Summary of Contents for Arcom QAM Snare Snoop
- Page 1 QAM Snare Snoop User Manual QS-Snoop-v2.0 2/21/2018 This document details the functions and operation of the QAM Snare Snoop leakage detector...
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
Table of Contents Overview ......................5 Screen Navigation ....................6 Settings ........................ 6 General ......................... 7 Information ....................... 7 Sound ....................... 7 Auto start ......................8 Auto Detect Profile .................... 8 Standard ......................9 Exit ........................9 Connection ......................9 QS Server ...................... - Page 3 Next Band ....................... 18 Leak Alarms ......................18 Signal alarms ....................19 SE Test alarms ....................19 Calibration ......................19 Detector Mode ....................20 Detector Mode – when configured for QAM detection ........... 20 Detection channel displayed on screen ............21 Indication of leaks detected at bands other than displayed ......
- Page 4 Wi-Fi antenna ....................31 Frequency Setup of QAM Snare Pilot transmitter ..........31 Turning the Pilot transmitter on ..............32 Battery charging ....................32 Patents ....................... 32...
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Page 5: Overview
Overview The QAM Snare Snoop is designed with the fulfillment technician in mind for troubleshooting within the home or at the drop. It is a multi- modulation format, multi-channel detector that is extremely flexible for the user. It will operate in QAM, Analog, Pilot/QAM, OFDM and Shielding Test detector modes. -
Page 6: Screen Navigation
as a time saver it is recommended to use the QAM Snare Web Client on a mobile device to have visibility to the GPS calculated flagged leak location which provides an accurate starting point for the final search. This process is much more effective than blindly walking around, but marginally more time consuming as compared to the Navigator Plus device which contain maps integrated within the device display. -
Page 7: General
General The General settings button provides for access to several miscellaneous configuration items which are detailed below. Information The Information selection item provide the user with information on the Device ID (which by default is the MAC address) and Technician ID that was assigned to the unit through Q-browser. -
Page 8: Auto Start
Auto start The Auto Start/Stop setting allows the unit to turn on and establish GPS lock automatically when power is applied, as when the vehicle is started. It will NOT automatically enter detector mode, as it is not intended to detect leaks while cradled. -
Page 9: Standard
Standard This allow to change the television standard between NTSC, PAL B/G, and PAL D/K so the proper channel listing can be selected. It is a one-time setup parameter. Exit Exit returns to the higher-level menu screen. Select and press enter. Connection The connection menu item is used to select the QAM Snare server and Wi-Fi devices the Snoop connects to. -
Page 10: Wi-Fi Profile
profiles would only be necessary for the technician that works in areas covering more than one server. For clarification, a typical QAM Snare installation will have multiple hubs connected to one server that covers a broad area. One signal processor hardware device is required in each hub, and the signal processors communicate with the QAM Snare server when in QAM Detector mode. -
Page 11: Detector Settings
Detector Settings QAM Snare Snoop is very flexible as to how it operates. Specifics related to the desired detector settings are configured here. Signal Mode Signal mode is the terminology used to describe the leakage detector operating in Analog, QAM, Pilot/QAM or OFDM modes. -
Page 12: Channel - Analog Detection
The next step is to select the desire channel or frequencies for the selected modulation format within the selected band, and then configure for the specifics and details related to the selected modulation format as described below. After one frequency band is configured, navigate to the Next band line and press enter, then repeat the process for the second band. -
Page 13: Tag Frequency
Tag frequency The TAG frequency must be configured to match the frequency of the utilized tag system. Default is 20 Hz. To change to a different frequency, navigate to the TAG frequency line, press enter, and use the arrow keys to select desired modulation frequency. -
Page 14: Ofdm Channel
OFDM channel To select the OFDM channel, navigate down to the Channel line, press enter, and use the arrows to select the desired frequency. OFDM detection continuous pilot harmonics Two harmonics of the OFDM continuous pilots are utilized for OFDM detection. The two harmonic frequencies MUST both we within the bandwidth of the selected OFDM channel, and for optimum performance the two harmonics should be selected at the maximum spacing within the channel. -
Page 15: Error Cp1 Or Cp2
cut and pasted as a more foolproof configuration process – if Auto Detection is not being used. Error CP1 or CP2 If you receive this error message after selecting the two harmonic frequencies, it indicates that the selected frequency is outside of the bandwidth of the selected channel. -
Page 16: Shielding Test Mode
There are four possible channel codes for every detection channels used by Arcom, intended to provide flexibility in overbuild situations. Table 1 below illustrates those frequencies. To select the desired code, simply select Code# and use the Up and Down arrows to select the desired frequency code. -
