Rent VeEX VePAL CX100+ CATV Network Tester
Details

CATV network testing simplified
A next generation CATV installer meter to characterize and measure Analog and Digital video signals. For Analog carriers, Peak Video level, single or dual channel Audio levels and Carrier to Noise (C/N) measurements are possible on NTSC, PAL, or SECAM video formats. Digital QAM16/64/256 carriers with or without deep Interleaving are measured accurately with MER, BER and Constellation diagram results being reported. Tilt, Quick Test, and Forward/Reverse ingress scan are standard features. The built-in Ethernet port supports Triple Play test features, such as VoIP call emulation with MOS scoring, Web-browser, IP connection testing, remote control, test results upload/download, and system management. WiFi connectivity tests can be performed using a USB WiFi adaptor.

Platform Highlights

Intuitive presentation of measurements with test graphics
High resolution color touch-screen viewable in any lighting conditions fitted with protective cover
Robust, handheld chassis packed with powerful and flexible features for demanding environments and test conditions
Optimized for field engineers or technicians installing and maintaining CATV networks enabling triple play services
Ethernet port and connection for back office applications, workforce management and triple play service verification
USB memory stick, Bluetooth adaptor, and FTP upload capability for test result storage and file transfer respectively
Maintain instrument software, manage test configurations, process measurement results and generate customer test reports using included ReVeal™ PC software
Extend field testing time using interchangeable LiIon battery pack/s. Greater battery autonomy provided in standby mode
Supports advanced IP testing; Ping, trace route, ARP Wiz, VoIP, IPTV, WiFi, Web browser, and FTP upload/download via Ethernet or USB port where applicable
Perform remote testing and monitoring using the remote control option via standard Ethernet interface
NetWiz cable diagnosis with network statistics*
VoIP call emulation and MOS performance analysis*
WiFi Wiz site survey with Internet and VoIP check*

Key Features

Frequency range support and analysis from 5 to 1000 MHz
Supports Annex A and B signal formats
Comprehensive SLM features
Fast system scan mode of the entire active channel plan
Installation test procedures with location specific limits
Single-channel measurements with Min/Max thresholds
Tilt measurements to indicate distortion over the frequency spectrum allowing technicians to apply correct equalization
Measure video and power level of NTSC, PAL and SECAM (Annex A) analog video signals
Carrier-to-Noise (C/N); Adjacent Channel measurement ratio
Modulation Error Ratio (MER) measurement to identify transmission quality degradation
MER and Pre/Post BER measurements of QAM carriers with Constellation diagram
Measurement of QAM 64/256 digital signals including deep interleaved modulation
Forward and Reverse path ingress scan indicates the presence of noise and/or CSO/CTB interference
Home Installation Process*

Rent VeEX VePAL CX100+ CATV Rental

Features

Single Channel Measurement
Analog and digital carriers are very different in terms of signal content and power distribution and thus require the advanced SLM techniques supported in the VePAL CX series.

In analog mode, video and audio levels, V/A, Carrier to Noise (C/N) and Adjacent channels are measured. In digital mode, average power, MER, Pre-BER, Post-BER, Error seconds, and constellation diagram are displayed. User programmable location thresholds and test point compensation are useful utilities enabling fast, simple and automated testing of carrier signals.

Digital pictures do not show signal impairment until it is too late because the margin between acceptable quality and failure is quite small.

Constellation diagrams are a valuable tool to help detect the presence of noise, phase jitter, interference and gain compression, all of which impact overall signal quality and thus reduces Modulation Error Ratio (MER). Ideally, each of the 64 or 256 symbols should display a clean dot indicating a perfect QAM signal. Therefore, the size and shape build up of dots is indicative of problems which contribute to bit errors and even service disruption.

Installation Check
For new installations, up to six analog and six digital channels are checked against preset location thresholds. The feature is particularly useful to verify and turn up of service at new installations or after service is restored, Pass and fail conditions are color coded for easy interpretation and test results are clearly displayed. This automatic test procedure adds consistency to the final service qualification. A zoom function provides data measurement in greater detail. The VePAL CX series can store up to 20 channel tables each of which can be pre-programmed with channels to be used for installation check.

