Upstream RF Troubleshooting

Upstream RF Troubleshooting
2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
Ron Hranac Technical Leader
CMTS Configuration
Check this firstincorrect cable modem termination system (CMTS) configuration is a common problem!
Upstream Challenges
Most cable systems use a sub-split band plan
50-860 MHz downstream, 5-42 MHz upstream
Problems with sub-split in two-way networks:

Upstream noise funneling Prevalence of manmade noise in upstream frequency spectrum Lack of upstream reference signals Difficult to locate problems
Check the Upstream at the CMTS
Connect a spectrum analyzer to the upstream test points
Upstream Integrity
Verify that the upstream digitally modulated carrier amplitude at the input to the CMTS upstream port is within spec
A typical value is 0 dBmV, but this may vary depending on the CMTS manufacturers specs and CMTS configuration
Check the upstream carrier-to-noise, carrier-to-ingress, and carrier-tointerference ratios

DOCSIS assumes a minimum of 25 dB for all three parameters
Digitally Modulated Carrier Amplitude

The zero-span method is Because of the bursty the easiest way to obtain nature of upstream an accurate amplitude digitally modulated measurement carriers, its difficult to measure average power level
Upstream Spectrum
Does the upstream look like this?
or like this?
Check the Upstream at the CMTS
Specialty test equipment may be used to evaluate upstream constellations

Upstream Constellations
Ideal QPSK and 16-QAM constellations
Graphics courtesy of Filtronic Sigtek, Inc.

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Poor carrier-to-noise ratio

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CW carrier interference

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Upstream RF Impairments
Stationary Impairments
Thermal noise Intermodulation distortion Frequency response Transit delay Group delay
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Transient Impairments
RF ingress Impulse noise Signal clipping
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Multiplicative Impairments
Transient hum modulation Intermittent connections
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Thermal Noise
Characteristic of all active components:
Optoelectronics Upstream amplifiers In-home devices
Improper network alignment or defective equipment can cause high levels of thermal noiseas can improper upstream combiningwhich will degrade carrier-tonoise ratio
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Thermal Noise
Good carrier-to-noise ratio (~50 dB)
Poor carrier-to-noise ratio (~12 to 15 dB)
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Intermodulation Distortion
Second and third order distortions most prevalent Active devices Passive components: common path distortion, passive device intermodulation
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Intermodulation Distortion
An example of common path distortion
Note large 2nd order beats spaced every 6 MHz, and smaller 3rd order beats +/-1.25 MHz from 2nd order beats 2nd order beats
3rd order beats

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Frequency Response
Amplifier alignment
Input and output levels Proper pads and equalizers
Sweep versus multiple carriers Alignment-related problems

Frequency response problems can cause group delay errors Misalignment can cause increase in noise and distortions
Microreflections
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Frequency Response
Defective coaxial cable caused frequency response problem
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Microreflections
Microreflectionsalso called reflections or echoes are caused by impedance mismatches In the real world of cable networks, impedance can at best be considered nominal Impedance mismatches are everywhere: connectors, amplifiers inputs and outputs, passive device inputs and outputs, and even the cable itself Upstream cable attenuation is lower than downstream cable attenuation, so upstream microreflections tend to be worse Anywhere an impedance mismatch exists, some of the incident energy is reflected back toward the source
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Microreflections
The reflected and incident energy interact to produce standing waves, which manifest themselves as the standing wave amplitude ripple one sometimes sees in sweep receiver displays 16-QAM is affected by microreflections to a much greater degree than QPSK is Microreflections and group delay may be compensated for using adaptive equalization, a feature available in DOCSIS 1.1 and 2.0 cable modems
Adaptive equalization is not supported by most DOCSIS 1.0 modems
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Microreflections
Causes:
Damaged or missing end-of-line terminators Damaged or missing chassis terminators on directional coupler, splitter, or multiple-output amplifier unused ports Loose center conductor seizure screws Unused tap ports not terminatedthis is especially critical on low value taps Unused drop passive ports not terminated Use of so-called self-terminating taps at feeder ends-of-line
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Microreflections
Causes:
Kinked or damaged cable (includes cracked cable, which causes a reflection and ingress) Defective or damaged actives or passives (waterdamaged, water-filled, cold solder joint, corrosion, loose circuit board screws, etc.) Cable-ready TVs and VCRs connected directly to the drop (return loss on most cable-ready devices is poor) Some traps and filters have been found to have poor return loss in the upstream, especially those used for data-only service
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Microreflections
In this example, an approx. -23 dBc echo at ~720 ns causes visible amplitude ripple across the 5-40 MHz spectrum Group delay ripple also is present
Echo
Amplitude ripple
Group delay ripple
Courtesy of Holtzman, Inc.

