By Ivan T. Frisch, Vice President, Bill Rothfarb, Sr. Engineer, Aaron Kershenbaum, Sr. Engineer, Network Analysis Corporation
CATV distribution systems are expensive. To reduce hardware costs, we have developed a package of computer programs that generates complete layouts and designs for CATV distribution systems. Since the computer does not rely on "intuition", it is not restricted to using routine approaches but is free to select the best combination of components and layout which meet the system specifications.
To illustrate how money can be saved with network optimization by computer, we examine a number of results derived from actual computer runs. These results include the layout of feeder and trunk cable, the location of distribution amplifiers, and detailed assignment of amplifier locations as a function of cable sizing and coupler assignments. The computer's designs not only save money but are free of the approximations, rules of thumb and inadvertent errors introduced by human designers.