CommScope BOSTM BrightPath Optical Solutions - Manual (Page 7)

BrightPath system - direct connection for up to 12.4 miles (20 km)
The BrightPath solution starts at the point where the HFC fiber normally transitions to coaxial distribution cable. If the
distance from the headend to the furthest subscriber is 20 km or less, the BrightPath system can be spliced directly to
the fiber at the transition point. The headend signal is bidirectional, using different wavelengths of light for upstream
and downstream transmission. Each headend fiber can serve as many as 32 subscribers. Please note that the serv-
ing capacity of the system is limited by the number of fibers available coming from the headend.
Buried or aerial multi-fiber distribution cables carry optical signal from the transition point to a tap enclosure.
The weather-hardened enclosure protects the optical tap module and is mounted either on the span or in a ped-
estal. Here, the distribution cable is entered mid-span and its fibers accessed. One fiber is spliced to the optical tap
module that splits the signal among as many as eight drops and then sends the signal on to the next tap enclosure.
Aerial or buried single fiber drop cable connects the optical tap to the Network Interface Device (NID) at
the residence. The NID will hold the Network Interface Unit (NIU) which converts the optical signal to RF for
transmission over the home’s coax network. Low-voltage power for the NIU is provided at the residence and fed
through a coaxial connection.
BrightPath ® Cables and Components 3.1
Direct system overview