EXFO OpticalRF User Manual
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EXFO OpticalRF User Manual

EXFO OpticalRF User Manual

Digital spectrum analyzer
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User Guide
OpticalRF
Digital Spectrum Analyzer
www.EXFO.com

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Summary of Contents for EXFO OpticalRF

  • Page 1 User Guide OpticalRF Digital Spectrum Analyzer www.EXFO.com...
  • Page 2 EXFO Inc. (EXFO). Information provided by EXFO is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, no responsibility is assumed by EXFO for its use nor for any infringements of patents or other rights of third parties that may result from its use.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Contents 1 Introducing the OpticalRF ................1 Technical Specifications ......................1 Conventions ..........................2 2 Safety Information ..................3 Laser Safety Information ......................3 Additional Laser Safety Information ..................5 3 Getting Started .................... 7 Supported Modules and Software Option ................7 Software Installation .......................7 Starting the OpticalRF Application ..................7...
  • Page 4 Barrier ...........................29 Crosshair ..........................30 Enable Zoom ........................30 UnZoom ..........................30 Close All ..........................30 9 Amplitude Menu ..................31 Full Scale ..........................31 Ref Level ..........................31 Scale .............................31 10 Frequency Menu ..................33 Center ...........................33 Span .............................33 Full Span ..........................33 VBW .............................33 RBW ............................34 OpticalRF...
  • Page 5 11 Markers Menu .................... 35 Configure ..........................35 Marker ..........................35 Active ...........................36 Freq / Frequency ........................36 Reference / Ref ........................36 Goto Peak / Go Peak ......................37 Next Peak ..........................37 All Off ...........................37 Table / Show Table ........................38 12 Traces Menu ....................39 Configure ..........................39 Trace .............................39 Overlay ..........................40...
  • Page 6 16 RF Spectrum Graph - Quick Test Setup Procedure ........57 Quick Test Setup Procedure ....................57 RF-PWR Monitoring ......................58 PIM Measurement ........................59 RSSI Measurement ........................59 Record Traces ........................59 17 Troubleshooting ..................61 Solving Common Problems ....................61 Contacting the Technical Support Group ................62 Transportation ........................63 18 Glossary .......................65 Index .........................69 OpticalRF...

  • Page 7: Introducing The Opticalrf

    OpticalRF is a digital spectrum analyzer that displays power spectrum, persistence, and/or waterfall graphs derived from the IQ data carried over a CPRI link. Technical Specifications To obtain this product’s technical specifications, visit the EXFO Web site at www.exfo.com. Digital Spectrum Analyzer...

  • Page 8: Conventions

    Introducing the OpticalRF Conventions Conventions Before using the product described in this guide, you should understand the following conventions: ARNING Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury. Do not proceed unless you understand and meet the required conditions.

  • Page 9: Safety Information

    ARNING Use only accessories designed for your unit and approved by EXFO. For a complete list of accessories available for your unit, refer to its technical specifications or contact EXFO.
  • Page 10 Laser Safety Information MPORTANT Refer to the documentation provided by the manufacturers of any accessories used with your EXFO product. It may contain environmental and/or operating conditions limiting their use. MPORTANT When you see the following symbol on your unit...

  • Page 11: Additional Laser Safety Information

    Safety Information Additional Laser Safety Information Additional Laser Safety Information This product employs Class 1 Laser transceivers. ARNING When the LASER LED is on or flashing, the module is transmitting an optical signal on the SFP+ transceiver ports. Note: Refer to the module user guide for additional test equipment safety information and ratings.

  • Page 13: Getting Started

    720Gv2, 730Gv2, 870v2, 870Q, 880v2, 880Q, 890NGE, 88260, 8870, and 8880. Software Installation If the OpticalRF application is not already installed, refer to the platform user guide for more information on how to install this application through Update Manager.

