Getting Started With The SDA Stealth Digital Analyzer
Getting Started With The SDA Stealth Digital Analyzer
Getting Started With The SDA Stealth Digital Analyzer
Getting Started
with the SDA
Stealth Digital Analyzer
GETTING STARTED WITH THE
STEALTH DIGITAL ANALYZER (SDA)
Table of Contents
Once you have upgraded the SDA platform, you can purchase
the QAM View Option 4 to ensure the quality of your forward
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 measurements.
Included is a 64/256 QAM constellation display with zoom
average digital power level and BER and MER (Figure 18). An
equalizer display shows equalizer stress and distance to fault.
Figure 18
Figure 16
Stealth / SDA Replacement Step 1. To begin sweep configuration of the SDA transmitter,
select the CONFIG icon under the files and Configure
Tab on the Navigator (Figure 1).
The following chart shows the SDA replacements for current
Stealth meters.
Step 2. Select SWEEP in the CONFIGURE menu (Figure 2).
Stealth Model SDA Replacement
Step 3. Select TRANSMIT in the SWEEP MODE if all field
3ST SDA-5500
technicians in your system are not using SDA-5000
3HRV SDA-5510
sweep receivers (Figure 3). By selecting TRANSMIT
3SR SDA-5000
mode, all Stealth models (3Sx, SSA-1000) and the
3SRV option Option #1 SDA-5000
SDA-5000 are compatible with the SDA-5500. The
3SRT option Option #2 SDA-5000
sweep speed is the same as the Stealth sweep using
PathTrak Field View Option Option #3 SDA-5000
firmware version 9.3. Your sweep channel plan
should be configured as used in the model 3ST.
Stealth and SDA Sweep Compatibility
Your new SDA meter is fully forward and reverse sweep com-
Step 4. Select TRANSMIT (SDA COMPATIBLE) if all field
patible with older Stealth units! For example, an SDA-5500
technicians are using SDA-5000 field receivers
Sweep Transceiver (replaces the 3ST) will operate as normal
(Figure 4). This selection provides greater forward
with your existing 3SR, 3SRV, 3SRT, 3HRV or StealthTrak SSA-
sweep speed when compared to the 3ST, especially
1000. Alternatively, your 3ST will operate with the new SDA-
when operating with a channel plan that includes
5000 series (replaces the 3SR and SSA-1000). The reverse
multiple scrambled and digital signal types. By the
sweep operates in the same manner with all Stealth or SDA
way, when constructing a sweep channel plan and
field instruments whether you are using the 3HRV or it’s
using the SDA compatible mode, you may now refer-
replacement, the SDA-5510 Reverse Sweep Manager.
ence 64/256 QAM digital carriers as you would an
analog video or scrambled channel. Remember, the
The only requirement for backwards compatibility is that the
Transmit (SDA Compatible) mode should only be
3ST and 3HRV must have at least firmware version 9.3 installed.
used if all field sweep technicians have meters that
This firmware upgrade is free from the Acterna web site.
are upgraded to the SDA series.
To take advantage of the new digital compatible forward
Figure 1
sweep, all field and rack mount instruments must be SDA
series and the transmitter/receivers programmed for Stealth
(SDA Compatible) sweep.
The reverse telemetry level and sweep levels are also entered
on the reverse compensation screen. When adjusting the lev-
els please note the following program sequence:
Reverse Compensation Information Screen NEW FEATURES ON THE SDA SERIES METERS
The reverse compensation information screen provides addi-
tional detail to the reverse TP set-up screen (Figure 6). SDA-5000 (with OPT. 1) CW Loopback
Information includes the transmitted output level from the CW Loopback allows the user to generate and receive a single
SDA-5000, and the actual level at the device under test. CW frequency using one unit (Figure 8). Connect the output
(opt. port) of the SDA-5000 to the input of the device under
• Please note the REVERSE TELEMETRY FREQUENCY test (DUT), and connect the SDA receiver input to the output
header at the top of Figure 6. This reference frequency of the DUT. The CW Loopback measurement can be accessed
that appears in the header is actually programmed in the by selecting the LOOPBACK icon from under the RF Measure
3ST, 3HRV, SDA-5500 or SDA-5510, but is displayed after Tab in the NAVIGATOR (Figure 9).
you perform the first reverse sweep. Therefore, the
default frequency will always be 40 MHz until you per- • This feature is ideal for simple troubleshooting of a field
form a reverse sweep, and then this frequency will active/passive device to determine gain, loss or continu-
change depending on what frequency was programmed ity. Any frequency from 5-1000 MHz can be selected, and
in the headend unit. the output is adjustable from +20 to +50 dBmV.
• The transmitter is at the maximum output of +50 dBmV • A dedicated channel plan is required for Sweep
when initially enabled. The user may adjust the transmit- Loopback, and building the plan is similar to building a
ted output level by scaling the attenuator (Figure 10) for reverse plan (Figure 12). The channel plan is constructed
the desired output level. by selecting a start / stop frequency and interval between
frequencies. Channel plans may be built from 5-1000
• Test point compensation can be enabled, if desired, for MHz. Channel frequencies may be edited as needed. Tilt
the CW Loopback mode. This mode recognizes the for- channels are enabled at the highest and lowest frequen-
ward test point compensation values, regardless of the cies built in the plan.
frequency that is being generated. If enabled, the test
point compensation value will be displayed in the lower *WARNING! TO AVOID INTERFERENCE WITH ACTIVE
left corner of the Loopback display. SERVICES ON THE CABLE SYSTEM, MAKE SURE THAT
THE LOOPBACK SWEEP TEST IS PERFORMED OUT-OF-
Figure 8 SERVICE, OR BUILD SWEEP CHANNELS AROUND ANY
ACTIVE SERVICES!
Figure 11
Loopback Sweep
Transmitting and receiving a sweep signal from a single SDA-
5000 (OPT. 2 required) meter can be achieved through the
Loopback Sweep mode. The Loopback Sweep mode is an Figure 12
ideal solution for characterizing frequency response of net-
work active and passive devices.
© 2000 Acterna
CNIN01651100AE