OUTLINE TO LODE DATA DESIGN ASSISTANT 4.0
TRAINING CLASS
III Pull Down Menu’s
1.
dB and dBmv – units of
measurement in the cable system
– expresses
ratio of two power levels
-
gain and loss
-
not a definite quantity
- one millivolt across 75 ohm = 0
dBmv (not zero signal)
- signals in dBmv are so many times
greater or less than one millivolt
2. Frequencies
a. 3
- 30 mHz – High
Frequency Spectrum Return
signal for upstream transmission
b. 30 – 300 mHz - Very
High Frequency Ch. 2 – 36
c. 300 mHz - 3 GHz Ultra
High Frequency
-
550 system up to channel 78
-
750 system up to channel 116
d. For the designer the main
frequencies to concern yourself with are the two extremes of both the forward
and reverse spectrums. Typically this
will be 54 mHz to either 550 or 750 mHz for forward and 5 – 30 mHz on the
return. In a 750 mHz system, 750 would
generally be referred to as the design frequency.
3.
Basic
Components of the CATV system from the Headend to the subscriber
-
In older or smaller systems this can be directly into the
coax portion of the system.
-
In newer and larger systems this is typically accomplished
using fiber optics.
-
Transmitters or lasers
-
Fiber optic cables
-
Splitters
-
Splices
-
Receivers
-
Coaxial cables ( 2
conductors which share the same axis )
1.
Attenuation - signal
loss is dependent on size and type
- type of
dielectric
- .500 = ½
inch cable (Outer Diameter)
-
attenuation is greater at higher frequencies
2.
Aerial
3.
Underground – flooding compound to keep water out – same
electrical characteristics as the aerial cable of the same size and type.
-
Actives
1.
Amplifier types – many different types but basic concepts
are the same
- Trunk amps –
low in/low out for extending reach of system
- System amps
– used for both express and distribution
- Line Extender – simple amplifier –
typically one high level output for distribution
-There are many different variations of
these general types of amplifiers, but the basic concepts are the same.
a.
all amps amplify flat – they amplify equally across all
frequencies-equal gain on all frequencies
b.
all amps have optimal levels for input signal
c.
Slope/Tilt – due to attenuation characteristics(greater loss
at higher frequencies) we must run the high channel signals at higher levels
than the low channel so that the input levels at the next amplifier will be
closer to flat.
d.
EQ’s – Two basic types – prestage equalizers are devices
which flatten signal levels on the input of amp, if high channel signal levels
have dropped below the low channel levels then an EQ is needed. An EQ loses more signal at the low channel
than the high, thereby creating a flat slope (or at least close to it). Midstage EQ’s function the same as prestage
but they are located in a different part of the amp – in between the gain blocks
to give the amplifier the desired output slope.
e.
Cable simulators – opposite of EQ’s, lose more signal on the
high channel than the low, for short spaced amplifiers
f.
Pads – pads are devices which lose equal amounts across all
frequencies, used to knock signal levels down to minimum input level of amp.
g.
Internal couplers – devices for splitting output of
amplifier, a plug-in device to create additional lower output legs
h.
Performance – noise and distortions increase each time the
signal is amplified – amplifiers do not produce an exact but stronger replica
of the input signal
-Carrier to
Noise ratio (C\N)– ratio of noise to strength of carrier signal
-Composite Triple Beat (CTB)– summation of spurious signals, stack together on each channel to create interference
-Composite
Second Order (CSO)- similar characteristics as CTB
-Cross Modulation (XMOD)- modulation
onto video carrier by other channels
- Minimum
levels- FCC and system requirements
i.
Forward and reverse – designing a two way system
-
Passives – insertion
losses – greater loss at higher frequencies
1.
Couplers – sending the signal into several directions
- 2 way
splitters
- 3 way
splitters
- directional
couplers ( DC’s)
- drop
splitters
2.
Taps
- just
couplers
-
2, 4, and 8 way taps – how many subs can they feed?
-
Tap values
-
Tap losses – insertion loss
-
Tap output levels – determined by drop referencing, may be
different in different areas of the same system depending on drop distances.
3.
Splices
4.
Inline EQ’s – function the same as eq’s in amps except these
splice directly into the cable to correct the slope downstream
-
Powering – all active
devices require electricity to operate
1.
Systems are powered by AC power supplies
2.
Actives contain DC converters
4.
Architectures
1.
Basically – what type of amplifiers and how they can be used
2. Cascade – how many actives in line with each other
3. Future growth
II INTRO TO LODE DESIGN ASSISTANT V4.0
Our recommended directory structure:
Your Drive:\Program Files\Lode Data Corporation\Design\4.0 for the Design Assistant install
Example: C:\ Program Files\Lode Data Corporation\Design\4.0
DAPC40.exe
STATUS.sts
MACROS.0AB
Using the “Samples” install from the CD will create a sample projects directory.
