RETURN PATH OPTIMIZATION

Kevin Seaner
Aurora Networks
kseaner@aurora.com

Return Path Familiarization & Node Return

Laser Setup

CATV Network Overview

Coaxial Network (RF Distribution)

Unity

Gain

Input

Levels to Actives

Fiber Network (Laser/Node/Receiver)

NPR
Return

Laser Setup

Headend Distribution Network

Return

Receiver Setup

Combining

Losses

The X Level

Network Troubleshooting

Typical Two-Way HFC CATV System?

Downstream
(Forward)

Upstream
(Return)

Network appears to be two

one-way systems

With DOCSIS deployed in our Networks the

system looks and functions more like a loop!

DOCSIS ALC

Changes in the
INPUT to the CMTS
cause changes to
be made to the
output levels of the
modems

Divide and Conquer the Return Path!

RF Network

Forward Path
Output of Node RX to TV, STB, or
Modem

Return Path
Output of Set Top or Modem to Input
of Node

Unity Gain
Forward Path
Return Path

Forward Path Unity Gain

Unity gain in the downstream path exists when

the amplifiers station gain equals the loss of
the cable and passives before it.

In this example, the gain of each downstream

amplifier is 32 dB. The 750 MHz losses
preceding each amplifier should be 32 dB as
well.
For

example, the 22 dB loss between the first and

second amplifier is all due to the cable itself, so the
second amplifier has a 0 dB input attenuator. Given
the +14 dBmV input and +46 dBmV output, you can
see the amplifiers 32 dB station gain equals the loss of
the cable preceding it.

The third amplifier (far right) is fed by a span

that has 24 dB of loss in the cable and another
2 dB of passive loss in the directional coupler,
for a total loss of 26 dB. In order for the total
loss to equal the amplifiers 32 dB of gain, it is
necessary to install a 6 dB input attenuator at
the third amplifier.

In the downstream plant, the unity gain

reference point is the amplifier output.

Reverse Path Unity Gain

Why should the inputs to each

active be +20 dBmV??
SYSTEM

/DESIGN SPECIFIC

Does

not matter on Manufacturers

equipment!

Unity gain in the upstream path exists

when the amplifiers station gain equals
the loss of the cable and passives
upstream from that location.

In this example, the gain of each reverse

amplifier is 19.5 dB. The 30 MHz losses
following each amplifier should be
approximately 19.5 dB as well.

In the upstream plant, the unity gain

reference point is the amplifier input.

Set by REVERSE SWEEP!

Telemetry Injection

Injections levels may vary due to test point insertion loss

differences from various types of equipment.
The PORT Design level is the important Level to
remember!
The Port Design level determines the Modem TX Level

-20 dB Forward Test Point

-30 dB Forward Test Point

CATV Return Distribution Network

Design Modem TX Levels
Values shown are at 30 MHz

Feeder cable: 0.500 PIII, 0.4 dB/100 ft

Drop cable: 6-series, 1.22 dB/100 ft

Amplifier upstream
input: +18
+16 dBmV
+20

Modem TX: +49

+47dBmV
dBmV
+51dBmV

+47.1
+45.1 dBmV
+49.1

+50.4
+48.4 dBmV
+52.4

+44.1
+42.1 dBmV
+46.1

+47.9
+45.9 dBmV
+49.9

The telemetry amplitude is used to establish the modem transmit level.

The modem transmit levels should be engineered in the RF design.

There is no CORRECT answer. IT is SYSTEM SPECIFIC.

Unity gain must be setup from the last amplifiers return input to the
input of the node port. The same level what ever is chosen or designed
into the system!

0.5 dB

5 dB

125 ft

125 ft + splitter

10 dB

0.5 dB

14
125 ft + 4 way splitter

0.5 dB

1.9 dB
125 ft

5 dB

17
125 ft + splitter

0.5 dB

20

1.3 dB
125 ft

10 dB

23

1.2 dB
125 ft

125 ft +4 way splitter

0.5 dB

0.8 dB

5 dB

5 dB

125 ft + splitter

26

125 ft

125 ft + splitter

0.6 dB

+39.3
+37.3 dBmV
+41.3

Reverse Sweep

Must use consistent port design levels for the return path.

