Accounting for Every MHz of Bandwidth - Slides - Artifact Discovery and Close-Packing of QAMs for Spectrum Activation

Sep 11, 2026

Uploaded by Liam

Accounting for Every MHz of Bandwidth presents data and algorithms for artifact discovery and close-packing of QAMs to support spectrum activation. It outlines Comcast’s evolving network toward 10G and the phased activation plan covering OFDMA and multiple OFDM stages plus FDX configurations. The workflow includes AI-driven spectrum checks, required pre/post-split validations, and an object-oriented full band capture model. Examples map energy and occupancy states to configuration and detection of MDU insertions and ingress.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages21

Reading Time7 min

AccessFree to download

Accounting for Every MHz of Bandwidth

Network evolution toward 10G and phased activation plan

AI checks spectrum for artifacts and generates node-specific configuration

Example configurations (pre-midsplit vs post-midsplit)

Required verification checks (#1 and #2)

Object-oriented model for full band capture (FBC)

Interpreting energy and occupancy states for channel labeling

Example detection of MDU insertions using configuration overlay

Accounting for Every MHz of Bandwidth: Data & Algorithms for Artifact Discovery and Close-Packing of QAMs in Support of Spectrum Activation Maher Harb Distinguished Engineer Comcast Accounting for Every MHz of Bandwidth Comcast’s Network is Undergoing Evolution Towards 10G Automations are Needed for Managing Spectrum Activations • Phase 1: Activate OFDMA (39-85 MHz) and expanded OFDM (810-1002 MHz) • Phase 2: Activate 2nd OFDM (placed below 810 MHz) • Phase 3: Close-pack Video • Phase 4: Activate FDX (configuration \#1) • Phase 5: Activate FDX (configuration \#2) AI Checks Spectrum for Artifacts & Generates Spectrum Configuration Customized for Each Node on the Network © 2023 Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers, [Inc. a subsidiary of CableLabs. | expo.scte.org](Inc. a subsidiary of CableLabs. | expo.scte.org) • \#cabletecexpo 2 Accounting for Every MHz of Bandwidth Example Configurations Pre-Midsplit Enablement (vCMTS Platform) OFDMA to be placed here High variability in configuration OFDM to be placed here 999 carrier for detecting roll-off © 2023 Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers, [Inc. a subsidiary of CableLabs. | expo.scte.org](Inc. a subsidiary of CableLabs. | expo.scte.org) • \#cabletecexpo 3 Accounting for Every MHz of Bandwidth Example Configurations Post-Midsplit Enablement (vCMTS Platform) OFDMA channel deployed 192 MHz OFDM channel deployed © 2023 Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers, [Inc. a subsidiary of CableLabs. | expo.scte.org](Inc. a subsidiary of CableLabs. | expo.scte.org) • \#cabletecexpo 4 Accounting for Every MHz of Bandwidth Representative Example of Required Checks: \#1 Ingress, MDU inserts Roll-off, MDU Inserts moved removed • Check mid-split and 810-1002 MHz for undocumented local video insertions (MDU inserts) • Check 810-1002 MHz for roll-off (potential missed legacy amplifier) © 2023 Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers, [Inc. a subsidiary of CableLabs. | expo.scte.org](Inc. a subsidiary of CableLabs. | expo.scte.org) • \#cabletecexpo 5 Accounting for Every MHz of Bandwidth Representative Example of Required Checks: \#2 Ingress, MDU inserts Noise in vacant SC-QAM spectrum | | | | --- | --- | moved placed narrowed placed | | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | • Check mid-split and 810-1002 MHz for undocumented local video insertions (MDU inserts) • Check vacant spectrum (~400-650 MHz) for ingress © 2023 Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers, [Inc. a subsidiary of CableLabs. | expo.scte.org](Inc. a subsidiary of CableLabs. | expo.scte.org) • \#cabletecexpo 6 Accounting for Every MHz of Bandwidth Object-Oriented Model of the Full Band Capture (FBC) FBC Model 1. Clean spectrum (removal of guards, tones) 2. Calculate energy in each EIA channel (QAM) 3. Use clustering to separate channels into Low (noise) and High (signal) groups 4. Annotate channel with occupancy tag(s) based on configuration © 2023 Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers, [Inc. a subsidiary of CableLabs. | expo.scte.org](Inc. a subsidiary of CableLabs. | expo.scte.org) • \#cabletecexpo 7 Accounting for Every MHz of Bandwidth Representative Example of the FBC Object [example_spectrum.channel_data](example_spectrum.channel_data) 95: {'frequency': 93, 'range': (720, 764), 'energy': -64.22336260009305, 'configuration': [], 'label':'Low’}, 27: {'frequency': 243, 'range': (2000, 2044), 'energy': -20.481732515261783, 'configuration':['Broadcast'], 'label': 'High'}, 88: {'frequency': 609, 'range': (5123, 5167), 'energy': -23.413981733457593, 'configuration': ['scqam-ds','Tones'], 'label': 'High’}, 89: {'frequency': 615, 'range': (5174, 5218), 'energy': -22.37800040455759, 'configuration': ['scqam-ds','Tones'], 'label': 'High’}, 90: {'frequency': 621, 'range': (5226, 5270), 'energy': -22.926620985583934, 'configuration': ['scqamds'], 'la

FAQs

What phases are used to activate spectrum for the described QAM/QAM-like deployments?

The activation plan is organized into five phases: activate OFDMA and expanded OFDM, activate a second OFDM stage below 810 MHz, close-pack video, then activate FDX with configuration #1 and #2.

How does the approach perform spectrum artifact discovery and configuration generation?

AI checks captured spectrum for artifacts and generates spectrum configuration customized for each network node based on detected channel conditions and occupancy states.

What does the full band capture (FBC) object-oriented model do?

FBC cleans spectrum by removing guards/tones, calculates energy per EIA channel (QAM), clusters channels into low-noise and high-signal groups, and annotates channels with occupancy tags tied to configuration.

Sep 11, 2026

Uploaded by Liam