Scientific Atlanta Expands Prisma II Optical Platform, Previews D-PON Architecture

Scientific Atlanta, a Cisco company, announced new, compact, high-density Prisma IITM optics products designed to improve the performance of existing fiber. At the upcoming SCTE Cable-Tec EXPO in Orlando, Fla. next week, June 20-22, Scientific Atlanta will also offer a look at a new DOCSIS® Passive Optical Network (D-PON) architecture to enable operators to deploy cable-centric/cable-friendly fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) technology that does not require the significant changes to network management necessary with earlier FTTH cable architectures.

“In addition to providing the technology necessary to extract more capacity and performance from existing fiber, these new Prisma II products will help our customers reduce the rack space required in existing hubs or headends,” said Mark Palazzo, vice president and general manager, Transport and Access Networks for Scientific Atlanta.

The new access network products extend the high-performance, future-friendly heritage of Scientific Atlanta’s Prisma II analog optics platform while maintaining backward compatibility with legacy Prisma II products. Baseband digital reverse optics in a new small form factor support up to two reverse buses with plans calling for implementation of coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) and dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) for versatile, cost-effective video delivery. The Prisma II XD chassis now accommodates up to 16 optical modules in a 3RU unit that increases density by greater than 30 percent over existing Prisma II chassis. Prisma II multi-wavelength forward optics offer both improved performance and increased capacity for cable operators through enhanced fiber use in forward path transmissions, especially at longer distances. View the Prisma II XD chassis product here.

The Scientific Atlanta® D-PON architecture provides a truly passive, migratable solution to FTTH deployments for cable operators. The D-PON is especially beneficial for operators who need to deliver FTTH service for greenfield developments. Using a 32-way split PON infrastructure, Scientific Atlanta enables cable operators to create an effective optical budget in both directions. Downstream, the D-PON uses 1550nm technology to provide cost-effective forward optics to get to the side of the home. For the upstream traffic, technology developments at the optical network terminal (ONT) location will provide a cost effective way to support very long distances. This helps the operator avoid having to insert costly, multiple actives into the network to amplify signals to compensate for any loss.

“We see the D-PON architecture as a valuable and cost-effective solution for cable operators as they respond to the fiber-to-the-premise requirements that most residential and commercial developers are defining for new planned communities and multi-use facilities,” added Palazzo.

These technologies will be on display at the Cisco/Scientific Atlanta booth 865 at the upcoming SCTE Cable-Tec Expo 2007 in Orlando, Fla., June 20-22 in the West Hall at the Orange County Convention Center. To arrange an interview or booth visit with Cisco and Scientific Atlanta executives contact Sara Stutzenstein at sara.stutzenstein@sciatl.com.




About Scientific Atlanta
Scientific Atlanta, a Cisco company, is a leading supplier of digital content contribution and distribution systems, transmission networks for broadband access to the home, digital interactive set-tops and subscriber systems designed for video, high-speed Internet and voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) networks, and worldwide customer service and support. Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cisco Systems, Inc. More information about Scientific Atlanta is available at http://www.scientificatlanta.com.

About Cisco Systems
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