RF Micro Devices has announced the expansion of its broadband product portfolio targeting Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC) transmission network hardware, cable head end, cable hub equipment, and Multi Dwelling Unit/Multiple Tenant Unit (MDU/MTU) equipment. The new broadband products enhance cable operators' network performance and enable increased bandwidth to support rapidly growing digital-centric services, such as HDTV, 3D HDTV and "mid-split" DOCSIS networking.

The use of mid-split architectures can expand the amount of usable upstream or return path bandwidth by more than 160MHz. As an example, a mid-split capable HFC network can provide cable subscribers with Internet upload data rates that are five times faster than typical North American DOCSIS capable cable HFC networks. This enables multiple service operators (MSOs) to scale the data services on their existing cable transmission infrastructure, while delivering an enhanced Internet user experience and expanded digital services (e.g. HDTV streaming, HDTV downloads at ten times real-time data rates) to cable subscribers.

RFMD's newest HFC RF components are being showcased at the SCTE Cable-Tec Expo in New Orleans, October 20-22, and include a broad selection of amplifiers and wide bandwidth passive components. The amplifiers include linear amplifiers, low noise amplifiers and return path amplifiers, and the passive components include couplers, two-way splitters and transformers. As RFMD extends its product and technology leadership in broadband components, leading cable network equipment OEMs are increasingly selecting the Company's HFC RF components for their superior performance, reduced power consumption and enhanced user experience.