VIAVI Trilithic DSP Series meters including the 180 DSP cable signal level meter
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180 DSP Advanced

VIAVI Trilithic 180 DSP Advanced DOCSIS 3.1 Signal Level Meter with FDR and Source Generator

DOCSIS 3.1 cable installation and service meter that adds a frequency domain reflectometer and return-band source generator to the 180 DSP.

Part Number
TRI-DSP-180-ADV
Datasheet

Overview

The VIAVI Trilithic 180 DSP Advanced (part number TRI-DSP-180-ADV) is the 180 DSP installation and service meter with a Frequency Domain Reflectometer (FDR) and Source Generator added. It belongs to the DSP Series of DOCSIS 3.1 installation and service meters for cable service providers and contractors.

The meter has a compact rugged design and a color touchscreen user interface. It measures analog and QAM carrier power levels. For QAM carriers, including deep interleave, it displays Hum, Constellation, Equalizer Tap, MER and BER, so 64 and 256 QAM downstream channels can be checked for quality or used to locate impairments. For DOCSIS 3.1 deployments it measures OFDM average level, peak-to-valley and in-channel tilt. It also displays PLC constellation, level, pre/post BER, MER, decoder stress over time, and a summary for the default profile.

The channel plan scan shows the frequency response of the whole channel lineup, or of favorite channels, as a color-coded bar graph. It includes adjustable on-screen markers for tilt measurement. Return spectrum display from 4 to 205 MHz is standard and provides peak measurements, color-coded markers, delta measurements and adjustable detector modes for capturing bursty transient noise. Forward spectrum measurement covers 5 MHz to 1,250 MHz.

Advanced model additions

The FDR determines the distance to cable faults such as opens, shorts and splitters. It shows events on a distance-versus-amplitude display, with markers for distance and loss at each reflection. The Source Generator transmits CW, QAM or OFDM carriers within the 5 to 85 MHz return band, with user-adjustable bit error injection, for RF loopback testing between the Tx and Tx/Rx test ports.

Operation

The meter is designed for fast installation testing and troubleshooting, with simple pass/fail indicators, autotest apps, a quick charge time, a built-in LED flashlight and a glow-in-the-dark keypad. Test results and configurations can be managed through VIAVI StrataSync.

Key Features

  • DOCSIS 3.1 OFDM signal analysis: average level, peak-to-valley, in-channel tilt, PLC constellation, PLC level, pre/post BER, MER and decoder stress over time
  • QAM carrier measurements including deep interleave: Hum, Constellation, Equalizer Tap, MER and BER
  • Analysis of 64 and 256 QAM downstream channels
  • Analog NTSC/PAL video/audio level, Delta V/A and carrier-to-noise measurements
  • Channel plan scan with color-coded bar graph and adjustable tilt markers
  • Channel plan auto discovery
  • Return spectrum display from 4 to 205 MHz with peak, color-coded and delta markers
  • Forward spectrum measurement from 5 MHz to 1,250 MHz
  • Adjustable detector modes for capturing bursty transient noise
  • Frequency Domain Reflectometer for distance to cable faults
  • Source Generator with CW, QAM and OFDM carriers in the 5 to 85 MHz return band
  • Network test suite with Ping, VoIP, Throughput and Traceroute
  • Color touchscreen with pass/fail indicators and autotest apps
  • Built-in LED flashlight and glow in the dark keypad
  • Multi-user profiles, job management and remote access
  • Firmware updates through the web or via USB
  • StrataSync asset, configuration and test data management