Your Drive:\Lode Data Projects\Your Project\Specs
Example: C:\ Lode
Data Projects\Sample40\Specs
PARAMETERS.PAR
ACTIVES.ATV
TAPS.TAP
COUPLERS.CPR
CABLES.CBL
PRICING.PRC
PERFORMANCE.PER
Your Drive:\Lode Data Projects\Your Project\Networks
Example: C:\ Lode
Data Projects\ Sample40 \Networks
NETWORK.NTW
BACKUP.BCK
MAP.#
Your Drive:\Lode Data Projects\Your Project\Misc
Example: C:\ Lode
Data Projects\ Sample40 \Misc
CLIP.CLI
CONTROL.CNL
Your Drive:\Lode Data Projects\Your Project\Blocks
Example: C:\Lode
Data Projects\ Sample40\Blocks
POLE.DWG
TAP.DWG
Your Drive:\Lode Data Projects\Your Project\Maps
Example: C:\ Lode
Data Projects\ Sample40\Maps
5050.DWG
Your Drive:\Lode Data Projects\Your Project\Settings
Example: C:\ Lode
Data Projects\ Sample40\Settings
Lode40.PRJ
Lode40.BSD
Lode40.RTD
Lode40.ASD
Lode40.IMD
Lode40.FLD
Lode40.DAP
Your Drive: Program Files\Lode Data Corporation\Drafting\4.0 for the Drafting Assistant install
The majority of the program can be operated using the right side of your keyboard.
The mouse will be used very little.
10 key data entry provides a great deal of speed once your used to it and heads up.
Help is F1
NumLock is always ON. Your NumLock key = Esc.
(Except in dialog boxes) / = Backspace
* = Macro
+ - = Toggle
Double click your Design Assistant icon and let’s begin.
Note that the current version can be displayed by choosing Help from the pull down menu’s and About Design Assistant.
Your key may have either a permanent or a timer button.
The first thing you will see is you project settings window.
The program will start in the Design mode. Let’s discuss this screen from the top down.
The small Design Assistant icon in the upper left corner will give you access to the following:
Restore
Move
Size
Minimize
Maximize
-------------------------------------
Font… Leave as Terminal but you may want to change the size.
Auto Font Font will adjust as you size the window.
Copy to clipboard… Copy a section of your screen to your clipboard.
Always on Top If you always want to see the Design Assistant window on top.
Close Alt+F4
III Pull Down Menu’s
File New
Open >
Unload >
Save Specs >
Save Network
Save Network As…
Save Project
-------------------------------------
File Converter
-------------------------------------
Project Settings
-------------------------------------
Print >
-------------------------------------
Exit
Edit
Mark/unmark
Mark
to end of line
Unmark
to end of line
Swap
Mark
Copy
Delete
marked area
Read
Clip
Write
clip
Xport
Mode
Entry
Design
Active Entry
Powering
-------------
Select
Modes
Network
Init
Clear Amp
Name
Append
Convert
Move
Origin
Force
Signals
Pluggins
dB Req
Extended
dB Req
Toggle No BOM
Delete No BOM
Global Changes
Cables
Levels
Maps
Map Grid
Spec Edit
Parameters…
Actives…
Taps…
Couplers…
Cables…
Pricing…
Performance…
Control…
Test
Network
Powering
Global
Test
---------------
Preferences….
Misc
Number of Free
Nodes…
Resolve Branches
Override
Current Passing
Enable Dialog Warnings
Set Import
Update
All
Help
Contents
and Index
What’s New…
About Windows…
Key Info
About Design Assistant/Viewer
New Network
Open Network
Save Network
Move up a line
Move Down a Line
Jump to Parent Branch
Jump
+ ,-
Test Network
Test Powering
Edit Pluggins
Escape
Parameters
Pads/Eqs Bank2
Pads/Eqs Bank3
Pads/Eqs Bank4
Taps
Tap ID/Part #’s
2 Ports
4 Ports
6 Ports
8 Ports
Active Taps
Tap Swap Options
Pads/Eqs
Couplers
Couplers Base NIU’s NIU Power Requirements NIU
Arrays Meta NIU’s
B: This column displays the branch number.
N: Displays the node number or line number.
ftg: Is the footage column.
hc: Is the house count column.
cab; is the cable type column.
lv: Is the tap output level.
map#: Can be used to display map number of the current network.
Location#: Can be used to display the location number.
N: Displays the node number or line number.
High: Displays the forward high signal.
Low: Displays the forward low signal.
Rh: Displays the return High signal.
Rl: displays the return Low signal.
ftg: Is the footage column.
hc: Is the house count column.
cab; is the cable type column.
lv: Is the tap output level.
amp: This is the column where amplifier ID’s are placed
taps: This is the column where tap ID’s are displayed. You can place up to four taps per line.
cplr[b]cplr[b]: These two columns are used to display coupler and branch information.
F3, F4, F5, F6: These columns are used to display other forward frequencies.
R3, R4: These columns are used to display other return frequencies.
Here is what the different brackets mean in the Design Assistant.
Under the taps column there are the three different symbols used to distinguish between 2-port, 4-port and 8-port taps
/ / The back slashes represent 2-port taps
[ ] The brackets represent 4-port taps
< > The angled brackets represent 8-port taps
Under the coupler columns there are the four different symbols used to distinguish between different types of branches.
[ ] if it is a branch was created in the entry mode or by just selecting a coupler.
( ) if the branch has no footage information on it
{ } if the branch was created using the back feed function
< > if the branch was created using the forward feed function
Description of the Powering menu.
Volt: Displays the voltage at this location.
Current: Displays the current at this location.
Supply: Shows the type, label and percentage of operating capacity of a power supply at that location.