Acterna Introduces QAM RF Interface Capability for the DTS-200 and DTS-300 at The Western Show 2003, Booth #815.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

The Western Show 2003

GERMANTOWN, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 2, 2003

Digital Video Analyzer Allows User to Analyze and Monitor Output of QAM Modulators to Troubleshoot MPEG Issues within QAM RF Signals

Acterna today announced new digital video monitoring and analysis enhancements for both the Acterna DTS-200 and DTS-300 MPEG analyzers. The additional feature -- a Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) RF interface for the DTS MPEG-2 Transport Stream Analyzer -- will enable network technicians to troubleshoot network signals with more efficiency by analyzing and monitoring any MPEG-2 transport stream being carried within a QAM RF signal.

On display at booth # 815 at The Western Show in Anaheim, CA, December 3-5, this new interface module will provide RF parameters such as Power Level, MER, Pre/Post-FEC BER, SNR, as well as constellation. It will also support the analysis of MPEG parameters such as PIDs, PSIP tables, and accurate timing measurements including Jitter, transport and elementary stream bit rate information, recording capabilities, and the reporting/logging of events and parameters.

With this addition, customers will be equipped with an interface module that is easily usable within their DTS equipment. For the DTS-200, it will come in the form of a Plug In Module (PIM) that the user is able to insert/remove from their DTS-200 as necessary. On the DTS-300, customers will use a card plugged directly into their DTS-300.

"For today's cable networks, the need for a QAM RF interface that can accurately monitor and analyze complex MPEG-2 transport streams is critical," said Sudeep Bose, product marketing manager for Acterna's DTS product line. "Our popular and award winning DTS MPEG-2 analyzer family of products now offers the unique features that will enhance our customers' testing and network management abilities, resulting in better quality of service and faster resolution of issues for their digital video services."

Bose added, "With the addition of the QAM interface to our industry leading DTS product line, which already includes other interfaces such as ASI and Gigabit Ethernet, a user can now use the same piece of Acterna MPEG test gear to gain visibility into both sides of their 'edge' devices."

About Acterna

Acterna is the world's largest provider of communications test solutions for telecommunications and cable network operators. A trusted communications test partner for more than eight decades, Acterna offers an unmatched portfolio of award-winning instruments, systems, software and services that help its customers reduce network costs while improving performance and reliability. Headquartered in Germantown, Maryland, USA - with European and Asia-Pacific operations based in Eningen, Germany and Hong Kong - Acterna serves nearly every major communications service provider and equipment manufacturer around the world through a skilled sales and support organization in 31 countries.