Cable Show 2009: Aurora Rolls In RF-Over-PON

Complete Cable Show 2009 coverage from Multichannel News

Aurora Networks is launching what it's calling the first single-fiber, end-to-end solution for RF over passive optical networking, or "RFPON."

The networking vendor's OR4168 Virtual Hub module is designed to introduce PON into existing RF-over-glass environments -- which deliver existing cable video, voice and data services over a fiber-optic network infrastructure -- or vice versa.

The OR4168 lets operators extend network reach from 10 to 20 kilometers to more than 60 km using a single fiber to provide a local service area concentration point for management of both downstream and upstream RFoG and PON wavelengths.

"Our complete RFPON solution not only serves as a way to extend capabilities in traditional RFoG situations, but is also a significant new tool for operators to address the largely untapped commercial-services market," said John Dahlquist, Aurora's vice president of marketing.

Meanwhile, Aurora's CP8013U RFoG consumer-premises equipment is a "field-hardened" device that supports video, voice and data services including DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem traffic.

The CPE fits within a compact die-cast housing that provides an RF-shielded environment and is supplied with a power inserter. Aurora provides a line of outdoor housings with optimized fiber management, standard and powering options for the CP8013U.

Also Wednesday, Aurora was set to announce an eight-wavelength LcWDM system, which adds seventh and eighth wavelengths that can be combined with its full range of passive components on a single fiber from the existing node to a new node.

According to the company, MSOs can transport eight wavelengths in the 1310-nm window, allowing them to use CWDM and DWDM technologies to add another 12 or more wavelengths. One fiber can now carry both the upstream and the downstream traffic; previously, cable operators had to dedicate two fibers to do this.

Aurora said it has deployed more than 2,000 links with the LcWDM solution.