Specifications

Ordering
Part Number TRI-DSP-180-ADV
Adds FDR and Source Generator
Level Measurement
Channel Bandwidth 6 MHz and 8 MHz
Amplitude Range -40 dBmV to +50 dBmV
Modulation Types (Analog) NTSC, PAL B/D/G/H/I/K/N and SECAM B/D/G/H/I/K
Modulation Types (Digital) 16/32/64/128/256 QAM Annex A, 64/256 QAM Annex B/C, OFDM 4K/8K
OFDM: DOCSIS 3.1 option equipped meters only
Analog Measurement Accuracy ±0.75 dB @ 77° F (25° C); ±2.0 dB from 0° to +50° C (32° to 122° F)
Digital Measurement Accuracy ±0.75 dB @ 77° F (25° C); ±2.5 dB from 0° to +50° C (32° to 122° F)
Display Resolution 0.1 dB
Spectrum Measurement
Frequency Range (Return Path) 4 to 205 MHz
Frequency Range (Forward Path) 5 to 1250 MHz
Forward spectrum analysis is optional on the 180 DSP-Lite
Dual Return Path Diplexers 42 MHz: 4 to 42 MHz; 85 MHz: 4 to 85 MHz
Manually Adjustable Resolution Bandwidth Return Path: 300 kHz; Forward Path: 10, 30, 100, and 300 kHz; 1 and 3 MHz
Auto Ranging Resolution Bandwidth 10 kHz: Span ≤ 3.5 MHz; 30 kHz: Span ≤ 12.0 MHz; 100 kHz: Span ≤ 35.9 MHz; 300 kHz: Span ≤ 300 MHz; 1 MHz: Span ≤ 359.2 MHz; 3 MHz: Span ≥ 359.3 MHz
Display Spans Return Path: 4 to 42 MHz, 4 to 65 MHz, 4 to 85 MHz or 4 to 205 MHz; Forward Path: User-selectable in 1 kHz steps
Display Scale 1, 2, 5, 7.5 or 10 dB/division
Display Range 8 vertical divisions
when marker bar is hidden
Spurious Free Dynamic Range 60 dB
@ 25° C (77° F) (+50 dBmV)
Sensitivity (terminated) Return Path: -40 dBmV (4 to 205 MHz); Forward Path: -40 dBmV (5 to 1250 MHz)
Digital Channel Measurement
Deep Interleave Compatibility Yes
Downstream MER 40 ±2 dB @ +6 dBmV RF Input Level; 34 ±2 dB @ -6 dBmV RF Input Level
Downstream BER Method True BER, derived from code words not from MER
Downstream BER Standard ITU J.83 annex A, B, C
Downstream BER Range 1 E-7 to 1 E-9
@ -6 dBmV RF Input Level
Symbol Rates ≥ 2 MSPS; ≤ 6.952 MSPS
Carrier-to-Noise Measurement
Minimum Input Level for Full Range +10 dBmV
In-service, non-scrambled standard channels only
Dynamic Range 50 dB
Resolution < 0.5 dB
Tilt Measurement
Max Number of Carriers 14
dependent on favorite channel setup
High/Low Delta Resolution 0.1 dB
Scan Video, audio, pilot, and digital carriers
Analog and Digital Hum
Minimum Input Level 0 dBmV
In-service, non-scrambled standard channels only
Range 0 to 5%
Resolution 0.10%
Accuracy ±0.5%
Frequency Domain Reflectometer
Velocity of Propagation Adjustable from 60.0 to 99.0% in 0.1% increments
Datasheet spec heading names 360 DSP Advanced and Pro Models and 1G DSP; the feature matrix lists FDR on 180 DSP Advanced
Working Distance (Minimum) 755 feet (230 meters)
@ VoP of 60.0%
Working Distance (Maximum) 1247 feet (380 meters)
@ VoP of 99.0%
Amplitude Range 0 to -80 dBRL
Distance Accuracy 5 feet
Source Generator
Modulation CW, 16 QAM, 32 QAM, 64 QAM, 128 QAM, 256 QAM, OFDM (4K/8K)
OFDM: DOCSIS 3.1 option equipped meters only
OFDM Subcarrier Modulation 16 to 4096 QAM, PLC Configurable
DOCSIS 3.1 option equipped meters only
Frequency Range 5 to 85 MHz
Source Width CW: 50 kHz; QAM: 6 MHz; OFDM: 6 to 24 MHz
OFDM: DOCSIS 3.1 option equipped meters only
Amplitude CW: Adjustable from 10 to 55 dBmV; QAM: Adjustable from 10 to 45 dBmV; OFDM: Adjustable from 10 to 40 dBmV
OFDM: DOCSIS 3.1 option equipped meters only
QAM Symbol Rates 0.64, 1.28, 2.56, 5.12 MSPS
QAM Error Rates BER: Adjustable from 0 to 1.00E-2; MER: > 38 dB
CW Source Accuracy ±2 dB
Physical
Construction Rubber overmolded plastic housing
Control Glow in the dark keypad and LCD touchscreen and/or via a wireless connection to a mobile device such as a laptop, tablet, iPad® or iPhone®, or Android® handset
Display Color LCD touchscreen, 480 x 272 pixels (approx 4” x 2.25”)
180/360 models
Annunciators Audible annunciator for key strokes
Flashlight High-intensity LED (0.25W)
Dimensions w/o Case (H x W x D) 8.6 x 6.1 x 2.00 in (21.84 x 15.94 x 5.08 cm)
Dimensions w/ Case (H x W x D) 9.6 x 7.1 x 3.00 in (24.38 x 18.03 x 7.62 cm)
Interfaces
Tx Test Port 75 Ohm Replaceable F-Type Connector
Source Generator Output Transmission Only
Tx/Rx Test Port 75 Ohm Replaceable F-Type Connector
Upstream and Downstream RF Measurements
Ethernet RJ45 Management Port (10/100 Mbps)
USB USB 2.0 Type-A Standard Port
Battery and Power
Charge Time 4 hours
Battery Two 2600 mAh @ 7.4V Li-Ion internal batteries, factory replaceable
Power Adapter Input: 100 to 240 VAC ~ 50 to 60 Hz, 1.2A Max; Output: 15 VDC, 3.34A
Environmental
Storage -18° to +50° C (0° to 122° F)
Operating Temperature 0° to +50° C (32° to 122° F)

Specifications are taken from the manufacturer's documentation. See the datasheet for complete and current values.

Applications

  • Cable subscriber installation testing
  • Return spectrum analysis (4 to 205 MHz)
  • Level, C/N, QAM and OFDM measurement
  • Complete channel plan scan with tilt measurement
  • DOCSIS 3.1 deployment testing
  • Coaxial cable fault location
  • RF loopback testing of active and passive devices
  • Home leakage testing

Options & Accessories

Option Description
TRI-DSP-SW-HL-LKG-OPT DSP Meter Leakage Software Option
TRI-LKG-HL-METER-KIT Seeker Home Leakage Companion Kit — Seeker HL Source Transmitter, Dual-Band Antenna, Near-Field Probe and Case
TRI-ACCY-RF-TEST-CBL I/O-15 Precision test cable
TRI-ISTOP-1000MHZ I-Stop 1 GHz Test Probe — Ingress troubleshooting probe
TRI-ISTOP-1250MHZ I-Stop Test Probe — Ingress troubleshooting probe
TRI-TLB-46-LPF TLB-46 Return measurement low-pass filter
MP-80A MP-80A USB Optical Power Meter
FBP-P5000i P5000i USB Fiber Scope
TRI-DSP-180-CASE-REPL Replacement fitted case
TRI-DSP-STRAP-REPL Replacement shoulder strap
TRI-DSP-PWR-ADPT-NEW Replacement charger (no power cord)

Documents & Resources