Because of the nature of LCD (liquid crystal display) screens, extreme temperature affects visual performance. LCD displays tend to "lighten up", or "bleach out", or "go dark" in extreme temperatures.
Trilithic equipment can measure hum on any unscrambled, active (modulated) channel. This is a peak-to- peak measurement. “The FCC’s definition of hum is any low frequency disturbance (
Zero Span on a spectrum analyzer is a powerful tool for viewing and measuring transient signals or ingress.
A bit error rate (BER) test is a simple and effective way to analyze signal quality. The test provides information about bit errors that occur prior to forward error correction (FEC) and those that occur after (post) FEC.
Most Cable Modems have an internal web page with some basic statistics and these pages can be retrieved with Internet Explorer. The 860 DSPi can contain several types of modems; each one having a slightly different web page access. There are DOCSIS 1.0, 1.1, 2.0, and Euro DOCSIS 2.0 modems. The easiest way to determine the modem equipped in your 860 DSPi is to go to the Info Menu and examine Cable Modem Info.
A Discrete Second Order (DSO) value is an individual, second order inter-modulation product produced when one or two carriers pass through a non-linear component and mix. The Composite Second Order (CSO) value is the sum of all DSO products that happen to fall at the same nominal frequency in a multi- tone system. CSO is defined as the difference, in dB, between the RMS voltage of the carrier measured at its peak and the RMS voltage of this sum.
Distance to Fault Formula = (VP * 492)/Delta in Frequency of Marker B – Marker A
The Error Vector Spectrum Menu (QAM EVS) allows the operator to tune the meter to a downstream QAM channel and display its error vector spectrum, to reveal noise and ingress that may be present under the QAM channel. This feature is a component of the QA-1 option for the 860 DSP and QA-2 option for the 860 DSPi, and will present itself when the unit is updated with the January 2008 firmware.
This Application Note discusses how to upgrade the firmware of the 860 DSPi. There are three ways to upgrade the 860 DSPi
This is a description of the New Macro Results Data presented in an 860 DSP / 860 DSPi starting in April 2007. It has been slightly re-organized for consistency.
The number one reason to ping is connectivity, do you have a connection between point A and point B. When a subscriber is unable to browse, and the modem is indicating a good connection, there may be a problem with DNS. If you can ping the IP address for a web site but you can’t ping the URL, this points to a DNS (Domain Name Server) issue.
Typical PP-30 Measurements and Using the 860 DSPi to Find & Fix the Problems
The Communication industry uses two simple measurements to describe the quality of data communications: MER and BER. Both measure the effect of noise and other disturbances on the transmitted bits.
The 860 DSPi can transmit a QAM signal (using the center SLM port because this port connects to the internal cable modem) using the US DOCSIS upstream format. QAM Source is a standard 860 DSPi feature beginning in March 2007.
The 860 DSPi has two standard features which enhance security, Secure860Link, and Instrument Fingerprint. Secure860Link enhances privacy for communications between the meter and the TDM system. The Instrument Fingerprint, in addition to encoding the serial number internally, enables the owner to internally “imprint” an “asset id” that shows ownership of the 860 in the event that it is lost or stolen.
Briefly, this feature allows access to web locations with the designator of https:// and requires password access as detailed by the standards. The SSL feature is regulated and is authorized to be installed on equipment used only in the U.S., Canada, and England. Therefore, Trilithic does not load this on its meters as the units may end up in an unauthorized location and violate regulations.
Trace Route is a network utility which plots a route from source to destination displaying all routers along the way in addition to the round trip time from the source to the router. It also attempts to do a reverse Domain Name look up to display the registered name of each router.
The Unsolicited Grant Service (UGS) provides periodic grants for an upstream service flow without the need for a cable modem to transmit bandwidth requests. This type of service is suitable for applications that generate fixed size frames at regular intervals and are intolerant of packet loss. Voice over IP is a classic example.
This paper describes the upstream level measurement on the 860 DSPi. This level measurement is displayed on the lower right of the PING menu as well as on the CMSTAT Menu.
The 860 DSPi TraffiControl Option can be used to see the ingress that is present underneath an upstream cable modem channel or any bursty signal.
VITS (Vertical Interval Test Signals) are signals inserted (generally during the vertical synchronization interval of analog video) to measure in-channel response, chroma-delay, differential phase, and differential gain.
The 860 DSPi can demodulate an 8VSB or 16VSB signal using the VSB menu. This can be done by connecting a VHF/UHF antenna to the 860 SLM input port and entering the VSB menu.
This application note describes the steps (with screen captures) involved in using an 860 DSPi with the CSG work order system.
This white paper outlines the method of adding a stand-alone icon for initiating an Auto Test Macro.
