Easy migration to DOCSIS 3.0 with ARRIS C4

2008-10-15

The ARRIS C4 cable modem controller is a leading on the market and a highly efficient CMTS for advanced IP services. The C4 CMTS allows MSOs to offer advanced services of telephony, data and video transmission through a convergent IP network for institutional (business) and individual subscribers. The functionalities offered by C4 comprise, for example, the full set of the layer 3 routing options connected in one architecture with the DOCSIS® RF layer options. The C4 CMTS is dedicated for DOCSIS 2.0, EuroDOCSIS 2.0 and PacketCable™ 1.0 networks. The ARRIS C4 I-CMTS (integrated CMTS) received (as one of the first) the DOCSIS 3.0 certificate from the independent organization CableLab® in the CW56 certification wave. C4 design guarantees the proper work of all DOCSIS 3.0 functionalities in I-CMTS and M-CMTS architectures, ensuring full compatibility with the DOCSIS 3.0 standard. These two architectures can meet the operators’ needs and are based on the following models:

• I-CMTS (integrated CMTS) model

  It provides independent downstream and upstream scalability and full DOCSIS 3.0 functionality within a single, integrated chassis. This architecture is in principle the same as the architecture currently being used by MSOs and gives similar reliability, easy management of a single element which belongs to an IP network, and increases density, effectiveness and scalability of the solution.

• M-CMTS (modular CMTS) model

  M-CMTS architecture divides the CMTS functions between the current equipment and EdgeQAM. CMTS processes and analyzes packets (DOCSIS MAC layer) as well as receives upstream channels. Downstream channels are sent via the Gigabit Ethernet port (DEPI protocol) to the external EdgeQAM devices like ARRIS D5™ Universal EdgeQAM. This architecture is more complicated, but allows full utilization of free QAM channels in the existing network devices.

The new devices for ARRIS C4 CMTS architecture:

• 16D cable card

  16D Cable Access Module (CAM) card has 16 downstream channels compatible with DOCSIS/EuroDOCSIS 3.0. The channels are divided into 4 groups (with 4 channels in each group) in modern, block upconverters allowing the usage of all 16 channels in only 4 F-type connectors. Each downstream within the frame of each upconverter must have its unique frequency, but the channels do not have to be adjacent to each other. The merged 4 downstream channels can exist in the 80 MHz bandwidth of the cable TV network, giving the network operator flexible configuration possibility.
  Advantages of using 16D card:
  • high channel density (up to 240 in one chassis),
  • channel bonding according to DOCSIS 3.0,
  • full support in ARRIS C4 CMTSs working in the network
  • "hitless sparing” legendary functionality of C4 CMTS which guarantees full redundancy

• 12U cable card

  The ARRIS C4 CMTS 12U Cable Access Module (CAM) card has 12 digital receivers of upstream channels. ARRIS C4 supports up to 16 cards in one chassis. C4 with 12U cards has been DOCSIS 3.0 Bronze Qualified, and - what is more important – the 12U card is the same as the well-known 2D12U card – the only difference is software. Each 2D12U card can be transformed into a 12U card by a simple software upgrade
  Advantages of using 12U cards:
  • high density
  • flexible mapping of downstream/upstream ports
  • compliance with DOCSIS 3.0 specification

• RCM module

  The C4 CMTS Router Control Module (RCM) is responsible for packet routing and support of DOCSIS 3.0 services in the ARRIS C4 controller. The module has dedicated FPGA circuits for IPv6 protocol support, 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports SFP and one 10 Gigabit Ethernet port.
  Advantages of using RCM module:
  • high density
  • high efficiency for DOCSIS 3.0 services
  • hardware compatible with old ARRIS C4 devices,
  • support of the legendary "hitless" redundancy

The advantage of ARRIS C4 architecture enables seamless migration and cost-effective deployment of DOCSIS 3.0 services and the development of existing DOCSIS 1.x/2.0 networks.

ARRIS is heavily involved in both the M-CMTS and I-CMTS initiatives. ARRIS is fully committed to the worldwide cable industry. For decades, its products and solutions have been designed for, and in cooperation with, cable MSOs. Additionally, ARRIS engineers have been embedded in CableLabs® for years, helping define and write many of the DOCSIS and PacketCable™ specifications. No other technology company in the world is so committed to cable.