Test trial of a new broadband access technology based on coaxial cable network

Abstract

A test trail of the Ethernet Coax Access Network (ECAN) is presented and discussed in the paper. ECAN technology is a broadband access technology based on the existing coaxial network. ECAN employs IEEE802.3ah in the media access control (MAC) layer and transmits the frequency-multiplexed TV signals and multi-level vestige side band (VSB) modulated data signal, which occupies the low-frequency band over the coaxial network. The test trial consists of one coaxial line terminal (CLT), and 24 coaxial network units (CNUs). The test trial supplies the subscribers with VOD and IPTV of HDTV class, high bit-rate Internet access and the ordinary broadcast TV. The noise property of the test trial is also measured and discussed. The test results prove that ECAN is featured with high access capacity, good anti-noise ability, and strong potential of being a powerful competitor in the broadband access over coax.