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Sunrise telecom CaLan N1776A User Manual

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  • Page 1 CaLan N1776A Network Profiler User Manual...
  • Page 2 CaLan N1776A Network Profiler User Manual Version 2.1 November 2003 Part number: N1776A-M01...
  • Page 3 DISCLAIMER Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Sunrise Telecom Broadband, Inc. The software and/or hardware described in this document are furnished under a license agreement or nondisclosure agreement. The software may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
  • Page 4 Safety Notices Observe the following safety precautions whenever you operate the CaLan N1776A Network Profiler. Failure to comply with these and other specific warnings and cautions in this manual is a violation of Sunrise Telecom Broadband’s safety standards of design, manufacturing, and intended use of the test module.
  • Page 5 Symbols The following are general definitions of safety symbols used on equipment and in manuals. Dangerous voltage. Protective ground. Frame or chassis ground. Alternating current. Direct current. Alternating or direct current. Caution! Read the manual.
  • Page 6 Warranty Sunrise products are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 2 years from date of sale. Sunrise agrees to repair or replace any assem- bly or component found to be defective under normal use during this period. The obligation under this warranty is limited solely to repairing the instrument that proves to be defective within the scope of the warranty when returned to the fac- tory.
  • Page 7 GETTING STARTED Receiving & Unpacking The CaLan N1776A Network Profiler is carefully packed at the factory in a shipping container specially designed to prevent damage during transportation. The original Sunrise shipping container and packing materials should be saved since they may be needed for long-term storage and for protecting the unit if it must be moved long distances.
  • Page 8 If the equipment has to be returned to an authorized Sunrise service cen- Note: ter, carefully repackage it in the original shipping container and then con- tact Sunrise’s customer service department to obtain a Return Materials Authorization (RMA) number and proper shipping instructions.
  • Page 9 DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY According to ISO/IEC Guide 22 and EN 45014 According to ISO/IEC Guide 22 and EN 45014 Manufacturer’s Name: Manufacturer’s Name: Sunrise Telecom Inc. Sunrise Telecom Inc. Manufacturer’s Address: Manufacturer’s Address: Corporate Head Office Corporate Head Office...

  • Page 10: Table Of Contents

    About this book Table of Contents Chapter 1, The Network Profiler at a Glance A functional and physical description of the Network Profiler, including the display and its components. Chapter 2, Getting Started: Touchscreen Basics A tutorial on using the touchscreen, with descriptions of dialog boxes, step con- trols, and the “soft”...

  • Page 11: About This Book

    About this book Chapter 9, Maintaining and Managing Your Data How to store and review test data, make screen captures, back up data, and com- municate with other instruments and equipment. Chapter 10, Test points, Locations, and Channel Plans How to use the Channel Plan, Test Point File, and Location File editors. Chapter 11, Using Windows CE How to use essential components of the Windows CE operating system, including Windows Explorer, the Start menu, and the Taskbar.
  • Page 12 About this Version About this Version This version of the CaLan N1776A Network Profiler User’s Manual applies to Firmware Release 2 units only. Be sure to refer to any user’s manual supplements or release notes that came with your unit. For assistance, call Sunrise Telecom Customer Care: in North America at 1-800-297-9726;...
  • Page 13 About this Version...
  • Page 14 Purpose and functions 1–2 Connectors and ports 1–5 Keypad controls and indicators 1–7 Touchscreen display 1–9 Other components and accessories 1–11 The Network Profiler at a Glance 1–1...

  • Page 15: Chapter 1, The Network Profiler At A Glance

    Keypad Touchscreen display Battery cover The CaLan N1776A Network Profiler is a portable instrument that combines the functions of a spectrum analyzer and a digital modulation analyzer for measuring levels, distortion, and other aspects of both analog and digital channels in a CATV network. It is powered by a lithium-ion “smart” battery, and has a built-in battery charger.
  • Page 16 The Network Profiler at a Glance Purpose and functions CATV module: • Analog channel signal levels, distortion, and hum • Digital channel average power, QAM modulation, and equalizer taps • Multi-channel carrier levels • Channel scan of visual and aural carrier levels Dual-path Sweep module (Option 052): •...
  • Page 17 The Network Profiler at a Glance Purpose and functions data files can be stored on a flash-memory card inserted in the PC card slot on the top of the unit. A selection of Windows CE applications is accessible from the menu, as START described in Chapter 11, Using Windows CE.

  • Page 18: Connectors And Ports

    The Network Profiler at a Glance Connectors and ports Connectors and ports There are two rows of connectors on the top of the Network Profiler. Those in front are protected by hinged, gasketed covers. Front row Connector covers Audio jacks PC Card slot DB-9 serial port RJ45 Ethernet port...
  • Page 19 The Network Profiler at a Glance Connectors and ports PC Card (PCMCIA) slot Under the right cover is a Type II PC Card slot, which can hold a flash-mem- ory card for storing test results, screen captures, and ordinary Windows files. Back row DC input and cover 75-Ohm RF connectors...

  • Page 20: Keypad Controls And Indicators

    The Network Profiler at a Glance Keypad controls and indicators Keypad controls and indicators These are to the right of the display screen. Battery-charge indicator Power on indicator Arrow keys ENTER Close Box button menu and taskbar button START Brightness controls Speaker volume controls [not used] External temperature...
  • Page 21 The Network Profiler at a Glance Keypad controls and indicators Windows CE buttons Start/Taskbar Pressing this blue button brings up the Windows CE Start menu and, if it is hidden, the taskbar. You can then use the stylus or the arrow and keys ENTER to select and execute a Windows CE application.

  • Page 22: Touchscreen Display

    The Network Profiler at a Glance Touchscreen display Touchscreen display The backlit LCD display incorporates a resistive touchscreen that allows you to use the included stylus, a finger, or any other suitable pointing tool to con- trol the Network Profiler’s operation. Toolbar Menu bar Status button...
  • Page 23 The Network Profiler at a Glance Touchscreen display data display between the normal white-on-black color palette and the black-on-white “daylight” palette for use in bright sunlight. Preset Touching the red Preset button in the upper right corner of the screen restores most test controls to their default state.

  • Page 24: Other Components And Accessories

    The Network Profiler at a Glance Other components and accessories Other components and accessories Speaker The speaker is in the left front panel. It provides the “click” when you touch the screen, and lets you hear the demodulated audio carrier when running the spectrum analyzer.
  • Page 25 The Network Profiler at a Glance Other components and accessories Carrying case The carrying case is designed so that the Network Profiler can be used with- out removing it from the case. A drop-down panel, secured with hook-and-loop fasteners, gives access to the front of the unit: 1–12...
  • Page 26 The Network Profiler at a Glance Other components and accessories An opening in the top of the case allows cables to be attached to the RF con- nectors and the AC adapter socket. The top itself may be unzipped to gain access to the other I/O ports and PC Card slot, or to remove the unit from the case: At the rear of the case is a large compartment with pockets for the external...
  • Page 27 The Network Profiler at a Glance Other components and accessories The included karrabiner (snap-link) makes it easy to carry the unit as a back- pack or to hang it securely over a cable: 1–14...
  • Page 28 “Clicking” and navigating the screen 2–2 Dialog boxes 2–4 Check boxes and step controls 2–7 Using the “soft” keyboards 2–8 Start Menu and Taskbar 2–11 Getting Started: Touchscreen Basics 2–1...

  • Page 29: Chapter 2, Getting Started: Touchscreen Basics

    Getting Started: Touchscreen Basics “Clicking” and navigating the screen “Clicking” and navigating the screen The Network Profiler’s touchscreen is resistive; you can use it when wearing gloves, with the included stylus, or with any other suitable non-abrasive pointing device, such as the eraser end of a pencil or even a toothpick. Keep in mind, though, that a pointer with a smaller tip requires less pressure;...
  • Page 30 Getting Started: Touchscreen Basics “Clicking” and navigating the screen Navigating with the keypad In a Windows CE application, the arrow and keys on the keypad ENTER behave like those on a standard computer keyboard. Use the arrows to scroll through menus and other lists, and to perform the action associated ENTER with a highlighted item.

