Acterna SDA-5000

To Next Page

To Previous Page

SDA Series

Stealth Digital Analyzer

Operation Manual

6510-00-0442, Rev D

May 2001

Main Page

Important Safety Instructions6
Introduction26
Field Unit27
Quickly Find Entry Points for Ingress and Noise28
Pinpoint Return Path Problems by Analyzing Digital Return Path Signals at any Point in the Field29
New Features and Benefits of the SDA-500030
New Features and Benefits of the SDA-550031
Reverse Sweep Alignment32
Introduction34
User Interface Elements35
Navigator Tabs and Icons36
Key Controls38
Soft Keys39
Alphanumeric Keypad41
Cable Connection Ports42
Sweep43
Proof-Of-Performance Measurement Tools44
Spectrum Analysis46
Configuring the SDA-500047
Global Configuration48
Measurements Configuration (Including QAM OPT4)50
Digital Analysis (QAM OPT4) Options52
Sweep Configuration53
Diagnostics54
System Information57
Printing Measurements and Files58
Introduction60
Channel Plan Configuration61
Setting Channel Plan Parameters63
Video Signal Type64
Channel Tuning Sequence65
Edit Channel Plan68
Editable Parameters71
Configuring a Digital Carrier74
Configuring for Inverted Spectrum75
Configuring a QAM Digital Stream Channel76
Inverted Spectrum Features77
Delete Unused Channels78
Edit Limits80
Edit Digital Limits81
Copy Remote Plan82
Field Sweeping with the SDA84
Test Point Compensation Configuration85
Sweep Receiver Configuration89
SWEEP Menu Options92
Considerations for Sweep in the Field95
Signal Level Considerations96
Wiring and Levels: Reverse Sweep (SDA-5000 OPT1)97
Sweep Setup99
Reverse Sweep Operation100
Soft Key Icons101
Forward SWEEP Screens102
Level Screen104
Limit Screen105
Tilt Screen106
Reverse Sweep Operation (SDA-5000 OPT1)107
Reverse Sweep108
Setting the Sweep Direction109
Reverse SWEEP Screens110
Reverse Frequency Screen111
Reverse Noise Screen112
Reverse Noise Level Screen113
Reverse Noise Frequency Screen114
Reverse Amplifier Alignment Screens115
REV ALIGNMENT Level Screen116
Sweepless Sweep117
Loopback Sweep (OPT2)118
Introduction120
Problems in Advanced Services121
Problems in Troubleshooting the Reverse Path123
Tools for Combating Reverse Ingress124
CPD (Common Path Distortion) Analysis125
Recommended Setup for CPD Analysis126
Evaluating TDMA Return Path Signals127
Variable Time Slot TDMA128
Troubleshooting TDMA129
Introduction134
Measuring Signal Levels135
Tilt Measurements137
Tilt Compensation138
Balancing Amplifiers139
Scan Measurements140
Scan Rates141
LEVEL Submenu142
TILT Submenu143
Carrier-To-Noise Measurements144
Modem Carrier-To-Noise Measurements146
Why Measure Cable Modem C/N147
Hum Measurements149
Modulation Measurements151
CSO/CBT Measurements153
Introduction156
LEVEL Submenu159
AMPLIFIER Submenu160
ZERO SPAN Submenu161
AMPLIFIER/LOW-PASS FILTER Submenu162
TIMEBASE Submenu163
BANDWIDTH Submenu164
Introduction166
Pathtrak Mode Operation167
AMPLIFIER/LOW-PASS FILTER Submenu169
LEVEL Submenu170
Node Selection172
Introduction174
Quick Start175
Correcting Signal Lock Errors176
QAM Ingress Mode (Quick Start)177
Equalizer Mode (Quick Start)178
Features and Definitions179
Forward Error Correction (FEC)180
Equalizer Stress181
Viewing the DETAIL Display182
Editing the Modulation Format183
Editing the Symbol Rate184
QAM Ingress Mode185
Basic Operation186
Measuring QAM INGRESS187
Editing the Modulation Format or Symbol Rate188
Editing the Reference Level189
Selecting the Maximum Hold Function190
Constellation Mode191
Common Impairment Types192
QAM Modulation and Symbol Rates194
CONSTELLATION Main Screen Features195
Viewing the QAM Level Display196
Using the Zoom Feature197
Equalizer Mode199
