Motorola sets world record for data transmission over Cox network

Telecommunications vendor Motorola claims to have broken the world record for return path data transmission, achieving speeds of 356 Mbps for a 5-85 MHz path on infrastructure from US vendor Cox Communications.

The companies used a Motorola DOCSIS 3.0 RX48 return path receiver module operating within a Motorola BSR 64000 CMTS Edge Router on Cox’s Las Vegas network infrastructure.

Both companies used the achievement to spruik their wares. Joe Cozzolino, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Network Infrastructure, Motorola Mobility, said: “The RX48 has clearly demonstrated that we are moving once again to a position of CMTS leadership.”

Jay Rolls, Senior Vice President of Technology, Cox Communications, said: “The RX48 and these tests demonstrate that Cox’s HFC [hybrid fibre coaxial] networks are much more future proof than many have believed.

“Our networks have the capability to support much higher data speeds than today without the need to replace any of the amplifiers, taps or cables,” Rolls said.

The record was set by transmitting data across 12 return path channels, six of which employed 256QAM modulation. According to the vendors, existing HFC networks have only two or three upstream channels, delivering an aggregate of 40-70 Mbps.

While the record of 356 Mbps was set at 5-85 MHz, the test also resulted in a maximum transmission rate of 142 Mbps at a 5-42 MHz return path using six return path channels, three of which operated using 256 QAM modulation. This is in comparison to the maximum of 64 QAM in today’s networks, leading the companies to claim a second world record.

“For the first time, cable operators can use the 5-42 return path to provide 100 Mbps dedicated to business customers and simultaneously provide residential customers with the return path bandwidth necessary to meet their growing needs,” a statement from the vendors read.