Modern optical fiber networks to the end user (Fiber-to-the-Home, FTTH) enable not only highest data rates in transfer also new services, which in copper basics networks technically not possible to do. In order to realize the ambitious goal, to be able to offer an extensive program with more than 500 TV canals to its inhabitants, would delegate therefore the CATV satellite-technology in Basel, Switzerland, the firm BKtel with the rehabilitation of the existing coaxial-network replace by optical fiber cable and with newest optical transmitter and receiver technology. In the first step 190 housing units of a residential building union were equipped with optical fiber cable during the last months. Further 300 should arrive in the second rehabilitation section.
On the basis of the planned very extensive program offer, the entry into the fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) cabling network is ideal for our client, telling by Siegbert Mundinger. Just in the multicultural metropolises Switzerland, many native and foreign programs are used. So extensive is also the language offer of the TV-programmes: German, French, Italian, English, Turkish, Spanish however also Arabic or different Asian languages. 40 analogous canals and approx. 100 DVB-C canals in the CATV volume will be transmitted in the moment, in addition ca. 400 digital SAT-ZF canals for radio, television and HDTVS. Altogether 4 satellites are fed each 16 available plains in the TV-network. So the viewer receive therefore an offer unique by TV programmes in Switzerland.
The rehabilitation became indispensable because the planned satellite programs overcharged the coaxial network by physical reasons. The cable dampings for the more highly lying SAT-ZF frequency range in the spectrum become unbearable high and let appear therefore a distribution for residential areas as not practicable. The optical fibers is insensible in this point and can distribute these high frequencies without problem by a headquarter, also over distances in the two-digit kilometer area. At the same time only one optical transmitter and one lying behind optical amplifier (EDFA) in the headquarters are used. The distribution from the head place (Kopfstelle?) up to the user over the total optical fiber network is completely passive. Therefore no further expenses be add for necessary power supplves, amplifier or other material. The result is the reduction of the maintenance expense and the overhead. Another important reason is the service life of the optical fiber cables more than 50 yeas if they laying in an optimal placing. So the investment in optical fiber technology is always permanent, independent of the later used technology.
The program reception in this unit occur via satellite head place for the cable reception, as well as via an one-cable-solution for the SAT-area. By the one-cable-solution the Transponder of the 16 SAT-plains will be select. CATV will be fed in the frequency range between 87-860MHz together with SAT-ZF, and between 950-2150MHz, in the 1550nm optical transmitter DS26 of BKtel. The following optical amplifier (OV6130) just produces the necessary optical power in order to furnish following via several 1X32 optical distribution fields every household by one fiber, according Mundinger. The complete bandwidth of the TV-programs is distributed by a headquarters over the optical fiber network. The expanded broadband for the SAT-area was enabled thanks specially developed and voted optical transmitter and receiver technology by BKtel.
At first the existing Coaxial-cabling should be exist at all. Therefore the old TV-provision was maintained till the completed installation for non-interrupt the TV-services. The optical fiber cable was laying parallel along the old installation through the cellar into the single dwellings. First after the install of the optical fiber network was finished and tested ready, the old Coax-network was switched off.
Foresighted an optical fiber pair was installed in every dwelling, whose fibers are planned for separate utilization. The first fiber is used for the transmission of the TV- and radio-program. For this purpose a BKtel XON50.SAT22 FTTH-receiver was installed in every dwelling, which change the optical signal and issues the HF-signal in the area 87 until 2.150MHz. The second fiber is planned for future bidirectional utilization as well as telephone, internet or IP-TV with 100 or 1000 MBit/s.
In order to be able to use the extensive, digital programs, every user requires only the usual Set Top box (DVB-C, DVB-S or also combined DVB-C/DVB-S). However the TV devices can be connected also directly by request to receive the analogous TV-programs. In this constellation, very few changes for the user in the handling, however the outstanding quality of the transmission is not comparable with the old analogous connection.
The advantages of the optical fiber distribution in this unit unambiguously are to be recognized for Siegbert Mundinger. He is enthused of the high picture quality for the analogous and digital programs. HDTVS could show moreover its entire brillanz here then first.
Worth mentioning is also that the financial frame of the rehabilitation remained manageable. The residential building union in Basel was able to finance the investments out of the reserves of the rent extra expenses paid until now. Therefore the users need to carry no additional costs. The feedback of the users which were connected to this new technology are throughout positive. None seems to regret the step into the age of the optical fiber technology.
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