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BKtel 1570BB
This instruction manual has been conceived for planning staff who
are familiar with hybrid (optical and coaxial) CATV (Community
Antenna for Television) systems.
Chapter 4 describes the menu bar, tool bar and status bar of the
SPAC main window.
1.2.1 Features
All schematic modules in the 1570 BB system are stored with their
main block parameters (gain, noise figures etc.) in the SPAC
libraries. The downstream modules are stored in the 1570_un.dll
library, the upstream modules in the upstream.dll library.
SPAC 2.7 adds several new features to the release SPAC 2.6:
The SPAC requires the input levels and channel allocations for the
coaxial amplifiers. The C/N can be estimated from the noise
figures already stored and the CSO/CTB is calculated from the
channel allocation and output level. The frequency dependency of
the CSO/CTB of hybrid amplifiers is similar to SPAC. Flat and pre
emphased output levels can be created and are taken into account
when calculating CSO/CTB. The frequency reference point is 862
MHz.
The total modulation index is about SQR(N) times the figure of the
channel modulation index. This is valid for both unmodulated and
modulated carriers. However, when using modulated carriers, the
peak amplitude is about 4.5 dB higher in comparison to the mean
value or unmodulated carriers. Therefore, the total modulation
index is also 4.5 dB higher when compared to unmodulated
The LCA keeps the total channel load constant. Therefore, in case
of modulated carriers, the peak level of a TV channel is about 4.5
dB higher in comparison to the unmodulated level or the mean
value of the modulated channel. This is valid for all BKtel 1570BB
units which are cascaded following the LCA.
SPAC users can select between both conditions. They should take
into account that the real TV picture behaves in the same way as
the modulated carrier condition, but unmodulated carrier
conditions are preferred for a lot of CATV system definitions
carried out by customers and CATV specialists for measurement
and definition purposes (e.g. CENELEC).
The influence of the system parameters C/N, CSO and CTB, when
switching from unmodulated to modulated carriers, can easily be
The result is that the planned C/N target can only usually be
achieved at an attractive price by using the modulated case. The
intermodulation ratio normally must be defined to the unmodulated
carrier condition (necessitated by a customer requirement). The
system output level is approx. 4.5 dB less in comparison to a
system which is not LCA controlled, thus providing an
improvement in CSO/CTB behavior (valid as long as no pilot
controlled receiver is used). This must normally be explained in
detail and seriously to the customer to convince him that
BKtel 1570BB equipment provides an optimum balance between
advantageous system parameters on the one hand and an
attractive price on the other.
NOTICE The 4.5 dB offset between the unmodulated and the modulated
case is only a rule of thumb. If there are other services, such as
QAM and FM, this offset decreases according to the ratio of
signal power
of the AMTV channels and the other channels.
NOTICE The output level of the optical receiver is defined at 862 MHz.
Take the different minimum input levels for the different OAAs into
consideration:
1.3 Requirements
2.1 SPAC
BKtel ships SPAC with two different types of dongles: for parallel
interface or for USB.
The dongle driver is the same for parallel and for USB dongle.
Drivers:
- hldrv16.exe Driver for Windows 3.1
- hldrv32.exe Driver for Windows 95/98, Win2000, Win ME, Win
NT and Win XP.
NOTICE You need system administrator rights for Win NT and WinXP
- Connect the dongle to the parallel port or the USB port of the
PC.
- If the dongle is not connected to the PC or the driver is not
installed an error message occurs when starting the SPAC
software.
The SPAC window has a menu bar and tool bar at the top and a
status bar at the bottom.
To create a new schematic, open the File menu in the menu bar
and select New. The following window appears:
4.1 Overview
The tool bar at the top of the SPAC window provides some
commands from the File, Add and Edit menus:
File: New.
File: Open.
Cut Module.
Add: OptInsert
Add: Combiner
Add: RCNoise
4.3.1 File
Print Overview Prints out the active schematic as a short overview, corresponding
to the display.
Edit Channel Table This command calls in the Edit Channel Table dialog.
