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MoCA - It's In Your House!
- What is MoCA®?
- What is a home entertainment network?
- What problem is MoCA is trying to solve?
- Who are the members?
- What are the levels of membership? Can anyone join?
- Can you summarize some of the main benefits of MoCA membership?
Specification Overview:
- What is the status of the MoCA specification?
- Is there a product certification program? How long does it take and how much does it cost?
The Market:
- What are some of the underlying trends supporting MoCA and digital entertainment networks?
- What are some specific applications?
- Where Is MoCA being used?
- What about international opportunities?
- How does MoCA differentiate itself from other technologies and delivery mediums?
- Why coax?
- What is MoCA's position regarding IPTV?
- When will products be available through retail channels, or is MoCA strictly a service provider play?
Technical Issues:
- Does MoCA work through splitters?
- How reliable is MoCA?
- How fast is MoCA?
- What is the minimal net throughput required by service providers?
- What is the maximum distance of coax for MoCA?
- Can adjacent dwellings hear/interfere with a MoCA network?
- Does MoCA work on any type of coax?
- Are surge suppressors an issue?
- What OSI layers does MoCA address?
- Is MoCA secure?
- Does MoCA support digital rights management (DRM)?
- Are there regulatory issues with MoCA?
- Does MoCA work with access technologies such as xDSL?
- What is MoCA®?
Established in January 2004, MoCA is an open, standard body promoting networking of multiple streams of high definition video and entertainment using existing coaxial cable already in the home.
MoCA is the standard for home entertainment networks over coax.
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- What is a home entertainment network?
A home entertainment network is defined as multiple streams of standard and high definition content distributed anywhere, anytime.
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- What problem is MoCA is trying to solve?
The number of alternatives based on different technologies and mediums promoted by a dizzying array of standards bodies elevates market cacophony while drowning out value. Too many choices confuse both the service provider and end consumer.
Home networks are and will continue to be a blend of standards and technologies, each with their advantages and disadvantages. MoCA does not propose that there will be a one size-fits-all networking scheme, but that decisions will be made based on application and ease of use.
There are numerous other technologies and mediums vying for supremacy but not all are suitable for transporting multiple streams of high definition video. Many of these standards and technologies are voice and data centric.
Wireless implementations such as Wi-Fi and 802.11n with its increase range and performance are targeting video applications. But extending the range of the network also invites unwanted guests and security breaches into the network. There are also physical limitations such as interference with other technologies in use and of course there is composition of the building which could provide a hindrance to consistent transmission. Hard to argue with ubiquity as a value proposition, but these are significant issues that hinder the ability of consistent and reliable transmission of HD video.
Wireline implementations such as powerline and phone line are also data centric and offer access ubiquity throughout the home. But these, too suffer from interference issues and none has proven of carrying video consistently.
The most obvious medium for delivery of video around the home is the one that is well understood by service providers and consumers and has been in the house for more than 50 years - coax.
There are inherent benefits to coax not available with or from other standards and technologies. Coax is a shielded medium which helps to allay concerns regarding interference with other technologies and networks, intrusion or unauthorized access.
MoCA is positioned for home entertainment networks only and is complementary to other networks and devices already in use.
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- Who are the members?
MoCA is led by a board of directors (Promoters) representing some of the most-respected names in broadband entertainment including Broadcom, Cisco/Linksys, Conexant, Cox Cable, Comcast, EchoStar, Entropic Communications, Motorola, Panasonic, Radio Shack and Verizon.
There are more than 50 members total, spanning the globe and representing all channels of digital entertainment distribution, from service provider to OEM to retail.
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- What are the levels of membership? Can anyone join?
There are three membership levels, Promoter, Contributor and Associate.
Promoters are members of the board of directors. This level is available by invitation only. Promoter members meet formally once a month and are responsible for steering the overall direction of the alliance.
There is also a Contributor class. At this level, companies participate in the development of the specification, have voting rights and are encouraged to participate in the various work groups and committees.
Members are encouraged to upgrade from their current status, and companies new to the organization are welcome to join at this level as well.
