When installing TRIAX EoC, there are a couple of things you might want to investigate before the actual installation. The system itself is very easy to install and configure, but depending on the existing coax installation, the result may vary in the end.


This article is a part of a small series of articles, that will help you pre-qualify an installation. The pre-qualification process will increase the quality of the complete installation at the end.


This article is about ensuring the return path for the TRIAX EoC system.


The TRIAX EoC system is a system that uses bidirectional communication (return path) like DOCSIS, MoCa, HomePlug or other systems. The difference between these systems is which standard or protocols they use, including different frequency ranges. TRIAX EoC uses the range from 1-200MHz in both directions (G.hn v2). It is possible to get the system to work properly on a limited frequency range, but that will reduce the available bandwidth for the endpoints.

This reduction in bandwidth is not an issue, as long as you define the expected bandwidth for the connected clients. The TRIAX EoC system will work as expected.


In the coax network are several components, both passive and active.


Passive components are splitters, taps, connectors, outlets and the cables themself. Each component may affect the EoC system differently. Splitters, tabs, connectors, outlets and cables can introduce different issues to the 0...200MHz range.


Cables

The cables are the ones that are likely to affect the signal as little as possible. For the cables to affect the signal, they have to be either damaged or very very poor in quality.


Splitters & Taps

Splitters and taps rarely affect the signal directly. They will introduce attenuation accordingly to their specification, but probably not more than that. On rare occasions, they can be defective or cause ingress noise and needs to be replaced.


Connectors

Connectors can introduce ingress noise and cause the endpoint to struggle for a good connection to the controller. If the connectors are 'Twist on' connectors and have been in the installation for a longer period, we will always recommend replacement.

Poorly assembled connectors, where the shielding touches the core (shortcut), will affect the endpoint to where the cable is connected.


Outlets

Outlets have different characteristics. Dependent on the type, there may be 1 or more connectors with different frequency ranges. When connecting an endpoint to an outlet, you wish to have the complete frequency range available (1...200MHz) for the endpoint. An example, connecting the endpoint to the TV socket will probably result in a frequency range from 5...74/120...862 MHz or similar. Here is the FM band removed (87.5...108 MHz). The endpoint will be online and operate just fine, but the filtered out range reduces the bandwidth by approx. 350Mbps. Consider replacing the outlet could be an option.

Finally, if the cable isn't connected to the outlet properly, ingress noise may be introduced. If the cable core is touching the housing (shortcut), the effect will be similar to the poorly assembled connector.


Amplifiers

Amplifiers are active components that have different characteristics. Some don't have a return path, some have a passive return path and some an active return path. Amplifiers can introduce ingress noise. For instance, powerful amplifiers where the lid isn't tightened properly.


In general, amplifiers must be bypassed with the TRIAX return path filter, allowing 1...200MHz to bypass the amplifier bidirectional.


Normally is the return path frequency range similar to the DOCSIS return path (ie. 5...65MHz). Passive return path does not cause any issues for the TRIAX EoC system, but amplifiers with active return pass can cause issues. Any signal/noise in the amplifiers active return path range will be amplified and will affect the EoC signalling at some level. Disabling the active return path is highly recommended.


Summary

To summarize, ensuring a "clean" and full frequency range (1...200MHz) is always recommended. It can be a challenge to remove all noise and have the full frequency range, but it will always pay off, to optimize the coax network. The amount of effort that has to be put into this optimization depends on the actual coax network and the expectation to the result, in the end.


Recommendations:

  • Remove/reduce ingress/noise from bad connectors, splitters/taps, outlet and amplifiers.
  • Ensure as mush return path (0...200MHz) as possible.


TRIAX does provide free software, to help the installer in optimization and faultfinding.

 


We would highly recommend that you participate in our TRIAX Academy course “EoC Intermediate”. Further information and registration can be found on our website: TRIAX Academy