User's Manual

Table Of Contents

Section 6 Troubleshooting Guide TRACER 4108/4208 System Manual

BPV

Bipolar violations (BPVs) indicate an improper configuration or faulty wiring.

Recommended Actions:

1.Verify the TRACER 4108/4208 unit and the attached equipment are configured for the same line

coding (B8ZS or AMI).

2.Verify the cable connections for the T1 interface are solid.

3. RF ERRORS

RF errors can range anywhere from a nonviable microwave path to loose RF connectors.

Nonviable path conditions could be caused by physical obstructions such as buildings, moutainous terrain,

trees, etc., as well as other physical limitations such as excessive path distances and in-band RF

interference. These types of errors are remedied by performing a detailed line-of-site microwave path

study to determine whether a microwave link is feasible for the terrain and environment under

consideration.

If after performing a microwave path study the system is still not operational, ensure that the antennas are

properly aligned. Note that alignment must be achieved in both elevation and azimuth for optimal link

performance. The TRACER 4108/4208 can be used to aid in antenna alignment by looking at the

OWER “fuel gauge” on the System Status or System Option menu pages. Optimal antenna alignment will

correspond to the maximum number of RSSI bars on the TRACER 4108/4208 terminal display.

4. STEP-BY-STEP TROUBLESHOOTING

The logical troubleshooting flow presented in this section can be used to set up your TRACER 4108/4208

system, and also to diagnose a previously installed system. Please contact ADTRAN Technical support at

any stage during installation and/or troubleshooting if you require assistance.

5. INSTALLING/TROUBLESHOOTING THE TRACER HARDWARE

1. Perform a detailed path profile and link budget for each TRACER 4108/4208 microwave link. A

thorough path study can be used to estimate signal power budgets, fade margins at each receiver,

identity potential line-of-site obstacles, properly size antenna dishes, and determine minimum

antenna dish heights above the earth.

2. Setup all of the TRACER hardware on a workbench. ADTRAN recommends that the actual cables

used in the permanent installation be used in the workbench setup. A rigorous workbench

“simulation” of the link will help alleviate and avoid time-consuming errors.

3. Examine the

PLAN A and PLAN B LEDs on the front panel of each unit. These LEDs indicate the

frequency plan for each TRACER 4108/4208 unit. The frequency plan (Plan A, Plan B) LED

should be the opposite on the TRACER 4108/4208 units.

ADTRAN provides a wireless link planning tool on our website. This link budget tool is

constructed as an easy to use spreadsheet with dropdown menus so that the user can

quickly change any of the link parameters (antenna size, coaxial cable type and length,

frequency band, link distance, etc) and instantly see how the microwave path availability is

affected. This tool is available at www.adtran.com/wireless

and can be used online or

downloaded for standalone use.