  • Page 14: Connecting To The Ran

    88260). Refer to the module user guide for connector/port location purposes. ARNING Refer to www.exfo.com for the list of supported transceivers. Using non-supported transceivers can affect the performance and accuracy of the test. Note: In order to avoid signal corruption issues that might affect your results, it is strongly recommended that the SFP/SFP+ inserted into the module’s port is...
  • Page 15 RF Spectrum Connection Diagram The following connection diagram allows displaying power spectrum graph using a Passive Tap. OpticalRF To connect to the RAN: 1. Install an optical splitter, if not already installed, as follows: 1a. If required, lock down the sector to be tested.
  • Page 16 (generally marked with an in arrow). 2b. To display the downlink, connect the B side of the splitter's AB port to the RX SFP+ P1 or P2 port (A1 or A2 port on 88260) of the module (generally marked with an in arrow). OpticalRF...

  • Page 17: Graphical User Interface Overview

    Graphical User Interface Overview This chapter describes the OpticalRF graphical user interface. Title Bar Modern Menu Global Status Classic Sub-Menu RF Spectrum Graph Classic Menu Title Bar Displays OpticalRF related information and allows minimizing, maximizing, and closing the application. Global Status Indicates the current and history alarm status for each port when applicable.

  • Page 18: Modern Menu And Classic Menu / Sub-Menu

    Modern Menu and Classic Menu / Sub-Menu All menu items are described individually in the following chapters. The OpticalRF can be configured to use either the classic (default) or modern view. The classic view has larger menus and is more suited to touch screen ...

  • Page 19: Rf Spectrum Graph

    Graphical User Interface Overview RF Spectrum Graph RF Spectrum Graph Graph Tools Graph Settings RF Spectrum Graph View Overlay Digital Spectrum Analyzer...
  • Page 20 Mapping is the configuration (Manufacturer and Bandwidth) defining  the parameters used by the application to decode and display the RF data. Clicking on this field allows the mapping selection and configuration; refer to Mapping on page 23. OpticalRF...
  • Page 21 Graphical User Interface Overview RF Spectrum Graph indicates either if traffic is present on the input port Link  (LossOfSignal or Active with RX power), RateScan while detecting the signal rate when Link Rate is set to Auto, or NoSFP (if the SFP is not detected).
  • Page 22 UnZoom clears the zoomed view. Refer to UnZoom on page 30.  Type allows selecting the graph type. Refer to Type on page 28.  PIM allows enabling PIM measurement and pass/fail verdict. Refer to  Measures Menu on page 43. OpticalRF...
  • Page 23 Graphical User Interface Overview RF Spectrum Graph RSSI allows enabling RSSI measurement. Refer to Measures Menu on  page 43. Close View closes the current graph view. Only available when more  than one graph is displayed. Move View allows repositioning any graph on the screen. Right-tap on ...
  • Page 24 Graphical User Interface Overview RF Spectrum Graph Global Status Indicates the current and history alarm status for each port when applicable. Tapping over the global status area gives access to the Logger (refer to Global Status, Alarms, and Logger on page 51). OpticalRF...

  • Page 25: System Menu

    (Take Screen Snapshot) to do a snapshot (refer to Graph Tools on page 17). Screen shot images are saved in JPEG (.jpg) format in the Documents\OpticalRF\ScreenCapture folder. File names start with SC followed by the date, an underscore, time, and 3-digit number (e.g. SC20160819_084539_695.jpg).

  • Page 26: Prefs

    It is sometimes easier to reset the application to its defaults than work through a number of configuration settings. Tap System > Restore Default and Yes to confirm; the OpticalRF returns to default settings once the application is closed and restarted.

  • Page 27: View Menu

    View Menu This section describes each item of the View menu that is only available with the modern view. Layout Allows changing the resolution of the Modern menu graph settings and all opened pop-up windows. This can be useful when operating the system remotely on a different resolution screen.

  • Page 28: Center

    Tap View > VBW. Refer to VBW on page 33. All Controls Displays all control pop-up windows: Traces, Markers, Ref Level, Scale, Center, Span, VBW, and CalLevel. Tap View > All Controls. Toggle Full Screen Allows displaying the selected graph in full screen or normal. OpticalRF...

