VIAVI PathTrak Return Path Monitoring System for HFC Networks

Return path monitoring system for HFC networks with live spectrum and QAM analysis, alarming and trending, supported by XPERTrak software.

Input ports: 8 (F-connector or BNC) with activity indicator
Input port impedance: 75 Ω
Frequency range: 500 kHz to 85 MHz
Total measurement range: -50 to 60 dBmV

Datasheet

Overview

PathTrak is a return path (upstream) monitoring system for hybrid fiber coax (HFC) cable networks. It integrates with VIAVI field instruments, and according to VIAVI it monitors more than 750,000 nodes worldwide. PathTrak is fully supported by XPERTrak software and forms part of the VIAVI HFC maintenance, monitoring and troubleshooting portfolio.

Live analysis for field troubleshooting

Live spectrum and QAM analyzers running on PathTrak hardware let technicians troubleshoot upstream problems in the field, including fast impulse noise. The QAMTrak analyzers update several times per second. Technicians can therefore see right away how an action such as tightening a connector or moving a drop cable changes codeword error rates, without waiting for a polling cycle.

Monitoring, alarming and trending

PathTrak continuously monitors spectral and packet health, raises alarms on critical issues, and trends the data so developing problems can be found before subscribers are affected. MACTrak node ranking puts nodes in order by upstream carrier performance to help set repair priorities.

Hardware platform and migration

The PathTrak HCU200 platform has high port density and low power consumption, so it scales to small node sizes as operators move fiber deeper into the plant. Eight-port RPM monitoring modules, such as the RPM3000 spectrum and QAM analyzer, fit in HCU chassis. Through the PathTrak/XPERTrak integration, HFC maintenance capabilities carry over when operators migrate to Remote PHY architectures.

Key Features

Live spectrum and QAM analyzers (mobile-friendly)
Node ranking to prioritize the nodes that matter most
Spectral and packet-based analysis of upstream health
Scalable solution minimizing hub space, power and cooling
Supports VIAVI FieldView and Field View QAM for one-person upstream troubleshooting
Performance history collection and reporting for trending and intermittent issue troubleshooting
QAMTrak analyzers update multiple times per second
Mobile access on Android, iOS and Windows
Fully supported by XPERTrak for continuity during migration to R-PHY
Real-time alarming of critical issues

Specifications

RPM3000 Monitoring Module

Input ports RPM3000	8 (F-connector or BNC) with activity indicator
Input port impedance RPM3000	75 Ω
Frequency range RPM3000	500 kHz to 85 MHz
Total measurement range RPM3000	-50 to 60 dBmV
Operational temperature range and accuracy RPM3000	±2 dB at room temperature; ±3 dB drift, 0 to 50°C
Spur free dynamic range RPM3000	50 dB typical with 0 dBmV input Minimum from 5 to 85 MHz with 0 dBmV input is 46 dBc; from 500 kHz to 5 MHz is 45 dBc
Port-to-port isolation RPM3000	>65 dB
Resolution bandwidths RPM3000	Standard: 30, 300, 1000 kHz
DOCSIS bandwidths RPM3000	160, 320, 640, 1280, 2560, and 5120 kHz
Video bandwidths RPM3000	Programmable to 10, 30, 100, 300, 1000 kHz
Attenuator RPM3000	0 to 50 dB, in 1 dB steps
Level accuracy RPM3000	±2 dB on signal pulses >10 μs; ±4 dB on signal pulses >1 μs
Minimum noise burst measurable RPM3000	<1 μs
Dwell time RPM3000	Programmable from 1 μs to 100 ms
Monitoring mode RPM3000	250 max points frequency resolution scan rate depends on measurement settings, typically 8 to 16 scans per second for every port
Interactive Spectrum Analyzer mode RPM3000	500 points frequency resolution, up to 6 full spectrum scans per second with 20 μs dwell time
Interactive Monitoring View mode RPM3000	Up to 250 points frequency resolution, up to 6 full spectrum scans per second with 20 μs dwell time
Heatmap Analyzer Mode RPM3000	Up to 2 simultaneous Heatmap analyzers per RPM3000 Heatmap functionality requires RPM3000-FULL capabilities and active SW Maintenance and Support Contract
Interactive QAM Analyzer mode with MACTrak RPM3000	64QAM, 32QAM, 16QAM, and QPSK demodulation, level, MER, un-equalized MER, codeword error rate, In-band channel response, group delay, ingress under the carrier, spectrum, micro-reflections, impulse noise, live strip charts over time, CPE MAC address extraction QAM Analyzer features are only available on QAMTrak/MACTrak-enabled units
MACTrak node ranking and history RPM3000	64QAM, 32QAM, 16QAM, and QPSK supported, level, MER, un-equalized MER, codeword error rate, spectrum, Impulse noise, live strip charts over time, CPE MAC address, one-week rolling history
Recommended input level for active signals RPM3000	0 to +50 dBmV Over range indicator to prevent invalid measurement results
Power consumption RPM3000	11W