  • Page 31: Dialog Boxes

    Getting Started: Touchscreen Basics Dialog boxes Dialog boxes Many Network Profiler actions involve dialog boxes, small windows that may contain lists, text boxes, buttons, and other controls. List boxes and scrollbars A List Box is just that – a dialog box that contains a list of items to choose from.
  • Page 32 Getting Started: Touchscreen Basics Dialog boxes To select an item in a list box, touch it; the item will be highlighted: The two action buttons, OK and Cancel, appear in almost every dialog box. Touch OK to carry out whatever action you have selected (in this example, to open the highlighted file).
  • Page 33 Getting Started: Touchscreen Basics Dialog boxes Text boxes Some dialog boxes contain one or more lines for entering text, such as a filename or a channel identifier. For example, the Save as... dialog box provides a line for entering the name of a new results file: Text box When you touch the Result name...

  • Page 34: Check Boxes And Step Controls

    Getting Started: Touchscreen Basics Check boxes and step controls Check boxes and step controls Check boxes and step controls appear on almost all control tabs (see Control tabs, page 3–15); use them to modify test parameters and the display of results.

  • Page 35: Using The "Soft" Keyboards

    Getting Started: Touchscreen Basics Using the “soft” keyboards Using the “soft” keyboards Stepping through a long list such as a channel plan can be tedious, so the Network Profiler gives you a way to enter a value directly. If you press the center button of a step control (the one with the number on it), you will bring up a “soft keyboard”, which you can use to enter the desired value.
  • Page 36 Getting Started: Touchscreen Basics Using the “soft” keyboards Alphanumeric keyboard This keyboard is used primarily to edit Channel plans, test point files, and location files: A blinking vertical-line cursor in the text-entry box indicates the point at which the next character will appear. Type your entry, then press Enter to save the new entry and close the keyboard.
  • Page 37 Getting Started: Touchscreen Basics Using the “soft” keyboards Shift: Works like the “Shift” key on a normal keyboard. Touch it to change the letter keys to capitals and the number keys to symbols: As soon as you touch a key, the key caps return to lower case and numerals. Caps Lock: Works like the Shift button, except that the keys do not return to lower case until you touch Caps Lock again.

  • Page 38: Start Menu And Taskbar

    Getting Started: Touchscreen Basics Start Menu and Taskbar Start Menu and Taskbar The Start Menu and Windows CE Applications If the taskbar is visible, touch the Start button to bring up the menu. If the taskbar is not visible, press the blue button on the keypad to bring the taskbar and Start menu into view: Taskbar Start menu...
  • Page 39 Getting Started: Touchscreen Basics Start Menu and Taskbar The Taskbar Desktop icon Clock Battery-life gauge Start menu button Active application System Tray The Windows CE Taskbar appears at the bottom of the screen. The START button is at the left end. Next is the task space, containing buttons for whatever Windows applications are open at the time.
  • Page 40 As easy as... 3–2 Menus 3–3 Toolbar 3–8 Test Selectors and Status Button 3–10 Data display 3–12 Markers 3–13 Control tabs 3–15 Enabling a test point file 3–17 Enabling a channel plan 3–19 When you have to start over 3–20 Getting Started: The Test Display 3–1...

  • Page 41: Chapter 3, Getting Started: The Test Display

    Getting Started: The Test Display As easy as... As easy as... It takes just three steps to begin any test: Connect the RF signal leads to the RF input and output (if doing return-path tests) of the Network Profiler. Turn on the Network Profiler. Select the test.

  • Page 42: Menus

    Getting Started: The Test Display Menus Menus Files menu From this menu, you can open, save, and export test results, create perfor- mance reports, back up and restore the data stored in memory, view screen captures, control the screen contrast, and exit the Network Profiler. For detailed instructions on using all these commands (except High Contrast and Exit, described below), see Chapter 9, Maintaining and Managing Your Data.
  • Page 43 Getting Started: The Test Display Menus View Screen Shots... Displays a Windows Explorer screen showing the file names of any screen cap- tures you have made. Backup all Makes a backup copy in flash memory of all test points, location files, test results, and channel plans.
  • Page 44 Displays a dialog box containing tools for configuring the Network Profiler. Use of these tools is described in Chapter 13, Maintenance and Care. Event viewer The Event Viewer displays diagnostic messages for use by a Sunrise Telecom service representative or when discussing a problem with Sunrise Telecom Customer Care.
  • Page 45 Touch to see the e-mail address: Touch to see the address for the Sunrise Telecom website: If you are connected to the Internet, touching the address will take you directly to the website. To close the Online Support display, select File > Close.
  • Page 46 Getting Started: The Test Display Menus About the N1776A Select Help > About... to display the “About” dialog box containing informa- tion about the currently installed options and versions of your Network Pro- filer’s hardware and software: This box also shows the current internal (MCU) and external temperatures. 3–7...

  • Page 47: Toolbar

    Getting Started: The Test Display Toolbar Toolbar The toolbar comprises several buttons for frequently-used operations. Open... ( ) and Save as... ( These two buttons perform the same functions as their equivalent commands in the File menu: Open... and Save as..., described on page 3–3. Print ( When a printer is connected to one of the USB ports, touching this button is equivalent to sending a screen capture (see below) to the printer instead of...
  • Page 48 Getting Started: The Test Display Toolbar High Contrast( The normal data display shows a white trace on a dark background. For greater visibility in bright sunlight, touch the High Contrast button. This changes the display to show a dark trace on a white background: Touching the button again returns the display to normal colors.

  • Page 49: Test Selectors And Status Button

    Getting Started: The Test Display Test Selectors and Status Button Test Selectors and Status Button Test selectors These buttons select the type of test to be performed. Channel Test When you touch this button, a menu of test choices appears to its right: Touch one of the choices to begin.
  • Page 50 Getting Started: The Test Display Test Selectors and Status Button Spectrum Analyzer The Spectrum Analyzer measures response over all or a portion of the spec- trum, and provides controls for setting RBW and VBW, detector trigger, and the range of measurement. This test is described in Chapter 4. Sweep When you touch the Sweep button, two choices appear: Touch Forward or Return to measure the frequency response of the forward...

  • Page 51: Data Display

    Getting Started: The Test Display Data display Data display Title line Results area Graphical Display The title line The test or type of measurement is shown at the left. For a single channel test, as in the illustration above, the type of measurement (examples: Level, CCN, Constellation) is followed by the channel number in parentheses.

  • Page 52: Markers

    Getting Started: The Test Display Markers Markers Two pairs of markers, one horizontal and one vertical, accompany most test displays, as in this single-channel test: The first marker of each pair is a solid line, the second a dashed line. Markers can be placed at any point on the display grid.

  • Page 53: Control Tabs

    Getting Started: The Test Display Markers and hold an arrow key, the marker will continue to move in that direction until you release the key. To remove a marker from the screen, first make it active, then touch it again. The marker will disappear.
  • Page 54 Getting Started: The Test Display Control tabs Control tabs These panels at the bottom of the display provide controls for modifying the measurement configuration of any test, for selecting types of measurements, and for enabling channel plans and test points. Some control tabs vary from test to test;...
  • Page 55 Getting Started: The Test Display Control tabs Markers This tab, described in the previous section, contains the “delta” check boxes and, where applicable, a To Peak button that moves the active marker to the peak signal of the displayed trace. View This tab controls various visual aspects of the measurement, among them peak hold, trace-averaging, and smoothing.

  • Page 56: Enabling A Test Point File

    Getting Started: The Test Display Enabling a test point file Enabling a test point file A test point file is a convenient way to set up consistent measurements at a frequently used test point. When you enable a test point file, the following val- ues are set automatically: •...
  • Page 57 Getting Started: The Test Display Enabling a test point file Touch the Test Point button to display a list of existing test point files: Highlight the desired test point name, then touch OK to select it. Enable Test Point will automatically be checked, enabling the test point. The name appears on the Test Point button, and the loss-compensation value on the middle button of the Test Point Loss control.

  • Page 58: Enabling A Channel Plan

    Getting Started: The Test Display Enabling a channel plan Enabling a channel plan The Network Profiler comes with eight channel plans stored internally: PAL UK PAL I Off-air PAL Off-air NTSC NTSC Standard IRC EC Normally, the appropriate channel plan will already be enabled; to verify this, turn on the Network Profiler, select Channel >...

