SDA Series instruments enable one person to perform forward and reverse path

alignment simultaneously. The operator simply indicates which screen should be

displayed – either the response from the headend to the testpoint, or the response

from the testpoint to the headend. A reverse sweep can uncover mismatch prob-

lems, which reveal themselves as standing waves, or diplex filter roll-offs that can

severely hamper the quality of services in the reverse band.

Multiple-user reverse testing

For intense reverse testing requirements, the rack mounted model SDA-5510

Headend Reverse Sweep Manager handles the reverse sweep job for up to 10 dif-

ferent technicians on the same cluster of nodes. Using the SDA-5510 in conjunc-

tion with the model SDA-5500 transceiver provides a full forward and reverse

sweep alignment solution. The SDA-5510 can also stand alone in remote hub sites

for dedicated reverse alignment applications.

Seeing headend/hub site accumulated ingress in the field

The reverse noise feature of the SDA-5000 enables easy reverse path noise testing.

The operator simply presses the “noise” softkey while reverse sweeping, and the

display changes to a noise/ingress response indicating the noise level over

the entire reverse path spectrum measured at the headend or hub site.

All SDA transmitters provide feedback to the field regarding the current

condition of noise and ingress in the headend, even when noise or ingress

is swamping the telemetry (Broadcast mode). A picture of the headend noise/

ingress is sent out to the SDA receiver via a special forward telemetry carrier.

QAM View ensures quality forward path digital services

For measurement and analysis of digital TV and forward modem signals, the new

digital QAM View option provides a full complement of digital quality measure-

ments. Included is a 64/256 QAM constellation display with zoom, average digital

power level, bit error rate (BER), 21 to 35-dB modulation error ratio (MER), and

a noise margin “cliff effect” parameter. An equalizer display shows equalizer stress

and distance to fault.

In addition, an exclusive Noise mode enables technicians to see ingress/noise

under an active digital carrier. This tool is invaluable for detecting forward path

ingress otherwise hidden by conventional spectrum views.

In-service cable modem analyzer

For bursty digital signals such as TDMA technologies used on cable modems for

reverse services, the SDA-5000 offers two measurement choices. The first, a one-

button cable modem analyzer test, shows carrier-to-noise measurements quickly.

The second, an advanced zero span feature, uses a time domain display to allow

power measurements while the modem is in service. Both modes are compatible

with DOCSIS/EuroDOCSIS, CBR/switched circuit telephony, and proprietary

cable modem standards.

4

SDA-5000 SERIES STEALTH DIGITAL ANALYZER

Zero span/time domain expert mode, showing the

TDMA bursty return path cable modem power ramp

of 3.5 ms

Time domain view of ingress in the Zero Span mode

captures elusive ingress

PathTrak Field View option compares headend node

spectrum with field testpoint spectrum

One button, in-service C/N measurements on TDMA

return path cable modem signals (DOCSIS, EuroDOC-

SIS, EuroModem)