Minacom Announces Triple-Play Service Quality And Reliability Testing Using Cable Transponders
PowerProbe service level test probes running Minacom's Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) Streamer test agent can now perform loopback tests to cable transponders and measure key service quality metrics including VoIP speech quality (MOS, R-factor), packet jitter, delay, loss and a wide variety of other measurements to validate digital-video, Internet/data, and VoIP media quality and transmission performance. Tests streams can simulate over 35 different audio and video codecs, with user-definable jitter-buffer, IP precedence / ToS settings, packet interval, payload size and other common service/network parameters, for versatile service-quality testing that closely replicates actual network traffic. Minacom's loopback testing works with all transponders certified to data-over-cable service interface specification (DOCSIS(R)) version 2.0, as well as DOCSIS v.1.x transponders supporting loopback functionality via SMRP, including Tollgrade Cheetah(R) transponders and end-of-line probes which were recently awarded Minacom Certified VoIP Test Integration.
In addition, Minacom's DirectReach test agents can now collect performance and management statistics from transponder management information-bases (MIBs); when combined with RTP-loopback testing, cable operators have concurrent access to performance information at the physical, RF, network and service layers from the DirectQuality decision support system, accelerating troubleshooting and problem resolution while significantly reducing technician dispatches.
Performance information available from transponders include upstream/downstream RF frequencies and power levels, modulation, bandwidth, upstream packet loss rate, pre/post FEC error rates, and downstream signal-to-noise and modulation error ratios (SNR/MER) that are used to gauge the health of a digitally modulated carrier signal. Reliability statistics can also be retrieved, including reset history, invalid messages received and power supply performance information (voltage/current for batteries, battery-strings and inverters, thermal data and alarms). DirectQuality can also access QAM troubleshooting measurements including downstream constellation data from transponders supporting this functionality.
Minacom's GatewayDQ OSS-integration application lets Cable MSOs access transponder inventory/location information stored in element management systems (EMS) from within DirectQuality's test management OSS. When a subscriber reports a service quality issue, faults can be quickly isolated and characterized by testing to all transponders on the HFC link serving the subscriber. DirectQuality test automation can be used to provide proactive service quality and reliability monitoring by scheduling recurring tests to all transponders in a network, reporting service degradation or failures to existing fault-management systems. Minacom's transponder loopback testing and performance data collection techniques are compatible with devices from all major manufacturers, including Electroline, AM Networks, and Tollgrade.
"Transponder remote-testing compliments DirectQuality's ability to perform audio/analog and RTP loopback testing to subscriber-MTAs, providing complete remote troubleshooting and monitoring test visibility throughout the cable access network," explained Michel Nadeau, President and CEO of Minacom, adding "Minacom provides the most complete day-of-install VoIP test solution with our PowerProbe 30 responder, as well as probe-to-probe and single-ended testing for advanced on-net and off-net service quality monitoring. By now supporting remote testing to MTAs and transponders, Minacom has added cost-effective remote-troubleshooting to our award-winning provisioning and test-automation solutions, giving Cable MSOs the complete end-to-end test coverage they need to deliver best-in-class VoIP and triple-play services."
Michel Nadeau will provide a complete overview of VoIP deployment, troubleshooting and monitoring techniques at the SCTE CableTec Conference in Denver, Colorado, as an invited speaker in the session, "Maximizing VoIP Network Uptime" scheduled on the 22nd and 23rd of June.
Minacom's DirectQuality R7 test automation solutions are specifically designed to help Telcos and Cable MSO's deploy and maintain VoIP/telephony, video, IPTV, internet, fax and modem services. DirectQuality's web-based OSS interacts seamlessly with legacy operational support systems, integrating service quality into existing business processes including fault management and customer support systems.
SOURCE: Minacom