ComSonics 2007HHD User Manual

Qualifier X-Ray

Non-Intrusive

Dwelling Ingress Integrity

Measurement System

USER GUIDE

CSI Doc. 101399-001

Qualifier X-Ray

Limited Warranty

Hardware: ComSonics, Inc. (ComSonics) warrants to the original end user

(Customer) that the new ComSonics branded products will be free from defects in
workmanship and materials, under normal use, for one (1) year from the date of
original shipment. ComSonics warrants repaired and refurbished ComSonics
products for ninety (90) days from date of shipment.

Agency Notice

Hand Held Device Vehicle Mounted Device

FCC ID: PYN2007HHD FCC ID: PYN2007VMD
IC: 4261A-2007HHD IC: 4261A-2007VMD

Complete Limited Warranty and Agency Notice documentation is printed in the
back section of this user guide.

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Technical Support

ComSonics maintains a Technical Support Service for customer convenience.
Contact a Support Representative at 1-800-336-9681 or 1-540-434-5965;
Fax [phone]; or Email [e-mail].

Copyright

All material in this manual is the property of ComSonics, Inc. and protected under
the United States copyright law. No material shall be reproduced or used in any
form or by any means (graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying,
recording, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems) without the written
permission of:

Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801 USA

Phone: [phone] USA Toll Free: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Qualifier is a trademark of ComSonics, Inc.

 2007 ComSonics, Inc. All Rights Reserved

ComSonics, Inc.

1350 Port Republic Road

Post Office Box 1106

Fax: [phone]

Internet: www.comsonics.com

CSI Doc. 101399-001 Rev. 1.05

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Table of Contents

Introduction.......................................................................................................1

FCC License Requirement ...........................................................................1

Unpacking ....................................................................................................1

Qualifier X-Ray System Overview ................................................................2

General Information..........................................................................................3

Hand Held Device (HHD) .............................................................................3

Battery Installation .................................................................................3

Single Button Control.............................................................................3

Auto Power Off ......................................................................................3

Display Screen.......................................................................................4

Threshold Value Setup ..........................................................................4

Hardware Installation ...................................................................................6

Dual Band Antenna................................................................................7

Vehicle Mount Device (VMD).................................................................7

Check / Select Transmit Frequency.......................................................8

Test the VMD Installation.......................................................................8

Qualifier System Installation Verification......................................................9

Troubleshooting Notes .................................................................................9

Using the Qualifier X-Ray System.................................................................10

Dwelling Shielding Integrity Measurement Procedure ...............................10

Specifications .................................................................................................11

Accessories / Parts.........................................................................................12

Warranty Statement........................................................................................13

Agency Notice.................................................................................................15

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Qualifier X-Ray

Major Components

Display
Screen

Power / Test

Button

Test Button

Power Button

Status Indicators

Antenna Connector

Power Harness Connector

Input
Connector

Battery
Compartment

Fuse

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Introduction

FCC License Requirement

A FCC license is required to operate the Qualifier X-Ray System, specifically the
vehicle mount transmitter component (VMD).

Refer to the Qualifier Transmitter Licensing section on our website at
www.comsonics.com/downloads.html for application instructions and templates.

If you need assistance, please call our Customer Service Department at 1-800­336-9681.

Unpacking

The Qualifier X-Ray System and accessories are shipped in a single container
designed to provide maximum protection during transit. Immediately upon receipt,
inspect the container and contents for signs of physical damage. Notify the freight
forwarder of any damage detected.

Installation Caution!

The Qualifier X-Ray System is designed only for vehicles equipped with a 12-volt
negative ground electrical system.

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Qualifier X-Ray

Qualifier X-Ray System Overview

The ComSonics Qualifier X-Ray System provides a method for identifying the
internal shielding integrity of the CATV network in a subscriber’s residence without
the need to enter the premises.

A test activation transmitter is located within the Qualifier hand held device (HHD).
The transmitter provides an activation signal to the Qualifier Vehicle Mounted
Device (VMD) and sets up the HHD to measure levels of ingress from the VMD
signal appearing in the return upstream path.

With the HHD connected to either the residential ground block or the drop tap, a
press of the HHD button activates the VMD to generate a brief 5-watt signal pulse
at a frequency, just above the CB radio band, within the upstream frequency spec­trum.

The VMD test signal envelopes the residence with a level of about +58 dBmV
(assuming the service vehicle is about 75 feet from the residence). Shielding
flaws, within the residential cabling, allow the VMD signal to enter the return up­stream path. The HHD detects the VMD test signal and displays a shielding integ­rity value based on the ingress level measured.

The threshold setup function in the HHD determines the indication of PASS or
FAIL with the integrity measurement.

Shielding Integrity Measurement

The Qualifier X-Ray System utilizes a unique measurement method to determine
the relative shielding integrity of a customer premise without a need to enter the
structure. This method provides the user with a numeric display representing a
calculated shielding factor, in dB, of the premise under test.

The type of flexible coaxial cable used for drops and house wiring typically has a
shielding integrity factor in the range of 60 to 80 dB. But with the addition of con­nectors, splitters, VCRs, televisions, PC modems, and other devices along with
improper installation techniques; the total overall shielding integrity can degrade
appreciably. The possibility of noise ingress (undesirable signals) increases
greatly if the shielding integrity is not sufficient. Noise ingress causes interference
with the return path signals and reduces the reliability of two-way signal communi­cations.

The Qualifier X-Ray System enables the user to obtain a shielding integrity read­ing in the range of 80 dB (very good) to 25 dB (very poor). Each measurement
reading includes a PASS or FAIL indication, based on a user selectable threshold
value, for easy measurement status determination. The threshold function can be
turned off.

Formula for calculating the shielding integrity reading:

D2I = Pmax [+85] - (antenna gain [2.5] + free space loss [25]) - measured value

*D2I is the acronym for Dwelling Ingress Integrity

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