CableLabs® Updates Technical Report on Converged Cable Access Platform

LOUISVILLE, Colo. — CableLabs® has released an updated technical report to establish a set of consensus requirements for a new device that facilitates the evolution to a converged access network architecture.

Called the Converged Cable Access Platform (CCAP), this new device integrates the functions of broadcast and narrowcast quadrature amplitude modulators (QAMs), as well as DOCSIS® 3.0 downstream and upstream interfaces. It also includes the option to support passive optical network (PON) termination equipment in the same chassis.

Upcoming specifications will include new state-of-the-art configuration and management technology important for service reliability and operational efficiency. Through flexible provisioning of traditional video QAMs to DOCSIS QAMS, the CCAP will enable the efficient transition from traditional video transport to IP transport of managed video services that enrich the customer experience.

This technical report and the architecture enabled by the CCAP represent the consensus requirements from Comcast, Cox, Time Warner Cable and other CableLabs members. The CCAP Architecture Technical Report represents a consolidation of the core interface requirements previously referred to as CMAP and CESAR.

“This blending of our two approaches will help create an industry-wide approach for access technology platforms,” said Comcast Cable CTO Tony Werner. “We are engaged in this CableLabs process and are actively contributing to its efforts on CCAP,” he added.

“We are pleased with the industry consensus for the next generation of access platform,” said Mike LaJoie, CTO at Time Warner Cable. “This platform will provide the economic scale for the industry to provide new high bandwidth services.”

Added Jay Rolls, Senior Vice President of Technology, Cox Communications: “The CCAP architecture will be an important element of our future strategy for access technology. It will be very helpful as we continue to assess our deployment scenarios,” he said.

“This architecture will help operators in the delivery of new customer experiences for future broadband and video services through the operational and cost benefits achieved from increased integration,” said Dan Rice, Vice President of Access Network Technologies at CableLabs. “It also will save power and reduce headend space requirements in cable operators’ hubs,” he added.

More: The technical report