Tilt
Tilt measurements identify distortion over the frequency range allowing technicians to apply correct equalization or compensation to the HFC network. Up to 12 analog signals and digital carriers including DOCSIS channels can be predefined on a channel table and selected to perform the tilt measurement. The measurement can be performed between the lowest and highest channel or any user selectable channel by tapping the applicable bar on screen.

System Scan
Within seconds, all analog and digital channels at a service location are measured. Signal parameters including channel number, channel name, frequency, modulation type and power levels are measured.

Signal degradation or tilt can be easily pinpointed using onscreen markers and the zoom mode.

Forward/Reverse Path Ingress Scan
Poorly shielded coaxial cable and fault terminations (CPD) are sources and causes of ingress noise. Ingress is troublesome for return path communications in CATV networks due to the large number of subscriber-generated signals being funneled towards the headend. The combined and amplified interference is often responsible for service disruption, therefore the ingress test is a valuable tool to check the forward and reverse paths for interference and related problems.

Advanced IP Testing
Triple Play services are IP centric, so IP test functions are no longer considered a luxury. On a daily basis, technicians verify network connections during service installation and restoration, so Ping test, Trace Route, ARP, Web browser, FTP throughput, VoIP Call emulation and IPTV measurement have become routine measurements. IP verification on the CX series is possible over the DOCSIS Cable Modem and 10/100Base-T Ethernet test ports, while a subset of these tools is available using the USB WiFi adaptor.

Results and Events
Results mode displays a systematic, yet intuitive summary of the most significant modem connection parameters. At a mere glance, the technician can quickly identify whether the ranging and/or registration process has failed or passed. Events mode not only logs and displays a time stamped sequence of the CMTS connection process, but also records link failures and modem retrains. If service activation or fast troubleshooting are your daily priorities, both features will prove to be indispensable.

IPTV Service Verification
Designed and optimized for technicians turning up IP video service. Set-Top Box (STB) emulation includes registration, IGMP and RTSP signaling for Broadcast and Video on Demand (VOD) applications. Transport stream analysis encompasses data/ video/audio bit rates and Program Identification (PID) mapping. Packet jitter and loss, IGMP latency (channel zapping), PCR statistics and Viewer function complete the Video Quality of Service (QoS) application suite.

VoIP Testing
Take advantage of the three separate software options offering different test methods to verify and provision your VoIP network. Testing can be performed over any of the Ethernet or DOCSIS test ports.

VoIP Check – Simulates a VoIP call to the nearest router and measures the round trip MOS score and related VoIP parameters.

VoIP Expert – Generates industry standard wave files to verify MOS and R-Factor values of upstream and downstream paths and includes QoS measurements such as packet jitter, packet loss, and delay.

VoIP Call Expert – Emulates an IP phone and can place and receive calls using SIP or H.323 protocols. Comprehensive Codex support and call destination options verify voice encoding and translation provisioning. Real-time evaluation of subjective voice quality (MOS and R-factor) is made possible using the patented Telchemy test method which has been integrated into all VePAL test sets.

Net Wiz
Ethernet network installation is simplified using this basic, yet powerful feature. A built-in TDR identifies distance to short, distance to open, wire cross, and other anomalies associated with CAT-5 structured cabling. “Sniff” the network using the onetouch discovery feature. Identify routers, gateways, printers, PCs and other devices connected to the network within seconds.

WiFi Wiz
All VePAL products adopt a USB WiFi adaptor to make 802.11 b/g wireless installations a simple task. Scan for available networks or perform signal strength and quality measurements to determine the best location for a new wireless access point. The IP Ping capability ensures the wireless network is properly installed and configured. A full suite of IP testing features is supported.

ReVeal CX Server Productivity Suite
A software application specifically designed for medium-to-large CATV operators facing the enormous challenge of coordinating hundreds of installations per day, collecting the field test results for billing/record purposes and having to maintain a large inventory of test sets in parallel. When used in conjunction with the Home Installation Process (HIP) and Signature Pad features, the application becomes a powerful tool to reduce customer call-backs and associated truck rolls, maximizing workforce efficiency and lowering operational costs. ReVeal

Advanced Management
Authorized test sets register with specific ReVeal CX Server/s to download new channel tables, test profiles, measurement thresholds and job cards. Test results can be uploaded via LAN interface or DOCSIS connection running over the existing RF network. Signature Pad electronically captures the customer signature which is automatically appended to the test results upon work order completion.

