Diamond Technology Reviews 2024

The 20th Diamond Technology Reviews, in which Lightwave+BTR again recognizes innovation in broadband communications, video transmission, and related technologies, sees a new wave of technology enabling 10G and fiber broadband networks. Honorees will be awarded their Diamond Technology Review award during the SCTE TechExpo24 show in Atlanta, Georgia.

As always, the Lightwave+BTR staff and our program judges were impressed with the ingenuity exemplified in this year’s high-scoring entries. Our program this year followed the usual procedures: We invited vendors serving the standard broadband cable industry to submit information about products that had been released or upgraded since last year’s SCTE Cable-Tec Expo (October 2023).

Each entry was assigned to at least three of our expert volunteer judges. To help ensure fairness, sim ilar products from different vendors were reviewed by the same group of panelists. Judges based their scores/comments on written material provided by vendors and their 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 valid 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 standards 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 excel lent and reflect a favorable opinion from the panel. Only products receiving a 3.5 or above are included in this publication. This year’s entries showcased various innovations enabling cable operators to enhance broadband speeds and improve the delivery of video and business services. Entries spanned the gamut of HFC, fiber, and SDN based solutions to deliver services and simplify maintenance.

There was also an emphasis on solutions for back-office systems and network planning tools to reduce network design and construction costs. Once again, there was an emphasis on helping cable operators get more juice from their existing HFC plant via 1.8-GHz capabilities and Remote PHY for fiber-deep deployments. Also, there was an emphasis on providing cable operators with tools to enhance their fiber-based network rollouts, including new cabling products, fiber splicing, Optical Line Terminals (OLTs), and outside plant cabinets.

“Our 2024 Diamond Technology Reviews honorees once again showed how the cable industry is looking for ways to enhance network speeds and feeds and achieve cost efficiencies,” commented Lightwave+BTR Editor in Chief Sean Buckley.

However, the Diamond Technology Review would not have been possible without the judging panel. “We are grateful to our judges for taking the time to review all the entries quickly.

2024 DIAMOND TECHNOLOGY REVIEWS JUDGES PANEL

Program Director: Sean Buckley, Editor in Chief, Lightwave+BTR

Fuad, Alnajjar, Vice President, Business Engineering, Wireless for Mediacom

Tee Harton, Sr. Director, RF Engineering at Cox Communications

Robert Kuse, Director of Cox Business Network Engineering at Cox Communications

Mark Woodworth, managing director, Magnolia Road Internet Cooperative

ACTIVE NETWORK HARDWARE
Vecima: Entra® EN9000 GAP Node

BACK OFFICE
IQGeo: Workflow Manager

CABLING & ACCESSORIES
AFL: Fujikura 45S Cladding Alignment Fusion Splicer
CommScope: 36-Fiber Count (36F) Flat Drop Cable
Technetix: HDOSS-32 (High-Density Optical Splitter System)

FIELD TEST INSTRUMENTS
EXFO: FTBx-570 Dispersion analyzer for both CD and PMD
VIAVI Solutions: INX 760 Probe Microscope

FTTH/OPTICAL ACCESS PLATFORMS
CommScope: All-In-One Cabinet
Corning: Evolv® Solution with Multifiber Pushlok™ Technology
Technetix: Remote OLT (rOLT)

MONITORING & ANALYSIS
ATX Networks: GigaXtend Orchestrator
EnerSys: EnVision CONNECT
Witbe: Ad Monitoring and Matching Technology