  • Page 59: When You Have To Start Over

    Getting Started: The Test Display When you have to start over When you have to start over In normal use, stopping the Network Profiler means pressing the Suspend button at the bottom of the keypad: All your settings remain in active memory, so that when you press the Sus- pend button again, you can return to the exact point at which you left off.
  • Page 60 Getting Started: The Test Display When you have to start over Control Default setting Start and Stop frequencies 10 MHz, 100 MHz Center and Span frequencies 55 MHz, 90 MHz Attenuator Auto-coupled on; 10 dB Detector Positive Auto on; 300 KHz Auto on;...
  • Page 61 Network Profiler or other software supplied by Sunrise Telecom Broadband. As with any computer operating system, such “third-party” applications can cause problems with the stability of Win- dowsCE, which could make it necessary to reboot WindowsCE.
  • Page 62 Getting Started: The Test Display When you have to start over appears: Touch OK. WindowsCE will reboot to the desktop. To restart the Network Profiler, double-click the N1776A icon. Doing a Hard Reset This is more drastic than simply rebooting Windows CE. Everything described in the previous two sections takes place, but any data in active memory will be lost.
  • Page 63 Getting Started: The Test Display When you have to start over 3–24...
  • Page 64 Setting up the test 4–2 Detector, Bandwidth, and Trigger controls 4–5 Other test controls 4–7 A Note on Averaging 4–10 The Spectrum Analyzer 4–1...

  • Page 65: Chapter 4, The Spectrum Analyzer

    The Spectrum Analyzer Setting up the test Setting up the test The Spectrum Analyzer shows a continuous trace of the RF spectrum between the selected start and stop frequencies. To begin testing, touch the Spectrum Analyzer selector: Setting the frequency range Select the Frequency tab, as shown in the figure above, then set the fre- quency range in one of the following ways: •...
  • Page 66 The Spectrum Analyzer Setting up the test Center Stepping This button sets the interval by which the frequency changes when you touch either arrow on the Center step control. For example, if the center frequency is 100 MHz and Center Stepping is set to 6 MHz, touching the Center right arrow changes the frequency to 106 MHz, 112 MHz, and so on.
  • Page 67 The Spectrum Analyzer Setting up the test Example 2: Digital channels In this example, the range is 550-600 MHz, which includes only digital chan- nels. You can use the center-stepping control to quickly view adjacent channels without having to set up the single-channel test: Example 3: Channel-by-channel display Because NTSC channels are 6 MHz wide, set the Center Stepping control to 6 MHz.

  • Page 68: Detector, Bandwidth, And Trigger Controls

    The Spectrum Analyzer Detector, Bandwidth, and Trigger controls Detector, Bandwidth, and Trigger controls To use these measurement controls, select the Control tab: Detector The IF video detector can be set to one of three modes: Sample, Positive, or Negative. Sample takes a random sample of each displayed data point. The Positive and Negative peak detectors capture the positive or negative peak of the signal over a pre-defined period of time.
  • Page 69 The Spectrum Analyzer Detector, Bandwidth, and Trigger controls Sample is used to make noise-like measurements. Positive is used for nor- mal analog level measurements. Negative is used for displaying low level sig- nals in the presence of noise. Bandwidth These controls set the analyzer’s IF resolution bandwidth (RBW) and video bandwidth (VBW).

  • Page 70: Other Test Controls

    The Spectrum Analyzer Other test controls Other test controls Averaging: To average the results of successive displayed traces, select the View tab. If Peak Hold is enabled, uncheck it, then touch the On check box under Number of Averages. Use the Number of Averages step control to set the number of trace results to be averaged.
  • Page 71 The Spectrum Analyzer Other test controls Note: The spectrum trace is not updated while F1 audio is enabled. If you move the F1 marker while audio is enabled, there is a brief but detectable delay before you hear the audio at the new location. If you touch the To Peak button, the active marker will move to the peak level on the spectrum.
  • Page 72 The Spectrum Analyzer Other test controls Status panel – spectrum analyzer You can see the following information at any time by touching the Status but- ton: • RF input attenuator setting • State of Peak-hold and Averaging controls • Resolution and Video bandwidths •...

