Kathrein TV signals measuring tools

By Pavel Rybakov

Review contents:

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Kathrein Werke KG Company (Germany) is on of world leaders in telecommunication equipment manufacturing. One of its activity’s directions is TV measuring equipment manufacturing. Measuring devices and accessories are being developed in accordance with ETS European standards and not just conform to them but are better by some characteristics. Kathrein’s measuring equipment range designed for cable TV is pretty wide: MSK33 (G, Q, QR, M, MR, TQ, TM, TMR), MSK24, MSK12, MFK11 TV signal level meters; MNK20 white noise generator; MVG10 video generator; MIK22 pulse reflection meter and accessories to all of them. These devices serve as main equipment for installers and engineers which exploit the equipment dedicated to receiving and distribution of TV signals over cable networks. Devices are necessary for faults diagnostics which appear in network exploitation process and at operational change of signals levels.

MSK24 portable device for measuring analog and digital signals level in terrestrial, cable and satellite bands as well as FM radio signals level had occupied its place in measuring TV equipment arsenal.

MSK24 main technical characteristics
Frequency range, MHz TV satellite IF FM	45…862 920…2150 88…108
Adjustment step, kHz TV/FM satellite IF	50 125
Display type	LCD, two lines, 16 symbols, backlit
TV monitor	4“, LCD, 238×480
Color systems displaying	PAL/NTSC — color, SECAM — b&w
Signal level measuring range, dBµV	30…120
Measuring error, dB	2
Input impedance, Ohm	75 (BNC connector)
Measuring bandwidth, MHz FM Satellite IF	0.25 6
Measuring detector TV Satellite IF/FM	by peak value by RMS value
Audio	FM, NICAM+AM tone
Satellite dish tuning	by maximum signal with audio indication
LNB remote power feed, V	0; 10…20 (500 mA max current)
LNB control	22 kHz, DiSEqC 1.0
Interfaces	SCART (audio mono output, FBAS output), connector for charger
Standards	B/G, I, D/K, L
Operational temperature,°C	+5…+45
Power	12 V/2.8 Ah battery or 220 V/50 Hz network
Weight, kg	4
Dimensions, mm	90×260×165
Bundle	charger, measuring adapter and cable, leather coffer

Along with traditional features (color LCD display, built-in specter analyzer, DiSEqC 1.0 standard support, built-in speaker, power feed from battery and network) last MSK24 (208323) version allows performing measures of analog and digital QPSK, QAM & COFDM (DVB-T) signals as well as audio sub-career level measuring.

Portable MSK24 device

In arsenal of measuring equipment used by cable operator’s exploitation department which works with digital satellite channels and uses return channel in its network strong position has MSK33 mobile TV signal meter. It serves for measuring analog and digital terrestrial signals as well as signals distributed over cable networks and allows realizing detail quality evaluation of DVB-C and DVB-S programs. MSK33 can operate from both built-in battery and integrated power supply fed from 110…220 V AC network. Micro controller fully controls work of device, keyboard and provides representation of signal’s frequency and level on LCD display. Four different detectors (peak, RMS, max and min values) are used for measuring analog and digital signals levels. Correction data are being defined at device’s calibration and are memorized in EEPROM. Device allows measuring supporting B/G, D/K, I, L, M, NICAM standards as well as display PAL, SECAM, NTSC color standards on LCD monitor. Device feeds signal of 10…20 V (500 mA max) with 0.1 step to LNB converter and has a possibility to feed 22 kHz signal. Besides, it supports DiSEqC 2.0, Simple DiSEqC and V-SEC protocols. Built-in printer allows printing values of signal level, its frequency and full frequency specter.

MSK33 main technical characteristics
Type	MSK33	MSK33/G	MSK33/Q/M/T
Frequency, MHz Satellite IF TV FM	920…2150 47…862 88…108
Measuring range, dBµV	30…120 (terrestrial channels up to 127)
Measuring precision, dB	±2 max
Audio standards	B, G, I, D, K, L, M, NICAM
Video standards	PAL, SECAM, NTSC
Display	5.5", color
Specter analyzer output	to printer	to display
Printer	Exists
Teletext	Exists
Converter powering, V/mA	0.10…20/500
LNB switching	22 kHz, DiSEqC 2.0, V-SEC
Digital signal level measuring	QPSK, QAM
BER level measuring	No	QPSK, QAM
DVB decoder	No	for T version only
S/N ratio measuring	No	Yes
Synch pulses measuring	No	Yes
Weight, kg	6.5	7.0	7.3
Dimensions, mm	275×130×317

MSK33QR/MR version (with return channel module) along with all MSK33Q/M functions allows measuring return channel signal in range of 30…130 dBµV and in 4.0…80 MHz bandwidth.

MSK33TQ/TM version with DVB-T module along with all MSK33Q/M functions ahs following features:

Mobile MSK33 TV signals meter

• DVB-T signals receiving and demodulation in 174…230 & 470…870 MHz bands;
• DVB-T RF specter graphical representation in 174…860 MHz band;
• Automated correction of all defined demodulator’s setups;
• Constellation diagrams representation for all modulation types;
• BER (Bit Error Rate) measuring in 10^-2…10^-8 range.

For MSK33 the following accessories are offered: MZK15 leather coffer with shoulder strap and MZK16 sun protection tube.

For MSK33 additional software application MZS33/B is offered which provides device’s connection with PC and measuring automation.

For measuring frequency responses of TV network elements, besides meters, signal source also needed. Such device in Kathrein lineup is MNK20 noise generator. Working with one of meters (MSK24 or MSK33) MNK20 generator allows performing following operations in 30…862/950…2000 MHz bands:

• measuring losses (signal attenuation) in coaxial cables and passive components
• measuring frequency responses for filters, amplifiers, converters, distributors etc
• measuring characteristics for both whole signal path and separate components

MNK 20 main technical characteristics
Frequency range, MHz	30…2000
Output level (in 1 MHz bandwidth), dBµV	90
Integrated attenuator, dB	6, 10, 20
Output impedance, Ohm	75
Modulation, kHz	AM, 1
Power, V	88…260
Dimensions, mm	160×70×185
Weight, kg	1.1

Material is provided by Satellite Company