CableLabs to join CMAP, CESAR into Converged Cable Access Platform

CableLabs has released an updated technical report for what it calls the Converged Cable Access Platform (CCAP). Not only will the CCAP provide a road map towards an architecture that will help cable operators migrate to IP-based services deliver, but it will “converge” the previous Converged Multiservice Access Platform (CMAP) and Converged Edge Services Access Router (CESAR) initiatives that cable operators had launched to achieve the same end.

The CCAP report describes a new device that will integrate the functions of broadcast and narrowcast quadrature amplitude modulators (QAMs) and DOCSIS 3.0 downstream and upstream interfaces. Optionally, it also will support PON termination equipment. The CCAP device will enable flexible provisioning of traditional video QAMs to DOCSIS QAMs, thus paving the way for IP transport of managed video services.

“This architecture will help operators in the delivery of new customer experiences for future broadband and video services through the operational and cost benefits achieved from increased integration,” said Dan Rice, Vice President of Access Network Technologies at CableLabs. “It also will save power and reduce headend space requirements in cable operators’ hubs,” he added.

As impressive as that feat may appear, the cooperation among cable operators such as Comcast, Cox, and Time Warner Cable to blend the CMAP and CESAR initiatives.

“This blending of our two approaches will help create an industry-wide approach for access technology platforms,” said Comcast Cable CTO Tony Werner. Comcast was behind the CMAP effort “We are engaged in this CableLabs process and are actively contributing to its efforts on CCAP.”

“We are pleased with the industry consensus for the next generation of access platform,” said Mike LaJoie, CTO at Time Warner Cable, the catalyst behind CESAR. “This platform will provide the economic scale for the industry to provide new high bandwidth services.”

The technical report is available at http://cablelabs.com/cablemodem/specifications/ccap.html.