Service The services VSB-AM, FM, 256 QAM, 64 QAM, 16 QAM, DQPSK,
QPSK, FSK, PSK are available.
Edit Channel List This command calls in an editor to edit a channel list file. As
default, the Windows Notepad is called. A different editor can be
used by adding the corresponding entry in the SPAC.INI file in the
windows directory. (First of all, add a [moddy] section and then
add the line editor=myeditor.exe).
Always use last Select this item so that the channel list last used is called in at
channel list at startup.
startup
Cut module Deletes a module from the schematic. This can also be executed
by the key combination <CTRL> + <DEL>.
NOTICE If Expert mode is not active or a library model is being edited, not
all parameters can be changed. Modules which cannot be edited
are indicated by the magnifier cursor. Modules which can be
edited are indicated by the screwdriver cursor.
Edit module Edits module data of the selected module. This can also be
activated by double clicking with the left mouse button on the
module or pressing the <Return> key. For detailed information,
refer to Chapter 5.
Each module has a specific editing dialog box. These are listed
below:
- Source edits the CATV source.
- Amplifier edits a coaxial amplifier.
- Load Controlled Amplifier edits a load controlled amplifier.
- Optical Transmitter edits an optical transmitter.
- Optical Amplifier edits an optical amplifier.
- Optical Loss edits an optical link (splitter, line or tap).
- Coaxial Loss edits an electrical link.
- Optical Receiver edits an optical receiver.
- Module edits a module with fixed contributions.
- Optical Insertion edits an optical insertion module.
- Coaxial Combiner edits a coaxial combiner.
- RCNoise edits a return channel noise module.
- Module list edits a list of two combined modules.
Show contributation Displays the contribution data of the selected module. The
data contribution data can be shown with the menu command, pressing
the <Space> key or by clicking on the module with the right mouse
button.
The Add menu can be used to add modules from a library to the
schematic. Figure 8 illustrates a module from the library.
OTX ... Adds an OTX (optical transmitter) from a library to the schematic.
This command is also available as a button in the tool bar.
OAA ... Adds an OAA (optical amplifier) from a library to the schematic.
This command is also available as a button in the tool bar.
ORX ... Adds an ORX (optical receiver) from a library to the schematic.
This command is also available as a button in the tool bar.
AMP ... Adds an AMP (coaxial amplifier) from a library to the schematic.
This command is also available as a button in the tool bar.
LCA ... Adds an LCA (load controlled amplifier) from a library to the
schematic. This command is also available as a button in the tool
bar.
OptLoss Adds an optical link or loss into the schematic. This command is
also available as a button in the tool bar.
CoaxLoss ... Adds a coaxial link or loss to the schematic. This command is also
available as a button in the tool bar.
MODULE Adds a module with contributions which the user can individually
define to the schematic.
Create module Creates a user defined module (only available in Expert mode).
Use the command sequence Create module" Load..." to load
any user defined module from disk.
4.3.5 Calculate!
4.3.6 Window
Arrange Icons Places the schematic icons at the bottom left of the main SPAC
window.
4.3.8 Options
Fonts This option can be used to select the title and module font for the
schematics. The font is also used in the print out.
Schematic This option can be used to select the number of columns used in
the schematics.
Expert Mode This option can be used to toggle between Expert mode and
Normal mode.
Bar Sizes This option can be used to vary the size of the tool bar and status
bar.
Picture This option can be used to load any bitmap file from the disk to the
background of the SPAC window.
4.3.9 IM Simulator
Select this menu to run the SPQA tool. A subjective picture quality
assessment appears (see Figure ).
The status bar at the bottom of the SPAC window displays the
selected service, current channel allocation, presence of
modulated AM carriers, a short help text and, if used, the version
of the selected readonly library (see Figure ).
Figure 10 Statusbar
5.1 Source
equivalent channels The equivalent channel number of the source. This parameter is
completed during simulation and cannot be edited.
CNR bandwidth The bandwidth to which all CNR values in the schematic are
related to.
The IM" button opens the dialog box Parameter for IM simulation
(refer to Figure 26).
