Transmission strategies for high-speed access over Category-7A copper wiring

This paper focuses on conceptual designs and demonstration of beyond 10G transmission systems for distribution of digital signals over standard Category-7A copper cable, which is an enhanced version of Category 7 cable. Although the actual implementation might not be feasible at the time of writing of this paper due to technology limitations and high production costs, we have been trying to address the technical feasibility, limitations and design of a system in a framework leading to a practical implementation in a not too distant future with the ever increasing speed of technology advances. We have demonstrated that a data rate up to 40Gbps over 100m of CAT-7A is feasible with reasonable complexity. Developing 100Gb/s over 100m balanced cabling is going to be very challenging. To optimize costs, while ensuring robust and reliable performance over 100 meters and through four connections, Category 8 cabling is the most likely choice to support the emerging IEEE 100GBASE-T application. The results of our investigations indicate that 100Gbps transmission is possible over 50m of such a cable.