Telemetry levels may vary due to insertion losses of test

points

Sets Modem TX Levels

Sets the X Level for the network!

May vary from LE to MB to Node! PORT LEVEL IS THE KEY!

Must use a good reference

Must pad the return path to match the forward path when
internal splitters are used in actives prior to the diplex
filters!

Internal Splitters

An Internal Splitter after

the Diplex Filter effect
the forward and return
levels!

Internal Splitter Prior to Diplex Filter

An Internal Splitter before
the Diplex Filter effects only
the forward levels! The return
levels need to be attenuated
the same as the forward!

Internal Splitter Prior to Diplex Filter

An Internal Splitter before
the Diplex Filter effects only
the forward levels! The return
levels need to be attenuated
the same as the forward!

SO FAR SO GOOD?
ANY QUESTIONS?

Return Path Optical

Transport

Begins at the INPUT to the Node

Ends at the OUTPUT of the

return receiver

Can have the greatest effect on

the SNR (MER) of the return path

Most misunderstood and

incorrectly setup portion of the
return path

Must be OPTIMIZED for the

current or future channel load.

Is not part of the unity gain of

the return path

Must be treated separately and

specifically.

Setup Return Laser/Node

Specific

Requires cooperation between

Field and Headend Personnel

3 Steps to Setting up the Return Path

Optical Transport
1.

Have Vendor Determine the Return Path Transmitter

Setup Window for each node or return laser type in
your system

2.

3.

Must use same setup for all common nodes/transmitters

Set the input level to the Return Transmitter

Set levels using telemetry and recommended attenuation

to the transmitter

Understand NPR

Return Receiver Setup It is an INTEGRAL part of the

link!

Using the injected telemetry signal ensure the return

receiver is optimized

Setting the Transmitter

Window

In general, RF input levels into a return

laser determine the CNR of the return
path.
Higher
Lower

input better CNR

input worse CNR

Too much level and the laser clips.

Too little level and the noise

performance is inadequate

Must find a balance, or, set the

window the return laser must operate
in
Not

only with one carrier but all the

energy that in in the return path.
The

return laser does not see only one or

two carriers it sees the all of the energy
(carriers, noise, ingress, etc.) that in on the
return path that is sent to it.

What is NPR?

NPR = Noise Power Ratio

NPR is a means of easily characterizing an optical
links linearity and noise contribution
NPR and CNR are related; not the samebut close
NPR is measured by a test setup as demonstrated
below.

Noise Power Ratio (NPR)

Plot the ratio of signal to noise plus

intermodulation (S/{N+I}) versus input
level.

Dynamic range at a given signal to noise

plus intermodulation (S/{N+I}) defines
the immunity to ingress.

Noise-In-The-Slot Measurement Test

Signal

Plot 10 Log(A/B) vs. Input Level

A

40

5
Frequency, MHz

Noise-In-the-Slot Measurement Method

B ro a d b a n d
N o is e
G e n e ra to r

5 - 40 M H z
B andpass
F ilte r

D e v ic e
Under
Test

2 2 .5 M H z
N o tc h
F ilte r

Bandpass
F ilte r

S p e c tru m
A n a ly s e r

In p u t S ig n a l

NPR
5 M H z

40 M H z

5 M H z

40 M H z

5 M Hz

40 M Hz

Noise-In-The-Slot
Measurement
50
45

S/(N+I), dB

40
35

Dynamic Range = 15 dB

30
25
20
15
10
-90

-80

-70

-60

RF Input Level, dBmV/Hz

-50

-40

Setting the Return Level

Data (Noise) Loading:

Best to use dBmV/Hz

Discrete Carrier Loading:

Best to use dBmV/carrier

Watch Out For

Forward to return isolation:

Forward channels on the return

Measuring levels:

