Broadband access and media distribution technology specialist ATX Networks announced that it recently shipped production units of the ATX 204MHz Digital Return Solution platform to a large North American cable operator.
The deployed technology platform includes the ATX GigaXtend 204MHz digital return transmitter module, a plug-in for the legacy Cisco GS7000 node platform, and the companion GigaXtend 204MHz digital return receiver module, which resides in a headend-located Cisco Prisma XD chassis.
ATX says the digital return system, now generally available, enables the installed base of GS7000 nodes to support upstream frequencies of 204MHz, a high-split allocation of spectrum that empowers cable MSOs to expand the upstream data-carrying capabilities of their networks and offer subscribers gigabit symmetrical broadband services.
Licensing agreements
ATX introduced the 204MHz Digital Return Solution in September of last year, shortly after reaching an agreement with Cisco for ATX to develop transmitter and receiver modules for the GS7000 that support high-split architectures.
At the end of 2022, ATX completed a separate technology licensing agreement to take over future development of the GS7000, as well as the companion Prisma II.
ATX says that the new licensing agreement effectively ensures that previous investments in the widely deployed, highly dependable Cisco node platform will not be stranded, and that existing GS7000s will support both legacy HFC and Distributed Access Architecture (DAA) architectures well into the future.
ATX adds that its ability to efficiently integrate newly acquired technology into its HFC product portfolio is bolstered by the company’s rapidly expanding HFC product development team, which is concentrated in Atlanta and staffed primarily by former Cisco engineers and product experts. The company notes that 204MHz digital return system progressed through the design-to-general availability process in an accelerated timeframe.
ATX is scheduled to begin introducing ATX-designed GS7000 products, as well as its portfolio of 1.8GHz outside plant amplifiers, under the company’s GigaXtend brand beginning later this year.
Kevin Rossi, general manager, access networking at ATX, remarked:
“MSOs that have deployed tens of thousands of GS7000 nodes in their networks now have a pathway to increasing capacity on the return channel of their broadband networks. Delivering our customers a critical component in the evolution of their HFC network on such a tight timetable is a testament to ATX’s commitment to helping MSOs maximize the value of their previous investments, as well as the world-class expertise of our design and engineering team.”
For more information, visit www.atx.com.
For more news, projects, and profiles in the broadband technology industry, subscribe to the BTR newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.