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Microreflections
Heres another example: An approx. -33 dBc echo at just over 1 sec This echo meets the DOCSIS upstream -30 dBc at >1.0 sec parameter Here, too, the echo is sufficient to cause some amplitude and group delay ripple
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Transit Delay
Electromagnetic signals travel at the speed of light
In free space the speed of light is 299,792,458 meters/second In CATV coaxial cable, its about 87% of the free space value In optical fiber, its about 67% of the free space value RF and optical signals take a finite amount of time to travel through a CATV network
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Transit Delay (contd)

Signals traveling one waysay, from the subscriber to the headendthrough 1 km of coax and 18 km of fiber: about 95 microseconds (sec) transit delay The DOCSIS transit delay specification is <0.800 millisecond (msec) one way
Coax serving area
Headend
Fiber
Node
18 km
1 km
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Group Delay
From the IEEE Standard Dictionary of Electrical and Electronics Terms:
Group delay is the derivative of radian phase with respect to radian frequency. It is equal to the phase delay for an ideal non-dispersive delay device, but may differ greatly in actual devices where there is a ripple in the phase versus frequency characteristic.
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Group Delay (contd)

Group delay is defined in units of time, typically nanoseconds (ns) In a system, network or component with no group delay, all frequencies are transmitted through the system, network or component with equal time delay. Frequency response problems in a CATV network will cause group delay problems.
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Group Delay (contd)
If a cable networks group delay exceeds a certain amount, data transmission and bit error rate may be affected. As long as group delay remains below a defined thresholdDOCSIS specifies 200 nanoseconds/MHz in the upstreamgroup delay-related BER shouldnt be a problem.
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Group Delay vs. MER

QPSK typically requires a minimum MER of 10~13 dB, depending on CMTS make/model 16-QAM typically requires a minimum MER of 17~20 dB, depending on CMTS make/model
DOCSIS 200 ns/MHZ
16-QAM
QPSK
Courtesy of Holtzman, Inc.

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Group Delay (contd)

Upstream group delay measurements require specialized equipment When obvious problems have been ruled out, check group delay
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Group Delay
Specialized test equipment can be used to characterize upstream inchannel performance In this example, inchannel group delay ripple is about 60 ns
Courtesy of Sunrise Telecom

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RF Ingress
Upstream spectrum is shared with over-the-air users
Short-wave broadcasts Citizens band (CB) radio Amateur (ham) radio Ship and aeronautical communications Government communications
RF signals can enter network through cable shielding defect

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Upstream Over-The-Air Spectrum, 5-30 MHz
Source: NTIA (http://www.ntia.doc.gov/osmhome/allochrt.pdf)

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RF Ingress
CB radio operator had installed his own cable outlets
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Impulse Noise
Most upstream data transmission errors caused by bursts of impulse noise Fast risetime, short duration (<100 microseconds) Most less than 10 microseconds duration Significant energy content over most of upstream spectrum Common sources: vehicle ignitions, neon signs, lightning, power line switching transients, electric motors, electronic switches, household appliances
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Impulse Noise Impulse noise from arc welder in machine shop
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Signal Clipping
RF ingress and impulse noise may cause signal clipping Excessive signals from in-home devices such as pay-per-view converters also may cause signal clipping Clipping (compression) occurs in upstream amplifiers and fiber optics equipment
Upstream lasers most susceptible
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Signal Clipping (contd)
Most energy that causes compression is in 5 MHz to 15 MHz range Signals at all other frequencies are affected by cross-compression
Cross-compression affects all upstream frequencies Can reduce data throughput
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Signal Clipping (contd)

Noise above ~40 MHz (~65 MHz in a Euro-DOCSIS network) is most likely caused by laser clipping
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Impulse Noise & Clipping: Packet Loss

Some QAM analyzers support upstream packet loss measurements
Graphics courtesy of Acterna, Sunrise Telecom and Trilithic

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Transient Hum Modulation
Ferrite components in network and drop passive devices

High current causes ferrite material to saturate
Switching power supply noise and harmonics
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Transient Hum Modulation

Hum modulation problem caused by defective connector on customers VCR
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Intermittent Connections
Self-induced
Network maintenance: changing pads & equalizers, amplifier modules
Craft-related
Loose or damaged connectors Poor quality installation
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Sweep Transmitter Operation

