FAQ - Scanner - DX

Q. How Is Scan Speed Affected with Number of Samples?

A. Each additional sample measured will scan the entire scan list N number of times. For
example, if you have channels 1-50 selected and the scan takes 0.5 seconds to complete
for 1 sample, the 2 sample case will perform the scan list as follows: 1-50, 1-50 and will
take 1 second to complete.

Q. Can an IS-136 Scanner Detect DVCC on a Control Channel?

A. No, It detects DVCC on Traffic Channels but Since there can be Traffic on Control
Channels as well, DVCC will be detected on that channel. One major reason is because
the Sync only comes once per 60 seconds on the Control Channel which will make the
scanning rate update period too long.

Q. What are Valid DVCC Values for IS-136?

A. Valid values are from 1-255. A DVCC of 0 is returned for channels where the DVCC
could not be decoded.

Q. GSM Scanner Drops BSIC Values After a Short Run Time of < 10 Minutes But
Performs Correctly Again After the Scan is Stopped and Restarted.
A. This is usually caused when the data mode "Average" is not selected in the
measurement but one of the statistical measurements are active (min, max, 10pct, etc...)
Always enable the "Average" datamode when taking any other statistical measurements.

Q. Are Antennas Covered on any PCTEL Maintenance/Warranty Program?

A. No, if damage occurs, a new antenna must be purchased through PCTEL.

Q. What are the Differences Between Each Statistical Datamode on a DX Scanner?

A. Average - is the most common datamode and is used with 1 or more sample size that
averages requested number of samples.
Values are unsigned integers scaled to input range of the scanner: (-20dBm to -
120dBm).
Where 0 is -120dBm and 255d is -20dBm. Conversion to dBm is as follows: X (Value
in dBm), Y (Returned RSSI value). X=(Y/2.55)-120 [dBm].

Max - must have > 1 sample size. Maximum of RSSI measurements collected for a
channel. Units the same as Average RSSI values.

Min - must have > 1 sample size. Minimum of RSSI measurements collected for a
channel. Units the same as Average RSSI values.

STD - must have > 1 sample size. Standard Deviation of RSSI measurements collected
for a channel. To get dBm value divide by 2.55.

10pct - must have > 1 sample size. Signal level in which 10% of total number of RSSI
measurements are below it. Units the same as Average RSSI values.
 50pct - must have > 1 sample size. Signal level in which 50% of total number of RSSI
measurements are below it (mean). Units the same as Average RSSI values.

90pct - must have > 1 sample size. Signal level in which 90% of total number of RSSI
measurements are below it. Units the same as Average RSSI values.

Q. Is a GPS Antenna Active or Passive?

A. It is active meaning it requires a voltage (supplied from the scanner) to power up
internal circuitry.

Q. Does a Dual-band Scanner Document Exist?

A. No, because this is essentially 2 separate scanners. A separate user guide should exist
for each.

Q. What is the Scan List Theory for a DX Scanner with InSite DX?
A. The max scan list size for a DX unit is 1 byte (255 channels). When running InSite
DX, and selecting more than this maximum number, the scan list is started
for the max channels (255), scanned, then stopped. The scan list is then reset to cover the
remaining channels to be scanned.

Q. Can the GSM Scanner Scan Between Channels for Interference Measurements?
A. No, the channel spacing for GSM channels are 200Khz for wide and 30Khz for CW.

Q. How Far Away Should I Mount Antennas on a Vehicle Roof With Multiple
Antennas?
A. 12" as a standard so they do not interfere with each other.

Q. I Get an Error When Trying to Detect Color Codes for GSM/IS-136 Scanners.
A. More than likely the color code option inside the scanner is disabled. The unit will
have to be returned to PCTEL for this option to be turned on.

Q. Does PCTEL Offer a Glass Mount Antenna?

A. No, all antennas are magnetic mounts because a ground plane is required.

Q. What are the Color Code Thresholds for Amps, IS-136 and GSM Scanners?
A. The threshold ranges for each protocol is as follows:
Amps = -69 to -100dBm
GSM = -79 to -110dBm
IS-136 = -89 to -120dBm

Q. How Do you Determine IS-95 Coverage when Measuring in CW Mode?

A. Let us start with the simplest case, when the "pedestal" (IS-95 carrier) is flat (no
multipath). What the customer seeks is the total power of the signal, that is the power in
the 1.25 MHz bandwidth of the signal. What the scanner measures is power in each of the
CW channels. In the flat-pedestal case, you can take the CW power in any of the channels
(remember, they are all the same) and multiply (in the linear domain) by the number of
channels to get the desired CDMA power. There is no need to convert power into Watts,
however, since you can add to the CW power the dB value of the number of channels:
Pcdma = Pcw + 10*LOG(N) where, in the case of cellular, N =
BWcdma/BWcw = 1250/30 = 41.7.

Please note that the actual CW bandwidth in PCS is still 30 kHz. That means that
although you can still use the approach outlined above with N = 41.6, it is not possible to
sum the CW points where the spectrum is not flat, since the number of CW channels is
only 25 (which means there are gaps in the measured spectrum). The best approximation
in this case would be to sum the 25 results and then to apply the correction factor as
follows:
Pcdma_lin = (Pcw1_lin + Pcw2_lin + ... + Pcw25_lin)* (50/30).

Since we already started treating the case of non-flat spectra, let us continue. All you
need to do is to sum the individual powers and convert the result back to dBm value.

Regarding the conversions, it is a little difficult to understand the formulae, probably

because of confusing symbols (x and X are not distinguishable, for example). To convert
X to linear, you need to use the following formula:
x_lin = 10^(X/10).

To convert back to dBm, use this:

X = 10*LOG(x_lin).

In conclusion, the rule of thumb for relatively flat spectra is to take the CW level on the
screen (in a 30-kHz BW), and add 10*LOG(1250/30) = 16.2 dB, which yields the CDMA
power.

Q. What is the typical degradation levels over a one year period for a scanner?
A. On average, degradation levels are typically 1/2 dB over one year. This number is an
estimate and can vary depending on the type and protocol of the receiver.
PCTEL recommends re-calibration of the scanning receivers on a once-per-year basis to
maintain the specified accuracy levels.

Q. what are the meaning of BSIC values > 251 for GSM?
A. All these values are reasons why BSIC was not decoded.
251-CW channel
252-CRC failed
253-SCH not found
254-FCCH not found
255-below threshold

Q. What is the map projection used for SeeGull DX Scanner.

A. WGS-84 format
Q. What is pass/fail criteria for the BIT module?
A. InSite DX will perform the following algorithm for each scanner:
1) Start Scan for Average RSSI on the beginning band channel. Get scan data
named BeforeDB
2) Check to see if there is power, Turn on the BIT module, let it transmit power -
50dBm on the beginning band frequency. Get scan data named AfterDB.
3) If BeforeDB > -35dBm, it will fail BIT because it is too high without checking
AfterDB
If BeforeDB > -115dBm, it will pass BIT without checking AfterDB
If AfterDB< -105dBm, It will fail BIT because it is too low.
4) Then Start Scan for average RSSI on the middle band channel.
Repeat step 2), 3)
5) Then Start Scan for average RSSI on the last band channel, repeat step 2), 3)
6) If scanner has another band, repeat with 1) - 3)
7) From 1) to 6), either step fail, will assume fail.

Also, testing BIT needs to be completed outdoors because of multipath issues indoors.