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Acterna HST-3000 Handheld Consumer Services Tester
Highlights
- Test call types including voice, 56K, 64K, Nx56K, Nx64Kand H0 to verify
correctswitch translations for inbound and outbound calls
- Place and receive calls on T1 (primary or secondary) for NFAS
configurations
- Switch in-service D-channel to stand by D-channel for verification of
Dchannel backup operation in NFAS configurations
- Call status results provide summary of calls
- D-channel monitoring of layer 2/layer 3 cause code messages
- Store and print full layer 3 (Q.931) decodes
As a widely deployed service, ISDN is a key source of revenue for
telecommunication service providers world-wide. This, coupled with today’s
reduced budgets and smaller workforces, make it more critical than ever to
ensure the timely and successful turn up and maintenance of ISDN service – the
first time out. Additionally, thorough ISDN testing can prove more complex than
basic physical layer and BER testing for technicians who lack the necessary
training. To meet these challenges, an easy-to-use, versatile test solution is
required that helps reduce failures and repeat rates while enhancing efficiency
and ensuring consistent test practices.
The Acterna HST-3000 is a powerful and versatile test instrument for testing
ISDN PRI service. Hand-held, rugged and easy-to-use, the HST-3000 is ideal for
field use. Its modular design provides a scalable, all-in-one solution for ISDN
testing, as well as thorough testing of the facilities over which it is
provided.
The HST-3000 ISDN PRI option enables testing of Primary Rate ISDN circuits at
both the customer site and central office. It supports call placement, receipt,
D-Channel Decode analysis for 23B+D, NFAS (Non-Facility Associated Signaling),
24B and backup D channel switching. With the full range of T1 loopcodes and BERT
patterns it can also test BER across any combination of channels to verify
service before delivery to the customer.
Compact and rugged for field technicians, the HST-3000 can be used in all
conditions, from an inside office environment to a noisy, wet outdoor span
repeater. The HST-3000 also boasts automated setups and advanced features that
ensure consistent adherence to service provider methods and procedures. Each
HST-3000 is built to order and can easily be field-upgraded with new modules and
software as application and technology needs change.
Call Verification
The HST-3000 can place, receive and
monitor ISDN PRI calls on a primary or secondary T1 interface. It has the
ability to place and receive single or NFASvoice, 3.1 kHz audio, 56k data, 64k
data, Nx56/64k data or H0 calls. In addition, dual transmit/receive interfaces,
standard on each T1 Service Interface Module (SIM), allows the HST-3000 to be
deployed to test in-service to standby D-channel switching. Allmajor call
controls are supported, including National, DMSand 5ESS.
For incoming calls, the HST-3000 can either prompt the user to accept or
reject the call, automatically accept or reject the call, or accept and loop
back the B channels. After a call has been accepted, the technician can drop the
received B channel data to the speaker or headset or BERT the call. BER testing
and a voice path via a handset is provided to qualify these data and voice
calls, respectively. This allows technicians to access T1 physical
linkmeasurements and verify switch translations prior to delivering service.
Easy-to-read result menus allow technicians to view ISDN statistics, call
status, BERT results, T1 results and D-channel decodes. Technicians can also
view a summary screen that presents a rapid assessment of test performance and a
summary of results for the physical layer, LAPD and Q.931 results.
D-Channel Decodes Analysis
D-Channel decodes help to
verify that a call is successfully established, or determine why a callwas not
completed by examining the protocol cause values. The HST-3000 can monitor layer
2 (Q.921) and layer 3 (Q.931) cause code messages on the D-channel in both
terminate and monitor modes. Layer 2 results give technicians the ability to
check link and D-channel status, verify LAPD frames and check utilization rates.
Following link establishment, layer 3 decodes allow technicians to verify such
factors as call state, who made or dropped the call, why the callwas dropped,
where the call is being carried (Interface ID/B-Channel) and call types.
Troubleshooting
Non-intrusive, bi-directional monitoring
of in-service D-channel signaling messagesmakes troubleshooting ISDN service
easier. For ISDN PRI circuits, the technician can access live D-channel lines
through monitor jacks on a DSX patch panel. If the problem can not be isolated,
then sectionalization can be accomplished byemulating either the TE or the NT.
This enables the technician to sequentially replace each piece of premise
equipment to identify the source of errors– reducing the total time to trouble
resolution. Results can be displayed on-screen or stored for later retrieval and
output via RS-232, USB or Ethernet connectivity standard with each base
unit.
Flexible and Rugged Design
The HST’s rugged, weather
resistant design and long battery life are ideally suited for use in the field.
Itsmodularity allows for field upgrades to support new testing requirements.
Standard Ethernet, USB and serial connections offer flexibility to
easilydownload software and offload captured test data.
Easily configurable, the HST-3000 can be used by different technicianswith
different responsibilities to perform a wide number of tests. The HST-3000 is
easilyupgradeable with technologies and advanced options that support the
changing needsof service installers.
Test the Copper, Test the Service, Improve the Process
If
equipped with the Copper Testing option and a copper Service Interface Module ,
the HST-3000 can quickly troubleshoot the local loop for line impairments that
degrade or impair T1 performance. With the HST-3000, technicians can quickly
identify and locate cable impairments: shorts, grounds, opens, crosses, bridged
taps, wet sections and other high resistive faults. These impairments are easy
to accesswith the HST-3000’s advanced time domain reflectometer (TDR), precision
digital volt/ohm meter (DVOM) and an accurate resistive fault locator (RFL) to
pinpoint troubles prior to circuit installation. Copper test features are
optimized for use anywhere on the local loop – at the NID, crossbox, pedestal,
main distribution frame or anywhere a technician might gain access to the local
loop to locate the source of trouble.
The T1 or HDSLfacility that carries the ISDN PRI service can be qualified
using a number ofBERT patterns, such asQRSS, 1 in 8 and 3 in 24. The HST-3000
has an internal T1 clock signal and can also respond to in-band or out-of-band
loopbackcommands, making it ideal for end-to-end or loopbackBER testing.
After the physical layer has been tested, the actual ISDN service can be
tested by placing and receiving calls, which verifiesproper switch translations.
The HST-3000’spre-programmed tests and customized scriptsensure that all
technicians, including novice users, follow the same procedures, eliminating
mistakes caused by improper test configurations or incorrect procedures.
Acterna’sTechComplete™ software (optional customized), allows the HST-3000 to
improve turn-up and maintenance processesby operating with service provider’s
dispatch and closeout report systems to offload stored test results for later
trend analysis and coaching reports. With these features, the HST-3000 can
reduce repeat rates and failures and improve overallprocess efficiency.
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