Associate level members have access to the specification for product development purposes, but have no voting rights and cannot participate in working groups other than the marketing work group.
A complete list of members and membership application forms can be found at www.mocalliance.org.
Membership is open, active and ongoing.
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- Can you summarize some of the main benefits of MoCA membership?
Benefits are measured in terms of the organizational structure itself and the technology standard it promotes.
The organization:
- Standard in full deployment.
- Continuous upgrades and enhancements to standard. MoCA 1.1 recently ratified. MoCA 2.0 market requirements document (MRD) in process.
- Associate and contributor class membership levels that encourage participation and proliferation of the standard.
- Ongoing certification waves
- Deep and wide variety of certified products, ranging from set top boxes to gateway and home routers to optical network termination (ONTs) units and Ethernet-to-Coax bridges/dongles.
- Reasonable and non-discriminatory (RAND) licensing environment guaranteeing proliferation of the standard and no hidden costs.
- Representation on the board of the three major broadband delivery segments including cable (Cox and Comcast), telco (Verizon) and satellite (Echostar/Dish Networks).
- Three board members committed to IC development: Entropic (in production), Broadcom and Conexant.
- Roadmap supporting retail channel availability of products with RadioShack as a board member.
- Liaisons with CableLabs, DSL Forum and DLNA and others.
- Member of NCTA and CEA
The standard:
- No new wires.
- No interference with existing networks or consumer electronic devices.
- No service calls or lengthy installation manuals.
- Field tests conducted in 250 homes in U.S. proved conclusively more than 110 Mpbs net throughputs in 97 percent of all outlets.
- MoCA 1.1 net throughput rates of 175 Mpbs
- PQoS
- 16 node network extension
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SPECIFICATION OVERVIEW:
- What is the status of the MoCA specification?
The MoCA 1.0 MAC/PHY spec was ratified a year ago. Products with MoCA 1.0 embedded are available from several companies and include set top boxes, routers and gateways, bridges and ONTs.
MoCA 1.1 extension has been ratified and offers additional benefits. These include parameterized quality of service (PQoS) for provisioning and bandwidth management of real time data requests for video applications.
MoCA 1.1 with packet aggregation also increases the net throughput performance from 110 Mpbs to 175 Mpbs.
MoCA is the only organization that actively promotes its net throughput metrics. While other may claim higher performance, these are generally theoretical bit rates. This is the difference between what is promised and what is received.
This new extension also increases the network from the current eight nodes to 16 nodes.
All these enhancements help network operators improve overall efficiency and manage total cost in their rollouts and service offerings.
Products with MoCA 1.1 are expected sometime in the first half of 2008.
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- Is there a product certification program? How long does it take and how much does it cost?
MoCA conducts certification waves on a regular basis. Any member can submit a product for certification.
Products are subjected to a battery of tests to ensure interoperability with other certified products from other members.
For certification, MoCA uses an independent testing facility called, Technical Systems Inc., NTS, (NASDAQ: NTSC), a leading provider of quality, conformance and certification testing, quality registration and managed services. NTS is the exclusive lab for certification of MoCA products. More information about NTS is available at www.ntscorp.com
Certification generally takes about two weeks. Upon completion and passage of certification, members can display the MoCA Certified logo on their products.
Detailed information regarding certification procedures and cost is available to MoCA members only.
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THE MARKET:
- What are some of the underlying trends supporting MoCA and digital entertainment networks?
The way we watch TV is undergoing dramatic change. Hectic lives, longer hours at work, community involvement and other demands on our time all conspire to affect what were once consistent and hardwired viewing habits. Even the most loyal viewers are challenged to watch their favorite program when it's scheduled. Linear or appointment TV is on the way out, with the possible exception of sports. Anytime, anywhere entertainment is in.
VCR's attempted to solve this problem back in the 70's but limited tuning ability, and complex event programming without any up to date guide made this technology useful only to those gifted enough to make the box stop flashing 12:00.