Basic Operation200
In-Channel Frequency Response Screen202
Introduction204
Test Locations205
Parameters and Test Location Types206
Creating and Editing Test Locations207
Entering a New Location208
Performing an Auto Test209
Edit Location210
Select Probe Point211
Compensation213
Type of Test214
Temperature215
Canceling an Auto Test216
Viewing Intervals219
Introduction222
Storing Files223
Viewing and Printing Files225
Sweep References226
Overlay Mode228
Selecting a Sweep File to Overlay229
Maintaining Your SDA Equipment232
Battery Terminal Cleaning233
Cleaning the Instrument234
About Our Service235
Customer Service Locations236
Test Systems Field Engineering and Installation237
Technical Training238
Equipment Return Instructions240
Description and Basic Operation of the SDA-5500 and242
Soft Keys243
Support Mode Selection Keys245
Alpha Entry Mode246
Global Configuration247
Measurements Setup250
Channel Plan Setup252
Basic Modes of Operation253
Tuning by Channel or Frequency255
Level Adjustments256
Scan Mode257
Level Adjustments258
Audio Carriers259
Measuring the Carrier to Noise Ratio260
Bandwidth Adjustments261
Measuring Hum262
Monitoring the Depth of Modulation263
Spectrum Analyzer Mode264
Level Adjustments265
How to Make CSO/CTB Measurements266
Frequency Adjustments271
Working with Files272
Using Auto Test273
How to Create, Edit, and Delete Test Locations274
How to Perform an Auto Test277
Auto Test Location278
Test Point Type279
Voltage Measurements280
Test Point Compensation281
Results File282
Scheduled283
Viewing and Printing Auto Test Files284
Status291
Introduction292
Setting Levels294
Setting Forward Telemetry Levels and Frequencies296
Forward Telemetry Level297
Include Audio Carriers298
Creating Channel Plans299
First Channel Plan Procedure300
Editing a Channel Plan302
Testing the Transmitter Setup308
Configuring Reverse Sweep309
Basic Reverse Sweep Procedure310
Dual Cable Network312
Reverse Sweep Setup313
Creating a New Reverse Sweep Channel Plan316
Selecting an Existing Reverse Sweep Plan319
Testing the Transmitter Setup for Reverse Sweep320
Using both Headend Units322
Sweep History and Theory323
Remote Operation and Channel Plans324
Stealth Sweep325
Productivity Tools326
Sweep References327
Test Point Compensation328
Reverse Noise Broadcast329
File Overlay330
Forward Sweep and Balance332
Build Channel Plan (Configure; Channel Plan)333
Sweep Transceiver (Configure; Sweep Transceiver)334
Copying Channel Plans335
Field Unit Settings336
Forward Balancing and Sweeping337
Common Forward Sweep Problems338
No Communication339
Frequency Response Identification340
Tips & Hints341
Reverse Sweep and Balance343
Build Channel Plan (Configure; Channel Plan)344
Sweep Transceiver (Configure; Sweep Transceiver)345
Before You Leave the Headend346
Another Way348
Considerations349
Spikes350
Bad Response351
Faster Reverse Sweep352
Return Path Troubleshooting354
Troubleshooting CPD355
The Noise Mode356
Listening to Ingress for Identification of the Source357
Return Path Egress/Ingress Testing358
The "Zero Span" Mode359
Proofing and Testing360
In-Channel Sweeping [76.605(A)(6)]361
CNR & Distortions [76.605(A)(7,8)]362
Terminal Isolation [76.605(A)(9)]365
Headend Tests [76.605(A)(11)]366
Frequency368
Carrier-To-Noise369
Sweep Mode370
Zero-Span Mode371
Data Storage372
Modulation Type373
MER (Modulation Error Ratio)374
EVM (Error Vector Magnitude)375
Power Source376
Status Indicators378
Soft Key Icons379
Additional Option-Specific Icons382
SDA Option 4 -- QAM383
Introduction384

Acterna SDA-5000 - Page 2

Table of Contents

Other manuals for Acterna SDA-5000

Related product manuals