For VDSL2, as the cable length from the DSLAM (Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer) to the customer premise increases, signal strength decreases and the line becomes more susceptible to noise. Additionally, every component or extension that is attached to the cable between the DSLAM and the customers will also introduce impedances that will either reduce the signal strength further increasing the insertion loss, add signal reflections decreasing the return loss, or degrade the balance of the twisted pair cable increasing the noise.

Due to the frequency sensitivity of the HomePNA signal there are a few things that should be considered when training technicians installing HomePNA over coax.

• Compression connectors are a must. Crimp connectors can damage the dielectric and have an uncontrolled connection to the shielding.
  (Side Note: Suttle TWiN Lock™ and SURE Lock™ connectors are 360° compression connectors that maintain complete contact with the cabling.)
• Make sure the dielectric of the coax is flush with the inner base of the compression connector (not protruding or recessed in relation with the inner base). This helps guarantee a solid connection.
• Use resistive splitters instead of standard type splitters whenever possible. With standard coax splitters, the port isolation is too high. If your only option on an install is to use a standard splitter the input must be left open (unconnected).
• Test, Test, Test – Insufficient testing is one of the leading causes of reported problems and often leads to excessive modification to home wiring, which is time consuming. Changing a connectors only takes a minute, but changing a cable can take an hour. A lack of testing leads to uncertainty and over time, creates a preference for un-necessary re-wiring.

For more information visit www.homepna.org .

According to LAN Magazine, “85-95% of network failures are due in large part to cabling problems.”
As speeds and bandwidth increase, slight errors in installation CAN make the system non-compliant and MAY make a network useless so consider the following list of cabling tips:

• Don’t remove more of the outer jacket then is necessary to terminate.
• When terminating, don’t untwist conductors more then 1/2″ for CAT5e or higher cables.
• Don’t Run Next to Electricity:
  • Avoid electrical cabling and electrical sources.
  • Don’t tie cables to electrical conduits.
  • Don’t run communication cabling within 2 ft of electrical.
  • Always cross electrical at right angles.
• Protect Cabling:
  • Avoid sharp edges when pulling.
  • Use grommets to protect the cable when passing through rough openings.
  • Use low pulling force (25lbf or less), if using a pull string use one rated at 200lbf.
  • Make gradual bends when necessary (1″ radius min, 2″ recommended).
  • Don’t over tighten tie wraps.
  • Avoid using staples. If you must, use staples rated for use with communications cables (i.e T59).
• Use one wiring scheme – 568A (preferred).
• Always run all cables in a STAR topology.
• Limit runs to 295 ft (90 meters).
• Properly label all cables.
• Always use proper testing.
• Leave slack at the both the outlet (8″ min) and patch panel (10ft).
• Pull longest runs first working towards your shortest runs to reduce waste to
  an average of 15%.

One technique of extending broadband access to end users located beyond the serving radius is to use pair bonding. With pair bonding, the broadband access service is deployed using two DSL access lines where the sum of the bit rates from each line are used to provide the objective distance needed for access area. Alternatively, pair bonding can be used to increase the bit rate available to the customer for enhanced service quality.

The HDMI Specifications do not specify cable lengths. However, for long cable runs the following is recommended:
If you need to send a 1080p signal more than 25feet, or a 1080i signal more than 49 feet, active electronics will help clean up and boost an HDMI signal when it’s traveling long distances. You can purchase either a stand-alone booster or an active cable, where the circuitry is embedded in the connectors themselves. In both cases, the connection requires a power source.

HDMI over CAT5e/6:
Runs of up to 50 meters can be achieved by sending the HDMI signal over a run of CAT5e/6 networking cable, using special adapters designed for this purpose. These products incorporate booster and equalization electronics at each end of the path and require external power. Because of its tighter manufacturing tolerances, CAT6 cable is generally preferred over CAT5 in these applications. Stay tuned in March 2010 for more information about Suttle HDMI over CAT5e/6 products.

For more info on HDMI see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI

The difference between installing a 1GHz RF splitter and a 3GHz RF splitter depends on the service. Although the same footprint and port configurations, the 1GHz splitters are all that is required for cable TV, digital cable TV, or cable internet at and below 960MHz. Satellite requires a start point of 2.4GHz requiring a splitter that is rated from 2.4GHz to 3GHz. When amplifying a 6 and 8 port splitter make sure to match the appropriate amplifier with your installation. A 1GHz drop amplifier should be used for your MOCA and CATV installs and a 3GHz amplifier should be used for your Satellite installs.

Assortment of color rings for video connectors such as our SURE Lock™ F connectors make identifying cables and wires trouble-free.  Once the SURE Lock™ compression connector is compressed on to the cable, professional installers simply slide the selected color ring over the connector for easy identification.  These colors are defined by industry standards to make commonly used connections for electronic devices in a home theater system easy to identify.  Here are a list of signal connections that reference the CEA-863-A standard for "Connection Color Codes for Home Theater Systems."

Other color ring indicators such as green indicate the use for an RG6 compression connector for coaxial cable and red for an RG59. These two are the most commonly used for video coax applications inside the home.

A big part of Suttle’s website design was expanding their support resources. Here are just a few of the new resources at your fingertips:

• Additional, More Organized FAQs
• An Archive of All Previous Training Tips
• Glossary of Industry Terms and Abbreviations
• An Online Version or Suttle’s Distilled USOC Guide
• Links to Industry Web Resources
• More Organized Literature Area with Tech Docs and Label Templates

Come visit us at www.suttleonline.com and see for yourself how Suttle can help you today.

Suttle’s July Webinar with OSP Magazine has been recorded and is now available on-line and on-demand.

This webinar will walk participants through how fiber networks are typically deployed to Multi-Dwelling Units (MDUs). Best practices and examples will be described as it pertains to major design considerations including types of PON ONTs deployed at an MDU, optimal ONT location, power and maintenance considerations, and how the fiber interfaces the wiring at the living unit.

For more information visit: http://www.ospmag.com/events/web/suttle.

A cleaner and more effective way to filter a connecting block is to use a SAM-DSL module. To implement you would bring your unfiltered line in through your DSL module, resulting in your line being filtered to the connecting block. The connecting block then passes that filtered line onto your telephone or PBX. This solution allows your connecting block to be free of micro filters dangling from the clips creating a cleaner equipment room and saving on installation time.