Berkeley OCTOPUS - User Manual

Quick User Guide
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OCTOPUSOCTOPUS
(outside U.S. & Canada) +1 732-548-3737
www.bvsystems.com
support@bvsystems.com
Before You Start - Unpack and completely charge up your Octopus using the supplied power transformer and charg-
ing dock. Be sure unit is seated rmly in the charging dock so that charging LED atop unit is lit. The mini-USB port loctated
on the side of unit can be used for trickle charge and rmware updates. Check with BVS support for latest rmware and
updating instructions. Be sure to only use provided multiband antenna or other antenna authorized by BVS support. This
will ensure that unit properly scans all bands, carriers and frequencies at maximum sensitivity.
Starting Up - Before powering up, connect the antenna. Power up Octopus by pressing the white button below the
touchscreen. This same button is the only physical button on the unit and also powers down the unit by holding it in for a
few seconds. Octopus will immediately begin scanning all nearby base stations. After about 10 seconds of a startup screen,
Octopus will display the main screen of carrier choices (Octopus scans all U.S. regional carriers (over 60) but only displays
those on the carrier list screen which appears next) while continuing to scan for all nearby signals. Choose your carrier of
choice or all 4G. Allow at least 30 seconds for full scan to complete. Three small dots in the lower right corner of the screen
indicate scanning is still in progress. Tap on the gear icon (settings menu) at any time to adjust the vibrating and audible
alerts as well as check your current rmware and unit serial number. See next page of this user guide for all screens and
their paths.
Scanning and Sorting - Once Octopus has nished completely scanning, you may sort all base station signals by
either carrier, frequency or signal strength. 4G signal strength is measured in RSRQ (dB) and RSRP (dBm). Tapping the CAR-
RIER, FREQ or RSRQ/RSRP buttons will sort the list by any of those choices. If Octopus identies more than 6 unique base
stations, a PAGE down button appears for additional pages of base stations to search through. PAGE up button appears on
the next page allowing users to move through all pages. Touch the freeze button (lower left) anytime to freeze the screen(s)
to view measurements across all pages, take notes or snap a quick pic with your smartphone. This mode also saves mea-
surement data for download to PC (see user manual). Push the same button again to resume real time measurements.
Choosing Your Base Station - Once you have located the base station of interest, touch it to take you to the ac-
tive signal carrier measurement screen. From this screen you can view the channel number and realtime signal strength
as you move around and also to align external antennas to nearby base stations. Single measurement screen allows users
to toggle between RSRP and RSSI measurments in dBm as well as view RSRQ without having to leave this screen. A thin
watermark line above the vertical signal strength bar indicates peak measurement observed during the entire session. Tap
the CID button to view more information about this particular base station.
Antenna Alignment - Disconnect your included omni directional SMA antenna and connect directly to your mounted
(or soon to be mounted) antenna xture while viewing the single carrier screen. Begin with broad sweeps and then turn
your antenna slower to ne tune adjustment so that it is pointing directly to the base station you want off in the distance.
Once your signal strength is at maximum, install and tighten your permanent antenna and connect it directly to your cell
booster. You can now move on to scan more base stations and install more cell boosters if needed.

Summary

Getting Started with Octopus

Before You Start

Initial setup and charging instructions for the Octopus device, including dock seating and antenna connection.

Starting Up the Device

Powering on the Octopus, connecting the antenna, and the initial scanning process for nearby base stations.

Signal Scanning and Analysis

Scanning and Sorting Signals

Sorting base station signals by carrier, frequency, or signal strength (RSRQ/RSRP) and using screen freeze functionality.

Choosing and Measuring Base Stations

Selecting a base station of interest and viewing active signal carrier measurement screens like RSRP and RSSI.

Antenna Alignment and Optimization

Antenna Alignment Procedure

Steps for aligning external antennas to a specific base station for maximum signal strength.

Device Settings and Features

Carrier Selection Modes

Options to choose specific carriers, all 4G, or all 3G UMTS base stations for scanning.

System Information and Alerts

Displaying firmware version, serial number, and configuring audible/vibrating alerts.