  • Page 73: A Note On Averaging

    The Spectrum Analyzer A Note on Averaging A Note on Averaging When Averaging is selected for a test, the Network Profiler calculates the average of measurement results of the N preceding traces, where N is the number set by the Number of Averages step control on the View control tab.
  • Page 74 Setting up the tests 5–2 Signal levels 5–6 Composite Second Order (CSO), Discrete Frequency Interference (DFI) 5–7 Composite Triple Beat (CTB) 5–14 Carrier-to-Composite Noise (CCN) 5–20 Hum 5–27 Single-Channel Tests: Analog 5–1...
  • Page 75 Single-Channel Tests: Analog Setting up the tests Setting up the tests There are five analog single-channel measurements: • Visual and aural carrier levels of a channel, using the peak detector dwell times specified in the active channel plan. • Composite Second-Order (CSO) and Discrete Frequency Interference (DFI) •...
  • Page 76 Single-Channel Tests: Analog Setting up the tests If you wish, select Channel Types > Analog only to skip over digital channels: Use the Channel step control to select the channel you want to test. The arrows step up or down through the channels in the current plan. To move to a non-adjacent channel, touch the middle button, enter the channel number (as defined in the channel plan) in the text box of the displayed keyboard, then touch Enter.
  • Page 77 Single-Channel Tests: Analog Setting up the tests Channel... button. Scroll down the resulting list box until the line CSO Video Gate appears: To change the setting, touch anywhere on that line to highlight it and display the list box at the bottom of the screen: Touch the list box arrow and select Off, then OK to make the change and return to your test.
  • Page 78 Single-Channel Tests: Analog Setting up the tests Other controls Averaging: To average the results of several successive traces, select the View tab, then touch the On check box. Use the Number of Averages step control to set the number of measurements to be averaged. The allowable range is 1-100.
  • Page 79 Single-Channel Tests: Analog Signal levels Signal levels On the Control tab, touch Level. The display shows the spectrum analyzer response of the channel between its lower and upper frequencies. The visual and aural carrier peak levels and the difference between them are reported in the results area: These carrier levels are measured during the retrace, using the peak detector dwell times defined in the channel plan.
  • Page 80 Single-Channel Tests: Analog Composite Second Order (CSO), Discrete Frequency Interference (DFI) Noise floor correction in distortion tests At the beginning of a distortion measurement the RF input is disconnected using an internal relay, and the noise floor of the instrument is measured. The level of the measured distortion beat is compared to the noise floor and a cor- rection factor applied to the result to compensate for beats near the noise floor.
  • Page 81 Single-Channel Tests: Analog Composite Second Order (CSO), Discrete Frequency Interference (DFI) Measure tab. Scroll down the resulting list box until the line CSO Video Gate appears. Verify that this is set to On. If not, edit the line as described in Using the Channel Plan Quick-Edit, page 5–3.
  • Page 82 Single-Channel Tests: Analog Composite Second Order (CSO), Discrete Frequency Interference (DFI) Discrete Frequency Interference To see the amount of DFI at any frequency, touch the F1 marker button: F1 showing CSO marker The DFI at the marker’s location is read out at the top of the graph. You can move the marker (yellow in normal view, blue in bright-sunlight view) in the usual way to find the DFI at any point on the trace.
  • Page 83 Single-Channel Tests: Analog Composite Second Order (CSO), Discrete Frequency Interference (DFI) defined in the channel plan, then display the following message Turn the modulation off, then touch OK. The Network Profiler will run the test for the selected number of averages, pause, then display the message: At this point, you may adjust the full scale reference to maximize the dynamic range.
  • Page 84 Single-Channel Tests: Analog Composite Second Order (CSO), Discrete Frequency Interference (DFI) Out-of-band measurement This test measures the distortion products in a quiet part of the spectrum, using the visual carrier from a nearby analog channel as a reference. Use this method for a quick check of performance, or when turning off modulation is not possible.
  • Page 85 Single-Channel Tests: Analog Composite Second Order (CSO), Discrete Frequency Interference (DFI) Add this value to each of the quiet channel’s CSO Beat Frequency offsets (if the quiet channel is below the reference channel, this value will be negative). Here’s an example using the NTSC Standard channel plan. The reference channel is 27;...
  • Page 86 Single-Channel Tests: Analog Composite Second Order (CSO), Discrete Frequency Interference (DFI) or make a screen capture file: 13. Use the F1 marker to measure the level of DFI at any point. 14. Restart the measurement by touching Restart on the Measure tab. Status panel –...
  • Page 87 Single-Channel Tests: Analog Composite Triple Beat (CTB) Composite Triple Beat (CTB) CTB is the ratio of the rms voltage level of the visual carrier, measured during the sync pulse, divided by the rms amplitude of the coherent disturbance. This ratio is expressed in dBc. CTB can be measured with Synchronous on or off, according to the type of channel being tested.
  • Page 88 Single-Channel Tests: Analog Composite Triple Beat (CTB) the retrace. When averaging is enabled, the trace will gradually settle: The results area shows V: Visual carrier level CTB: Value in dBc of CTB at the CTB Offset frequency BnN: Beat-near-Noise correction, in dB, incorporated into the measurement The vertical marker (blue in the normal display palette, red in the bright-sun- light palette) is automatically positioned at the CTB offset frequency defined in the channel plan.
  • Page 89 Single-Channel Tests: Analog Composite Triple Beat (CTB) plan data, and scroll down until CTB Synchronous appears: Touch that line to highlight it, then use the list box at the bottom to set the value to Off: Close the edit window. When you return to the test, the Network Profiler will measure the visual carrier level using the peak detector dwell time defined in the channel plan, then display the following message 5–16...
  • Page 90 Single-Channel Tests: Analog Composite Triple Beat (CTB) Turn the carrier off, then touch OK. The Network Profiler will run the test for the number of averages you have specified, pause, then display the request At this point, you may adjust the full scale reference to maximize the dynamic range.
  • Page 91 Single-Channel Tests: Analog Composite Triple Beat (CTB) Close the Channel-plan editor. When you return to the test, the Network Profiler will measure the visual carrier level using the peak detector dwell time defined in the channel plan, then display the following message At this point, you can install a bandpass filter for the quiet channel.
  • Page 92 Single-Channel Tests: Analog Composite Triple Beat (CTB) or make a screen capture file: To restart the test, touch Restart on the Measure tab. Status panel – CTB test To view the settings of the following test parameters, touch the Status button: •...
  • Page 93 Single-Channel Tests: Analog Carrier-to-Composite Noise (CCN) Carrier-to-Composite Noise (CCN) The carrier-to-composite noise measurement is the ratio of the rms voltage produced by the visual signal during the transmission of synchronizing pulses, divided by the associated system composite noise power in a user-selected noise bandwidth.
  • Page 94 Single-Channel Tests: Analog Carrier-to-Composite Noise (CCN) CCN start and stop offsets CCN Meas Start Offset and CCN Meas Stop Offset define the noise mea- surement frequency range relative to the visual carrier frequency. The instru- ment will integrate the linear power across this frequency range after the spectrum scan is complete and calculate the CCN result.
  • Page 95 Single-Channel Tests: Analog Carrier-to-Composite Noise (CCN) The results area shows the values calculated for the following: V: Visual carrier level CCN: Value in dBc of CCN, as calculated by integrating the samples between the CCN Measurement Start and Stop offset frequencies, which are indicated by blue (orange in bright-sunlight display) vertical markers.
  • Page 96 Single-Channel Tests: Analog Carrier-to-Composite Noise (CCN) request: At this point, you may adjust the full scale reference to maximize the dynamic range. If you do so, the Network Profiler will restart averaging. When averaging is enabled, the spectrum analyzer calculates the average and refreshes the display only during the retrace.
  • Page 97 Single-Channel Tests: Analog Carrier-to-Composite Noise (CCN) Out-of-band measurement This test measures the noise in a quiet part of the spectrum, using the visual carrier from a nearby analog channel as a reference. Use this method for a quick check of performance, or when turning off modulation is not possible. From your channel plan, find a quiet channel with a modulated analog channel not far away (adjacent is best).
  • Page 98 Single-Channel Tests: Analog Carrier-to-Composite Noise (CCN) Turn the modulation off, then touch OK. The Network Profiler will run the test for the selected number of averages, then display the request: You may now adjust the full scale reference to maximize the dynamic range.
  • Page 99 Single-Channel Tests: Analog Carrier-to-Composite Noise (CCN) Status panel – CCN test To view the settings of the following test parameters, touch the Status button: • Currently-enabled channel plan Note: An asterisk after the plan name indicates that data have been changed (as when the Video Gate is turned off), but not saved.
  • Page 100 Single-Channel Tests: Analog Low frequency disturbance (“hum”) is the amplitude distortion of the signal caused by components of the power source. The Network Profiler measures hum as the ratio of the peak-to-peak interference to the peak level of the desired picture carrier, and is expressed in percent. Hum can be measured in either of two modes: Modulated or CW.
  • Page 101 Single-Channel Tests: Analog To change the mode, highlight the line, and select your choice from the list box that appears: Close the Edit window to return to the test. The resulting trace shows the AM component of the signal as a function of time sampled at the horizontal sync rate.
  • Page 102 Single-Channel Tests: Analog Hum status panel To view the settings of the following test parameters, touch the Status button: • Currently-enabled channel plan Note:An asterisk after the plan name indicates that data have been changed (as when the Hum mode is changed), but not saved. •...
  • Page 103 Single-Channel Tests: Analog 5–30...

  • Page 104: Chapter 6, Single-Channel Tests: Digital

    Channel Power 6–3 Constellation 6–6 Equalizer 6–8c Single-Channel Tests: Digital 6–1...
  • Page 105 Single-Channel Tests: Digital Overview Overview There are three digital channel measurements: Channel Power, Constellation, and Equalizer. The Constellation and Equalizer tests include error reporting. To run these tests, you must select a digital channel: Select Channel test > Single. Select the Channel tab. Check that the correct channel plan is enabled. If not, see Enabling a channel plan, page 3–19, for instructions on changing the plan.
  • Page 106 Single-Channel Tests: Digital Channel Power Channel Power When you first display a digital channel, the channel power measurement is selected by default: This is an integrated measurement which samples the signal across its entire bandwidth. Depending on how the TDMA parameters are set in the channel plan, this will show continuous channel, TDMA threshold, or TDMA burst power.
  • Page 107 Single-Channel Tests: Digital Channel Power Using a test point file To enable a test point file: Select the Test Point tab; touch the Test Point button to display the file list; highlight a filename, then touch OK to select it; Enable Test Point will automatically be checked, enabling the test point.
  • Page 108 Single-Channel Tests: Digital Channel Power Test Point Loss: Select the Test Point tab, then set the loss using the Test Point Loss control. Vertical Scale and dB/Div: To set the full-scale reference level and dB/Div of the vertical axis, select the Scale tab, then use the Full Scale and dB/Div controls to set the values.
  • Page 109 Single-Channel Tests: Digital Constellation Constellation For this test, select the Measure tab, then touch Const’n: The demodulated QAM constellation (64QAM shown) appears at the left of the data display. To the right of the constellation are the results of the measure- ments made by the test: Modulation Error Ratio (MER), Error Vector Magni- tude (EVM), Errored Seconds (ES), Severely Errored Seconds (SES), and Bit Error Rate (BER), both pre- and post-FEC.
  • Page 110 Single-Channel Tests: Digital Constellation Averages step control to set the number of measurements to be averaged. The allowable range is 1-100. Note that the Peak Hold button is not active. Note: Only the measurement results are averaged; the constellation display is not affected.
  • Page 111 Single-Channel Tests: Digital Equalizer Equalizer This measurement displays the response of the adaptive equalizer. For this test, select the Measure tab, then EQ: Each bar in the display represents one equalizer tap; the number of bars depends on which ITU J.83 Annex option is installed in the Network Profiler. The yellow bar represents the zero tap.
  • Page 112 Single-Channel Tests: Digital Equalizer Other controls Averaging: To average several successive measurements, select the View tab, then touch the On check box under Number of Averages. Use the Num- ber of Averages step control to set the number of measurements to be aver- aged.
  • Page 113 Single-Channel Tests: Digital Equalizer 6–10...

