How Cable is Adding Downstream Channels

Motorola launched the TX32 decoupled downstream module nine months ago. Despite the complicated and wordy name, the TX32 is a very simple concept. It’s a card that can be swapped in to a cable modem termination system (CMTS) to add 32 downstream channels for broadband data delivery. And apparently cable operators love it.

There’s news today that Motorola to date has sold more than 1,000 TX32 units.

Downstream channels are increasingly in demand as cable operators look to bond channels for DOCSIS 3.0 deployments. Conveniently, the TX32 also reduces costs per downstream channel by as much as 60%. Given cable’s commitment to DOCSIS 3.0 and an increasing need to cut costs, it’s got a pretty good value proposition.

Re-posted  above is a TX32 demo I shot last year at The Cable Show. It shows Motorola’s Chuck Schauber talking through the TX32, showing how it fits into the Motorola BSR 64000 CMTS, and then demonstrating the download of an HD movie trailer (178 Mb) in less than 12 seconds.