The digital video recorder (DVR) has been an innovating technology ushering in this new world of television. The widespread use of DVRs is leading to multi-room DVR where the consumer can record and distribute a program to any room in the house. This new but increasingly accepted consumer viewing phenomena of multi-room DVR has inspired the home entertainment network, which should not be confused with the data or voice network. The entertainment network may be distinct from the voice and data network, but whether operating in separately or in concert, all will require stringent assurances and guarantees governing performance, reliability and security depending on the application.
Just like people want to connect their PCs to the Internet, consumers will want to network their TVs for sharing of video.
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- What are some specific applications?
Initially, the killer app is multi-room DVR. But there is also multi player gaming, video and photo sharing around the home, and video and photo transfer from PC to TV.
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- Where Is MoCA being used?
MoCA is in full deployment through Verizon's FiOS TV program. Many other cable and telco service providers will be entering into trials and field tests in 2008.
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- What about international opportunities?
Up to now, MoCA has primarily focused on establishing itself in North America. There are opportunities in Europe and Asia, depending on coax proliferation. Programs designed to introduce MoCA to these geographies will go into effect in 2008.
MoCA fully acknowledges that if there is no coax, there is no market for the standard. But if you can get a TV signal through the existing coax, then MoCA will work.
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- How does MoCA differentiate itself from other technologies and delivery mediums?
While wireless networking has garnered the headlines and is increasingly prevalent if not prominent in people's homes, it is still primarily a data-based experience. It would be great for one standard to provide the ultimate solution for home networking, but that just ain't so.
While it is presumed that many readers have a wireless network in their home already, it is also possible that they have experienced less than adequate coverage. There are interference and security issues to be worked out. The 802.11n specification that is in process extends the range of the network. While this will improve reception, it also increases the range by which others can gain unauthorized access to your network if not properly secured, inviting intruders, security breaches and intellectual property theft. This is not an environment in which service providers or end consumers are comfortable.
In addition, WiFi operates in an unlicensed spectrum, so sources of interference cannot be controlled. These include microwave ovens, cordless phones, Bluetooth, baby monitors and neighboring WiFi networks.
Despite some of the issues surrounding wireless networks, it is hard to beat mobility as a compelling benefit. Wireless networks will continue to play a vital role in the hybrid digital home network because they offer you the ability to 'roam' within your household and stay connected virtually anywhere in the home.
It should be noted many of the wired and some of the emerging niche wireless standards bodies are claiming to work over their native medium and coax. We think this just proves our point.
Most other technologies and mediums, wired and wireless included, were designed with data transfer as their primary objective, and are more than adequate for such applications. Video, however, is another matter. Video delivery, especially delivery of high definition programming, is far more difficult and unreliable over any current wireless or wired technology or medium, save one--coax.
Reliability and uninterrupted delivery of video is mandatory or the entire viewing experience is affected. We may tolerate a dropped cell phone call-and can redial and complete the conversation- Interrupted video ruins the experience by disrupting the plot continuity or spoiling that suspenseful moment.
For a satisfactory video viewing experience, there must be a guarantee of reliability. While most wired and wireless networks deliver data extremely well, errors can still occur with video. If sending data and errors occur in loading a web page, or receiving email, or if service is interrupted, the packet (information) is resent. However, for streaming video and audio throughout the home, lost packets can result in skipped frames, garbled sound or blank pictures.
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- Why coax?
Cable, satellite and even telecom operators have been using existing in-home coaxial wiring to distribute analog video throughout the home for years. Coaxial cable already exists in more than 90 percent of U.S. households and many countries in Europe and Asia. It is understood by service providers and consumer alike that coax is for video!
Coaxial cable is ideal for carrying electrical signals because it is a shielded wire, meaning that the signal being carried is not subject to interference from outside sources. Because coax is designed to carry TV signals, coax outlets have historically been placed in close proximity to the consumer's desired TV viewing locations such as the living room, family room and bedroom. Many service providers are already reaping the benefits of coax-based networking technology enabling them to send multiple streams of high-definition content to practically any room in the house.
Unlike wireless networks which require sophisticated encryption schemes and lengthy setup, MoCA encrypts the signals automatically. MoCA transmits signals over a shielded cable, ensuring that data, personal information and digital media are safe from interference and theft. By combining shielded wiring, easy isolation from neighbors and automatically enabled security protocols, MoCA technology is a safe and secure component of hybrid home networks.
