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Defining the Evolutio

Universal Digital Return PlatformIts the Only Way to Go!

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Universal Approach Accommodates ReturnPath Upgrades With No Hardware Changes

Universal Digital Return

Platform Innovations

Increased upstreamthroughput from a seg-

mented node to > 3 Gbps

Significant cost reduction

5 MHz to 100 MHz return

Support for 1024-QAMand EPoC

Software only upgrade-able modules

1-fer and 2-fertechnology supporting

up to 80 reverse seg-

ments on one fiber

Todays high-speed data applications are pushing the limits of the legacy analog return path.

The rollout of DOCSIS 3.0 services and growth of voice will demand a pristine return that

can also accommodate ever-growing bandwidth consumption. Aurora Networks fifth-gener-

ation Universal Digital Return Platform delivers the necessary performance improvements

and upstream capacity increases that are beyond the reach of analog solutions.

With more digital return links deployed than any other vendor, Aurora Networks has

leveraged its experience and economies of scale to make significant improvements to

its Universal Digital Return Platform. The new backward-compatible platform supports

all existing return splits and beyond, to 100 MHz an industry first. It is upgradeable

another industry first, and is now a cost equivalent to or cheaper than the best analog

return with higher performance, supporting up to 1024-QAM.

Multiple Return Bandwidths Supported

Aurora Networks understands that not all cable systems are alike nor are they static. It has

designed its Universal Digital Return Platform to be backward compatible and to support

todays band-splits as well as tomorrows. This flexibility simplifies the transition to a higher

split return that may be necessary to accommodate more bandwidth-intensive applications

beyond DOCSIS 3.0 services.

Supported node return bandwidths include:

5-42 MHz

5-45 MHz

5-55 MHz

5-65 MHz

5-85 MHz

5-100 MHz

The Change Achieved by a Simple Software Upgrade!

In keeping with its philosophy of designing future-proof solutions, Aurora Networks has taken

a modular approach to digital return. Both its node-based Universal Digital Transceivers

and its headend-based Digital Receivers use a common platform for all band-splits. Aurora

then personalizes the base units with software that supports the required band-split aswell as other features such as 1-fer versus 2-fer, data transmission speed and opera-

tional modes. This personalization means cable operators get a cost-effective digital return

solution tailored to their specific network requirements with the same hardware modules!

Should a cable operators return path requirements change the software in both the

transceiver and receiver can be upgraded while the base modules are reused. This

approach results in capex savings and helps cable operators evolve their networks to

meet changing requirements.

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Simplified Segmentation Supports Future Growth

The new Universal Digital Return Platform also supports efficient upstream

segmentation, especially important in fiber-constrained environments. Options include:

1-fer one RF return channel digitized on one wavelength

2-fer two discrete RF return channels digitized and multiplexed on one wavelength

Select between the two modes with just a push of a button

As subscriber consumption of high-speed data services increases upstream capacity can

become constrained. Cable operators can easily segment their digital return with Aurora

Networks Universal Digital Return Platform. By using the 2-fer mode cable operators

can put twice as much upstream data on the same fiber. Should further segmentation be

needed, operators can add a second dual-channel transceiver to provide four discrete returnpaths from a single NC4000 node location.

This efficient, universal approach to digital return upgrades means that cable operators can:

Cost-effectively tailor their return path to todays network requirements

Easily accommodate growing bandwidth demands through segmentation

Eventually migrate to a 5 to 100 MHz return in the future and achieve > 3 Gbps of

throughput from a segmented node, with DOCSIS 3.0 and EPoC services

Universal Digital ReturnPlatform Advantages

Increased performance

regardless of link length

Thermal stability

Plug-and-play installation

Reduced maintenance

costs

Backward compatiblewith legacy digital

return platform

Built-in status monitoring

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www.aurora

5400 Betsy Ros

Santa Clara, CA

Voice: +1-408-23

Fax: +1-408-84

2012 Aurora Networks. In an effort to continue improving product reliability and features, Aurora Networks reserves the right to change specifications without notice.

Please contact Aurora Networks for the most current product information.

Benets of Aurora Networks

Universal Digital Return Platform

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Its no secret that much of the current growth in the cable industry is driven by

data-centric applications. Services like high-speed data and IP video are consumingever-increasing amounts of network resources. The demand for higher modulation

schemes from 64-QAM, to 256-QAM and eventually 1024-QAM combined with

the need to support DOCSIS 3.0s channel bonding, requires that upstream perfor-

mance improve or networks will fail and subscribers will churn.

Improved Upstream Performance

Aurora Networks digital return solves the performance challenges surrounding

analog RF upstream links. With digital return, performance does not degrade

regardless of link length nor does it change with uctuations in channel loading

or temperature changes. Digital return also offers:

Greatest dynamic range

Higher levels of ingress resistance, even for full return path loading

Very high return link budget that can support route redundancy

Increased reach, up to 200 km without regeneration (but with optical

amplication if needed)

Simplied Operations

Digital return systems are also easier to install, maintain, and monitor.

Installation is plug-and-play, with all node return paths set up the samegiven the constant gain from the node input to the return receiver output.

Additional benets include:

No need for return path generators and link setup and balancing

Simplied alternate routing design and setup

Integrated status monitoring that eliminates transponder cost

Reduced ongoing maintenance costs, resulting from

set-it-and-forget-it platform

Flexibility for the Future

Aurora Networks Universal Digital Return Platform also has the advantage of supporting

todays 64-QAM upstream channels as well as future rollouts of 256-QAM or even 1024-

QAM; something that will crush analog transmitters. Cable operators can gain further

upstream capacity enhancements by segmenting the return with Aurora Networks

1-fer, 2-fer and dual solutions, making the Universal Digital Return Platform truly

future-proof and the best choice in upstream technology options.