What is DOCSIS 3.1 – Definition, Benefits, Specifications and Uses

DOCSIS 3.1 Definition

A DOCSIS 3.1 is an acronym of Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification which is a telecommunication standard globally. DOCSIS 3.1 helps in the addition of high-bandwidth data transfer to the cable television (CATV) system.

The DOCSIS 3.1 cable service is a new industry development for cable connectivity at Gigabit speeds through the existing coaxial cable infrastructure. It was released in October 2013 and has updated several times.

Initially, this router has been launched to the market for sale online and through stores, for users of the Xfinity service of the North American operator Comcast.

DOCSIS 3.1 modem the “turbo” for cable television and the Internet

Thanks to this DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem router, not only we can enjoy the maximum speed of arrival of the Internet connection. But also, Wi-Fi with speeds of up to 3.2 Gbps in simultaneous dual-band with a quad-stream architecture. It dramatically increases the range of Wi-Fi through the use of active antenna technology, ideal for use with mobile devices.

It also incorporates Beamforming + technology for the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, which gives it greater speed, reliability and reach for mobile Wi-Fi devices.

DOCSIS 3.1 Uses:

It is designed for both domestic and professional use. Improving performance in tasks such as streaming, downloads, gaming or video conferencing. To increase the speed in streaming tasks, It has 2 × 2 OFDM / OFDMA in DOCSIS 3.1 and channel link in DOCSIS 3.0 mode.

Inside, there is a powerful dual-core microprocessor running at 1.5 GHz and four high-performance active antennas. It has a proprietary design of Netgear pending patented, which allows the improvement in the reception of weak signals and reduction of the interference’s.

It has four Ethernet ports for the connection of wired devices, and two USB 3.0 SuperSpeed ports. These ports allow us to connect and share storage units, and transmit power to those same units.

DOCSIS 3.1 modems are compatible backward and can operate on a DOCSIS 3.0 system.

What is the best DOCSIS 3.1 Modem?

List of the Modems

1.    ARRIS SURFboard SB8200 DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem
2.    NETGEAR DOCSIS 3.1 Gigabit Cable Modem
3.    Motorola Ultra-Fast DOCSIS 3.1 Gigabit Cable Modem

The Nighthawk X4S AC3200 WiFi router cable modem (C7800) by Netgear is the first consumer to be compatible with the DOCSIS 3.1 specification, which provides Gigabit speeds.

The new C7800 from Netgear is retro-compatible with version 3.0 of the DOCSIS specification. Being able to work with all the speeds of the tiers. Thanks to this, it allows using the cable connection at the current speed, being prepared for future use with the new high Gigabit speeds provided by version 3.1 of the specification

Is DOCSIS 3.1 fast?

Every time we have faster connections available in our country. The rapid deployment of fiber optic that has placed us in the world top 5 has been significant. USA has the most extensive fiber to the home network (FTTH). And more than 60% of those who surf the Internet already enjoy connections of more than 30 Mbps.

But who offers more speed? Next, we tell you about who are the fastest Internet connections in the USA, their prices and features.

The USA speed ranking has changed considerably in recent months with the launch of different offers and speed from the various operators. Since Comcast and AT&T led with 1000 Mbps (or 1 Gbps) of maximum speed, several operators have signed up to offer 1 Gbps. Also, the Altice USA sets the pace and leaves behind companies like Comcast and AT&T.

The fastest Internet connections in USA (Dec 2018)

This is the collection of the fastest connections in the USA together with their prices and features:

1 Gbps, the top end connection offered by almost all

A lot has rained since the connections of 1 Gbps was a dream of the users reserved for a small group of users with coverage of minority operators. There are 4 million homes distributed throughout the USA geography, both for customers connected to the FTTH network and for customers connected to the cable HFC network.

Maximum companies have upgraded to DOCSIS 3.1 to offer 1Gbps.

DOCSIS 3.1 Certification

Cable Labs certified that the Sagemcom Fast 3890 cable media gateway meets DOCSIS 3.1 specifications in the first wave of certifications (CW 116).

