Overview
IEC TR 60728-6-1:2006 is a Technical Report that provides practical system guidelines for analogue optical transmission systems used in cable networks carrying television signals, sound signals and interactive services. It explains procedures for determining the overall performance of optical links and is intended to be used together with IEC 60728-6 (optical equipment requirements). The report targets field engineers and network planners who need guidance when planning and designing optical segments in CATV / HFC / MATV / SMATV networks.
Key topics and technical requirements
The report organizes guidance around network topology and system performance. Major technical topics include:
- Network topologies: point-to-point (PTP), point-to-multi-point (PMP), multi-point-to-point, true WDM arrangements and combined architectures - and how topology influences design choices.
- Equipment and fibre parameter influences: interdependencies between transmitters, receivers, optical fibre characteristics and system-level performance.
- Optical Modulation Index (OMI): defining OMI for single-wavelength and WDM systems and guidelines for choosing transmitter input levels.
- Carrier-to-noise ratio (C/N): methods to evaluate C/N for short-haul, long-haul, multi-transmitter and amplifier-based links.
- Linearity metrics: assessment and limits for Composite Second Order (CSO) and Composite Triple Beat (CTB) distortion in analogue optical distribution.
- Flatness and output level: recommendations for spectral flatness and achievable output levels across systems.
- Noise and non-linear effects: informative annexes covering Brillouin scattering, optical noise sources and non-linear distortion mechanisms (e.g., laser chirp, self-phase modulation, polarization mode dispersion).
Practical applications
IEC TR 60728-6-1 is practical for:
- Designing optical feeder and trunk links in cable TV (CATV) and hybrid fibre-coax (HFC) networks.
- Specifying transmitter/receiver operating points and optical budgets.
- Assessing the impact of WDM and multiple-transmitter systems on analogue signal quality.
- Troubleshooting distortion, noise and dispersion-related impairments in analogue optical links.
Who should use this standard
- Field engineers responsible for installation and commissioning of optical segments.
- Network planners / system designers preparing optical architectures for broadcast and interactive service distribution.
- Equipment vendors and integrators who must align component behavior with system-level performance objectives.
Related standards
Use this TR together with:
- IEC 60728-6 (optical equipment requirements)
- IEC 60728-1 (measurement methods and system performance)
- IEC 60728-3 (active wideband equipment for coaxial networks)
- Relevant fibre standards such as IEC 60793-2 and IEC fibre terminology.
Keywords: IEC TR 60728-6-1, analogue optical transmission systems, cable networks, CATV, OMI, CSO, CTB, WDM, network planners, field engineers.