Node size estimating tool and method

Method of estimating a node size for a system offering at least one of a plurality of services requiring transmission of data to a subscriber, the method utilizing a computer program in a computer and comprising:

• (a) inputting system bandwidths for at least one of downstream and upstream passbands into a system bandwidth field in the computer;
• (b) inputting node splitting information on a number of nodes per transmitter that will share the same services into node splitting and return combining information fields in the computer;
• (c) inputting any limitations on the downstream and upstream passbands that are unavailable for use by the system into an unavailable bandwidth field in the computer;
• (d) inputting requirement information for services including at least one of analog broadcasts, digital broadcasts, polled access/control, cable modem, telephony, interactive video and video on demand services, including at least one of a required channel width and channel quantity for at least one of downstream and upstream services, and the type of data modulation and payload data rate per channel to be utilized into service table fields for each of the services;
• (e) inputting estimated service penetration rates for homes passed that will subscribe to each of the services, estimated simultaneous use rates, and a desired downstream data rate to be received by each subscriber into respective fields for each of the services in the computer;
• (f) calculating the node size required using the computer program with data input in steps (a)–(e);
• and
• (g) outputting a recommended number of homes passed per node.