Backtalk

Good morning from New Zealand: I refer to an article published in the December issue of Communications Technology, titled "Is your DOCSIS Network Ready … " (p. 21). I found it very useful both from the introductory and troubleshooting guidance point of view. We are operating a system of about 5,000 DOCSIS cable modems and seven CMTSs. This number is growing as we also migrate away from our initial COM21 system (still about 1,200 customers there, including myself). I also have a few questions. Thaddy Bialoruski
TelstraClear Ltd.
Wellington, New Zealand CT Senior Technical Editor Ron Hranac responds: Thaddy, check chapter 20 in your new book, Modern Cable Television Technology, 2nd Edition. The authors discuss cable network reliability and availability calculations. I don’t know if it’s still available, but back in the early 1990s CableLabs published a document called "Outage Reduction." It included information-and a spreadsheet on a diskette, as I recall-on calculating cable network availability. Unfortunately, the full version of "Outage Reduction" was made available only to CableLabs members, although edited versions of the first three or four chapters appeared in Communications Technology magazine (this was in early 1993, I think). It might also be worthwhile to ask if someone on SCTE-List still has a copy of "Outage Reduction" that they are willing to share. SCTE doesn’t endorse products or technology, but I can offer personal opinions (grin). Check out Filtronic Sigtek’s line of DOCSIS protocol analyzers at www.sigtek.com. Sunrise Telecom has some online seminars available on their Web site that discuss the basics of QAM analysis, constellations, MER, etc. Might be a good place to start. www.sunrisetelecom. As well, I have some PowerPoint presentations that may be useful to you. Mike Thaw Radiant Communications’ co-founder and President Mike Thaw died of a heart attack on Christmas Eve at the age of 61. The industry veteran launched Radiant Communications on Jan. 19, 1985, with his brother, Gene Thaw. Gene, Radiant’s chairman of the board, has assumed Mike’s responsibilities. "Through Mike Thaw’s vision and determination, Radiant grew to become a premier manufacturer producing the industry’s largest selection of fiber-optic products. The Radiant Communications team is dedicated to continuing the success of the company in his honor," stated Lou Nagorsky, Radiant’s national sales manager. Mike, a longtime member of the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers, was involved in philanthropic activities throughout his community. He was also an avid golfer who was very active in his golf club. Donations in his memory can be made to the American Heart Association (www.americanheart.org). Brenda Bangel Brenda Bangel of Indianapolis died peacefully in her home the evening of Dec. 20, 2004. She was 45. Brenda was a regional sales representative for the former R. Alan Communications. She was a member of the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers and was loyal and dedicated within the cable industry for more than 20 years. Brenda started her career in cable as an inside sales assistant for Texscan Instruments in the 1980s. She went on to be the marketing and marcom manager at Texscan. She was instrumental in producing many of the company’s original technical application notes on leakage testing used during this time period and for many years beyond. Brenda then moved to R. Alan Communications where she spent the rest of her career. Donations in her memory can be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, PO Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309 (www.komen.org).