Benefits

Centralized storage of test profiles, software versions, and measurement thresholds
Registered test sets are informed of new test profiles, software versions and channel tables
Test set software versions are maintained and synchronized
Results are collected electronically while technician is on site, thus billing transactions can be processed sooner
Operates with Operator and Contractor owned test sets giving operational statistics for both activities
Provides theft prevention, test set lockout, time lock and other security features

 

Specifications

Measurements
Frequency Range: 5 to 1000MHzLevel Input Range
• -40 dBmV to +55 dBmV (CX series)
Level Accuracy: ± 1.5dB typical
Amplitude Resolution: 0.1dB
Downstream Modulation: 64/256 QAM Annex A/B/C
Digital Lock Range: -15dBmV to +50 dBmV
C/N Accuracy: ± 2.0dB typical
MER: 21 to 40dB (± 1.5dB typical)
Downstream BER Range: 1 x 10-9 to 9 x 10 -3 Input Impedance: 75O

Single Channel Measurements
Analog signal measurements: Video and audio Power level, Video-to-audio ratio, adjacent channel ratio, C/N ratios
Digital signal measurements: QAM power level, MER, Pre/Post BER, constellation, deep interleave, adjacent channel ratio

Installation Check
Measurement locations: Tap, Ground Block, Set-Top Box
Analog measurements: Up to 12 channels per channel table (including tilt, peak-to-valley, min/max video level, min/max video-to-audio ratio, min/max C/N ratio, max adjacent channel ratio
Digital measurements: Up to 12 channels per channel table (including tilt, peak-to-valley, min/max QAM level, min/max MER, max adjacent channel ratio, pre-BER, post-BER

System Scan
Scan on all channels in the active channel plan
Analog measurements: Video and audio power levels, video-to-audio ratio, adjacent channel ratio, C/N ratio, tilt, peak-to-valley, min/max video level, min/max video-to-audio ratio, min/max C/N ratio, max adjacent ratio
Digital measurements: QAM power level, adjacent channel ratio, tilt, peak-to-valley values, min/max QAM level, max adjacent channel ratio

Forward and Reverse Path Ingress Scan
Forward
• Scan Range: 54/108MHz to 1000MHz
• Resolution: minimum 250kHz
Reverse
• Scan Range: 5 to 42MHz /65MHz
• Resolution: minimum 250kHz
Forward and Reverse
• Resolution Bandwidth 250kHz
• Attenuation Range: 0 to 50dB, 10dB/step
• Range with Attenuation -40dBmV to +55dBmV
• Dynamic Range: 45dB

Advanced IP Testing
Ping, Trace Route, ARP, FTP/Web tests.

VoIP Testing
VoIP Check
• Simulates VoIP call to the nearest router/CMTS
• Round Trip MOS score
VoIP Expert
• MOS and R-factor measurement
• Packet Statistics: packet loss, jitter, delay
VoIP Call Expert
• VoIP call setup with VoIP USB adaptor
• Supports SIP and H.323 protocols
• Codex: G.711U, G.711A, G.723, G.729, Auto

IPTV
Provides true STB emulation
Analyze up to three streams simultaneously
Supports IGMP/RTSP signaling, MPEG-2, H.264 and VC1 video compression, MPEG-2 and RTP transport streams
Video and Audio bit rates and statistics
Channel zapping for quick and complete installation check

NetWiz
Available on 10/100-T chassis port
Detect distance to open/short, wire cross, impedance mismatch
Network device discovery
Auto Ping verification

WiFi Wiz
Supports 802.11 b/g
SSID detection, infrastructure, Ad-hoc, and encryption
Signal strength and signal qualityIP connectivity (Ping, Trace Route, FTP upload/download, Web Test, VoIP Check and VoIP Expert)