Thanks to its certified media gateway, cable operators can offer a multi-gigabit capability to their customers and enable a new world of ultra-wideband experiences.

The Sagemcom media gateway with DOCSIS 3.1 certification can operate both DOCSIS 3.0 and 3.1 simultaneously. It includes Wave 2 of the last generation of Wi-Fi 4 * 4 11ac for 5GHz and 4 * 4 11n for 2.4GHz and implements advanced wireless technology MU-MIMO.

DOCSIS 3.1 Specification

The new DOCSIS 3.1 standard offers great advantages to cable network operators, as it incorporates numerous technical innovations that allow radically increasing transmission speeds in the uplink and downlink without the need for costly modifications to the network structure.

The “last mile” of connection to homes constitutes a bottleneck that slows high-speed transmissions in cable networks. This last section consists of fiber optic and coaxial cables, amplifiers, and electrical / optical converters. The combined networks of fiber optic and coaxial cables are called HFC (hybrid fiber coax) networks. Figure 1 shows a typical cable network.

The DOCSIS 3.1 standard (cable data service interface specifications), published in October 2013, acts as a “turbo” for cable networks. Its technical improvements allow operators to significantly increase the performance of their cable networks on the downlink and uplink without having to make costly modifications to the HFC network infrastructure.

DOCSIS 3.1 Profiles

The DOCSIS standard was invented by the non-profit consortium CableLabs and ratified in mid-1997 (in its 1.0 version). It specifies, among others, the complete communication infrastructure for IP connections, different layers and two-way data transmissions in the cable network. Since the

Cable modems also include the previous versions, and the network components must be backward compatible. In a note of application of Rohde & Schwarz, the fundamental technical novelties are detailed, and indications for the measurements are offered.

It uses parts of the physical layer specification of the DVB-C2 standard with OFDM and very high constellations (up to 16kQAM for future use). Additionally, the width downlink band it can be up to 192 MHz, which It allows to reach transmission speeds of up to 10 Gbit/s.

DOCSIS3.1 – the guarantor of success for cable operators.  The demand for more bandwidth and higher quality of service (QoS) increases In this context. It can be considered as a driver for cable operators, who also face stiff competition with wireless/LTE service providers as well as the Internet through DSL.

DOCSIS 3.1 Benefits

A fundamental difference with respect to previous versions lies in the DOCSIS 3.1 multi-carrier technology (OFDM), which offers numerous advantages:

1. 1. Improved resistance to impulse noise with longer symbol times
   2. Suppression of subcarriers that prevents bit errors by radiation
   3. Profiles adapted for different reception conditions
   4. Time and frequency interleaving to improve immunity against impulsive noise and narrowband interference (GSM phones)
   5. Protection interval (cyclic prefix) that prevents inter-symbolic interference (ISI)
   6. Symbol confirmation with more inclined flanks in the spectrum that prevents interference between channels

DOCSIS 3.1 Max Speed

Some operators are implementing cable wifi to allow the use of WLANs not only in homes but also from access points abroad.

Thus, customers can comfortably access their WLAN also when they are in the immediate vicinity of their home. It meets all the requirements of these new services, with its high data transfer speed and becomes a decisive factor for the success. This success helps cable operators in maintaining their position in the market.

1. The demands of fast Internet access
2. New business services
3. OTT content (over the top)
4. 3D television broadcasts
5. 4K and 8K

The economic aspects also speak in favor of DOCSIS 3.1. The improved standard uses the spectrum more efficiently. Thanks to the higher constellations, more bits with the same bandwidth are transferred. Which decreases the cost per bit. But first of all, operators can keep their copper cable infrastructure in the last mile with virtually no changes. And yet reach transmission speeds that were impracticable with previous versions of DOCSIS.

The DOCSIS 3.1 standard covers the different bandwidths of Europe, America, or Asia. And since it is retroactively compatible, it facilitates the transition to the most current state. And thus minimizes the expenses and risk of operators.