11-18-96
First Pacific Networks is Back in the Game
AM Communications Announces SIMS Product
Rogers Wave Expanding to London
Coherent to Provide Motorola with Echo Cancellers
Scientific Atlanta Introduces Space Saving Modulators
Rogers Will Launch Digital Video Using 256 QAM
First Pacific Networks is Back in the Game
First Pacific Networks has introduced a new cable modem known as DataView. The announcement, which comes after several months of doubt as to FPN’s future role in this market, puts them back in the game.
The modem, which will be an add-on to their existing FPN1000 system, will support 5 Mbps upstream and downstream utilizing QPSK for the return and AMPSK for the downstream path. The carriers for both directions will use the full 6 MHz of bandwidth within a channel.
DataView, which is scheduled for availability in the second quarter of 1997, is planned to be introduced at a cost of $500 per unit in volume. Though the modem is not currently being tested outside of FPN, plans call for trial use in the second quarter of 1997 at the San Diego Naval Base and at Bosche operated systems in the Netherlands.
FPN is no stranger to the data communications over cable movement. Their FPN3000 cable modem, used for energy management and telephony applications has been in use for several years. However, FPN3000 is unsuitable for subscriber use since the network requires the cable modem be within one mile of the headend. Last year, FPN announced immediate plans to develop a subscriber cable modem but soon after recanted due to technological concerns and indecision regarding corporate strategy.
Though DataView is designed to accomodate such subscriber uses as Internet access, FPN has indicated that it will build its marketing strategy around the energy management and telephony capabilities of the system.
First Pacific Networks
http://www.fpn.com
AM Communications Announces SIMS Product
AM Communications has announced the introduction of the Scanning Ingress Management System, a solution for managing and controlling noise in the return path of HFC networks. The headend based SIMS ingress analyzer, which works with OmniVu system software, monitors the return path spectrum allowing up to eight inputs.
The announcement comes after a series of product introductions this fall. In early October, AM Comm introduced the “Echo” Model 9013 End of Line Monitor, which serves as a monitoring transponder verifying the presence of RF at end-of-line locations. Shortly after, AM Comm announced the availability of FlexStat based transponders. The new technology, which is designed for use with Augat Megaflex, C-Cor FlexNet, Philips Diamond diagnostic and Texscan Gatekeeper products, provides functionality such as frequency agility, downloadable protocol and application specific software.
Recently, Time Warner chose AM Comm as a supplier for the MSO’s Memphis system. The deal includes the deliver of AM Comm’s OmniVu element management and control software, supporting Alpha Power Supply transponders, 1 GHz End-of-Line transponders, SIMS, and the integration of the ADC Homeworx, HWX and ISX products. The complete package of products and services is part of AM Comm’s OmniStat Status Monitoring System that is designed to detect failures in HFC networks before the problem affects the subscriber’s system.
AM Communications is probably best known as a manufacturer and OEM supplier of status monitoring equipment for companies such as ADC, GI, Philips, S-A and SEE Telecom.
AM Communications
http://www.amcomm.com
Rogers Wave Expanding to London
Rogers Wave has announced that London will be one of the company’s six planned expansion locations. At present, service in London is available to 50,000 households. Rogers claims that by the end of the year, the service will be expanded to include service availability to 80,000 homes, covering 50% of all households in London. By the end of 1997, Rogers Wave hopes to offer the service to 140,000 homes.
Rogers Wave is also available in the Canadian communities of Toronto, Brampton, Hamilton, Ottawa and Vancouver. Other systems that plan to introduce the service include Cable Regina, Delta Cable, Access Cable Television, Videon CableSystems, and Videotron.
Rogers Cablesystems, the parent company of Rogers Wave, has primarily used Zenith as a cable modem supplier for its Canadian systems. However, there has been no clear indication that Rogers has an exclusive agreement with Zenith or that Rogers will use Zenith modems in all of the locations where the Rogers Wave service will become available.
Rogers Wave
http://www.rogerswave.ca
Coherent to Provide Motorola with Echo Cancellers
Coherent Communications Systems announced that they will supply Motorola’s CableComm division with echo cancellers. The integrated cancellers handle 192 channels of cancellation on one board using 64Kb technology.
Coherent
http://www.coherent.com
Motorola
http://www.mot.com/multimedia
Scientific Atlanta Introduces Space Saving Modulators
Scientific Atlanta announced the introduction of Continuum, modulators that reduce rack space requirements by 50 percent. The new modulators allow one chassis to be front loaded, eliminating much of the need for horizontal space. The design allows for 40 modulators to fit in one equipment bay.
The modulators features frequency agility up to 860 MHz, allowing the operator to tune the modulator and make any necessary changes. The system also includes remote monitoring.
Continuum will be available in the first quarter of 1997.
The introduction of space saving equipment is in response to operator demand for more headend space. Headend space is becoming scarce for some systems due to the introduction of new headend equipment which is required for HFC systems wishing to offer two way services.
Scientific Atlanta
Rogers Will Launch Digital Video Using 256 QAM
Rogers Cablesystems has announced that it will use 256 QAM technology when the MSO launches digital video. The committment comes after a series of 256 QAM tests with GI that resulted in acceptable performance. Though Rogers is convinced that the technology will be beneficial now, other MSO’s have announced that they will continue to embrace 64 QAM, citing concerns about noise.
Rogers Cablesystems
http://www.rogers.com/Cable
© Copyright 2000 Gecko Research & Publishing
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