5.2 Amplifier
Use the Load and Save buttons to load or save the coaxial
amplifier module from or to disk, respectively. Use OK to
terminate editing. Use the Cancel button to terminate editing
without affecting any changes to the module. The AMP module is
noise figure Indicates the noise figure dependency on the optical input power.
The IM" button opens the dialog box Parameter for IM simulation
(refer to Figure 26).
saturation effects Indicates the saturation effects 2nd and 3rd order.
Simulation behavior The module calculates its CSO, CTB and CNR contributions
dependent on the input signal and channel allocation.
Use the Load and Save buttons to load or save the LCA
module from or to disk, respectively. Use OK to terminate editing.
Use the Cancel button to terminate editing without affecting any
changes to the module.
output The electrical output of the LCA. The output can be changed
indirectly by adjusting the total load. This value can be fine tuned
by pressing the <Shift> key.
total mod. index The total modulation index is determined by the following OTX.
gain Indicates the maximum gain of the LCA if the max. gain is
reached. The SPAC issues a warning to the user and calculates
the output level with the max. gain.
Simulation behavior The module calculates its CSO, CTB and CNR contributions
dependent on the input signal and channel allocation. The output
level is dependent on the total channel load.
The IM" button opens the dialog box Parameter for IM simulation
(refer to Figure 26).
Use the Load and Save buttons to load or save the OTX
module from or to disk, respectively. Use OK button to terminate
editing. Use the Cancel button to terminate editing without
affecting any changes. The OTX module is specified with the
parameters listed below, which can only be changed in Expert
mode when no library is active. None of the parameters are
servicerelated, meaning they are related to the nonlowered
carrier level.
otx name The name of the Optical Transmitter can be freely defined.
needs LCA This check box determines a mandatory LCA located in front.
total modulation The OTX is defined by its maximum total modulation index for
laser clipping; the total modulation index is calculated from the
equivalent channel number and the channel modulation index.
There are two limit values: limit1 is used at channel numbers >16,
limit 2 below or equal to 16 channels. This is due to different
calculation methods at high and low channel numbers. If one of
the limit values is set to 0, the other limit with the corresponding
calculation method is always used.
output The module output is defined by its optical wavelength and output
power. Some OTX types have adjustable output power. It can be
specified if there is an isolator or not. If an isolator is missing there
will be additional bit errors due to impulse noise. The Fiber Length
Compensation is available for some OTX types. The OTX may be
optimised with this value to compensate fiber distortion effects.
laser Indicates the Relative Intensity Noise (RIN) of the laser. The chirp
parameter describes the chirp characteristic of the optical
transmitter.
input attenuator The input attenuator adds a variable or fix loss to the electrical
input.
clipping Indicates the clipping value kclip. SPAC uses a clipping value for
a better precised calculation of the MER degradation.
The Int" button opens the dialog box for internal OTX parameters.
The IM" button opens the dialog box Parameter for IM simulation
(refer to Figure 26).
The LHS" button opens the dialog box Parameter for long haul
simulation.
Use the Load and Save buttons to load or save the OAA
module from or to disk, respectively. Use OK to terminate editing.
Use the Cancel button to terminate editing without affecting any
changes. The OAA module is defined by the parameters listed
below, which can only be changed in Expert mode when no library
is active. None of the parameters are servicerelated, meaning
they are related to the nonlowered carrier level.
output level Indicates the optical output level. This is adjustable for some OAA
types.
input level Indicates the minimum input level (for valid module parameters).
noise figure Indicates the noise figure dependency on the optical input power.
optical window Indicates the optical window in which the simulation model is valid.
The IM" button opens the dialog box Parameter for IM simulation
(refer to Figure 26).
Simulation behavior The module calculates its CSO, CTB and CNR contributions
dependent on the input signal and channel allocation.