Page 17: Shielding Test On/Off
the transmitter is described in a later section of this manual. Shielding Test Pilots can be used in either the LOW band, LTE band, or both. The Pilot Transmitter generates two carriers in each band at frequencies equivalent to the Pilot/QAM detection scheme described above at one selectable channel in each of the LOW and LTE bands. -
Page 18: Pilot Level
Pilot Level The Transmitter RF output level is +46 dBmV, but there are many scenarios where the test pilot signal level will be lower. For example, if a splitter is connected after the grounding block, the transmitter signal will be attenuated 7 to 8 dB. So, an adjustment to the receiver will be necessary. -
Page 19: Signal Alarms
Signal alarms To change the alarm value for both the low and LTE bands, use arrow keys to navigate to the item you would like to change, press enter and then use the arrow keys to increase or decrease the number. SE Test alarms The Shielding Test alarms also display a shielding effectiveness indicator, which equates the detected signal to... -
Page 20: Detector Mode
Changes to calibration are password protected, and should only be done by users familiar with the process. This process is minimally important for Snoop since leak detection results are not updated to the server. Detector Mode The detector mode is used when the user wants the leak detector to locate leaks. -
Page 21: Detection Channel Displayed On Screen
only be used if a dual band antenna for each of the selected frequencies is being used. A screen sample showing dual channel detection is shown to the right. The sampling rate while operating in dual channel detection mode is once per second for each channel. -
Page 22: Leakage Display Level Indicator
switch and fix on the one channel. You will receive a message confirming that this action is desired, press enter to confirm yes. To return to dual frequency detection, again press the left arrow – in this case to add the Aero channel to the currently fixed LTE channel. -
Page 23: Detector Mode - Ofdm
Detector Mode – OFDM When OFDM detector mode is selected, the unit will clearly display OFDM, such that the user knows which mode was selected. GPS is not required in this mode. Navigation to the second band and fixing detection to one frequency is the same as described in Detector Mode –... -
Page 24: Screen Navigation In Shielding Test Mode
Screen navigation in Shielding Test mode The Snoop Shielding Test detector is configured for operation in both the LTE and AERO bands. The right arrow button is used to conveniently switch the display between the two frequencies. Remember that when switching, the antenna must also be switched –... -
Page 25: Noise Floor Level Indication
Noise Floor Level Indication The Snoop contains an indicator that provides feedback as to the device noise floor. The noise floor of the instrument will vary depending upon other off-air signals it is subject to. The lower the noise floor, the lower level leak Snoop will be able to detect. - Page 26 when there is no GPS lock, the device needs to wait until a signal is acquired. It may take a few minutes to get lock, which is typical for modern GPS receivers. The time to get lock may vary each time it connects. GPS-Sync After GPS lock is acquired it will go into GPS Sync.
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Page 27: Error Messages And Troubleshooting
Error Messages and Troubleshooting To assist in troubleshooting any connection or connectivity issues, Snoop will display error messages corresponding to the condition. No GPS lock GPS lock is required for proper operation of the device in QAM detector mode. When the device is turned on with clear visibility to the sky, it may take approximately two minutes for the GPS lock indication to go from GPS-NO, to GPS-OK –... -
Page 28: No Data
Consult with an Arcom Digital field engineer if the obvious troubleshooting is not... -
Page 29: No Gps At Headend Signal Processor
effective after power cycling the unit. This message is only applicable for QAM detection mode. No GPS at Headend Signal Processor When this error message is displayed, the Headend Signal processor does not have the required GPS lock. The GPS could not be providing signal because it is blocked, disconnected, or possibly even covered with snow depending upon placement and environment –... -
Page 30: Changes Made In Q-Browser Are Not Saved In Detector
Antennas QAM Snare Snoop requires a GPS antenna attached to the cradle base BNC connector, and an RF antenna that is connected to the top of the detector at the detector antenna input port. When the device is cradled, the GPS antenna is connected through the BNC connector at the bottom of the cradle, adjacent to the screw-on power jack input. -
Page 31: Wi-Fi Antenna
An enhanced antenna will operate on channels 16 and 17 (130 MHz to 144 MHz) in the low band, and channels 108 to 125 (700 MHz to 800 MHz) in the High Band. Consult with your Arcom Digital representative if there are question about antenna requirements. -
Page 32: Turning The Pilot Transmitter On
While the Snoop main menu is displayed, once the Pilot transmitter is connected to the Snoop cradle via USB the message shown at the right will appear on the Snoop screen. Press the enter button to confirm yes, and the Pilot transmitter will be programmed for those frequencies.
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