Cable Expert

The AT1700M/AT1600E series multiplexer is a high performance cost-effective broadband RF switching solution. Combined with the AT2500 series spectrum analyzers, the AT1700M/AT1600E multiplexer is the ideal solution for headend testing and return path monitoring.

AT2500-3G is the industry’s most complete 3 GHz advanced spectrum analyzer and multi-standards test solution. Incorporating a high-resolution color touch-screen, the AT2500-3G features 3 GHz spectrum analysis, D3.1 OFDM Analysis, digital channel, VeCheck, MPEG analysis and Ethernet test capabilities. Comprehensive SLM measurements include Single Channel, Headend Check, and FCC Digital POP tests.

The CaLan 3010H+ Sweep System is designed for prequalification, installation, and maintenance of DOCSIS 3.1 and 4.0 networks. The unit consists of a high performance, 1.8 GHz Transmitter and a low noise, 204 MHz Receiver, capable of sweeping the entire Forward and Return path respectively.

The CX180F Probe in the VeSion® monitoring system checks the performance of analog and digital channels being transmitted downstream or toward customers across a CATV HFC network.

The VeSion® Return system monitors the return path for noise, UCD and ingress that interfere with DOCSIS communications. With DOCSIS 3.0/3.1 deployments, higher order upstream QAM modulation and channel bonding are more vulnerable to ingress and should be monitored continuously to ensure peak performance.

The CX310 is equipped with a true DOCSIS 3.1 / 32x8 Cable Modem supporting OFDM measurements as well as VeTest throughput capabilities. Comprehensive SLM features include Single Channel, VeCheck Full Band Scan, Tilt and Ingress. These key capabilities are the basis of the Home Installation Process (HIP) Auto test, enabling Home Certification conformance testing.

In a DOCSIS 3.0 (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) environment, the upstream bandwidth becomes crowded with wider and higher order QAM modulation carriers and channel bonding, leading to increased impairment sensitivity. In addition, the increasing ubiquity of DOCSIS cable modems actually represents one of the significant challenges for maintaining good plant health. The modems themselves can be serious interferers. In order to take a truly ‘proactive’ vs. ‘reactive’ approach in network monitoring, it is important to first detect the plant issues before it becomes significant enough to impact subscribers; then correlate the identified issue(s) to the physical location(s) of the modems contributing harm to the cable plant.