Have you ever wondered what is and how does a Hybrid Fiber Coaxial Network – HFC work? Well today we will answer this question. Starting by saying that the truth is that hybrid coaxial fiber networks are quite common and there are many reasons for their use.
The differences between ADSL and fiber optic connections are quite marked, but other types of technology also come into play, such as the one we mentioned earlier.
The Hybrid Coaxial Fiber Network is a type of network used in many parts of the world, which provides a balance between speed, efficiency and easy maintenance, in the same way, costs are usually reduced when using this type of connection.
What is and how does a Hybrid Fiber Coaxial Network – HFC work?
When we speak of a Coaxial Fiber Hybrid Network, we refer specifically to a type of network designed precisely to use both fiber optic and coaxial systems. In other words, this type of network uses both the fiber optic system and the classic coaxial cable.
The birth of this technology occurs mainly because separated these technologies present certain limitations, but together each one offers resolution to many common problems of old networks.
It should be noted that these types of networks respond to home or professional use and differ greatly from mobile networks and their different types. Hybrid coaxial fiber networks seek to be an alternative to other wired network standards.
What is fiber optics?
As its name suggests, fiber optics is responsible for transmitting light from one point to another. This light contains encoded information, which will then be interpreted by a computer or device. It is a fairly common communications system today.
The advantage of this technology precisely includes an exceptional speed of data exchange. In any case, this type of technology is mainly applied to cover long distances, because it is difficult to apply at home.
Still, if you want to learn more about this type of technology, then you must know the different types and characteristics of fiber optics.
What is coaxial cable?
Coaxial cable emerged in the mid-1930s and has multiple purposes, among which the exchange of energy and also communications or data stand out. Coaxial cable transmits the signal very efficiently, although it is not the best option for long distances.
In fact, fiber optics is far superior in this regard, as it is capable of transmitting large amounts of data more efficiently. It is for this reason that coaxial cable is used mainly in environments where distances are not so great.
Regarding cabling, it is fair to point out that there are different types, so it is convenient to know what FTTH is and the differences with installing HFCs that represent some of the most common types of coaxial or fiber optic cable.
How does a Coaxial Fiber Hybrid Network work?
The operation of a Hybrid Coaxial Fiber Network is interesting, the fiber optic network is responsible for reaching a subscriber. In other words, the space in which the connection will then be distributed to the multiple clients. The fiber optic connection comes directly from the internet hub and ensures that the signal arrives efficiently.
On the other hand, the coaxial cable would be the connection that the customer receives, since it is much easier to handle in short distance environments.
As you can imagine, the mixture of both technologies has benefits, since the fiber optic signal is good for long distances. On the other hand, the coaxial cable is efficient for environments where the distances are not very great.
It should be noted that every Coaxial Fiber Hybrid Network has a so-called gateway. This means that we found an optical transformer in charge of analyzing the data from the optical fiber. This data is then distributed through the coaxial signal.
Although the capacity or bandwidth of coaxial cable is not that great, it is sufficient for non-professional environments such as the home. This type of technology is widely used throughout the world, as it offers excellent speeds and unprecedented stability.