  • Page 29: Source Menu

    Source Menu This section describes each item of the Source menu. Calibrate Allows setting the dBm scale (to the left of the power graph) to accurately reflect the power of the signals being displayed. Only available with the live port sources. Not available when full scale is enabled (refer to Full Scale on page 31).
  • Page 30 Resulting Bandwidth indicates either the bandwidth of a single  carrier or the total bandwidth of aggregated carriers (group of carriers). AxC# indicates the AxC number for either a single carrier or a  group of carriers. OpticalRF...

  • Page 31: Record

    OK. Recordings are saved in the proprietary .iqs format to the Documents\OpticalRF\IqsTraces folder. File names start with the date, an underscore, and the time (e.g. 20160819_084539.iqs). Note: It is also possible to start a record using the Record the trace icon. Refer to Graph Tools on page 17.

  • Page 33: Graph Menu

    Graph Menu This section describes each item of the Graph menu. Source Indicates the trace selected allowing its configuration. Tapping on the Source button, allows either setting the basic trace, replacing a trace, or adding an overlay. Choices are the live test port-antennas ([port]-AxCn) or a playback file (File1 or File2).

  • Page 34: Type

    This gives a quick frequency reading for the current location and allows identifying short period or intermittent interferers. Persistence: Power magnitude is plotted against frequency, with color  denoting the percentage of time a plot point is placed at the current location. OpticalRF...

  • Page 35: New

    Graph Menu It is possible to display multiple live or recorded graphs on the same screen. This can be useful when comparing a live graph against saved examples, or inspecting different aspects of the same source. To add a new graph: 1.

  • Page 36: Crosshair

    UnZoom Clears the zoomed view. Tap Graph > UnZoom. Close All Closes all graphs. Tap Graph > Close All and Yes to confirm. Note: To close a single graph, right-tap on the graph and select Close View. OpticalRF...

  • Page 37: Amplitude Menu

    Amplitude Menu This section describes each item of the Amplitude menu. The spectrum graph can be set to display the aspect of the signal to observe. Full Scale On sets the currently displayed spectrum's amplitude to maximum (dBFS). Off disables the full scale (dB or dBm). Tap Amplitude >...

  • Page 39: 10 Frequency Menu

    10 Frequency Menu This section describes each item of the Frequency menu. Center Center sets the center frequency for the currently displayed spectrum. Tap Frequency > Center and enter the center value. Span Span sets the frequency span of the currently displayed spectrum. It has the effect of expanding or contracting the width of the graph.

  • Page 40: Rbw

    RBW (Resolution Bandwidth) balances the amount of detail against the scan speed of the signal. On a signal that takes time to settle, increasing the resolution bandwidth reduces the number of points displayed allowing faster signal refresh. Tap Frequency > RBW and select the resolution bandwidth value. OpticalRF...

  • Page 41: 11 Markers Menu

    11 Markers Menu This section describes each item of the Markers menu. Up to five optional markers can be used to track frequency offsets on the spectrum. Only available with Power Spectrum graphs. Configure The Configure sub-menu is only available with the modern view and allows the configuration of the following marker parameters: Marker, Frequency, Active, Ref, Go Peak, and Next Peak.

  • Page 42: Active

    Classic view (Reference) / Modern view (Ref): Selects the marker to be used as the reference in the marker table. See Table / Show Table on page 38. Tap Markers > Reference / Ref and select the marker value. OpticalRF...

  • Page 43: Goto Peak / Go Peak

    Markers Menu Goto Peak / Go Peak Goto Peak / Go Peak Classic view (Goto Peak): Moves the selected marker to the point of greatest amplitude. Modern view (Go Peak): Moves the corresponding marker to the point of greatest amplitude. Tap Markers >...
  • Page 44  Power indicates the difference between the power value of the  reference marker and the power value of this marker. The  Frequency displays the difference between the frequency of the  reference marker (see Reference / Ref on page 36) and the frequency for this marker. OpticalRF...

  • Page 45: 12 Traces Menu

    12 Traces Menu This section describes each item of the Traces menu. The OpticalRF can display more than just the default real-time spectrum. It is possible to overlay Maximum, Minimum, Real-Time, and Average spectra. Only available with Spectrum graph type.

