Promax Cable Ranger Hybrid DOCSIS 3.1 and HFC Analyzer

The Promax Cable RANGER is the latest introduction in our CATV analyzer product range. It is a hybrid analyzer for DOCSIS and for HFC (optical) networks.

HFC networks use more and more fiber every time. The CableRANGER includes an optical measurement input allowing field technicians not only to perform optical power measurements but also to do all the RFoG related RF measurements thanks to the built-in optical to RF converter. In this mode optical power measurement is shown together with the rest of the RF measurements. RFoG (Radiofrequency-over-Glass) is used more and more by CATV operators because it allows them to benefit from the advantages of fiber optics to compete with FTTH service providers.

The CABLE RANGER is designed to be very easy to use yet offering all measurements required working with today's complex hybrid fiber and coaxial networks. CABLERANGER operation is easy and it is based in a touch screen graphical menu. A direct access 'home' button helps you return to a main menu page no matter what function were you using.

7" Color touch-screen
The Cable RANGER features a 7" professional grade resistive type touch-screen with excellent brightness and superior image sharpness that can also be used wearing gloves.

Intuitive user friendly graphical menus
One of the main complaints CATV technicians have about their test and measurement equipment is that it is not technician-friendly. CABLE RANGER operation is easy and it is based on a graphical menu. A direct access 'home' button helps you return to a main menu page no matter what func-tion you using.

Optical Measurements
HFC networks use more and more fiber every time. The CABLE RANGER includes an optical measurement input allowing field technicians not only to perform optical power measurements but also to do all the RFoG related RF measurements thanks to the built-in optical to RF converter. In this mode optical power measurement is shown together with the rest of the RF measurements. RFoG (Radiofrequency-over-Glass) is used by CATV operators because it allows them to benefit from the advantages of fibre optics to compete with FTTH service providers.

DOCSIS 3.1
DOCSIS 3.1 systems can use among other things an extended frequency range which goes up to 1500 MHz in the forward path with a return band up to 200 MHz. The CABLE RANGER RF input covers up to 1700 MHz.

Spectrum Analyzer
It is one of the essential functions in a field CATV analyzer. It allows you to have an overview of the RF content at the test point or to analyze a specific channel in detail and it is very helpful for interference and noise problem troubleshooting both in the forward and return bands. Signal level and C/N are displayed along with the spectrum trace. Also the total input power is displayed, a measurement of the power over the complete frequency band, which is very useful to detect saturation caused by fiber links.

Scan
It is probably the fastest way to check if all signals in your network are present. The SCAN function displays graphically all the analog and digital channels in a selected channel plan along with their signal levels. Channel power, C/N, frequencies, channel numbers and total RF power are also shown on the screen.

Tilt
TILT measurements are used to identify system frequency unbalance which must be accurately compensated by field technicians. Up to four pilot frequencies or analog/digital channels can be configured to be part of the TILT measurement which is displayed in both graphical and numerical formats.

Constellation
These are probably the most important measurements technicians can do to assess digital QAM channel quality. Constellation diagram is a simple and graphical way to identify signal impairments which impact MER and ultimately BER. An ideal QAM channel for example will be represented by a set (constellation) of very sharp dots. These dots will become small dot clouds to indicate the presence of noise or other signal degradation sources. CABLE RANGER displays constellation diagram, MER, preBER and postBER simultaneously with the spectrum trace.

Built-in Cable Modem
The CABLE RANGER built-in cable modem can be used to perform unregistered measurements such as the visualization of the ranging process or the return path attenuation measurement. It can also be used for registered measurements such as PLR, Delay and Jitter, for IPTV and VoIP system quality evaluation, sending RTPS and UGS packets. It monitors all the IP addresses involved in the communication process as well.

DOCSIS Bonding Group
As part of the DOCSIS 3.0 standard multiple upstream and downstream channels can be 'bonded' to be used together as one. CABLE RANGER includes a comprehensive channel bonding screen where information about all of them is combined with other single channel measurements such as the constellation diagram.

Analog and HUM
In analog mode the CABLE RANGER can measure video carrier signal level, Video/Audio and C/N ratio and HUM. This is all shown alongside the screen together with the spectrum analyzer graphic.

Upstream Test Generator
A frequency and amplitude agile return path generator is also available in the CABLE RANGER. It allows gene-rating a test signal which can be tuned from 5 to 85 MHz and it can be CW or modulated in QAM and QPSK. It can also be configured to sweep a specific frequency range within that band.

VoIP Functionality Testing
The CABLE RANGER can be used to analyze network performance for VoIP applications using UGS QoS (Quality of Service) parameters in accordance to DOCSIS / Euro-DOCSIS 3.0 standards. UGS stands for Unsolicited Grant Service. Most important measurements to assessing communication quality include latency, jitter, lost packets or MOS and R value.

Datalogger
The datalogger function can perform various measurements including signal level and channel power, carrier/noise, BER and MER for all the channels listed in a given channel table automatically. All this information is saved in the analyzer and it can be copied to a pendrive or to a PC for further processing at a later stage.

Screenshot
Taking screenshots is very easy with the CABLE RANGER. Whatever's on the screen of the analyzer can be saved to a graphic file which will become very handy when doing technical reports.

Input Voltage Measurement
The measurement of the DC and AC voltages present at the RF input is displayed together with the total RF power for convenience.

Web Browser and Service Activation
The built-in web browser can be used to register a maintenance action directly on the operator's website, rendering the use of other devices such as laptops unnecessary. The CABLE RANGER can also be connected to the subscriber's cable modem to perform the service activation procedures.