate of expected DownStream / UpStream rates. Physical tests reveal important information related to
attenuation and noise on the pair. Database inquiries reveal important information about the effects of other pairs in
the binder on the tested pair.
Bonding and vectoring introduce new complexities that must be accounted for by a good rate estimate algorithm:

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VDSL Bonding Vectoring white paper
Pair Qualification Testing
Bonding and vectoring introduce new complexities that must be accounted for by a good rate estimate
algorithm:
Impact of noise and attenuation across two pairs
Changeable bandwidths (e.g. 17a versus 30a)
Noise contributions of adjacent pairs
Expected improvements when vectoring is turned on
Expected improvements when bonded pairs are used instead of a single pair
Lost performance due to bridged-tap
Lost performance due to foreign noise
Performance impact on neighboring pairs

When done correctly, this estimation can serve as the sole pass or fail indicator of a tested pair.

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VDSL Bonding Vectoring white paper
Conclusion
In conclusion, you can see that your networks ability to support the latest VDSL2 bonding & vectoring
technology to deliver up to 100Mbs requires that it be free of impairments. The need to identify problems such as
17Mhz noise and longitudinal balance are now more important than ever before. You are pushing your network more
than ever, delivering more bandwidth than ever before. This requires the highest quality network, you cannot mask
these impairments if you want to achieve upwards of 100Mbs. You cannot fake FAST.

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 Thank You!

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