  • Page 46: Overlay

    Allows displaying/hiding the current selected trace overlay on the graph. On indicates that the current selected Trace overlay is displayed on the graph. Off indicates that the current selected Trace overlay is not displayed on the graph. Tap Traces > Enable to display/hide the selected trace overlay. OpticalRF...

  • Page 47: Refresh Rate

    Traces Menu Refresh Rate Refresh Rate Sets the millisecond interval between the graph being redrawn on the screen: 0, 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, or 1000. Tap Traces > Refresh Rate and select the refresh rate. Hold Time / Hold The Hold control allows modifying the period of time plotted values are held on the graph before being allowed to Decay.

  • Page 49: 13 Measures Menu

    13 Measures Menu This section describes each item of the Measures menu. RF-PWR The RF-PWR alarm monitors the signal and checks for power level spikes that could be interferences and compares them to a threshold mask. Power level spikes usually come from interference sources. The RF-PWR threshold is configurable individually for each monitored AxCn.
  • Page 50 Right Point. Amplitude (dB) adjusts the left or right amplitude point of the chosen  segment by either entering the amplitude value or using the slider to increase or decrease the amplitude value. OpticalRF...
  • Page 51 Measures Menu RF-PWR Frequency (MHz) adjusts the left or right frequency point of the  chosen segment by either entering the amplitude value or using the slider to increase or decrease the amplitude value. Split creates a new segment by splitting the chosen segment in two. ...

  • Page 52: Pim

    Pass verdict: the PIM value is within the defined threshold. Fail verdict: the PIM value is outside the defined threshold. Threshold (dB) check box when selected enables the PIM pass/fail  verdict for the configured threshold absolute value (default is 6 dB). OpticalRF...

  • Page 53: Rssi

    Measures Menu RSSI Apply to All check box when selected applies the PIM and Threshold  settings to all active trace overlays. Done closes the pop-up menu.  RSSI The RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) measurement gives the power of the radio signal for the whole received frequency spectrum bandwidth.
  • Page 54 Description White No verdict: the threshold is not enabled. Green Pass verdict: the PIM value is within the defined threshold. Fail verdict: the PIM value is outside the defined threshold. RSSI indicates the measured power value in dB/dBm/dBFS.  OpticalRF...

  • Page 55: 14 Help Menu

    Comment for which 256 characters are allowed. Generate creates, saves, and opens the report in PDF format.  Reports are saved in PDF format in the Documents\OpticalRF\Reports  folder. File names start with OpticalRFReport followed by the date, an underscore, and the time (e.g.

  • Page 56: Save Logs

    Note: For information on how to install and activate software options, refer to the platform User Guide. The OpticalRF application must be restarted once a new software option is installed in order to activate it. Done closes the About page.

  • Page 57: Global Status, Alarms, And Logger

    15 Global Status, Alarms, and Logger This section describes the global status, alarms, and logger. Note: Alarms are reported for all monitored AxC sources; they are not reported against Minimum/Maximum/Average traces and playback files. Global Status History status Current status Port Alarm Current and history alarms are displayed using different background colors...

  • Page 58: Alarm And Logger

    Alarms displays detailed alarm status, see Alarms on page 53.  Logger lists the test events, see Logger on page 55.  Reset clears the test alarms and logger events.  X closes the alarms and logger pop-up.  OpticalRF...

  • Page 59: Alarms

    Global Status, Alarms, and Logger Alarms Alarms Current and history alarms are displayed using different background colors; see Global Status on page 51. Note: An alarm block title containing the magnifier (+) icon allows zooming this block which displays alarms for each AxC. To zoom-in, tap the magnifier (+) icon or anywhere on the title bar of the block.
  • Page 60 The alarm is cleared when the interference(s) on a real-time trace are below the threshold mask for more than 50 percent of the monitoring interval.  Indicates that the measured PIM (Passive Intermodulation) absolute value is bigger than the defined threshold. OpticalRF...

  • Page 61: Logger

    Global Status, Alarms, and Logger Logger Logger The Logger lists color-coded test events. Sort By Select the sorting order of the event logger entries: ID/Time (default) displays the event logger entries in numeric  ascending order based on the ID number. Event displays the event logger entries in alphanumeric ascending ...
  • Page 62 The Event Logger information will be cleared when: the logger is reset.  the unit is restarted.  Note: An entry event remains in the Pending state as long as the event is not completed and is highlighted using a yellow background color. OpticalRF...