Return is burst digital modulation; average level is much lower

than peak level

Transmitter Technologies (1)

Fabry-Perot Laser:

Low cost

High noise (poor Relative Intensity Noise - RIN)

Higher noise when unmodulated

Modest temperature stability

Supports up to 16 QAM modulation

Transmitter Technologies (2)

Uncooled DFB Laser:

Higher cost

Lower noise (better RIN)

Modest temperature stability

Supports up to 64 QAM modulation

Transmitter Technologies (3)

Cooled DFB Laser:

High cost

Lowest noise (best RIN)

Good temperature stability

Supports up to 64 QAM modulation

Transmitter Technologies (4)

Digital Return Laser:

High cost

Much less susceptible to optical distortions

Best temperature stability

Supports up to 4096 QAM modulation

Transmitter Technologies (4)

Analog

Lower cost

Simpler technology.

Digital:

Highest cost

Performance is constant for wide range of optical link budgets

Easy to set up

Digital transmitter
technology

DFB NPR Curves

Typical Digital Return NPR Curve

41 dB SNR

-68 dBmV/Hz for 37

MHz bandwidth is +8
dBm total power

Dynamic Range
15 dB

Whats the Big Deal with

NPR?
HS
D
Busine
s

s Serv
ices

VOD

I
O
V

Whats the Big Deal with

NPR?

Why do we have to reset our Return

Transmitter Input Levels?
Changes

in the signals and number of

signals in the return path.
10 years ago we possibly had one FSK and
maybe one QPSK carrier in the return path
Today we may have as many as four 64-QAM
carriers, and two 16-QAM carriers in the
return path
Need to ensure we are not clipping our
return transmitters in the node.

Why do the number of channels matter?

Whats the difference between QPSK and
16-QAM?

Per Carrier Power vs. Composite Power

Per Carrier Power vs. Composite Power

Per Carrier Power vs. Composite Power

As you add more carriers to the return path the
composite power to the laser increases.

To maintain a specific amount of composite power

into the transmitter the per-carrier power must be
reduced.

When channel bandwidth is changed, the channels

power changes.

For

instance, if a 3.2 MHz-wide signal is changed to 6.4

MHz bandwidth, the channel has 3 dB more power even
though the haystack appears to be the same height on a
spectrum analyzer!

Changing Modulation Type Wider Channel

Note: This example assumes test equipment set to 300 kHz RBW

But the Levels Look

Different

This is why we cannot use the eMTA to check levels

Your meter will read out low! Apparent amplitude will depend
upon the instruments resolution bandwidth (IF bandwidth).

Must use the Telemetry for SETUP!

Different Modulation Techniques Require Different

SNR (MER)

HSD

16-QAM

Required

CNR for various modulation

schemes to achieve 1.0E-8 (1x10-8) BER

/ 64-QAM (and

beyond)

STB (VOD)
QPSK

Telemetry
FSK

Business Services
QPSK

to 16-QAM

Modulation Type Required CNR

BPSK: 12 dB

QPSK: 15 dB

16-QAM: 22 dB

64-QAM: 28 dB

256-QAM: 32 dB

Multiple services on the return path with

different types of modulation schemes
will require allocation of bandwidth and
amplitudes.
Can

be engineered.
Requires differential padding in Headend

BER vs NPR
DFB Tx - 16QAM & 64QAM BER (Pre-FEC)
Full Load = (1) 3.2 MHz 16QAM, (3) 6.4 MHz 64QAM, (1) 6 MHz 64QAM Annex C)
DFB Tx (1310nm 2 dBm), 17 km glass, 7 dB total link loss, thru PII HDRxR
2-26-08

1.0E-04

64QAM , Ful l Loa d

50

16QAM , Ful l Loa d

1.0E-05

NP R, 5-40 M Hz

40
B ER1.0E-06

3
4

1.0E-07

30

d
B
B
E
R

1.0E-08
-30

-20

-10

10

20

30
d
y
DFB Tran smitter Composite Inpu t Level - (dBm V)
n
a
m
i
c
r
a
n
g
e
(
1
6
Q
A
M
,
@
1
E
6
)

20
40

50

NPR (dB)

Why do we care about the drive level to the

return transmitter?