  • Page 114: Chapter 7, Multi-Channel And Channel Scan Tests

    Multi-channel test 7–2 Channel scan 7–6 Multi-Channel and Channel Scan Tests 7–1...
  • Page 115 Multi-Channel and Channel Scan Tests Multi-channel test Multi-channel test To run the multi-channel test, Select Channel Test > Multi. You will see a bar chart of six channels: Each bar shows either the visual carrier level (analog) or channel power (digital) of the assigned channel.
  • Page 116 Multi-Channel and Channel Scan Tests Multi-channel test Select the Channel tab. Check that the correct channel plan is enabled. If not, see Enabling a channel plan, page 3–19, for instructions on changing the plan. Use the Select Channel Bar step control to make the desired bar active. Use the Channel control to select a channel.
  • Page 117 Multi-Channel and Channel Scan Tests Multi-channel test Limit lines When a test point file is enabled, each channel bar is associated with a pair of limit lines marking the acceptable upper and lower bounds of the visual carrier level or channel power for that channel: As long as the level or power remains within these limits, the lines are blue and the measurement shown in the results area is white (black in bright-screen view).
  • Page 118 Multi-Channel and Channel Scan Tests Multi-channel test Note: To change any of the following settings, you must first disable the Test Point file. Test Point Loss: To set the test-point loss, select the Test Point tab, then set the loss using the Test Point Loss control. Vertical Scale and dB/Div: To set the full-scale reference point and dB/Div of the vertical axis, select the Scale tab, then use the Full Scale and dB/Div controls to set the values.
  • Page 119 Multi-Channel and Channel Scan Tests Channel scan Channel scan The Channel Scan test provides an overall view of the network by showing the (analog) visual or aural carrier levels, or (digital) channel powers of a range of channels. For analog channels, the test uses the dwell times defined in the channel plan;...
  • Page 120 Multi-Channel and Channel Scan Tests Channel scan Viewing the aural carriers (analog channels) For analog channels, the default view shows the visual carrier levels only (if there are digital channels in the scan, the channel power is shown). Controls on the View tab let you see the aural carrier(s) as well. Select the View tab.
  • Page 121 Multi-Channel and Channel Scan Tests Channel scan Using a test point file To enable a test point file: Select the Test Point tab; touch the Test Point button to display the file list; highlight a filename, then touch OK to select it; Enable Test Point will automatically be checked, enabling the test point.
  • Page 122 Multi-Channel and Channel Scan Tests Channel scan Vertical Scale and dB/Div: To set the full-scale reference point and dB/Div of the vertical axis, select the Scale tab, then use the Full Scale and dB/Div controls to set the values. Status panel – scan You can view the test configuration at any time by touching the Status button: •...
  • Page 123 Multi-Channel and Channel Scan Tests Channel scan 7–10...
  • Page 124 Test requirements 8–2 Forward Sweep 8–3 Return Sweep 8–12 Return Spectrum 8–20 Sweep and Return Spectrum Tests 8–1...

