Tollgrade Communications Inc. featured the CMD-EL, a DOCSIS-based end-of-line RF monitor that provides real-time measurement data to aid in diagnosing network faults and intermittent performance issues, at the Cable-Tec Expo.
The company also displayed its CQM (or Call Quality Manager), a network-based IP test element that enables cable operators to pre-qualify, verify provisioning and remotely troubleshoot a variety of digital voice services.
“With the introduction of these new testing solutions, we now offer cable operators and MSOs network coverage from the node to the end of the line,” said Michael Mills, Tollgrade’s cable product marketing manager. “This full range of coverage provides visibility into all of the advanced services offered to subscribers and is targeted at isolating system troubles and reducing ‘mean time to repair.’ By targeting the most frequent dispatch calls we enable effective proactive monitoring of an operator’s entire network.”
Both products have completed trials, which have resulted in an initial domestic MSO order for the CMD-EL, as well as international and domestic orders for the CQM, according to the company.
The CMD-EL, expected to be generally available later this year, is a strand- or pedestal-mounted network health test point capable of delivering RF level measurements, digital measurements on the downstream DOCSIS channel, VoIP metrics and remote FCC 24-hour proof of performance testing. It can provide both real-time and scheduled measurements to help diagnose network performance issues and can be programmed to monitor and alarm, based on specific RF characteristics, and notify users when they are outside of defined parameters.
The CQM’s hardware is configured as a group of real eMTAs, while the CQM software emulates VoIP experts and test equipment to provide call signaling, media and call quality results in real time. When used with Tollgrade’s DOCSIS-based Voice Service Assurance Probes, the CQM provides end-to-end testing of digital voice service availability and performance within various segments of the HFC network without the need for dispatching a truck or using expensive handheld meters.
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