An introduction to cable television in the United States

The history of cable television in the US is reviewed. The opportunity for reuse of frequencies assigned for other purposes in the over-the-air environment is discussed in the context of the crowding of the radio spectrum. The problem of loss in coaxial systems is briefly examined. The tree-and-branch topology used by cable systems is described. Signal quality issues are addressed. Tradeoffs in cable system design and cable system economics are discussed.<>