Acterna Answers Industry Need for Cost Effectiveness and Productivity by Unveiling Latest Test and Measurement Solutions at IBC 2003 Conference.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

IBC 2003

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands & GERMANTOWN, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 2, 2003

Award-Winning MPEG-2 Analyzer, Field Management and Workflow Tools and Techniques on Hand at Booth #8-373

Acterna, the world's leading provider of cable network test and management solutions, today announced that it will be presenting several of its industry-leading cable and digital test and measurement solutions at IBC 2003.

Highlighting this year's event for Acterna will be the company's award-winning DTS-200 MPEG-2 analyzer and the popular Digital Service Activation Meter (DSAM), on display for the first time internationally at the show. Acterna's full suite of proven solutions are designed to ensure efficiency, maintain quality and drive meaningful cost-effectiveness for today's digital video and cable networks.

To be displayed September 11- 16th at booth #8-373, a complete list of Acterna's news announcements for IBC 2003 include the following:

Acterna's Gigabit Ethernet Interface for DTS-200 MPEG Field Instrument

Addressing the challenging issue of compression systems being discussed at the IBC conference this year, having a Gigabit Ethernet interface capability is a compelling feature for today's IBC trade show audience, and is the latest addition to the Acterna DTS-200 MPEG-2 field instrument. The DTS-200's industry-leading ease-of-use and modular architecture was developed by Acterna to support compressed digital video network operators and MPEG-2 equipment manufacturers. With the new Gigabit Ethernet enhancement, the modular instrument continues to prove it can support a comprehensive range of test applications and a variety of signal interfaces.

"In keeping operators aligned with the current trend of video compression systems, Acterna leads its string of announcements with the availability GigaBit Ethernet on the DTS-200 MPEG instrument. This innovative tool has proven it can provide the first complete means to support compressed digital video network operators and MPEG-2 equipment makers," said Bill Robertson, vice president of marketing for Acterna's Cable Networks division.

"This testing and monitoring feature drives critical benefits of cost-savings and efficiency as the growth of technologies such as Gigabit Ethernet become more commonplace with the rapid deployment of bandwidth intensive services such as Video On Demand (VOD) and HDTV. More than ever, operators must be in a position to earn lucrative revenue, and manage analog and digital signals to respond to trouble. Adding the Gigabit Ethernet interface is aimed at helping the network operators get yet another step closer to that goal."

The DTS-200 is the most complete MPEG-2 field test tool available. It offers technicians the unique ability to capture, play and analyze MPEG-2 transport streams in the field, or remotely from the network operations center, to expedite trouble resolution. An intuitive Web-based client enables technicians to perform real time analysis on incoming streams, play out known streams, run reports on the analysis performed, capture streams on trigger, and record the entire contents of a MPEG-2 Transport Stream. Further, its ability to be remotely controlled via a network allows experienced digital engineers to support multiple sites centrally for improved network reliability and increased cost savings. Additionally, the capability of the DTS-200 to provide for easily switchable interface modules makes it a highly robust tool that can adapt to all areas of the operator's network.

DSAM-1500 Brings an Economical, Comprehensive Suite of Analog Digital Test Capabilities and Two-way Return Tests into the Installer's Hands

Making its first international showing at this year's IBC conference, the DSAM-1500 is an economical, lightweight and durable hand-held instrument for installing, testing and troubleshooting broadband digital services. This latest edition to the DSAM product line offers a comprehensive suite of analog and digital test functionality as well as DOCSIS(R)/EuroDOCSIS(TM) two-way testing that is focused on the needs of cable companies or contractor installers.

Building upon the tradition of the DSAM family of interactive test sets, the DSAM-1500 offers an optional browser function allowing technicians access to a large variety of web-based applications through the test instrument. This effectively turns the device into a mobile work force terminal, thereby eliminating the need for a field PC. Immediate access to critical field data ensures the technician has the right information when they need it.