  • Page 125: Chapter 8, Sweep And Return Spectrum Tests

    3010H can communicate with up to 10 field units (N1776A or 3010R) simulta- neously. The N1776A provides the same return sweep capability as the 3010R. For instructions on setting up the 3010H and preparing a sweep table, see CaLan 3010H Sweep/Ingress Analyzer User’s Guide (Sunrise Telecom publi- cation 85963A-M01). 8–2...
  • Page 126 Sweep and Return Spectrum Tests Forward Sweep Forward Sweep Overview The Forward Sweep mode allows the N1776A to integrate carrier level mea- surements with sweep information received from either the 1777 or 3010H sweep transmitter. Any sweep response can be stored in a results file and used to make comparison measurements in the Referenced mode.
  • Page 127 Sweep and Return Spectrum Tests Forward Sweep Running the test The 3010H at the headend may operate in forward sweep or dual-path mode. Prepare the Network Profiler as follows: From the test selector buttons at the left of the screen, select Sweep > forward.
  • Page 128 Sweep and Return Spectrum Tests Forward Sweep If the forward sweep does not appear immediately, your Network Profiler probably has not received a current sweep table from the 3010H. The headend device will transmit a new table within 120 sweeps, after which you should see the trace similar to this example: The lower and upper design frequencies are automatically assigned to the level variables C1 and C2, respectively.
  • Page 129 Sweep and Return Spectrum Tests Forward Sweep From the displayed list, select and highlight the carrier you want to examine: Touch OK to assign that carrier to the variable. The carrier frequencies assigned to C1 and C2 are shown in the status panel. Smoothing and averaging These controls are on the View tab (see previous figure).
  • Page 130 Sweep and Return Spectrum Tests Forward Sweep Peak-to-Valley measurement To display the peak-to-valley results, you must enable a test point file. (Please refer to Chapter 10, Test points, Locations, and Channel Plans, for instruc- tions on setting up a test point.) Enable the test point as described in Enabling a test point file, page 3–17.
  • Page 131 Sweep and Return Spectrum Tests Forward Sweep To save a test result, touch the Save icon on the toolbar, or select Files > Save as...: Touch Result Name... to type a name for the file, or use the automatically generated name provided. Touch Save to save the results. (For detailed infor- mation on saving data,see Saving test results, page 9–3.) To enable a sweep reference: Touch the Reference Result button on the View tab to display the list of...
  • Page 132 Sweep and Return Spectrum Tests Forward Sweep Touch the name of the desired file to highlight it, then touch OK. The list box closes; when you return to the test, the reference file will be enabled, and you will see the referenced trace: The vertical axis has changed from absolute level (in dBmV or dBµV) to relative level (in dB).
  • Page 133 CaLan 3010H Sweep/Ingress Analyzer User's Guide (Sunrise Telecom publication 85963A-M01). The sweep transmitter sends its sweep table to the Network Profiler after every 120 sweeps. The Network Profiler compares the checksum of its current sweep table with that of the newly-transmitted table.
  • Page 134 Sweep and Return Spectrum Tests Forward Sweep Forward Sweep status panel To view the measurement configuration, touch the Status button: The following parameters are shown: Reference file status. If enabled, shows the name of the reference file • RF input Attenuator •...
  • Page 135 Sweep and Return Spectrum Tests Return Sweep Return Sweep Overview The gain of the amplifiers in the forward path of a cable network compensates for the losses of the cable and preceding passive devices. Each forward ampli- fier is set to the same output level. The return amplifier compensates for the loss of the same length of cable.
  • Page 136 Sweep and Return Spectrum Tests Return Sweep regardless of the location. Actual connections may vary, but the following con- figuration is typical: You must know the losses and levels of your particular system in order to install the equipment correctly. Running the test Forward communications Select Sweep >...
  • Page 137 Sweep and Return Spectrum Tests Return Sweep (fast sweep) arrow pointing left appears at the left of the results area, with the return-sweep trace in the graphical display: If no flashing arrow appears, there is a problem with the RF communications between the 3010H and N1776A.
  • Page 138 Sweep and Return Spectrum Tests Return Sweep Troubleshooting No indicator or steady square If you are not receiving the forward pilot, try these remedies: Check the Fwd Pilot setting under Fwd Comms Setup on the Control tab. This must be the same as the forward pilot frequency programmed in the 3010H.
  • Page 139 Sweep and Return Spectrum Tests Return Sweep Setting the Source Level, IP, and Slope The Network Profiler source output level is determined by the settings of three parameters on the Control tab (see previous figure): Level (dBmV), IP (dB), and Slope (dB). The following block diagram will help in understand- ing their functions: Level (dBmV)
  • Page 140 Sweep and Return Spectrum Tests Return Sweep To keep track of the insertion loss of your equipment and help prevent errors in setup, make a Source Level Table for your equipment as in this example: Internal Coupling Loss 5 dB Test Point Loss 20 dB Total Insertion Point Loss:...
  • Page 141 Sweep and Return Spectrum Tests Return Sweep N1776A and the 3010H. The 3010H monitors the return telemetry frequency, measuring the noise floor. If ingress or return impairments rise above a threshold, the 3010H will broadcast an alert and a return spectrum measure- ment to all receivers in the field on the forward sweep pilot.
  • Page 142 Sweep and Return Spectrum Tests Return Sweep return spectrum response transmitted from the headend, touch the Ingress check box: Return Sweep Status panel Touch the Status button to display the measurement configuration: This panel shows the states of the following parameters: RF input Attenuator •...
  • Page 143 Sweep and Return Spectrum Tests Return Spectrum Return Spectrum This test and its controls are similar to the Return Sweep. The trace shows measurements of the return spectrum made by the 3010H at the headend. In the Return Spectrum and Ingress modes, the dynamic range of the measure- ment is dependent on the Full Scale setting of the 3010H in Spectrum Scan mode.
  • Page 144 Sweep and Return Spectrum Tests Return Spectrum right corner of the data display, and the Ingress check box on the View tab is enabled: To see theproducts of ingress, touch the Ingress check box: 8–21...
  • Page 145 Sweep and Return Spectrum Tests Return Spectrum Return Spectrum status panel Touch the Status button to display the measurement configuration: This panel shows the states of the following parameters: RF input Attenuator setting • Averaging and Peak Hold controls • RBW and VBW frequencies •...
  • Page 146 Overview 9–2 Saving your data 9–3 Backing up your data 9–10 Synchronizing files 9–15 Managing files 9–19 Setting up a partnership 9–25 Maintaining and Managing Your Data 9–1...
  • Page 147 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Overview Overview The first part of this chapter, Saving your data, page 9–3, describes how to make a record of your measurements in the field, in test-results files and in screen captures. The second part, Backing up your data, page 9–10, describes how to prevent accidental loss of your data by backing up your files, either to the Network Profiler’s internal FlashFx disk or to a PC Card.
  • Page 148 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Saving your data Saving your data You can save test data in two ways: in a text-based results file or as a graphi- cal screen capture. The results file stores numeric data and identifying infor- mation so that the signal trace and status panel can be re-created on the Network Profiler itself.
  • Page 149 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Saving your data Creating a new file using Auto Name The Network Profiler constructs a file name from the following elements: Measurement type: Identifies the test being performed; for example, Level for analog level test, Multi for multi-channel test, FS for Forward Sweep. Location name: Included if you check the Use Locations check box, and a location name appears in the Location text box.
  • Page 150 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Saving your data The Configure Location... button You can edit the data in the selected location file by touching this button to bring up the Location File Editor. Using the editor, you can modify the data for the current location or create an entirely new location file.
  • Page 151 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Saving your data Viewing test results You can look at test results in two ways: as a graphic representation on the Network Profiler itself, or as data in a spreadsheet on a PC to which you have transferred the files from the Network Profiler.
  • Page 152 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Saving your data The control tabs are blanked out; they would have no effect on the display. The marker selectors, on the other hand, are active, so that you can place markers to see actual values at any point on the saved trace. Likewise, you can touch the Status button to see the saved Status panel.
  • Page 153 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Saving your data To create a file name: Touch Capture name... to display a keyboard. Type the name, then touch Enter. Touch the button indicating the destination of your file: To Desktop or To External Storage Card. That button will be highlighted. Touch Save.
  • Page 154 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Saving your data Viewing a capture file To look at a capture file in the Desktop folder on the Network Profiler screen, touch the view-screen-capture icon ( on the toolbar, or select Files > View Screen Shots... to display the contents of the Capture folder in a Win- dows Explorer screen: Double-tap a file icon to see the snapshot displayed in an Internet Explorer window:...
  • Page 155 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Backing up your data Backing up your data To guard against accidentally losing test data, it’s a good idea to back up your files from time to time. There are several ways to do this: •...
  • Page 156 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Backing up your data Restoring backed-up files If you do lose some data, you can restore the last previous backup by selecting Files > Restore all. As before, you will be asked to confirm your intention: Touch Yes to begin the restore.
  • Page 157 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Backing up your data Saving backups From the My Computer directory, double-tap the “FlashFx Disk” icon to display its contents: Double-tap the “SunriseTel...” icon to open the folder: Touch the “N1776ABa...” icon to highlight it: Select Edit >...
  • Page 158 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Backing up your data Moving files You can recover memory space by moving data files to the PC Card in much the same way as for copying backups. The following example illustrates the method. Open Windows CE Explorer as described above, making sure that the PC Card is properly seated in its slot.
  • Page 159 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Backing up your data You can use this method to copy or move any files or folders from one place to another. For example, in Step 3 above, you could copy or move all the folders in “My Documents\N1776A”...
  • Page 160 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Synchronizing files Synchronizing files To maintain copies of all your field data on a separate computer, and to ensure that the data are always up to date, you can establish a partnership with the computer. The partnered computer keeps a folder of all your working data, including test results, screen captures, test points, and reports (see Setting up a partnership, page 9–25, for a complete list of these files).
  • Page 161 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Synchronizing files You will use this program to establish the connection from the Network Profiler’s end. On your PC, start ActiveSync. You will see the following window: Select File > Get Connected… to display the next screen: Make sure that the Next>...