Many cable operators use broadband sweep equipment for network maintenance. Sweep transmitter interference to upstream digitally modulated carriers is a common problem. When it happens, degraded BER performance occurs. To avoid sweep interference problems, make sure the reverse sweep transmitter has appropriate guard bands programmed around each upstream digitally modulated carrier.
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Still Having Problems?
If everything appears to check out OK in the headend but cable modem operational problems still exist in the field, it may be a cable network problem This can be verified by connecting the CMTS to a six-foot plant
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Six-Foot Plant
CMTS
Upconverter
+25 to +35 dBmV I.F. input +55 to +58 dBmV RF output
Downstream
Diplex filter
Cable modems
8-way splitter
Upstream
10 dB to 15 dB atten.
33 dB atten.
High Common
30 dB atten.
Low
10 dB atten.
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Still Having Problems?
If CMTS configuration is correct and headend problems have been ruled out, its time to move to the outside plant.
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Out in the Field
Use appropriate test equipment to characterize the return path between the subscriber premises and CMTS.
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Out in the Field
Verify that the amplitude of the upstream digitally modulated carrier at the cable modem output is in the +8 dBmV to +58 dBmV range for QPSK, and +8 dBmV to +55 dBmV for 16-QAM. Correct levels at the first upstream active?
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Out in the Field

Use the divide and conquer method to locate problems in the network
Headend
Fiber
Node
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A Few Potential Problems

Improper RF levels Poor carrier-to-junk ratio (the DOCSIS minimum spec is 25 dB for both QPSK and 16QAM, as well as for all of the new upstream modulation formats in DOCSIS 2.0) Headend upstream combining/splitting
Too many nodes or homes passed per CMTS upstream port
Upstream fiber links not correctly aligned Forward and reverse amplifiers not correctly aligned
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A Few Potential Problems
Ingress, impulse noise, spurious interference, distortions, laser clipping Loose or intermittent connections Hum modulation (the DOCSIS maximum spec is 7%, or 23 dBc) Microreflections (analogous to multipath or ghosting in analog TV pictures)
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DOCSIS 1.0 Assumed Upstream RF Channel Transmission Characteristics

Parameter
Frequency range Transit delay from the most distant CM to the nearest CM or CMTS Carrier-to-noise ratio Carrier-to-ingress power (the sum of discrete and broadband ingress signals) ratio Carrier-to-interference (the sum of noise, distortion, common-path distortion, and crossmodulation) ratio Carrier hum modulation Burst noise Amplitude ripple Group delay ripple Micro-reflections -- single echo
Value
5 to 42 MHz edge to edge <=0.800 msec (typically much less) Not less than 25 dB Not less than 25 dB (Note 2) Not less than 25 dB
Seasonal and diurnal signal level variation
Not greater than 23 dBc (7%) Not longer than 10 sec at a 1 kHz average rate for most cases (Notes 3, 4, and 5) 5-42 MHz: 0.5 dB/MHz 5-42 MHz: 200 ns/MHz -10 dBc@ <= 0.5 sec -20 dBc@ <= 1.0 sec -30 dBc@ > 1.0 sec Not greater than 8 dB min to max
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DOCSIS 1.0 Electrical Output From the Cable Modem

Parameter
Frequency Level range (one channel) Modulation type Symbol rate (nominal) Bandwidth Output impedance Output return loss Connector
Value
5 to 42 MHz edge to edge +8 to +55 dBmV (16QAM) +8 to +58 dBmV (QPSK) QPSK and 16QAM 160, 320, 640, 1,280 and 2,560 ksym/sec 200, 400, 800, 1,600 and 3,200 kHz 75 ohms >6 dB (5-42 MHz) F connector per [IPS-SP-406] (common with the input)
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DOCSIS 1.1 Assumed Upstream RF Channel Transmission Characteristics

Parameter Frequency range Transit delay from the most distant CM to the nearest CM or CMTS Carrier-to-interference plus ingress (the sum of noise, distortion, common-path distortion and crossmodulation and the sum of discrete and broadband ingress signals, impulse noise excluded) ratio Value 5 to 42 MHz edge to edge <=0.800 msec (typically much less) Not less than 25 dB
Carrier hum modulation Burst noise Amplitude ripple 5-42 MHz: Group delay ripple 5-42 MHz: Micro-reflections -- single echo
Not greater than 23 dBc (7%) Not longer than 10 sec at a 1 kHz average rate for most cases (Notes 3, 4, and 5) 0.5 dB/MHz 200 ns/MHz -10 dBc@ <= 0.5 sec -20 dBc@ <= 1.0 sec -30 dBc@ > 1.0 sec Not greater than 14 dB min to max
Seasonal and diurnal reverse gain (loss) variation
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DOCSIS 1.1 Electrical Output From the Cable Modem

