Network tester improves VoIP coverage

JDSU has expanded the VoIP testing capability of its industry-leading digital services activation meter (DSAM) by releasing the DSAM version 2.4 with new VoIPCheck test capability.

JDSU has expanded the VoIP testing capability of its industry-leading digital services activation meter (DSAM) by releasing the DSAM version 2.4 with new VoIPCheck test capability.

VoIPCheck allows cable operators to test VoIP call statistics without multimedia terminal adapter (MTA) and radio frequency (RF) DOCSIS connections, and generate statistics that determine the quality of a customer's connection.

A triple-play services testing field meter for hybrid fibre coax (HFC) operators, the DSAM is part of the JDSU communications test and measurement portfolio gained through the company's acquisition of Acterna.

This introduction underscores the company's focus on helping cable operators around the world keep pace with VoIP deployment plans while improving network reliability and customer retention.

Embedded in the DSAM 2.4 field meter, VoIPCheck can display continuous test results that constantly grade the values of call signals and clarity while giving cable operators the ability to segment IP and RF performance of their entire VoIP network.

During a VoIPCheck test, packet loss, jitter, delay and other characteristics are displayed on the DSAM monitor, giving technicians the ability to conduct thorough and accurate analysis of the quality of the voice service over an IP source.

It can also examine different categories of call-value results including live, extreme and average.

These different categories of value serve as a form of "triage" that helps the operator quickly determine the location of service issues, the severity of these issues and the appropriate action to address them.

"VoIPCheck allows operators to use the triple-play testing DSAM with no special MTA provisioning setup, enabling easy and rapid implementation", said Kevin Oliver, Vice President of Marketing for the Cable Networks Business Unit in JDSU's Communications Test and Measurement Product Group.

"Network operators gain comprehensive insight into the network's ability to support VoIP services and assess the level of quality when a customer places a live call".

In addition, the DSAM 2.4 includes a quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) feature, called the return QAM generator, that can perform advanced return-path maintenance testing capabilities to proof and troubleshoot the upstream path with ease and reliability.

Having a truly mobile 16 QAM transmitter on every DSAM means less time traveling to "find and fix" return path problems with no additional hardware required.

The return QAM generator can be upgraded to any DSAM in the field in just a few seconds which helps to drive lower maintenance costs and leads to more satisfied subscribers.

The DSAM 2.4 also includes translation features for international languages such as French, German, Spanish, Japanese and Chinese.

With new and better translations for supported languages, users can now perform tests without having to learn foreign vocabulary.

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