VIAVI Trilithic 180 DSP-Lite DOCSIS 3.1 Installation and Service Signal Level Meter

Entry-level DSP Series installation and service meter for cable level, QAM and DOCSIS 3.1 OFDM signal quality measurements.

Channel Bandwidth: 6 MHz and 8 MHz
Amplitude Range: -40 dBmV to +50 dBmV
Modulation Types – Analog: NTSC, PAL B/D/G/H/I/K/N and SECAM B/D/G/H/I/K
Modulation Types – Digital: 16/32/64/128/256 QAM Annex A, 64/256 QAM Annex B/C, OFDM 4K/8K

Datasheet

Overview

The VIAVI Trilithic 180 DSP-Lite is the entry model of the DSP Series meters, a line of compact DOCSIS 3.1 installation and service meters for cable service providers and contractors. It provides basic measurement capabilities, including signal levels and DOCSIS 3.1 OFDM signal quality.

The 180 platform measures analog and QAM carrier power levels in analog, digital or mixed transmission systems. For QAM carriers, including deep interleave, it displays constellation, equalizer tap, MER and BER, allowing 64 and 256 QAM downstream channels to be checked for quality or impairments. OFDM measurements include average level, peak-to-valley, in-channel tilt, PLC constellation, PLC level, pre/post BER, MER, decoder stress over time and a default profile summary. On the 180 DSP-Lite, hum measurement and forward spectrum analysis (5 to 1250 MHz) are options.

A channel plan scan shows the frequency response of the entire channel lineup as a color-coded bar graph, with adjustable on-screen markers for tilt measurement. The return spectrum from 4 to 205 MHz is displayed with peak measurements, color-coded markers, delta measurements and adjustable detector modes for capturing bursty transient noise.

The meter has a color touchscreen interface, pass/fail indicators and autotest apps for standardised installation testing. It also includes a built-in LED flashlight, a glow in the dark keypad and a quick charge time. Results and configurations can be managed through VIAVI StrataSync.

Key Features

DOCSIS 3.1 OFDM signal quality measurements
Analog and QAM carrier level measurements
QAM constellation, equalizer tap, MER and BER displays including deep interleave
Return spectrum analysis from 4 to 205 MHz with adjustable detector modes
Channel plan scan with color-coded bar graph and tilt markers
Channel plan auto discovery
Color touchscreen with pass/fail indicators and autotest apps
Built-in LED flashlight and glow in the dark keypad
Built-in web browser and multi-user support
Hum measurement available as an option
Forward spectrum analysis (5 to 1250 MHz) available as an option
Home leakage test available as an option

Specifications

Level Measurement

Channel Bandwidth	6 MHz and 8 MHz
Amplitude Range	-40 dBmV to +50 dBmV
Modulation Types – Analog	NTSC, PAL B/D/G/H/I/K/N and SECAM B/D/G/H/I/K
Modulation Types – Digital	16/32/64/128/256 QAM Annex A, 64/256 QAM Annex B/C, OFDM 4K/8K OFDM: DOCSIS 3.1 option equipped meters only
Analog Measurement Accuracy	±0.75 dB @ 77° F (25° C); ±2.0 dB from 0° to +50° C (32° to 122° F)
Digital Measurement Accuracy	±0.75 dB @ 77° F (25° C); ±2.5 dB from 0° to +50° C (32° to 122° F)
Display Resolution	0.1 dB

Spectrum Measurement

Frequency Range – Return Path	4 to 205 MHz The web page lists return spectrum analysis as 4 to 110 MHz under Applications; the datasheet specifies 4 to 205 MHz
Frequency Range – Forward Path	5 to 1250 MHz Forward spectrum analysis is optional on the 180 DSP-Lite
Dual Return Path Diplexers	42 MHz: 4 to 42 MHz; 85 MHz: 4 to 85 MHz
Manually Adjustable Resolution Bandwidth	Return Path: 300 kHz; Forward Path: 10, 30, 100, and 300 kHz; 1 and 3 MHz
Auto Ranging Resolution Bandwidth	10 kHz: Span ≤ 3.5 MHz; 30 kHz: Span ≤ 12.0 MHz; 100 kHz: Span ≤ 35.9 MHz; 300 kHz: Span ≤ 300 MHz; 1 MHz: Span ≤ 359.2 MHz; 3 MHz: Span ≥ 359.3 MHz
Display Spans	Return Path: 4 to 42 MHz, 4 to 65 MHz, 4 to 85 MHz or 4 to 205 MHz; Forward Path: User-selectable in 1 kHz steps
Display Scale	1, 2, 5, 7.5 or 10 dB/division
Display Range	8 vertical divisions when marker bar is hidden
Spurious Free Dynamic Range	60 dB @ 25° C (77° F) (+50 dBmV)
Sensitivity (terminated)	Return Path: -40 dBmV (4 to 205 MHz); Forward Path: -40 dBmV (5 to 1250 MHz)

