SDA-5000 SERIES STEALTH DIGITAL ANALYZER
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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
One button, in-service C/N measurements on TDMA
return path cable modem signals (DOCSIS, EuroDOC-
SIS, EuroModem)
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.
Zero span/time domain expert mode, showing the
TDMA bursty return path cable modem power ramp
of 3.5 ms
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.
Time domain view of ingress in the Zero Span mode
captures elusive ingress
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.
PathTrak Field View option compares headend node
spectrum with field testpoint spectrum
JDSU [ JDS UNIPHASE CORPORATION ]