"For the cable technician and network operator, the appeal of the DSAM-1500 has been its comprehensive test suite including traditional SLM functionality for analog video and audio levels, digital power levels, QAM analysis, including Pre- and Post-FEC BER on digital video and high-speed data services, and a two-way upstream alignment tester," said Bill Robertson, vice president of marketing for Acterna's Cable Networks Division. "Best of all, adding the interactive communication capability with the browser option of the DSAM-1500 allows the unit to become a mobile terminal for work force applications and remote management via our FDM-100 software - a uniquely integrated and effective substitute for mobile PCs."

Acterna's FDM-100 Version 2.1 Field Data Management Software; Enhanced Software System Empowers Technicians to Manage and Interpret Raw Test Data with the Ultimate in Efficiency

FDM-100 Field Data Management Software is a client software application that supports Acterna's DSAM family of test instruments. FDM-100 represents Acterna's interoperable software platform that integrates efficient data management into all operations by capturing the power of test data and continually expanding data manipulation and analysis capability. It helps manages DSAM's test results and ensures that test procedures are consistent across users.

For management of valuable test data, a key component of the FDM-100 allows users to view measurement files in a rich graphical user interface. The field measurements can also be viewed and archived according to DSAM's unique, customizable directory work folder structure whenever a DSAM synchronizes. In addition, archived work folders can be deployed to select DSAM's for viewing and analysis in the field. The interoperability between the DSAM and FDM-100 software via the RF or Ethernet network represents a powerful platform for the management of field test data.

Recent enhancements to the FDM-100 has resulted in the release of Version 2.1 and added new areas of functionality to FDM-100's existing feature set. Each of these will go a long way to equipping operators with tangible means to realize cost effectiveness and increase the productivity of their networks. FDM-100 V 2.1 has added the following features:

-- Ability to save and view new IP performance tests in DSAM such

as Throughput, Packet Loss and Ping

-- Ability to save and view Field View measurement files

-- Ability to save and view Tilt measurement files

-- Support for configuration of RF synchronization

-- Support for configuring proxy server settings for the WFA 

browser option

PathTrak 2.3 Return Path Monitoring System

IBC 2003 will witness the debut of Acterna's release of the Acterna PathTrak Return Path Monitoring System, version 2.3. Used to analyze RF performance of individual return paths in real time, create historical performance logs for trending analysis, and proactive alarms and reports, PathTrak is the world's premier return path monitoring system.

Available as an upgrade to all existing PathTrak customers, PathTrak 2.3 features enhancements to the core PathTrak software, including the ability to run Server and Client software on the latest versions of Windows(R) including Windows XP Pro(R). Supported client operating systems include Windows(R) 98, 2000 Server, XP Pro and Windows NT workstation. Additionally, users can now buy and use the PC of their choice as the PathTrak server.

The latest enhancements create a much more user-friendly PathTrak. Threshold names are now customizable, making it easier to identify between alarms. Monitoring plans can also be stored and edited offline. Additional improvements allow for new back-up procedures that ensure PathTrak data is completely recoverable from disasters.

About Acterna's Cable Network Products and Technologies

Acterna is the world's leading provider of integrated network test and management solutions for global cable networks. Acterna's cable networks portfolio enables cable operators to meet demand and enhance the reliability and performance of their networks and services. Deployed around the world, Acterna's cable systems, software and instruments comprise the industry's broadest set of products that support cable operators through the network life cycle, from building the network to deploying and managing advanced services.

About Acterna

Acterna (ACTRQ.OB) is the world's largest provider of test and management solutions for optical transport, access and cable networks, and the second largest communications test company overall. Focused entirely on providing equipment, software, systems and services, Acterna helps customers develop, install, manufacture and maintain their optical transport, access, cable, data/IP and wireless networks. The company serves customers in more than 80 countries. Acterna is a subsidiary of Acterna Corporation. Information about Acterna can be found on the Web at www.acterna.com.