“Beta TV Com” measuring equipment

By Vadim Sviridenko

Review contents:

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Beta TV Com Company (Donetsk, Ukraine) manufactures wide range of measuring tools for cable operators:

• Specter analyzers, selective micro voltmeters in return channel band (5…65 MHz);
• Specter analyzers, selective micro voltmeters, TV signals level meters (48…862 MHz band);
• Specter analyzers in IF satellite band (950…2159 MHz);
• Specter analyzers in MMDS band (2500…2700 MHz);
• Amplifier’s intermodulation distortions level meters;
• Signal generators in return channel band (4…65 MHz);
• Frequency response meters (panoramic) in 5…1000 MHz band.

Design unification allows combining in single frame several devices simultaneously using common LCD display for information representation.

Return channel meters have 16 MHz bandwidth and provide dynamic range of 60 dB. Frequency measurement error is 62 kHz and level measuring error is ±2 dB. Signal level measuring range is 30…120 dB/µV. A device has fixed 200 kHz bandwidth.

LFM-200 TV signal meter

LFM series TV signal meters are dedicated to exploitation within cable TV networks and during process of terrestrial of satellite antennas installation. LFM-200 in basic configuration is designed for operation in 48.5…862 MHz TV band. It is equipped with LCD display and can operate in selective micro voltmeter, diagram plotter and specter analyzer modes. Also ability if TV signal’s S/N ratio measure is assumed. Measure results are outputted to LCD display which has 128×64 pixels resolution. Device’s developers had refused from frequency synthesizer tuning for each pixel indication. It allowed decreasing scan time up to 0.05 sec in comparison to 3 sec needed at continuous synthesizer’s re-tuning. High speed of scanning allows the device to fix not only constant but also short time signals, for example, interference from cell phones. Besides, such speed allows using an analyzer for equipment adjustment.

Analyzer’s structure assumes using of pre-selector excluding feed of unwanted signals to combiner’s input and therefore allowing avoid device’s dynamic range narrowing. Signal level measure in selective micro voltmeter mode is being performed in 30…120 dB/µV band. Measure error level is ±2 dB. In this mode LCD screen displays selected frequency, TV channel number related to this frequency, level of signal measured in dB/µV, quantity of TV channels stored in memory and voltage of battery used as power source. Additionally signal level is being displayed as graphic bar the height of which is proportional to measured value. Frequency selection can be done with 8 MHz or 62.5 kHz step. Besides, the frequencies can be pre-memorized in the device’s memory with further selection from list for measure. Signal level indication on a display can be accompanied by tone signal with frequency proportional to measured value.

The device has composite video output and audio output which can be connected to TV monitor. Audio signal also can be fed to device’s speaker.

In diagram plotting mode a display shows graphical representations of TV signals levels on first 64 frequencies stored in memory. A resolution in this mode is 2 dB. In this mode graphical marker can be used which allow outputting frequency value and selected signal level.

In specter analyzer mode a display shows TV signal specter in 16 MHz bandwidth which is equal to 2 TV channels. Bandwidth of analyzer’s filter has fixed 200 kHz width. This mode is convenient for detection of bandwidth occupied by a signal and for spurious and off-band specter components detection, and for discreet signals levels and frequencies measure.

LFM-102 & LFM-103 models

Simultaneously with specter a display shows number of “younger” channel and value of maximum signal level in a frame. This mode is used for measure signals in 25…120 dB/µV band. In specter analyzer mode as well as at diagram plotting a display may show graphical marker. Frequency detection error suing marker doesn’t exceed 800 kHz and level measure error is ±3 dB. The device can be powered from 220 V ±10% AC source or from built-in battery providing 4 hours operation time with no recharge. Device’s dimensions are 90×220×225 mm; its weight is 3.6 kg. LFM-200 can operate in +5…+40°C temperature range.

Simpler LFM-102 & LFM-103/R models operate only in selective micro voltmeter mode. Frequency selection is being done with 8 MHz or 62.5 kHz step. LFM-102 model allows measure signals in 48.5…862 MHz band. Pocket LFM-010 model measures TV signals level according to TV channels plan.

All LFM series measure devices are bundled with coffers made of strong material which provides reliable protection against mechanical and environmental factors as well as device exploitation convenience.

LFM-010

Specter analyzers in satellite IF band display on LCD screen signals in 950…2150 MHz band and dynamic range is 40 dB. Measure error for frequency is 8 MHz, for level it is ±3 dB. Signal level measure range is 30 dB/µV. The device has fixed 16 MHz bandwidth.

Specter analyzers in MMDS band (2500…2700 MHz) have 32 MHz operation bandwidth and provide dynamic range of 55 dB. Measure error for frequency is 250 kHz, for level it is ±2 dB. Signal level measure range is 30…110 dB/µV. The device has fixed 370 kHz bandwidth.

The device for measuring a level of third order intermodulation distortions measures the IMA3 according to DIN45004 for house and main amplifiers etc. Measures are being performed in upper area of decimeter band. Measure’s precision is better than ±2 dB.

GSR-100 return channel signals generator

GSR-100 return channel test signal generator is used for return channel testing within cable TV networks. The generator forms three signals. Each signal is being re-tuned by level and frequency in 90…110 dB/µV and 4…65 MHz ranges relatively. The use of three independent synthesizers of direct synthesis had allowed reaching attenuation of spurious signals more than on 55 dB. Generator receives energy from AC power network or from built-in battery and has its own charger.

TM-100 transition factor measuring device is dedicated to measure of modulus and phase of transition factor for active and passive devices. TM-100 is used for frequency and phase responses of amplifiers, filters, cables etc in 5…1000 MHz band. Transition factor’s modulus is being measured in -25…+35 dB range with ±1 dB error. Phase measure errors are 1° in ±15…±165° range and 6° in 0…±15° & ±165…±180° ranges. Use of adjustable frequency synthesizer as reference signal source has allowed reaching frequency detection precision equal 9 kHz. TM-100 gives a possibility to track the transition factor both in 5…1000 MHz band and in narrower band. Minimal bandwidth is 16 MHz. TM-100 is powered both from AC outlet and from built-in battery with internal charger.

LFM-400 Series signal level meter

LFM-410 series devices are equipped with internal radio modem allowing transmitting measuring results (for report creation) to head station via return channel in manual mode and performing cable network monitoring (up to 64 channels) in automated mode. All devices have built-in pulse power supply and battery and are bundled with pulse charger.

Material is provided by Beta TV Com Company