By K. Scott Helms,ZCorum and Jim Koutras, MaxLinear
Spectrum analysis tools have been in use in the cable industry for troubleshooting and design purposes for a long time. Traditionally this meant buying and maintaining large numbers of meters, spectrum analyzers, and other specialized tools. This increased expenses and training time, and limited the number of people in any organization who could leverage spectrum analysis. Today, using new software in conjunction with newer components in modems and set-top boxes, remote spectrum analysis is possible without purchasing specific test equipment. This allows spectrum captures to be performed from anywhere and the exact downstream characteristics in a customer premise can be seen and analyzed without having to drive to that location or the need to gain access to the in-home wiring.