In addition, transmitting signals over coaxial cabling allows MoCA to operate at much higher frequencies than other technologies such as wireless or powerline networks which are prone to interference. Wireless networks predominantly operate in the same frequency spectrum (2.4 GHz) as cordless handsets, microwaves and other wireless networks.
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- What is MoCA's position regarding IPTV?
MoCA is essentially IP over coax on steroids, thus IPTV is looked at as a natural migration for delivery of HD content from any broadband connection using the Internet Protocol.
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- When will products be available through retail channels, or is MoCA strictly a service provider play?
While MoCA has been service provider driven by design, there is roadmap to the consumer. Products on retail shelves are expected sometime in 2008.
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TECHNICAL ISSUES:
- Does MoCA work through splitters?
The coax splitters used in homes are really directional couplers designed to isolate splitter outputs and prevent signals from flowing room/outlet to room/outlet. This isolation is for two reasons, a) reduce interference from other devices and b) maximize power transfer from Point of Entry (POE) to outlets for best TV reception.
The MoCA standard is specifically designed to go backward through splitters (insertion) and go from splitter output to output (isolation). All outlets in a house can be reached from each other by a single isolation jump and a number of insertion jumps. Each isolation jump has an attenuation of 25dB and each insertion jump attenuates approximately 3dB. MoCA has a dynamic range in excess of 55dB while supporting 135Mbps throughput. Therefore, MoCA can work effectively through a significant number of splitters.
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- How reliable is MoCA?
MoCA is highly reliable as it is a managed network unlike other home networking technologies. It is specifically designed to support streaming video without packet loss providing very high video quality between outlets.
Digital cable programming is delivered with threshold Packet Error Rate (PER) of below 1e-6. The home network should have similar or better performance so as not to impact the video and entertainment experience.
When supporting UDP and 1394 protocols there is no request and retransmission of packets above the Link/MAC layer, so that this PER must be constantly maintained at the MAC layer by the home network. A home network with potential collision access will have a very difficult time achieving 1e-6 PER with any significant loading of its data rate.
A fully coordinated collision free MAC as defined in MoCA, is practically a necessity for the home networks to achieve this PER for the desired data rates. In addition to a PER < 1e-6, the home network must deliver delay and jitter consistent with the services it carries.
Voice applications would like to see the delay budget allocated to home networking to be 10 msec or less. Jitter must be smoothed out in buffers at the transmitter and receiver. Such buffers must be a fraction of the total allowed delay. MoCA is specifically designed to address these Quality of Service (QOS) levels.
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- How fast is MoCA?
In extensive and independent field trials, MoCA demonstrated more than 110Mbps of throughput in more than 97 percent of outlets tested. These trials proved reliability and performance. Got to have both or it is an incomplete solution, and therefore not a solution at all.
These are important metrics for a number of reasons. First, the net throughput is guaranteed is more than capable of handling multiple HD streams. Second, the ubiquity indicates that minimal new wiring is required, and only then in a small percentage of homes. This eliminates costly truck rolls by the service provider, which is an equally undesirable scenario by the consumer/subscriber.
Equally important, is these benchmarks are provide a high degree of confidence that this is a retail capable technology.
MoCA 1.1 recently upped the ante with incorporation of packet aggregation which yields net throughputs of 175 Mpbs.
No other consortium that we are aware of publicly discloses the results of their field trials, and many have not done extensive real world testing. Nor are any of the standard bodies that we are aware of willing to admit their net throughput numbers for public consumption. What are they hiding?
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- What is the minimal net throughput required by service providers?
Right now, the industry benchmark for minimal guaranteed throughputs is 100 Mpbs. This is considered a minimum necessary for carrying of multiple streams of high definition content. Verizon's FiOS is capable of delivering 100 Mpbs to and around the home.
Home networks must support the peak data rate per stream, and those streams can peak simultaneously. The vast majority of broadcast content in the U.S. today is MPEG2.