The laser performance is

determined by the composite
energy of all the carriers, AND
CRAP in the return path.
What is return path CRAP?
Can it make a difference in return
path performance?
How does it effect system
performance?
How can you increase your
Carrier-to-Crap Ratio (CTC)?

Energy in the Return Path

What does your return path look like?
The return laser sees all the energy in the return path.

The

energy is the sum of all the RF power of the carriers, noise, ingress,
etc., in the spectrum from about 1 MHz to 42 MHz
The more RF power that is put into the laser the closer you are to clipping
the laser.
A clean return path allows you to operate your system more effectively.
The type of return laser you use has an associated window of operation

Ingress Changes over Time

Node x Instant
Looks Pretty Good

Node x Overnight
Oh, no!

Return Laser Performance Summary

What Affects Return Path Laser

Performance?
Number of Carriers

o
o

Carrier Amplitude

o
o

Modulation Scheme

o
o

Ingress

o
o

Will Laser Performance Change over

Temperature?
At what temperature should you setup
your optical return path transport?
Always follow your manufactures
setup procedure for the return laser
input level!

Headend
Distribution
Begins at
the
Network
OUTPUT
of the
optical
return
path
receiver(s
)
Ends at
the
Applicatio
n Devices
CMTS,
DNCS
,
DAC,
etc.

Return Path Headend RF

Combining

Headend Optical Return RX

Setup
OPTICAL INPUT POWER

Too much optical power can cause intermodulation (clipping) in the receiver
Follow

vendor recommendations for optical input levels; most analog return

receivers have a sweet spot range for optimal performance.
Use

optical attenuators on extremely short paths or where too much optical

power exists into a receiver

Too little optical power can cause CNR problems with that return path, even
if the nodes transmitter is optimized.
If

combined with other return receiver outputs can create noise issues on more
paths

For BEST RECEIVER PERFORMANCE, DO NOT optically attenuate optical

receivers to the lowest level in the headend (farthest node).

Find the level with which you get the best noise performance out of the
receiver.
Most

analog receivers have a sweet spot somewhere in the range of -9 dBm to -6

dBm, but your receiver vendor should recommend!

Headend Optical Return RX

Setup
RF OUTPUT LEVELS

On analog transmitter returns from the node

The

less optical power into a receiver the less RF you will have on
the output.
2:1

ratio. For every 1 dB of optical change there is 2 dB of RF

(inverse square law)

On Digital transmitter returns from the node

Optical

input power to the receiver has no effect on the RF you will

have on the output. RF is created in the D-to-A decoder in the
Receiver.

The RF levels on the output of the return receivers should

be set PRIMARILY with external RF attenuation between
the Return RX and the first RF splitter.

Example Analog Return Path Receiver

Return RX Setup

Rules of Thumb (company specific):

Do

not optically attenuate the return path so all the optical

inputs are the same as the lowest.
The lower the optical input power, the lower the CNR of the
receiver.
Attenuate RF externally to the device

Must have enough level so that the CMTS or other

devices receiving the signals from the return path
operate acceptably.
There

can be excessive passive loss from the output of the

optical receiver to the terminating device.

8-way splitter/combiner 10.2 dB typical

4-way splitter/combiner 6.8 dB typical

Typical

input into terminating device.

CMTS: 0 dBmV
DNCS: -3 to +27 dBmV

Return Path Headend RF

Combining

The RF pad at the node TX sets the PERFORMANCE!

The RF pads at the HE or Hub set the LEVEL!

Conclusions

Return system is a loop

Changes anywhere in the loop can

effect the performance of the
network

Once the return laser is setup

DONT TOUCH IT
Changing

the drive levels can affect

the window of operation of the laser

Work as a team to diagnose system

problems
XOC
Market

Health, Scout, Score Card,

Watchtower

Avoid performing node setups

during extremes in outdoor
temperatures

Questions