RPM2000 Monitoring Module (Discontinued)

Frequency range RPM2000	5-65 MHz
Dynamic range RPM2000	-40 dBmV to 50 dBmV
Resolution bandwidth RPM2000	Programmable to 30, 300, 1000 kHz
Spur free dynamic range RPM2000	40 dB (TYP)
Video bandwidth RPM2000	Programmable to 10, 30, 100, 300, 1000 kHz
Level accuracy RPM2000	+/- 2 dB on signal pulses >10 microseconds; +/- 4 dB on signal pulses >1 microsecond
Minimum noise burst measurable RPM2000	<1 microsecond
Dwell time RPM2000	Programmable from 1 microsecond to 100 milliseconds
Monitoring mode RPM2000	Maximum 250 points frequency resolution, scan rate depends on measurement settings, typically 5 to 10 scans per second for every port
Interactive Spectrum Analyzer mode RPM2000	500 points frequency resolution, up to 6 full spectrum scans per second with a 20 µSec dwell time
Recommended input level of active signals RPM2000	0 to +10 dBmV

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

Applications

Ingress remediation including fast impulse noise
Network preparation for DOCSIS 3.1 deployment
Network preparation for QAM bandwidth/modulation increases
Real-time alarming of service-impacting issues
Transition from traditional to Remote PHY architectures
Data feed and find-and-fix component for VIAVI XPERTrak
Upstream ingress remediation
Detection of linear and nonlinear impairments such as group delay and laser clipping
Identification of modems experiencing codeword errors in real time

Options & Accessories

Option	Description
RPM3000-FULL-BNC	RPM3000 Return Path Monitoring Module, 75 ohm BNC — RPM3000 Return Path Monitoring Module with 75 ohm BNC input connectors for the HCU400 or HCU1500 chassis. Includes all MACTrak capabilities including MACTrak Performance Monitoring. System software required.
RPM3000-FULL-F	RPM3000 Return Path Monitoring Module, 75 ohm F-type — RPM3000 Return Path Monitoring Module with 75 ohm F-type connectors for the HCU400 or HCU1500 chassis. Includes all MACTrak capabilities including MACTrak Performance Monitoring. System software required.
RPM3000LITEBNC	RPM3000Lite Return Path Monitoring Module, 75 ohm BNC — RPM3000Lite Return Path Monitoring Module with 75 ohm BNC input connectors for the HCU400 or HCU1500 chassis, field upgradable to full RPM3000 capabilities. System software required.
RPM3000LITEF	RPM3000Lite Return Path Monitoring Module, 75 ohm F — RPM3000Lite Return Path Monitoring Module with 75 ohm F connectors for the HCU400 or HCU1500 chassis, field upgradable to full RPM3000 capabilities. System software required.
RPM3000LITE-UPG	Field upgrade from RPM3000Lite to full RPM3000 — Field upgrade from RPM3000Lite to full RPM3000 card. System software required.
RPM3000MCMON-UPG	MACTrak Performance Monitoring upgrade — Field upgrade to enable MACTrak Performance Monitoring capability in an RPM3000 card. System software required.
HCU1500SS	HCU1500 Chassis — Modular 15-slot controller chassis can house 15 separate monitoring module cards (RPM1000, RPM2000, and RPM3000). 19-inch rack mount, 7 rack-units (7U) high.
1010-00-0427	HSM1000 Headend Stealth Modem — Enables remote viewing of live spectrum with SDA and DSAM field meters (requires installing PathTrak Field View option on SDA and/or DSAM field meters).
RPM2000F	RPM2000 monitoring module with F connectors (Discontinued) — Part number 1019-00-1532
RPM2000BNC	RPM2000 monitoring module with BNC connectors (Discontinued) — Part number 1019-00-1524
HCU400	HCU400 chassis — Part number 1010-00-0435. Holds up to 4 RPM2000 cards.
HCU1500	HCU1500 chassis — Part number 1010-00-0433. Holds up to 15 RPM2000 cards.
PT-INST-PKG-STD	PathTrak Installation and Commissioning Services (Discontinued) — Remote installation, configuration, training and in-service testing for PT-SERVER-160, PT-SERVER-1000, PT-SERVER-2000 and PT-SERVER-5000 systems.