Use the Load and Save buttons to load or save the OptLoss
module from or to disk, respectively. Use OK to terminates
editing. Use the Cancel button to terminate editing without
affecting any changes. The OptLoss module is defined by the
following parameters:
optloss type Selcts the type of the optloss module. Possible types are tap, X-
splitter (OSCM) or a regular splitter (OSC/ODF). The last one may
be combined with a connected fiber of configurable length. For a
pure fiber without any splitter choose the splitter value 1:1.
fiber Indicates the fiber length in km and the fiber attenuation in db/km.
splitter Select a splitter: 1:1 for none, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:8, 1:16, 1:32. These
splitters have predefined attenuations. To use other values, define
them with add.loss.
order Indicates the position of the fiber. This is relevant for SBS.
tap output Selects the used output of the tap: tap output or insertion output.
This influences the tap attenuation of the optical line.
The SPM" button opens the dialog box Parameters for SPM
simulation.
Simulation behavior This module reduces the optical power level by its insertion loss.
Long fiber effects are calculated from the input signal, fiber
characteristics, some OTX parameters, frequency range and
previous fiber lengths.
Use the Load and Save buttons to load or save the CoaxLoss
module from or to disk, respectively. Use OK to terminate editing.
Use the Cancel button to terminate editing without affecting any
changes. The module is defined by its attenuation in dB.
coaxial name The name of the Coaxial Loss (coaxial access network) can be
freely defined.
splitter Select a coax splitter: 1:1 for none, 1:2, 1:4, 1:8. These splitters
have predefined attenuations. To use other values, define them
with additional loss.
Use the Load and Save buttons to load or save the ORX
module from or to disk, respectively. Use OK to terminate editing.
Use the Cancel button to terminate editing without affecting any
changes. The ORX module is defined by the parameters listed
below, which can only be changed in Expert mode when no library
is active. When editing a library model, only the output level can
orx name The name of the Optical Receiver can be freely defined.
amp section This field describes the amplifier section of the ORX.
output level Indicates the electrical output level in dBmV at 862 MHz.
pilot/cw controlled The Pilot Controlled checkbox indicates that the output level is
always constant. The cw controlled checkbox indicates that the
output level is independent of the optical input level. If the ORX is
neither pilot nor cw controlled, the output is dependent on the
channel modulation index and the optical input power. If the ORX
is not pilot controlled the output power can be changed indirectly
by adjusting the gain of the amp section.
preemphasis Indicates the pre-emphasis for the frequency span from 47 .... 862
MHz in dB.
ref. Indicates the reference output level for the CSO and CTB
contributions.
o/e section
CSO Indicates the CSO contribution of the o/e section at the reference
channel modulation index and reference input power.
CTB Indicates the CTB contribution of the o/e section at the reference
channel modulation index and reference input power.
limit and ref. Indicates the maximum input level and reference input power for
the CSO and CTB contributions.
eff. noise current Indicates the dependency of the effective noise current on the
optical input power.
The "IM" button opens the dialog box Parameter for IM simulation
(refer to Figure 26).
Simulation behavior The module calculates its CSO, CTB and CNR contributions
dependent on the input signal and channel allocation.
contributions Indicates the CNR, CSO and CTB as fixed contributions. These
values are the maximum values in the frequency range of the
selected service.
output level Indicates the output level as an electrical value in dBmV when
using MODULE with an electrical input signal, and as an optical
value in dBm when using MODULE with an optical input signal.
channel bandwidth Indicates the equivalent noise bandwidth to which the CNR
contribution is related.
The IM" button opens the dialog box Parameter for IM simulation
(refer to Figure 26).
Simulation behavior Fixed contributions for CSO, CTB and CNR are added.
Use the Load and Save buttons to load or save the Optical
Insertion module from or to disk, respectively. Use OK to
terminate editing. Use the Cancel button to terminate editing
without affecting any changes. None of the parameters are
servicerelated, meaning they are related to the nonlowered
carrier level.
input insertion path The input insertion path is defined by its input level, input CNR and
insertion loss.
insertion loss main It is possible to define whether the insertion loss of the main path
path should be automatically adjusted complementary to the insertion
path, or freely defined.
Simulation behavior This module is for the insertion of a second optical signal path.
Only CNR is considered. The new modulation index at the output
is calculated.