  • Page 63: Rf Spectrum Graph - Quick Test Setup Procedure

    1. Connect the module to the radio access network (RAN). Refer to Connecting to the RAN on page 8. 2. Start the OpticalRF application. 3. Tap Source to select a port-antenna ([port]-AxCn). 4. Tap Link Rate from the Source menu and select either the link rate or Auto for automatic detection.

  • Page 64: Rf-Pwr Monitoring

    2. Select the source of the trace. 3. Select the Mask and View Mask in Graph check boxes. 4. Define the mask threshold. Refer to PWR Threshold on page 44 for more information. 5. Tap Apply. 6. Tap Close. OpticalRF...

  • Page 65: Pim Measurement

    RF Spectrum Graph - Quick Test Setup Procedure PIM Measurement PIM Measurement To measure the PIM value: 1. Tap Measures > PIM. 2. Select the source of the trace. 3. Select the PIM and Threshold check boxes. 4. Set the threshold value. Refer to PIM on page 46 for more information. 5.

  • Page 67: 17 Troubleshooting

    17 Troubleshooting Solving Common Problems Before calling EXFO’s technical support, please read the following common problems that can occur and their respective solution. Problem Possible Cause Solution Input signal not received or not Dirty fiber connection. Ensure that the fiber and SFP are compatible.

  • Page 68: Contacting The Technical Support Group

    Contacting the Technical Support Group To obtain after-sales service or technical support for this product, contact EXFO at one of the following numbers. The Technical Support Group is available to take your calls from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

  • Page 69: Transportation

    Troubleshooting Transportation Transportation Maintain a temperature range within specifications when transporting the unit. Transportation damage can occur from improper handling. The following steps are recommended to minimize the possibility of damage: Pack the unit in its original packing material when shipping. ...

  • Page 71: 18 Glossary

    18 Glossary Acronym List Help Antenna System Container Base-Band Unit Bandwidth CPRI Common Public Radio interface Decibels dBFS Decibels relative to Full Scale Error Vector Magnitude Federal Communications Commission Digital Spectrum Analyzer...
  • Page 72 Glossary Gbps Gigabit per second Graphical User Interface Hertz Identification International Electrotechnical Commission IEEE Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers Loss Of Frame Loss Of Signal Mega Hertz NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization Passive Intermodulation OpticalRF...
  • Page 73 Glossary Radio Access Network Resolution Bandwidth Reference Radio Frequency Remote Radio Head RSSI Received Signal Strength Indicator Receive Small Form Factor Pluggable Signal to Noise Ratio United States of America Video Bandwidth Digital Spectrum Analyzer...

  • Page 75: Index

    Index Index Decay............41 66B Block ............ 54 Decay Time ..........41 Details ............56 Duration ............56 Acronym............65 Active ............36 after-sales service ........62 Edit Segment ..........44 Alarms background color ......51 Enable ............40 All Controls ..........22 Enable Zoom .........
  • Page 76 New Mask ........... 45 Show all views ..........17 Next Peak ............ 37 Show Table..........38, 48 Snap ............19 Snap Marker ..........16 Snapshots............ 19 Persistence ..........28 Software options ......... 50 PIM........16, 17, 46, 48, 54 Sort By............55 OpticalRF...
  • Page 77 Index Source ..... 14, 23, 27, 44, 46, 47, 48 Span..........15, 22, 33 specifications, product ........1 Spectrum............. 28 Split............. 45 symbols, safety..........2 Sync Header ..........54 Table ............. 38, 48 Take screen snapshot ........17 technical specifications........1 technical support ........
  • Page 78 · info@EXFO.com CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 400 Godin Avenue Quebec (Quebec) G1M 2K2 CANADA Tel.: 1 418 683-0211 · Fax: 1 418 683-2170 TOLL-FREE (USA and Canada) 1 800 663-3936 © 2023 EXFO Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in Canada (2023-04) ...

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