Cisco Flexible Solutions Taps Data Sheet

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Data Sheet 
Cisco 1.25 GHz Surge-Gap Flexible Solutions Taps 
with Power Distribution Tap Port 
The Cisco
®
 1.25 GHz Surge-Gap Flexible Solutions Taps with Power Distribution Tap 
Port (FST-P) are the latest products designed for the DOCSIS
®
 3.1 evolution of hybrid 
fiber-coaxial (HFC) networks. DOCSIS 3.1 technology allows cable operators to fully 
and efficiently use their broadband networks to provide the services that subscribers 
demand. As part of DOCSIS 3.1 support, the broadband operating frequency range 
has been increased to cover the entire 5 MHz to 1.218 GHz spectrum. With the 
addition of a power-distributing tap port, other network devices can be served through 
a simple tap connection. 
These products are also fully compatible with orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) signaling 
requirements. These new capabilities can contribute to higher customer revenue by allowing increased bandwidth 
across a network and the ability to extend network powering so new and improved services, such as wireless 
network devices, can be provided. The taps (Figure 1) offer best-in-class performance along with added flexibility in 
system design. This flexibility is achieved using three types of optional plug-ins that are ideal for higher output, 
deep-fiber architectures. 
Optional Plug-Ins 
● 
Reverse attenuators are available in 0-, 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-dB values. The attenuators increase the reverse 
path tap loss with only a minimal effect on forward tap loss. By selectively adding reverse attenuation to 
reduce reverse tap values, reverse path tap losses can be more similar across the various values of taps 
used in an HFC network. This approach allows the range of RF levels transmitted from closed-loop 
customer premises equipment (CPE) to be narrowed, which helps improve the reliability of upstream 
transmissions. 
● 
Forward equalizers used in Cisco 1.25 GHz Surge-Gap FST products are available in 2-, 3-, 4-, 6-, 8-, 9-, 
10-, 12-, 14-, 15-, 16-, 18-, 20-, and 22 dB values. The forward EQs increase the forward path tap loss in a 
standard cable-tilted fashion, with greater loss at lower frequencies than at higher frequencies. The plug-in 
forward EQ allows optimization of tap output levels at tap locations near the end of the feeder line. 
● 
Forward inverse equalizers used in Cisco 1.25 GHz Surge-Gap FST products are available in 2-, 3-, 4-, 6-, 
8-, 9-, 10-, 12-, 15-, 18-, and 21dB values. The inverse equalizers increase the forward path tap loss in a 
down-tilted fashion, with greater loss at higher frequencies than at lower frequencies, and they have only a 
minimal effect on reverse tap loss. The plug-in forward inverse equalizer allows tap output levels to be 
optimized at tap locations with high-level forward RF signals and significant up-tilt (typically, they are tap 
locations closest to nodes and amplifiers).