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 Cable Subscriber Installation and Test Guide
Cable Subscriber Installation and Test Guide
Testing RF and DOCSIS performance
Problem: A wide range of issues can impact the service quality at the installation, and comprehensive testing is
imperative to ensure that any complications are addressed while the technician is on site for installation. Issues
include, but are not limited to, new installation craftsmanship, condition or limitations of existing network and
components, damage caused in modifications to the home network or in unassociated DIY projects, modem
provisioning problems, or other issues in the network that must be referred to maintenance. Testing must be
performed at the tap, ground block and CPE locations, and include both RF and service performance verification.
Solution: VIAVI offers a variety of the most capable, rugged meters for installation and service testing. The DSP
Trilithic Series meters cover the most basic signal level measurement (180 DSP) to DOCSIS 3.1 service testing (DSP
360). The OneExpert series meters (ONX-220 and ONX-620) are the most advanced meters on the market for
complete home network installation and service testing, with speed, simplicity, and power. Channel Check and
OneCheck test modes provide quick, comprehensive tests in about two minutes, and Session Expert (ONX-620
only) reveals any problems that need attention. A partial list of tests includes RF levels, MER, BER, as well as
DOCSIS physical and service performance.
Advanced WiFi Testing
Problem: 50% of service provider trouble calls are WiFi related. WiFi performance is critically important as
final link to customer, who expects the same performance via WiFi as a direct connection. When performance
is degraded, customers begin to think about alternative providers. Poor WiFi performance is very costly due to
return visits, and potentially the cost of a
ost customer.
Currently, tech tools for testing are minimal, and typically only test the RF layer
with signal-to-noise and RSSI measurements with one client (probably cell
phone). This is inadequate to get a realistic assessment of the user experience.
Technicians have very limited access to the customer home (only when invited)
and this opportunity is wasted when WiFi is insufficiently untested. A tech needs
to have the ability to test WiFi to verify performance and ensure that there
won’t be trouble around the corner. Customers don’t have to tolerate bad service
and will go to other providers when multiple service calls
are needed.
Solution: WiFi testing must be included in the subscriber installation process.
The Advanced WiFi option on the ONX-220 allows you to include WiFi as part of the OneCheck test – to certify
home WiFi performance as part of a complete verification process. The process is simplified with test capability
in the same meter used for installation/service performance testing. Home birth certificate reports are instantly
available via StrataSync, with WiFi results included in installation/service test data. The configured OneCheck
test can include SpeedCheck, Ookla Speedtest, web connectivity, ping, IP address, WiFi link info, and physical
WiFi info. WiFi expert enables the tech to map the home, testing throughout for throughput, airtime, and SNR.
Clear results enable customer education for remediation of performance issues, and potential upsell for coverage
improvement.