  • Page 162 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Synchronizing files ActiveSync is comparing the files on your Profiler with those in the PC, if any. New files are automatically transferred from the Network Profiler to a folder on the PC desktop titled “N1776A My Documents”. (If you have given your Network Profiler a different name, that name will replace “N1776A”.
  • Page 163 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Synchronizing files You can verify the connection by looking for the connection icon in the Win- dows CE system tray on your Network Profiler: Connection icon While the connection is maintained, all new or modified data files you create on the Network Profiler will automatically be synchronized with those on the host computer.
  • Page 164 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Managing files Managing files Using the RS-232 serial link With the RS-232 serial connection, you can use ActiveSync not only to back up files manually, but also to copy or move any files from your computer to the Network Profiler.
  • Page 165 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Managing files Select File > Get Connected… to display the next screen: Make sure that the Next> button is highlighted, as shown in the figure. Now click on this button (or press Enter on the keyboard), and immediately touch OK in the Run window on the Network Profiler.
  • Page 166 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Managing files Click on No, then Next>. ActiveSync displays its last and working screen: You are now connected to the Network Profiler. Using ActiveSync to manage files From ActiveSync, select File > Explore. This will display a Windows Explorer window titled Mobile Device, showing the contents of the Network Profiler’s Windows CE Desktop: 9–21...
  • Page 167 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Managing files Click on My Computer in this window to see the principal folders in the Network Profiler: From here you can open and close any folder (if a PC Card were inserted, you would see an icon labeled “Storage Card”), move or copy files from one folder to another, and move or copy files to or from your PC, using standard Windows methods: Copy/Paste, Cut/Paste, or drag-and-drop.
  • Page 168 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Managing files From the Start menu, select Run…. From the drop-down list of pro- grams, select \Windows\repllog.exe /remote: Touch OK or press Enter on the keypad. If this is the first time you are connecting via Ethernet, you will see a dialog box titled ActiveSync, requesting “Choose a method to connect to the selected desktop com- puter”.
  • Page 169 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Managing files If there are many files, a progress bar will appear in the box. When syn- chronization is complete, the message $UPTODATE$ appears: (If only a few files need synchronizing, you will see this message almost immediately after you start repllog.exe /remote.) On the PC, ActiveSync synchronization screen will indicate the current status of the synchronization and when it is complete, as it does when...
  • Page 170 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Setting up a partnership Setting up a partnership To synchronize files with a computer, you must set up a partnership, which can be done only over the serial link. The computer must be running Windows NT, Windows 98, or any later version of Windows.
  • Page 171 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Setting up a partnership Choosing a name for your Network Profiler So that more than one Network Profiler can be synchronized to the same com- puter, each Profiler needs a unique device name. All Network Profilers are shipped from the factory with the default name “N1776A”.
  • Page 172 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Setting up a partnership Use the soft keyboard to enter a unique Device Name for your Profiler: As shown in this example, the instrument’s serial number is a good choice. You will find it on the back of the Profiler, or in the About box when you select Help >...
  • Page 173 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Setting up a partnership Check Yes, then click on Next> to display the following dialog box: The default name for all Network Profilers is shown. If you have chosen a different name (see Choosing a name for your Network Profiler, page 9–26), that name will appear instead.
  • Page 174 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Setting up a partnership If this happens, click on OK, then on Cancel in the main dialog. Now fol- low the steps in Choosing a name for your Network Profiler, page 9–26, to give your instrument a new and unique name. Then restart the partner- ship procedure and continue until the following dialog box appears: Click on Files to check its box, then uncheck all the other boxes: 9–29...
  • Page 175 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Setting up a partnership ActiveSync will confirm your selection: Click on OK. Now select Files > Settings… to display the Options dia- log: If it is not already checked, click on the check box labeled “Synchronize mobile device clock upon connecting”.
  • Page 176 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Setting up a partnership Click on the Sync Mode tab to display its contents: Unless you have special requirements, leave the mode as shown, to syn- chronize continuously while connected. 10. Click on the Rules tab to display its contents: 9–31...
  • Page 177 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Setting up a partnership Again, unless you have special requirements, leave the mode as shown, to leave conflicts unresolved. 11. Click on OK, then click on Next> in the dialog box to display the last setup window: 12.
  • Page 178 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Setting up a partnership When it is finished, ActiveSync remains connected, and begins to synchronize your files. If you have never set up a partnership with this computer, you may see the following message: Make sure the first option is selected, then click on OK. ActiveSync will syn- chronize your files.
  • Page 179 Maintaining and Managing Your Data Setting up a partnership 9–34...
  • Page 180 Test Point files 10–2 Location files 10–7 Channel plans 10–11 Test points, Locations, and Channel Plans 10–1...
  • Page 181 Test points, Locations, and Channel Plans Test Point files Test Point files A Test Point file is a convenient way to set up a measurement at fre- quently-used test point types, such as a node, bridger, trunk amplifier, or a line extender.
  • Page 182 Test points, Locations, and Channel Plans Test Point files Viewing and editing test-point data To view and modify test point data, select Settings > Test Point. The test point editor’s opening dialog box appears, showing the name of the most recently enabled test point file in the title line: If you want to see a different file, touch Open, and choose a file from the dis- played list.
  • Page 183 Test points, Locations, and Channel Plans Test Point files Test Point Loss: compensates for any loss between the measurement point and the Network Profiler’s RF input. For example, if you are creating a test point file for a trunk amplifier output with a 20-dB test point, set the test point loss value to 20dB.
  • Page 184 Test points, Locations, and Channel Plans Test Point files To change the settings for a bar, touch its bar number (or anywhere else on that line) to highlight it, then touch Edit. The following controls will appear: Channel Number: assigns a channel to the bar. Touch the number to bring up a keyboard, enter the number of the channel to be assigned, then touch ENTER Expected Level: sets the expected carrier level for the channel.
  • Page 185 Test points, Locations, and Channel Plans Test Point files Design Levels: Low Level and High Level are the ALC pilot levels used in the system design. These levels automatically compensate the slope and offset of a referenced sweep response when using a sweep reference from a different test point.
  • Page 186 Test points, Locations, and Channel Plans Location files Location files A location file contains information about a particular test site. Location files are useful when saving test results, as described in Chapter 9, Maintaining and Managing Your Data. By linking the results to a location, you will make it easier to interpret the data when you are away from the site.
  • Page 187 Test points, Locations, and Channel Plans Location files Note: You can also reach the Location File Editor from the Configure Location... button in the Save As… dialog box for saving test results, as described in Saving test results, page 9–3. Editing a location file To add or change information in a field item, highlight the field name by touching it, then touch Edit Value;...
  • Page 188 Test points, Locations, and Channel Plans Location files Creating a new location file To create a new file, select Settings > Location File, then touch New to bring up a new default template. Add whatever data you wish, as described in the previous section.
  • Page 189 Test points, Locations, and Channel Plans Location files Field Length Examples Forward input pad Forward input Equalizer These all refer to the specified modules within the device under test. They could be device IDs, loss or equalization Forward interstage levels, or other unique identifiers. Forward interstage equalizer Return input pad...
  • Page 190 The Network Profiler’s channel plans are designed to make repeatable measure- ment configurations possible. The plans are very flexible; only the basics will be discussed here. Application notes available from Sunrise Telecom describe particu- lar channel-plan configurations that can be used to optimize measurements.
  • Page 191 Test points, Locations, and Channel Plans Channel plans To look at a different plan, touch Open to display the list of available plans in a box similar to the one on page 3–19. Highlight the plan you want to work on, then touch OK to see its channel list.
  • Page 192 Test points, Locations, and Channel Plans Channel plans Touch the desired mode to set it. For other data, you will see a numeric step control: To save your changes, touch OK. To exit without making changes, touch Can- cel. Context help To see a brief description of any field, highlight it and touch the ? button at the bottom of the window: To close the help text, touch it, or touch anywhere in the field list.
  • Page 193 Test points, Locations, and Channel Plans Channel plans Inserting a new channel Open the Channel Plan Editor and highlight the channel before or after the point at which you want to insert a new one: Touch either Insert Before or Insert After. A new channel will appear at the desired point, with default values based on those of the adjacent channels.
  • Page 194 Test points, Locations, and Channel Plans Channel plans A note about the insertion mode When you first open the Channel Plan editor, you will se a small list box at the bottom left of the screen, entitled “Insert mode:”. The setting in this box deter- mines the values that are automatically assigned when you insert a new chan- nel.
  • Page 195 Test points, Locations, and Channel Plans Channel plans Field Setting Type Range, length or choice CSO Beat Freq Offset 3 (MHz) Numeric -1.250 – 4.750 CSO Beat Freq Offset 4 (MHz) Numeric -1.250 – 4.750 CTB Synchronous List box On, Off CTB Offset (MHz) Numeric -1.250 –...
  • Page 196 Windows CE basics 11–2 Windows CE Explorer 11–4 The Desktop 11–5 The Start menu 11–6 Restarting Windows CE 11–10 A note on screen contrast 11–13 Using Windows CE 11–1...
  • Page 197 Using Windows CE Windows CE basics Windows CE basics Windows CE is much like other Windows interfaces; if you have any experi- ence with those, Windows CE should be familiar. Should you need assistance, the Network Profiler includes an on-screen help service which you can access from the Start menu by selecting Help.
  • Page 198 For application notes describing third-party products that have been successfully tested on the Net- work Profiler, please visit the Sunrise Telecom website. The Stylus and the Keypad Using the stylus or other pointer with Windows CE is exactly like using it...
  • Page 199 Using Windows CE Windows CE Explorer You can also use the keypad to move about the Windows screen. The arrow keys function as they do on a typical computer keyboard. Use the ENTER arrows to move up and down in a list, open menus and submenus, and move among file icons in a directory.
