Cable modem systems are modems designed to operate over cable television (cable TV) lines. Accessing the Internet using a cable network (and a cable modem) is becoming increasingly popular due to the much greater speed than is available through telephone-modem access. A cable modem uses coaxial cable, which has the capability to provide greater bandwidth than regular telephone lines. This makes it possible for cable modem systems to achieve extremely fast access to the World Wide Web (WWW). The fact that millions of homes are already wired for cable TV has provided a tremendous boost to many homes to have access to Internet. However, there are a number of technical difficulties. The fact that the cable TV infrastructure is designed to broadcast TV signals in just one direction-from the cable TV company to people's homes - presents one problem. This is because the Internet is a two-way system where data also needs to flow from the client to the server. It is debatable as to whether the cable TV networks can handle the amount of traffic that could result if millions of users began using the cable modem system for Internet access. Cable modem system organizations have made significant progress in accommodating the two problems mentioned.

Chapter Contents:

• 11.1 Cable Modem Technology
• 11.1.1 Structure of a Cable Modem System
• 11.1.2 Cable Modem Systems Connection
• 11.2 External Cable Modem
• 11.3 Internal Cable Modem
• 11.4 Interactive Set-Top Cable Box
• 11.5 Cable Internet Access
• 11.6 Using QPSK and QAM in Cable Modem Systems
• 11.7 Comparison between Broadband DSL and Cable Modem Technologies
• 11.8 Cable Modem Systems Standards Compliance
• 11.8.1 Cable Modem Systems
• 11.8.2 Wireless Channel
• 11.8.3 LAN
• 11.8.4 Set-Top Boxes
• 11.8.5 Digital Broadcast Systems
• 11.8.6 Others
• Summary
• Review Questions
• Problems

Inspec keywords: modems; Internet; telephone lines; cable television

Other keywords: cable modem system; telephone modem access; cable television lines; cable network; TV signal; cable TV lines; Internet access; cable TV networks; cable TV infrastructure; coaxial cable; telephone lines

Subjects: Subscriber loops; Computer communications; Modems; Networking equipment; CATV and wired systems; Other computer networks