This paper presents a new instrument, the Kay 9021, and discusses the methods and equipment required for automatic, unattended CATV measurements. The authors discuss the types of parameters that may be measured, and the data-logging equipment that is required. Methods of reducing interference to the subscriber are analyzed. Included is a description of a new high-level sweep system receiver and its application to unattended measurements. Also discussed is a useful piece of auxiliary equipment not commercially available but which may be constructed by the system operator. Results of actual system tests are presented and analyzed.
Time history measurements are required by the Federal Communications Commission for yearly proof of performance. Time study measurements are often helpful in locating and predicting system failures as well as a method of status monitoring. Such measurements, when manually performed, can be rather expensive, prone to errors and can tie up valuable manpower and equipment for days at a time.
This paper describes methods of unattended system measurements using the Kay 9021 "Digital Recording Receiver." Also described is a "home-brew" item which even a small system operator could construct that makes possible automatic time annotation.