This file is raw output from pdftotext and may not be ideal for distribution. If you are a maintainer for Hackipedia, please sit down when you have time and clean this text version up. Source PDF: /mnt/main/jmc-storage/docs/SCTE/ANSI SCTE 047 Test Method for Coaxial Cable Attenuation (2007).pdf Like all conversions the text below should be fully readable as UTF-8 unicode text. --------------------------------------------------------------- ENGINEERING COMMITTEE Interface Practices Subcommittee AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD ANSI/SCTE 47 2007 Test Method for Coaxial Cable Attenuation NOTICE The Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) Standards are intended to serve the public interest by providing specifications, test methods and procedures that promote uniformity of product, interchangeability and ultimately the long term reliability of broadband communications facilities. These documents shall not in any way preclude any member or nonmember of SCTE from manufacturing or selling products not conforming to such documents, nor shall the existence of such standards preclude their voluntary use by those other than SCTE members, whether used domestically or internationally. SCTE assumes no obligations or liability whatsoever to any party who may adopt the Standards. Such adopting party assumes all risks associated with adoption of these Standards or Recommended Practices, and accepts full responsibility for any damage and/or claims arising from the adoption of such Standards or Recommended Practices. Attention is called to the possibility that implementation of this standard may require use of subject matter covered by patent rights. By publication of this standard, no position is taken with respect to the existence or validity of any patent rights in connection therewith. SCTE shall not be responsible for identifying patents for which a license may be required or for conducting inquires into the legal validity or scope of those patents that are brought to its attention. Patent holders who believe that they hold patents which are essential to the implementation of this standard have been requested to provide information about those patents and any related licensing terms and conditions. Any such declarations made before or after publication of this document are available on the SCTE web site at http://www.scte.org. All Rights Reserved © Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers, Inc. 2007 140 Philips Road Exton, PA 19341 i TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 SCOPE .........................................................................................................1 2.0 EQUIPMENT...............................................................................................1 3.0 BLOCK DIAGRAM ....................................................................................2 4.0 TEST SAMPLES .........................................................................................2 5.0 TEST METHOD ..........................................................................................3 6.0 INSPECTION/REPORT FORM..................................................................4 ii 1.0 SCOPE 1.1. Measurement technique for determining attenuation of coaxial cable at various selected frequencies. 2.0 EQUIPMENT 2.1. Network Analyzer: Agilent 8753 or equivalent 75-ohm network analyzer. Minimum loss matching pads may be used if necessary. 2.2. Network analyzer calibration kit, appropriate for the connector type being used. Standard Agilent calibration kits (85039B F-Type and 85036B N-Type) are specified to 3 GHz. 2.3. Environmental chamber or room capable of maintaining 68°F (20°C) and large enough to accommodate cable sample to be tested. 2.4. Thermometer consisting of a digital multimeter and thermal probe or any device capable of accurately measuring the temperature inside the environmental chamber. 2.5. Cable preparation and connector installation tools as required. 2.6. Drop Cable Test Proper “F” connector for size drop cable or the appropriate size laboratory connector. 2.7. Hardline Cable Test Push-on type test connectors cable to “N” for the proper size of Hardline cable or the appropriate size field connector. 1 3.0 BLOCK DIAGRAM Analyzer Cables Coax Cable Figure 1 – Network Analyzer Test Setup 4.0 TEST SAMPLES 4.1. Prepare known lengths of cable. Samples should exhibit at least 0.5 dB loss at the lowest frequency tested. 4.2. Cut the ends of the cable and prepare them to accept the appropriate connector. 4.3. Install test connectors on the cable sample per the manufacturer’s recommendations. 4.4. Place cable samples in an environmental chamber set to 68°F (20°C) and allow the test samples to stabilize at that temperature for a period of at least 2 hours. 2 5.0 TEST METHOD 5.1.Network Analyzer: 5.1.1. Prior to calibration and testing, allow the network analyzer to warm up as described in the operations manual. 5.1.2. Incorporate the desired frequency points in question to be measured within the analyzers register. 5.1.3. Set List Frequency to “Stepped” to utilize stepped list mode. NOTE: When using “Stepped” all the listed frequency points are sorted as CW points in ascending order. The network analyzer measures each point and builds a single trace from the composite of all data. With the stepped CW sweep the sweep time is slower than when using a continuous sweep for the same number of points. 5.1.4. Attach test leads to the two ports of the analyzer. 5.1.5. Connect the test leads together using an adaptor from the appropriate calibration kit. 5.1.6. Select Calibration menu on analyzer and perform a “Thru” calibration. NOTE: If minimum loss matching pads are required, make sure they are part of the transmission path during calibration or that the attenuation they contribute is measured separately and subtracted from the overall attenuation of the cable + minimum loss pad combination on a point-by-point basis. 5.1.7. Connect the cable ends to the test leads or test ports from the network analyzer and allow at least one full sweep across the entire frequency range.. 5.1.8. Record signal loss at each frequency listed in the register or run automated program and print out results. 5.2.Attenuation Conversion 5.2.1. The conversion from dB/length to dB/100 feet is: Attenuation (dB/length) Attenuation in dB/100 feet = 100 x Length (feet) 3 6.0 INSPECTION/REPORT FORM Cable Type: Sample Number: Date: FREQUENCY MHz ATTENUATION dB/100 ft. ATTENUATION (dB/100m) 4