Measurements of streams from the top four service providers showed that SDTV MPEG2 broadcasts are variable bit rate with average data rates between 2 and 3 Mbps, and peak rates around 9 Mbps. VOD SDTV streams tend to be constant at bit rates between 4 and 5 Mbps. However HDTV MPEG2 streams can carry requirements from the content providers if a minimum of approximately 12 Mbps is allocated.
Measurements of programs in San Diego showed that non-ATSC HDTV MPEG2 streams carry average data rates between 10 and 18 Mbps, and peak rates between 13 and 19 Mbps. Advanced coding schemes may reduce these average bit rates by a factor of 2. However, the peak rate is not reduced by as much as the average rate.
Fast-forward and reverse, and other trick modes, can increase the peak data rate by a factor of 3 or more if continuous streaming video is desired during the trick mode. If decimated, fast slide show looking trick mode is acceptable, then data rates stay comparable. Service providers will still need to make terrestrial or network ATSC content available to their subscribers. So even if an advanced codec brings the service provider's data rate down for HDTV, the subscriber may sometimes home network ATSC.
Service providers must allocate the home networking data rate for ATSC streams at 19 Mbps regardless of their own HDTV data rates. A usage scenario consisting of 1 HDTV stream, 1 ATSC stream, 2 SDTV double hops, and broadband at 10 Mbps, for example, requires allocation of 50 to 84 Mbps for play, and 50 to 148 Mbps if all streams did trick mode at the same time.
A usage scenario with 3 ATSC streams and broadband at 3 Mbps requires allocation of 60 Mbps for play, and 60 to 123 Mbps for trick modes. None of these numbers include another typically > 10% protocol and management overhead from the application. An additional 30 percent or more of a stream can also be needed to fill IPSTB buffers at channel changes in order to reduce channel change times.
As has been proven, you can never have enough bandwidth.
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- What is the maximum distance of coax for MoCA?
MoCA is able to provide more than 100 Mpbs throughput at distances of more than 300m.
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- Can adjacent dwellings hear/interfere with a MoCA network?
Drop cables and multitaps isolate coax between homes. Multitaps give varying amounts of isolation between tap ports that vary with frequency, and can be insufficient to fully isolate homes in the 860 - 2000 MHz band. Multitaps come in 2, 4 and 8 tap versions, the majority being 2 and 4 tap multitaps. Coax can support reliable 100 Mbps in a 50 Mhz bandwidth or less, enabling more than 8 channels/homes to exist independently above 850 Mhz.
If necessary, physically isolating homes on coax requires that simple 850 MHz low pass filters be installed between the multitap and the POE. Since there are more channels supported than shared homes on a multitap, each home can be operated on its own frequency, eliminating the need for physical isolation filters until the neighborhood is heavily penetrated with multiple channels per home, and usage rates indicate more channels than are available within the total bandwidth. Thus, in combination with encryption, coax supports private independent networks that are not degraded by neighboring homes.
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- Does MoCA work on any type of coax?
Yes. The simple rule is that if you can receive a TV signal from the outlet, it can support MoCA.
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- Are surge suppressors an issue?
No. MoCA is not affected by any powerline filtering and management functions.
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- What OSI layers does MoCA address?
Physical and MAC Layers 1 and 2.
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- Is MoCA secure?
Absolutely. MoCA utilizes DES to provide baseline privacy similar to cable modems.
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- Does MoCA support digital rights management (DRM)?
DRM lies in the software layer above MoCA. MoCA provides Layer 2 transport with QOS over existing home coaxial network.
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- Are there regulatory issues with MoCA?
No. MoCA operates in the protected environment of the in-home coax cable.
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- Does MoCA work with access technologies such as xDSL?
Yes. ADSL and VDSL services typically enter the home on a twisted pair, operating in a frequency band from a few hundred kilohertz to 8.5MHz for ADSL and 12MHZ for VDSL. As services reach the home on via xDSL, they may be routed via MoCA technology and the in-home coax to the video devices. Since MoCA operates at frequencies well above the xDSL spectrum, the opportunity for interference between the networks is minimal.
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