Recent Trends of Development of Optical Cable TV Systems

Abstract

Cable TV has been playing an auxiliary part so far in video distribution services, or in broadcasting systems. Recently however, cable TV is reappreciated for its capability of not only distributing economically multi-channel video signals but also realizing two-way transmission. And moreover toward the construction of a new broadband optical network, cable IV has attracted special interest. This paper describes briefly the process of development of cable TV systems in Japan and a meaning of introduction of optical transmission technology into them. Then some examples of recent optical cable TV systems developed in USA and Japan are shown. Finally remaining problems for further study are discussed.