Signal Booster News
Fiber Network Convergence to Deliver Wider Range of Services
May 09, 2016
When a number of services are combined within single access networks, it is referred to as fiber network convergence. This means that multiple or all types of communication services are delivered through a single pipe. A fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network has for example a wide footprint that is ideal to support fast-growing mobile apps including Centralized-RAN front-haul, WiFi and small cell backhauls, and distributed antenna systems (DAS). Service providers would be able to enter new markets, offer innovative services, adopt new business models and deliver a wider range of services through fiber network convergence. Fiber network convergence is mainly driven by...
Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) for Mobile Carrier Networks
May 06, 2016
NFV is used when applications and services are deployed in a carrier network. Traditionally, network functions such as firewalls, routers, 4G baseband units, deep packet inspection and session border controllers were implemented with dedicated network appliances. Using many appliances has the following disadvantages: Many pieces of equipment need to be maintained. Expensive. Long deployment times. Required upfront capacity difficult to determine. NFV's aim is to solve these challenges by using software to implement network functions and then deploying them on common hardware. This eliminates the requirement for specialized appliances, similar to how smartphones replaced a number of specialized devices including...
Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC) Cables for Multi-System Operators (MSO)
May 05, 2016
HFC is used by multi-system operators (MSO) and cable operators as a service delivery architecture. It uses coaxial and fiber optic cabling to distribute voice content, data and video to and from the headend and subscribers. Signals are typically sent from the headend via a hub to within a mile of the final destination using a fiber optic cable. For a service area that ranges from 64 homes to 1,000 subscribers, the fiber optic cable is terminated in an HFC node. Optical signals are then converted to radio frequency (RF) signals and transmitted via coaxial cable to subscriber's businesses or...
Silicon Photonics (SiPh) and Integrated Photonics (InPh)
May 04, 2016
SiPh involves data that is transferred between computer chips by using optical rays. Although this might sound simple, it can be difficult to understand. It might therefore help to compare it to electrical circuits. The first electrical circuits used discrete components e.g. resistors, capacitors and transistors that were interconnected with tracks on a printed circuit board. Discrete components were later formed adjacently on a single silicon substrate and interconnected to reduce cost and size. This was the start of integrated circuits (ICs or chips). The type of components that could be manufactured this way expanded while their power consumption and size...
Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) Increases Network Capacity
May 03, 2016
WDM is a method of separating or combining multiple wavelengths out of or into a single fiber strand with each wavelength carrying a different signal. Using optical filters lets a certain range of wavelengths pass through, while another range is allowed. Thin-film filter technology (TFF) is often used to achieve this effect. Multiple thin layers are stacked and interference effects are created by sequential reflections on the interface between the layers. This lets light reflect for certain wavelengths and pass through for others. The capacity of a network can be increased cost effectively by using WDM. Two types of WDM...