Parameter
Frequency Level range (one channel) Modulation type Symbol rate (nominal) Bandwidth Output impedance Output return loss Connector
Value
5 to 42 MHz edge to edge +8 to +55 dBmV (16QAM) +8 to +58 dBmV (QPSK) QPSK and 16QAM 160, 320, 640, 1,280 qne 2,560 ksym/sec 200, 400, 800, 1,600 and 3,200 kHz 75 ohms >6 dB (5-42 MHz) F connector per [ISO-169-24] (common with the input)
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Useful ReferencesMagazine Articles

Hranac, R. 16-QAM Success Story. Communications Technology, September 2002
www.broadband-pbimedia.com/ct/archives/0902/0902_broadband.html
Hranac, R. More on 16-QAM. Communications Technology, January 2003

www.broadband-pbimedia.com/ct2/archives/0103/0103_broadband.html
Hranac, R. Mystified by Return Path Activation? Get Your Upstream Fiber Links Aligned. Communications Technology, March 2000
www.broadband-pbimedia.com/ct2/archives/0300/feature1.htm
Hranac R. Seek Balance in All Things: A Look at Unity Gain in the Upstream Coax Plant. Communications Technology, June 2000
www.broadband-pbimedia.com/ct2/archives/0600/0600fe8.htm
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Hranac, R. Hum Got You Down? Block Capacitors Fix Reverse Path Woes Communications Technology, May 1999
www.broadband-pbimedia.com/ct2/archives/0599/ct0599d.htm
Hranac, R., M. Millet. Upstream Power Measurements: Watts Up Doc? Communications Technology, December 2000
www.broadband-pbimedia.com/ct2/archives/1200/064_upstream.htm
Hranac, R. Two-Way Success Secrets Revealed Communications Technology, April 2001

www.broadband-pbimedia.com/ct2/archives/0401/034_broadband.htm
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Hranac, R. Understanding Reverse Path Problems, Part 1 Communications Technology, September 2000
www.broadband-pbimedia.com/ct2/archives/0900/0900col01.htm
Hranac, R. Understanding Reverse Path Problems, Part 2 Communications Technology, October 2000
Hranac, R. Understanding Reverse Path Problems, Part 3 Communications Technology, November 2000
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From back issues prior to January 1999 (not available in publishers on-line archives): Hranac, R. A Unique Approach to Reverse Path Testing Communications Technology, December 1997 Hranac, R. Impulse Noise in Two-Way Systems Communications Technology, July 1996 Hranac, R. Combating Impulse Noise With Common Mode Suppression Communications Technology, August 1996 Hranac, R. Passive Device Intermod Communications Technology, September 1998
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Useful ReferencesBooks
Farmer, J., D. Large, and W. Ciciora. Modern Cable Television Technology: Video, Voice and Data Communications. Morgan Kaufmann Publishers; 1998 Raskin, D. and D. Stoneback. Broadband Return Systems for Hybrid Fiber/Coax Cable TV systems. Prentice Hall; 1997 Thomas J.L. Cable Television Proof of Performance: A Practical Guide to Cable TV Compliance Measurements Using a Spectrum Analyzer. Prentice Hall; 1995.
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rhranacj@cisco.com
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Upstream RF Troubleshooting

2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Problems with sub-split in two-way networks:

Check the Upstream at the CMTS

Connect a spectrum analyzer to the upstream test points

2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Check the upstream carrier-to-noise, carrier-to-ingress, and carrier-tointerference ratios

Digitally Modulated Carrier Amplitude

2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Does the upstream look like this?

2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Check the Upstream at the CMTS

Specialty test equipment may be used to evaluate upstream constellations

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Graphics courtesy of Filtronic Sigtek, Inc.

Graphics courtesy of Filtronic Sigtek, Inc.

Graphics courtesy of Filtronic Sigtek, Inc.

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RF ingress Impulse noise Signal clipping

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Transient hum modulation Intermittent connections

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Good carrier-to-noise ratio (~50 dB)

Poor carrier-to-noise ratio (~12 to 15 dB)

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3rd order beats

Sweep versus multiple carriers Alignment-related problems

2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Group delay ripple

Courtesy of Holtzman, Inc.

Transit Delay (contd)

2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Group Delay (contd)

2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Group Delay (contd)

2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Group Delay vs. MER

DOCSIS 200 ns/MHZ

Courtesy of Holtzman, Inc.

Group Delay (contd)

Courtesy of Sunrise Telecom

RF signals can enter network through cable shielding defect

2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Upstream Over-The-Air Spectrum, 5-30 MHz

Source: NTIA (http://www.ntia.doc.gov/osmhome/allochrt.pdf)

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Impulse Noise Impulse noise from arc welder in machine shop

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Signal Clipping (contd)

2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Signal Clipping (contd)

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Impulse Noise & Clipping: Packet Loss

Graphics courtesy of Acterna, Sunrise Telecom and Trilithic

Transient Hum Modulation