Digital Channel Measurement

Deep Interleave Compatibility	Yes
Downstream MER	40 ±2 dB @ +6 dBmV RF Input Level; 34 ±2 dB @ -6 dBmV RF Input Level
Downstream BER Method	True BER, derived from code words not from MER
Downstream BER Standard	ITU J.83 annex A, B, C
Downstream BER Range	1 E-7 to 1 E-9 @ -6 dBmV RF Input Level
Symbol Rates	≥ 2 MSPS; ≤ 6.952 MSPS

Carrier-to-Noise Measurement

Minimum Input Level for Full Range	+10 dBmV In-service, non-scrambled standard channels only
Dynamic Range	50 dB
Resolution	< 0.5 dB

Tilt Measurement

Max Number of Carriers	14 dependent on favorite channel setup
High/Low Delta Resolution	0.1 dB
Scan	Video, audio, pilot, and digital carriers

Analog and Digital Hum (Optional)

Minimum Input Level	0 dBmV Hum is optional on 180 DSP-Lite; in-service, non-scrambled standard channels only
Range	0 to 5%
Resolution	0.10%
Accuracy	±0.5%

Physical

Construction	Rubber overmolded plastic housing
Display	Color LCD touchscreen, 480 x 272 pixels (approx 4” x 2.25”) Listed for 180/360 models
Annunciators	Audible annunciator for key strokes
Flashlight	High-intensity LED (0.25W)
Dimensions w/o Case (H x W x D)	8.6 x 6.1 x 2.00 in (21.84 x 15.94 x 5.08 cm)
Dimensions w/ Case (H x W x D)	9.6 x 7.1 x 3.00 in (24.38 x 18.03 x 7.62 cm)

Interfaces

Tx/Rx Test Port	75 Ohm Replaceable F-Type Connector Upstream and Downstream RF Measurements
Ethernet	RJ45 Management Port (10/100 Mbps)
USB	USB 2.0 Type-A Standard Port

Battery and Power

Charge Time	4 hours
Battery	Two 2600 mAh @ 7.4V Li-Ion internal batteries, factory replaceable
Power Adapter	Input: 100 to 240 VAC ~ 50 to 60 Hz, 1.2A Max; Output: 15 VDC, 3.34A

Environmental

Storage	-18° to +50° C (0° to 122° F)
Operating Temperature	0° to +50° C (32° to 122° F)

Ordering Information

Part Number	TRI-DSP-180-LITE Installation and Service Meter

Specifications are taken from the manufacturer's documentation. See the datasheet for complete and current values.

Applications

Cable subscriber installation testing
Return spectrum analysis (4 to 205 MHz)
Level, C/N, QAM and OFDM measurement
Channel plan scan with tilt measurement
DOCSIS 3.1 deployment testing
Home leakage testing

Options & Accessories

Option	Description
TRI-DSP-SW-HL-LKG-OPT	DSP Meter Leakage Software Option
TRI-LKG-HL-METER-KIT	Seeker Home Leakage Companion Kit — Seeker HL Source Transmitter, Dual-Band Antenna, Near-Field Probe and Case
TRI-ACCY-RF-TEST-CBL	I/O-15 Precision test cable
TRI-ISTOP-1000MHZ	I-Stop 1 GHz Test Probe — Ingress troubleshooting probe
TRI-ISTOP-1250MHZ	I-Stop Test Probe — Ingress troubleshooting probe
TRI-TLB-46-LPF	TLB-46 Return measurement low-pass filter
MP-80A	MP-80A USB Optical Power Meter
FBP-P5000i	P5000i USB Fiber Scope
TRI-DSP-180-CASE-REPL	Replacement fitted case
TRI-DSP-STRAP-REPL	Replacement shoulder strap
TRI-DSP-PWR-ADPT-NEW	Replacement charger (no power cord)