SPAC (System Performance Analysis for CATV Systems) is a tool for planning the performance of CATV distribution networks

and their return path channel. SPAC calculates all important system parameters like Output power CNR (carrier to noise ratio) CSO (composite second order) CTB (composite triple beat) BER (bit error rate) MER (modulation error ratio)

The tool SPQA (Subjective Picture Quality Assessment simulates the influence of the parameters CNR and CSO/CTB to an analogue transmitted test picture. The demo version SPAC_DEM.EXE allows calculating CNR, but not CSO, CTB, BER and MER. In addition, it is not possible to load, save and print networks. SPAC uses modules of BKtel, which are grouped together in libraries. Predefined lists for different channel allocations and services (PAL B/G, NTSC, Cenelec 42, ) are part of the delivery. In the following you see an example of a SPAC calculation run.

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At first, install SPAC with unzipping the zipped file SpacDemo.zip to a new directory on your hard disc. Start SpacDemo.exe. At the first start of SPAC it opens automatically SPAC User Guide. You may close it now. It is possible to open it with Help or <F1> at any time.

Create a new network with File->New or click at first component of the network.

. SPAC installs a signal source (Source) as

Activate a channel list with Channels->Read Channel List. Select cenelec.lst.

Add an optical transmitter with Add->OTX or . Select otxe090b.lis. This is the transmitter OTXE090B with integrated preamplifier (LCA = Load Controlled Amplifier). In SPAC, it is modeled as module list (double module: Amplifier plus transmitter). Press Calculate for a first intermediate calculation. SPAC displays the output power Pout and the carrier to noise ratio CNR. A doubleclick on the OTXE090B opens the module list and displays the parameters of both components.

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An additional doubleclick on the module OTXE090B opens the detail view of the optical transmitter. Now close it with <Cancel> and close the module list with a click on the dark grey background.

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Add a fiber line with 40 km length and 0.23 dB/km attenuation. This is done with Add->OptLoss or with a click on .

Then adjust the parameters and acknowledge them with <OK>. After closing the detail view SPAC automatically starts a new calculation.

Now add an optical amplifier OAHn13C with Add->OAA or with Again add a fiber line with same length and same attenuation. Add a Fiber Node with Add ORX or with At last: Calculate!.

. Select the type CRX-LD.

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This is the result of the simulation. The calculation of CSO und CTB is suppressed in the demo version.

To try out: Open the second optical line (OptLoss #5) und change the splitter ration from 1:1 auf 1:2, 1:3 etc. Watch how the CNR gets worse. You may also select other transmitters, other amplifiers and so on.

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To try out the tool SPQA (Subjective Picture Quality Assessment), the selected channel list must use modulated carriers. To do this, open the channel list with Channels->Edit Channel Table and mark modulated carriers. After the acceptance with <OK> start a new calculation with Calculate!.

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The tool starts with SPQA! in the SPAC menu bar.

It uses the CNR value 50.2 dB, which was calculated from SPAC. In full version SPAC takes over also the CSO and CTB values. But in demo version, they are fixed to 65 dB.

CNR and CSO/CTB may be adjusted with Distortions . Decreasing carrier to noise ratio (less CNR) leads to increasing noise distorted pictures. Less distance of intermodulation distortions (less CSO/CTB) leads to moire effects.

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For calculating the digital parameters BER and MER, you have to select a digital service. To do this, open menue Channels->Read Channel list and choose europe.lst. Select the service with Channels->Service->64 QAM and press Calculate!. Please notice that the display of BER and MER is suppressed in demo version.

Standard version of SPAC is available for 1.995.- , contact per eMail to: sales-sys@bktel.com.

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