Use the Load and Save buttons to load or save the Combiner
module from or to disk, respectively. Use OK to terminate editing.
Use the Cancel to terminate editing without affecting any
changes. The module is defined by its concentration factor. The
corresponding insertion loss is displayed.
min. insertion loss This value indicates the insertion loss of the combiner itself. It may
be different from the modules attenuation in automatic attenuation
mode.
auto attenuation The attenuation is adapted to keep the total load constant when
the channel number is changed. (The attenuation cannot be lower
than the minimum insertion loss.)
define eq. Number In this mode, the number of channels at the output can be
(of channels at overwritten.
output)
Use the Load and Save buttons to load or save your Return
Channel Noise module from or to disk, respectively. Use OK to
terminate editing. Use the Cancel button to terminate editing
without affecting any changes.
homes passed Indicates the number of passed homes (coax cell size).
radio background Indicates the parameters that define radio background noise; they
noise per home can only be changed in Expert mode.
impulse noise This threshold indicates a maximum impulse noise amplitude for a
amplitude threshold maximum BER at the output of the last module in the schematic. If
the schematic is not calculated (after changing some module data)
or the maximum BER is lower than the BER after the last module,
the threshold is displayed. The input for a max. BER can only be
entered in Expert mode.
Simulation behavior The combiner reduces the CNR due to addition of several input
noise signals. CSO and CTB are left unchanged.
A double click in the dark grey area closes the module list and
shows the combined module like before.
A right mouse click in the dark grey area opens a dialog which
allows to save the module list.
NOTICE The letters in the channel table depend on the service operator
and country. The letter required can be selected by the user from
the channel list file.
with
[REF]
FM=4
64QAM=10
Use the vertical and horizontal scroll bars in the simulator window
to scroll through it. To scroll vertically, use the <PageUp> and
<PageDown> keys. No scrolling is possible when the spectrum is
displayed at full scale.
TOT Indicates the sum of the CSO and CTB at the marker position.
NOTICE The simulator determines the band limits from the first and last
channel defined in the channel list file (not the channel table)
related to the selected service.
The band limits are used to find the maximum CSO and CTB
values which are written back to the SPAC schematic.
The Print Options dialog can be used to print out either the
channel table or the IM spectrum. It is also possible to enter a
comment as a header for the spectrum printout and the page
number.
8.1 x Scaling
8.2 y Scaling
This menu item is used to change the scaling factor of the yaxis.
8.3 Display
CSO peak Select this item to change the marker position to the maximum
CSO value.
CTB peak Select this item to change the marker position to the maximum
CTB value.
8.5 Test
8.6 Print
9.2 Buffer
9.3 Position
1. Set the desired channel list and the correct service which shall
be calculated.
3. Edit the modules and enter the values of each module in the
corresponding dialog box (see Chapter 5). Changements in
optloss and coaxloss modules force a calculation start
immediately. Dont worry if the calculation aborts because of
missing channel definition, this is done within the next steps.
7. Enable or disable the channels and sound carriers and click OK.
The calculation options are performed.
Interferer List Error too much interferers defined ! only 255 interferers are used
A maximum of 255 interferers can be defined in the ingress list file.
Entries exceeding this number are ignored.
Interferer List Error too much or too long interferer names in ing-file!
Reduce the interferer names or the number of interferers.
OTX (# nn) This OTX can not be used without LCA in front !
Calculation is aborted
An LCA must be used in front of this module.
Out of band limits ! Actual library supports channels between ... and ... MHz, the
calculation is aborted
This happens when the band limits of a read-only library are
exceeded. In this case, disable the highest and/or lowest channels
in the channel table or change the frequencies in the channel list
file.
... (# nn) Subjective Picture Quality Assessment not possible with this
module at last position !
The SPQA tool cannot be started with this module at the last
position. Delete this module from the current schematic.
AM Amplitude Modulation
CW Continous Wave
F FM Frequency Modulation
I IM Intermodulation
P PC Personal Computer
PM Phase Modulation
RF Radio Frequency
T TV Television