  • Page 200 Using Windows CE The Desktop The Desktop The Windows CE Desktop is the base on which all Windows operations rest. To display the Desktop, touch the pencil-and-pad icon at the extreme right of the Taskbar (if the Taskbar isn’t visible, press the blue keypad button). Application buttons Desktop icon Most of the icons you see on the Desktop are not of immediate interest;...
  • Page 201 This consists of two utilities: Remote networking, which is used to set up the ports for communication through the serial connection, and Terminal, which is used to establish a command-line (terminal emulation) dialup con- nection. Sunrise Telecom This contains only one program: N1776A, which is the Network Profiler appli- cation. 11–6...
  • Page 202 Using Windows CE The Start menu Command Prompt This utility provides a window for running MS-DOS commands. Internet Explorer® Use this much the way you would on a PC, as a Web browser or to send and receive files over the Network Profiler’s Ethernet connection. The Network Profiler uses Internet Explorer to display screen capture files.
  • Page 203 Using Windows CE The Start menu Settings Control Panel Select Settings > Control Panel to display this folder, which contains numerous utilities for modifying the properties and actions of Windows CE. Power and Stylus are described in Chapter 12, Power Management. Date/Time is described in Restarting Windows CE, page 11–10.
  • Page 204 Using Windows CE The Start menu \Windows\repllog.exe: Establishes an ActiveSync connection with another computer through the serial port. See Using a PC Card, page 9–11, for instructions. \Windows\repllog.exe /remote: Establishes an Ethernet connection with another computer for automatically synchronizing files. See Using an Ether- net connection, page 9–22.
  • Page 205 Using Windows CE Restarting Windows CE Restarting Windows CE The easiest way to restart Windows CE is through the Run... function just described. Select Start > Run... to display the Run list box, and touch the arrow to display the list of programs, as shown in the previous figure. Touch \Windows\restart.exe to highlight it.
  • Page 206 Using Windows CE Restarting Windows CE Touch Setup Date and Time to display the calendar/clock utility: To set the month, touch the month to display a months list: Touch the desired month to set it. (You can also scroll forward or backward from month to month using the arrows to the left and right of the month/year.) If you need to set the year, touch the year to display two spin buttons:...
  • Page 207 Using Windows CE Restarting Windows CE Set the date by touching it on the month calendar. The date will be outlined in red. Set the time zone by touching the list arrow in that box: Scroll through the list using the right scrollbar or the keypad up and down arrows.
  • Page 208 Using Windows CE A note on screen contrast A note on screen contrast If you use the Network Profiler in bright daylight most of the time, you can set the screen contrast for better visibility as follows: From the Start menu, select Settings > Control Panel. Double-tap the Display icon to open the utility: Touch the Appearance tab: 11–13...
  • Page 209 Using Windows CE A note on screen contrast Touch the arrow in the Scheme list box to display the choices of colors: Scroll the list until you see the scheme called “High Contrast White”. Touch this to highlight and select it, then touch Apply. The screen colors will change to an all-white background.
  • Page 210 The Sources of Power 12–2 Using the external power adapters 12–4 Conserving energy 12–5 Maintaining the battery 12–9 Charging the battery 12–10 Replacing the battery 12–13 Power Management 12–1...
  • Page 211 The main battery The rechargeable lithium-ion battery supplied with the Network Profiler, Inspired Energy Model NI2040 (Sunrise Telecom Part No. 1420-0868), is rated at 10.8V and 6 A-Hr: It fits into a compartment on the lower left side of the unit, under a hinged protective cover.
  • Page 212 Power Management The Sources of Power Notes: If the unit is stored for more than 60 days without recharging, the contents of internal RAM, including the measurement configuration and all saved data in the My Documents folder (channel plans, test points, etc), will be lost. When the unit is next turned on, it will behave as though a hard reset had been performed (see Doing a Hard Reset, page 3–23).
  • Page 213 Power Management Using the external power adapters Using the external power adapters When an external power source is available, you can conserve the battery by using an adapter. An AC adapter for 100 – 240VAC (Part No. 0950-4230) is included with the Network Profiler; a 12 VDC car adapter (Part No. 0950-4245) is available as an option.
  • Page 214 Power Management Conserving energy Conserving energy Windows CE’s power-managing utilities allow you to conserve both battery and external power in two ways. First, you can set the unit to turn off the touchscreen’s backlight after a specified “idle” period – one in which no screen touch or keypress is detected.
  • Page 215 Power Management Conserving energy Touch Backlight to display that tab: If necessary, touch the Battery power or External power check box to activate the associated control. Touch the list arrow, then select a time from the drop-down list (15 sec - 5 min for battery power, 15 sec - 30 min for external power): Touch OK to save your new settings and return to the Control Panel window.
  • Page 216 Power Management Conserving energy Setting the Suspend-mode idle time This function applies only when the Network Profiler is running on main bat- tery power. Press the blue Start/taskbar key to bring up the Start menu. Select Start > Settings > Control Panel to display the Control Panel utilities: Double-tap Power to start the utility.
  • Page 217 Power Management Conserving energy To display the power-management functions, touch the Power Off tab: The enabling check box should already be checked; if not, touch it to display a check mark and enable the control. To set the idle time, touch the arrow in the list box, and select one of the seven choices in the list (1-30 minutes).
  • Page 218 Power Management Maintaining the battery Maintaining the battery Battery-low warnings If the remaining run time on the battery falls below 30 minutes, a warning will appear on the screen: × Touch to close this dialog box. You will have time to finish your current test, back up your data, and exit the Network Profiler.
  • Page 219 Power Management Charging the battery Charging the battery Using the built-in charger The Network Profiler has a built-in battery charger that runs off power from either of the external adapters. The battery is charged only when the unit is in Suspend mode, to minimize internal heat buildup.
  • Page 220 Power Management Charging the battery Insert the battery into one of the bays, as shown: Observe the LED indicator on the front of the charger to monitor the charging process: Indicator Indication No battery inserted Flashing green Fast-charging Steady green Fully charged Flashing yellow Recalibrating...
  • Page 221 Power Management Charging the battery Reconditioning the battery As the battery goes through many charge/discharge cycles, the reliability of the information it sends to the power management system will degrade, mak- ing the charge indicator on the Network Profiler’s taskbar inaccurate. To restore accuracy, you must recondition the battery using the desktop dual-bat- tery charger, as follows: Remove the battery from the Network Profiler (see Replacing the battery,...
  • Page 222 The next time you start the Network Profiler, it will not return to normal operation. If this should happen, select File > Exit to close the Advisor application, then select Programs > Sunrise Telecom N1776a > N1776a from the Windows CE Start menu.
  • Page 223 Power Management Replacing the battery 12–14...
  • Page 224 Recalibrating the touchscreen 13–2 Instrument configuration 13–3 Instrument care 13–3 Technical support 13–4 Returning equipment to Sunrise 13–5 Maintenance and Care 13–1...
  • Page 225 Maintenance and Care Recalibrating the touchscreen Recalibrating the touchscreen Note: Wherever a touch or a double-tap is called for in the following discussion, you can use the keypad arrow and ENTER keys to highlight and select the item. If the touchscreen begins to respond unpredictably to the stylus, for example, by failing to recognize a touch unless you move the stylus away from the intended point, you can recalibrate the screen as follows (use the keypad if the stylus response is unreliable):...
  • Page 226 Maintenance and Care Instrument configuration Instrument configuration Self-calibration The Network Profiler automatically runs a self-calibration every time it returns from Suspend mode, and whenever the internal temperature varies by more than 5˚ C. You can also recalibrate the unit manually as follows: From the Network Profiler menu bar, select Settings >...
  • Page 227 Maintenance and Care Technical support Technical support Sunrise is located in the Eastern Time zone with regular office hours from 8:00AM to 8:00PM. A toll free number service covering all of North America is provided at no charge. Key Sunrise personnel can always be reached any time of the day through a toll free number or electronic mail service over the Internet.
  • Page 228 Maintenance and Care Returning equipment to Sunrise Returning equipment to Sunrise Sunrise manufactures equipment to very high standards. Products are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship, as specified in our published prod- uct warranty. When properly used and operated, your equipment will provide many years of service.
  • Page 229 Maintenance and Care Returning equipment to Sunrise If you require information or assistance, contact SunriseTelecom Broadband at 1-800-297-9726 toll free from anywhere in North America or by fax 1-514-725-5637 or by e-mail to: info@sunrisetelecom.com. 13–6...
  • Page 230 Index with desktop charger 12-10 low-battery warnings 12-9 AC adapter 12-4 maintenance 12-9 reconditioning 12-12 ActiveSync replacing 12-13 installing on a PC 9-25 Battery, main 12-2 ActiveSync®, see Synchronizing files Bright-sunlight view, see High Alphaumeric keyboard, see "Soft" Contrast button keyboards Analog channel tests 5-2 CCN 5-20...
  • Page 231 Index Channel tab CTB distortion test 5-14 analog channel tests 5-2 status panel 5-19 channel-scan test 7-6 synchronous off digital channel tests 6-2 carrier off, in channel 5-15 multi-channel test 7-3 carrier on, out of band 5-17 synchronous on 5-14 Channel test, multi 7-2 Channel test, scan 7-6 Channel types selector 5-3...
  • Page 232 Index Ethernet connection Full scale control renewing IP address 9-24 Constellation test 6-7 to manage files 9-22 Equalizer taps test 6-9 to synchronize files 9-18 Full Scale step control 4-8, 5-5, 6-5, External power adapters 7-5, 7-9 AC 12-4 Car (DC) 12-4 Help menu 3-5 About the N1776A 3-7 Files menu 3-3...
  • Page 233 Index Location files 10-7 Noise floor correction 5-7 editing 10-8 Normalized sweep, see Forward new 10-9 sweep or Return sweep templates, default 10-7 Number of Averages step control 4-7, 5-5, 6-4, 6-7, 6-9, 7-4, 7-8 Managing files 9-19 Numeric keyboard, see "Soft" using ActiveSync 9-21 keyboards using an Ethernet...
  • Page 234 Index Quick-edit, see Channel plan RS-232 serial connection to manage files 9-19 to synchronize files 9-15 RBW step control 4-6 Referenced sweep, see Forward Saving backup files 9-12 sweep or Return sweep Scale tab Restart control button 4-7, 5-5, 6-4, Analog channel tests 5-5 channel_scan test 7-9 in Spectrum analyzer 4-6...
  • Page 235 Index Spectrum analyzer Sweep Table 8-9 audio controls 4-7 Synchronizing files 9-15 setting the frequency range 4-2 using Ethernet connection 9-18 To Peak control 4-8 using RS-232 serial Start Channel step control 7-6 connection 9-15 Starting over 3-20 hard reset 3-23 Preset 3-20 Taskbar 2-12 rebooting Windows CE 3-22...
  • Page 236 Index Test results View tab Configure location... button 9-5 Analog channel tests 5-5 in a new file 9-4 Averaging 7-4 in an existing file 9-5 Channel scan aural offsets 7-7 naming files 9-4 channel-scan test 7-8 saving 9-3 digital channel tests viewing 9-6 Constellation 6-6 Equalizer taps 6-9...

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