The 18th Diamond Technology Reviews, in which Broadband Technology Report again recognizes innovation in broadband communications, video transmission, and related technologies, sees a wave of new technology aimed to address the drive toward 10G networks. And, for the first time in a couple of years, there’s a chance you'll be able to see many of them as a live attendee of SCTE Cable-Tec Expo, held in 2022 in Philadelphia, PA.
As always, the BTR staff and our program judges were impressed with the level of ingenuity exemplified in this year’s high-scoring entries. Our program this year followed the normal procedures: We invited vendors serving the broadband cable industry to submit information about products that had been released or upgraded since last year's SCTE Cable-Tec Expo (October 2021).
Each entry was assigned to at least three of our expert volunteer judges. To help ensure fairness, similar products from different vendors were reviewed by the same group of panelists. Judges based scores/comments on written material provided by vendors, as well as their own experience with or knowledge of the specific technologies. Review panelists were informed that scores/comments would remain anonymous.
Specifically, judges used the following scale to determine Diamond scores:
- 1.0-2.5: Not a useful product
- 3.0: Useful product, yet commodity
- 3.5: Solid product with viable attributes that set it apart
- 4.0-4.5: Excellent product with technical features and performance that provide clear and substantial benefits
- 5.0: Superb product that sets new standard for performance and/or breaks new ground
Each entry’s scores were averaged and rounded to the nearest full or half Diamond. Note that products are grouped by score (with the highest Diamonds ranking first), and then in alphabetical order.
Scores of 3.5 or above are considered superlative and reflect a very positive opinion from the panel. Only products receiving a 3.5 or above are included in this publication.
This year’s entries were marked by technology that will prep cable networks for 10G, both via HFC and fiber. Systems to enable 1.8 GHz capabilities as well as advancements for Distributed Access Architecture (DAA) are highlights. Similarly, fiber networking technology has shown significant advancement. And test instruments now offer new features to keep pace with this evolution in the physical plant.
"Our 2022 Diamond Technology Reviews honorees again illustrate the high level of innovation that today’s and tomorrow’s cable networks demand," commented Broadband Technology Report Editorial Director Stephen Hardy, who again served as program director this year. “I’m looking forward to finally seeing many of these honorees in person in Philadelphia.”
The Diamond Technology Review judging panel remains the engine of the program. “Our judges reviewed a lot of entries in a short amount of time, and we remain grateful for their contributions to our program,” Hardy concluded.
2022 DIAMOND JUDGES PANEL
Program Director: Stephen Hardy, Editorial Director, Broadband Technology Report
Jack Burton, Principal, Broadband Success Partners
Zac Cronauer, Head of Fiber Initiatives, Blue Ridge Communications
Jeff Finkelstein, Chief Access Scientist, Cox Communications
Tee Harton, Sr. Director, OSP Engineering, Cox Communications
Robert Kuse, Senior Director - Access Engineering, Cox Communications
Tom Williams, Chief Technology Officer, Schurz Communications
Mark Woodworth, Engineering Architect, Comcast
Active Network Hardware
EnerSys: EnerSys PowerSafe iON 36-1800 Lithium Battery for Cable Broadband
EnerSys: XM3.1-HP for Remote Fiber Power Management
Positron Access Solutions Corp.: G.hn Access Multiplexer (GAM)
Technetix Group Ltd.: Direction Neutral Splitter 1.8 GHz Zero Loss (DNS-1800 ZL)
Technetix Group Ltd.: The 1.8 GHz Direction Neutral Network
Teleste Corp.: ICON4300 1.8 GHz Intelligent System Amplifier
Back Office
Incognito Software Systems Inc.: Incognito Broadband Command Center
IQGeo: Network Revenue Optimizer
Cabling and Accessories
CommScope: NOVUX™ Hardened Terminals
CommScope: Prodigy™ Universal Small Form Hardened Connector System
CCAP Systems
Harmonic: Harmonic’s MAC Anywhere FMA Offering
CPE
Evolution Digital: EVO6700AP Plume-Enabled Wi-Fi 6 Router/Mesh
Field Test Instruments
Anritsu Co.: Network Master Pro Series
VIAVI Solutions: Network and Service Companion (NSC-200)
FTTH/Optical Access Platforms
Calix: Calix DPx and the Intelligent Access EDGE Platform
Ciena: 8114 Coherent Aggregation Router
Monitoring & Analysis
Incognito Software Systems Inc.: Incognito DX Digital Experience KPI Analytics
Optical Transport/Carrier Ethernet
ProLabs: QSFP28 O-Band WDM Transceivers
Ribbon: Apollo TM400_2 Dual 400G
SDN/NFV/Cloud
Plume: SaaS Experience Platform
Video Distribution Solutions
Synamedia: Synamedia’s Edge CDN
WiFi Solutions
Airties: Airties' Wi-Fi EasyMesh™ Controller Software RDK-B Integration