Measurement Data Management

Freezing measurement screens, storing data, and downloading to PC for analysis.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Usage Features
3. Maintenance Features

The Octopus is a portable signal meter designed to assist with the installation and alignment of cellular boosters by identifying and measuring 4G LTE signals from nearby base stations. It provides real-time data on signal strength, carrier information, and frequency, making it an essential tool for optimizing cellular connectivity.

Function Description

The primary function of the Octopus is to scan for and display information about nearby 4G LTE base stations. It measures signal strength using RSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality) in dB and RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power) in dBm, which are key metrics for evaluating cellular signal quality. The device can identify signals from major U.S. regional carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, and allows users to sort detected base stations by carrier, frequency, or signal strength. This sorting capability helps users quickly pinpoint the most suitable base station for their needs.

Once a base station of interest is identified, the Octopus can display detailed information about that specific signal, including channel number, real-time signal strength, and additional CID (Cell ID) information. This detailed view is crucial for precise antenna alignment. The device also supports toggling between RSRP and RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) measurements, providing comprehensive signal analysis. A unique feature is the thin watermark line above the vertical signal strength bar, which indicates the peak measurement observed during the entire session, helping users track the best signal achieved during adjustments.

Beyond real-time measurement, the Octopus includes a data logging feature. Users can "freeze" the screen to capture and store measurement data into the device's internal memory. This stored data can then be downloaded to a PC for further analysis, which is particularly useful for documenting installations or troubleshooting. The internal data buffer is overwritten each time the freeze button is pressed, so users should ensure they save or analyze data before capturing new measurements.

Usage Features

The Octopus is designed for ease of use with a touchscreen interface and a single physical button. To start, users connect the antenna and power on the device by pressing the white button below the touchscreen. This button also serves to power down the unit when held for a few seconds. Upon startup, the device immediately begins scanning for nearby base stations. After a brief startup screen, it displays a list of available carriers, allowing users to select their carrier of choice or view all 4G signals. The device continues to scan in the background, indicated by three small dots in the lower right corner of the screen.

The touchscreen interface allows for intuitive navigation. Users can tap on CARRIER, FREQ, or RSRQ/RSRP buttons to sort the list of detected base stations. If more than six unique base stations are found, PAGE up and PAGE down buttons appear, enabling users to scroll through additional pages of results. Tapping on a specific base station in the list takes the user to the active signal carrier measurement screen, where real-time signal strength and other details are displayed.

A key usage feature is antenna alignment. For precise alignment, users disconnect the included omnidirectional SMA antenna and connect their mounted (or soon-to-be-mounted) antenna fixture directly to the Octopus. While viewing the single carrier screen, users can perform broad sweeps with their antenna, then slow down to fine-tune its adjustment to point directly at the desired base station. The real-time signal strength display helps in maximizing the signal. Once the signal strength is at its maximum, the permanent antenna can be installed and tightened, then connected directly to the cell booster.

The device also includes a settings menu, accessible via a gear icon, where users can adjust vibrating and audible alerts. This allows for customization based on user preference or environmental conditions. The settings menu also provides information on the current firmware version and unit serial number.

Maintenance Features

Maintenance of the Octopus primarily involves ensuring it is properly charged and updated. Before initial use, the device should be fully charged using the supplied power transformer and charging dock. It's important to ensure the unit is seated firmly in the charging dock so that the charging LED atop the unit is lit, indicating a proper connection.

The mini-USB port located on the side of the unit serves a dual purpose: it can be used for trickle charging and for firmware updates. Users are advised to check with BVS support for the latest firmware and updating instructions to ensure the device operates with optimal performance and accuracy. Keeping the firmware up-to-date ensures access to the latest features and improvements in signal detection and analysis.

Regarding antennas, it is crucial to only use the provided multiband antenna or other antennas authorized by BVS support. This ensures that the unit properly scans all bands, carriers, and frequencies at maximum sensitivity, which is vital for accurate measurements and effective booster installation. Using unauthorized antennas could compromise the device's performance and accuracy.

The data logging feature, while primarily for usage, also contributes to maintenance by allowing users to document and analyze performance over time, which can help in troubleshooting or verifying the effectiveness of installations. Regular review of logged data can provide insights into signal stability and potential issues.

Berkeley OCTOPUS Specifications