Understanding QAM
LPR Test Experience has shown that testing upstream C/(N+I) during installations greatly reduces customer complaints and costly call-backs. This note explains basic return path C/(N+I) requirements for return service installations, and discusses two commonly used test techniques, outlining the benefits and disadvantages of each.
HFC network engineers with IP telephony service experience know that high- quality services are founded on a clear plan for system oversight that includes monitoring, aligning, maintaining, troubleshooting and proper installation.
Basic 860 DSPi troubleshooting covering various possible issues.
Cable operators test their networks to ensure signal quality and signal leakage to comply with FCC guidelines. But with VoIP, HSD, and Digital Video new parameters have to be monitored and analyzed or tested to ensure that customers are getting the best service.
Post-Dial Delay and Dial Tone Delay typical DTD on a regular PSTN line is usually around 200 ms and for most PacketCable environments. Speech Power, Echo & Noise: Significant number of calls with Echo detected (about 40%).
The ITU-T's E-Model is a network planning tool used in the design of hybrid circuit switched and packet- switched networks for carrying high quality voice applications. The tool estimates the relative impairments to voice quality when comparing different network equipment and network designs.
The addition of VoIP services to the array of cable network offerings bring an exciting opportunity, but also presents some challenges. The quality of the offering can be seriously impacted by the quality of network maintenance.
The addition of VoIP services to the array of cable network offerings brings an exciting opportunity, but also presents some challenges.
One of the keys to quicker, more trouble - free implementation of 64 QAM upstream is a good consistent preventative maintenance program. This includes a regimen of system sweeping, reverse spectrum monitoring, end-of-line tests and leakage monitoring.
Effective, efficient preventive maintenance for the RF portion of the HFC network requires skill and application specific tols. One of the most useful tools for alignment and troubleshooting is system sweeping.
The 860 DSPi RTP Reflector Option extends the measurement and troubleshooting range of field technicians by offering a simple round-trip VoIP quality test from any RF test point. The option works through communication with the Tektronix DirectQuality active monitoring system, enabling tests to verify RTP communication from the test point to probes placed strategically throughout the cable network.
WARNING! This firmware is appropriate for most users, but some MSO’s do have different update policies in place. As such, in some cases the standard firmware may render certain test functions inoperable. Please contact your manager before updating your firmware.
For assistance with any installation, please call tech support at 1-800-344-2412.
Trilithic encourages maintaining up-to-date firmware; however, your company may have policies in place to manage the update process.
Please review the updated enhancements below BEFORE installing your 860 DSP and 860 DSPi update.
To apply the Trilithic 860 DSP firmware upgrade, please follow the below upgrade instructions:
Note: WorkBench can download Trilithic 860 DSP firmware with WorkBench updates. See your WorkBench software updates/upgrades page for download information.
860 DSP and 860 DSPi Firmware Update History
To install the Spanish language pack (Last Update: December 2009)
Note: Any words not translated will still appear in English. When firmware is upgraded, any new phrases will appear in English until a Language Pack update is released.
Nota: Cualquier palabra no traducida aún aparecerán en Inglés. Si la actualización del firmware, las nuevas frases que aparecerán en Inglés hasta que un nuevo paquete de actualización de idioma español es liberado
All repairs carry a 90-day warranty against defects in replacement parts and repair workmanship.
All Trilithic products are warranted against defects in materials or workmanship for a minimum of one year after shipment.
Trilithic's obligation under this warranty is limited to the repair or replacement of the product after being returned to our factory, and Trilithic determining the product be indeed defective.
This is Trilithic's sole warranty and is given in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or implied, including warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose and sets forth the buyers sole remedy.
| 8821Q, 8821Q-R & 8853Q | Rotary & Benchtop Attenuators | TFS-3200 Series |
| APSS-1B | TFS-201 | TFS-FS1 |
| DCVF-5 | TFS-290 Series | TFS-FS1K500 Series |
| Impedance Matching Pads | TFS-301 | TLB-60 |
| I-Stop | TFS-401 | Tunable Filters |
| Programmable RF Switches | TFS-2000 Series | VF-4 & VF-5 |
| 860 DSP & 860 DSPi | 9581 SST R3 & 9581 SST R4 | RSVP² |
| 860 DSPh & Input Expander | 9581 TPX | Seeker Lite² |
| 860 DSPr | CT-2/ CT-3 | Seeker |
| 8300 FST | Model Two | Seeker MCA |
| 8310 RSA | Model Three | Seeker BB-2 |
All Specially Configured Dell PowerEdge 2U Rack Mount Server products are warranted against defects in materials or workmanship for a minimum of three years after shipment. Dell provides next business day, parts and labor, on-site response for the following Trilithic products.
| ADIA Integrated Server Package | LAW Server Package |
| Guardian II Integrated Server Package | Trilithic Data Manager (TDM) Integrated Server Package |
